NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE for Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM)

The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division (AMD) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, with Carl Zeiss Microscopy of White Plains, NY for a Zeiss Gemini 560 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). The statutory authority for this acquisition is 41 USC 3304(a)(1); FAR 1.106-1(b).

*****Sole source determination is based on the need to acquire an FESEM that is compatible with existing FESEM as part of its nanostructure characterization tool set.

The NIST intends to procure a Zeiss Gemini 560 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) to support nanofabrication in the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) user facility. This FESEM will replace one of two of existing Zeiss FESEMS in the NanoFab User facility. Specifically, the aging Zeiss Ultra 60 FESEM requires replacement because it is over 15 years old and the manufacturer will no longer guarantee the availability of replacement parts for the tool and downgraded the service contract. The Zeiss Gemini 560 is the latest version of the Zeiss Ultra 60 with the same operation.

The system will be sited and used as a shared resource accessible to researchers from industry, academia, NIST, and other government agencies in the CNST NanoFab Cleanroom User Facility. The Zeiss FESEMs are critical tools in the cleanroom, they are used to verify the structures that result from the various process steps. They are some of the most heavily used tools in the cleanroom, logging over 1100 hours of use per year. The existing Zeiss FESEMs have a large user base, 362 distinct trained users, and many users have operated these microscopes for over 10 years. The user base was trained on the operation of the Zeiss SEMs, and they have documented results from many samples and processes using the Zeiss electron detectors.

Purchase of the same brand of SEM allows users a seamless transition to using the new SEM because the operation and results will be the same. If a different manufacturer’s SEM is purchased users will have to be trained in the operation of the new SEM, and processes that were qualified with the existing SEM will have to be requalified with the new SEM because of different detectors and image formats. The requalification of each process used by each user which would severely impair timely research progress. 

*****The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

*****A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition 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 to conduct a competitive procurement.

*****No solicitation package will be issued.  This notice of intent is not a request for quotations; however, all responsible sources interested may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. Interested parties that believe they can satisfy the requirements listed above must identify their capability in writing before the response date of this notice. Only responses received by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on February 2, 2023 will be considered by the government.  Responses shall be submitted via email to nina.lin@nist.gov and/or forest.crumpler@nist.gov.