Field Widened Michelson Interferometer (2023-UWMSN-00149-RFB)

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking bids for a Field Widened Michelson Interferometer through a competitive Request for Bid (RFB) process, specifically identified by the solicitation number 2023-UWMSN-00149-RFB. The procurement is focused on acquiring a specialized scientific instrument, with bids to be submitted exclusively through the online platform at https://bids.sciquest.com/apps/Router/PublicEvent?CustomerOrg=UWisconsin. The solicitation was publicly posted on January 27, 2023, with a firm bid submission deadline of February 6, 2023 - a relatively short ten-day window for potential vendors. Interested bidders with technical questions are required to contact Eric Thompson directly via email at ejthompson2@wisc.edu. The procurement covers Dane County and specifically impacts the Madison City jurisdiction, suggesting this is a localized university research equipment acquisition. Potential vendors must carefully review all specifications and ensure complete compliance with the online submission requirements.

While specific details about set-aside designations or vendor restrictions are not explicitly provided in the solicitation, the procurement appears to be a standard competitive bid process open to qualified scientific equipment suppliers. The procurement is geographically centered in Dane County, Wisconsin, which might provide some preference or accessibility advantages for local or state-based vendors. No incumbent vendor information or specific budget ranges are disclosed in the available documentation. The online bidding platform (ShopUW+) suggests a standardized procurement process that likely includes standard evaluation criteria focused on technical specifications, pricing, delivery capabilities, and vendor qualifications. Given the specialized nature of a Michelson Interferometer, vendors will likely need advanced scientific and engineering capabilities, precise manufacturing tolerances, and demonstrated expertise in high-precision optical instrumentation.