Scanning electron microscope

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Base Support Branch (AFLCMC/PZIBB) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), OH intends to award a sole source contract to:

NANOSCIENCE INSTUMENTS INC.

10008 S 51ST ST

PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85044-5223

This requirement is for the following:

CLIN

Item

Quantity

CLIN 0001

Table Mounted Scanning Electron Microscope and required accessories

1 Each

CLIN 0002

Installation/Setup/Qualification

1 Each

CLIN 0003

On-Site Training

1 Each

The contract will be a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Commercial Purchase Order and carried out as a sole source action (not competitively awarded). The statutory authority which permits other than full and open competition for this acquisition is 10 United States Code (USC) 2304 (c) (1), as implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b). This authority is supported by an approved Single Source Justification (See Attachment 2). The applicable NAICS code is 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. This NAICS code has a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

The Aerospace Fuels Laboratory (AFPET/PTPLH) located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station requires one (1) desktop scanning electron microscope, with energy dispersive spectrometer, and secondary electron detector configured for automated analysis.  Four (4) of the standard 47 mm filter membranes represent the analysis of failing filters from the prime and backup sample - each failure is confirmed with a retest, which would result in 4 filters for a single sample. Automation capability allows for analyzation of these filters unattended overnight – saving over 800-man hours that can be efficiently used elsewhere. to minimize costs and maximize mission reliability, a cerium or lanthanum source is required. Replacing tungsten filaments, the alternative, carries a significant burden. Tungsten filaments typically last only 100 hours, often reduced to approximately 80 hours under our higher operating voltages. Their abrupt failure results in a complete signal loss, demanding immediate and disruptive action. This translates to 10 or more filament replacements per year, frequently impacting priority mission samples and causing delays that can compromise launch schedules and increase government operational costs. Replacing these filaments is a complex procedure, requiring system cooling, vacuum release, filament installation, vacuum re-establishment, heating, and alignment verification – often involving multiple iterations. Cerium/lanthanum sources, however, offer a significantly extended lifespan of over 1500 hours, requiring replacement only every two years or longer. Critically, their gradual degradation allows continued instrument operation even with diminished signal strength. Integrating source inspection into annual preventive maintenance allows for scheduled replacements that avoid disrupting mission-critical activities.

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS OR QUOTATIONS. No solicitation package will be issued. Requests for copies of a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored or acknowledged. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether conducting a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. All responses received by 29August 2025 @ 1100 will be considered by the Government. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals/quotes. Responses and questions shall be submitted via email to amanda.hoyng@us.af.mil and bryson.pennie@us.af.mil.

Attachments:

1. Statement of Work
2. Single Source Justification_ Redacted