Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with EDS (Amendment 1)

The Air Force Academy seeks a tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope with integrated Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, with proposals due August 27, 2026, and an amendment issued August 20 that updated technical specifications and the response deadline from August 18 to August 27.

Place of performance is Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The procurement is full and open competition with no set-asides. NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) applies, with PSC 6650 (Optical Instruments, Test Equipment, Components and Accessories). Small business size standard is 1,000 employees.

The system must meet salient characteristics including a benchtop design weighing no more than 200 pounds, operation on standard 110VAC with UPS backup, and vacuum range of 0.1 Pa to 100 Pa. Electron optics must include a Cerium Hexaboride source with greater than 3,000-hour lifetime (user-exchangeable), accelerating voltage of 1.5 kV to 20.5 kV, maximum magnification of at least 350,000x, simultaneous backscattered and secondary electron detectors with 8 nm and 6 nm resolution minimums, and automated features including auto-focus, auto-stigmator, auto-brightness, and auto-gun alignment. The EDS detector must be a fully integrated Silicon Drift Detector capable of elemental mapping from Boron to Uranium with real-time mapping and quantitative analysis. The system includes motorized X-Y-Z stage accepting three standard 12.7 mm SEM stubs, PC workstation with 24-inch monitor, pre-installed imaging software with advanced mapping and stitching, on-site installation and training, and minimum one-year warranty. Only new equipment is acceptable; used, refurbished, or gray market items will not be considered.

Quotes must be submitted in three volumes: Technical Acceptability, Past Performance (up to three recent relevant contracts), and firm-fixed Price, with all quotes valid through September 30. Evaluation uses a trade-off process where technical capability and past performance are significantly more important than price. Questions are due August 13. Firm-fixed-price award will go to the responsible offeror offering best value. FAR 52.225-2 Buy American Certificate and DFARS 252.225-7035 Buy American Certificate are required. Net 30 payment terms apply with F.O.B. Destination delivery.