Inactive

The Government is conducting market research and identifying, as potential sources, companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements as specified in the ... The Government is conducting market research and identifying, as potential sources, companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements as specified in the Program Description below. CAUTION: This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes. In accordance with Part 10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, the U.S. Government is conducting market research. The intended purpose is to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience of providing a Scanning Electron Microscope to identify the structural makeup of the impacted items and the debris deposited at the point of contact during Mishap Investigations and Special Projects for the Life Sciences Equipment Laboratory (LSEL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in accordance with the requirements of industry standards and applicable local, state, and Federal laws. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. Furthermore, Wright Patterson AFB, Life Sciences Equipment Laboratory (LSEL) is not at this time seeking proposals, and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this sources sought. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this sources sought will be solely at the responding party’s expense. Not responding to this sources sought does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor this FedBizOpps website for additional information pertaining to this source sought. INSTRUCTIONS: Below is a document containing a description of the requirement and a Contractor Capability Survey, which allows you to provide your company’s capabilities. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.). Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed via email to Kyle Hartlage (AFLCMC/EZVK), kyle.hartlage@us.af.mil or David Bathgate (AFLCMC/WNU), david.bathgate@us.af.mil no later than 7:00 pm EST on 30 July 2021. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Air Force Life Cycle management Center (AFLCMC) Human System Division (AFLCMC/WNU), Life Sciences Equipment Laboratory (LSEL), at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base requires a Scanning Electron Microscope that will be used to support multiple missions of the LSEL including Mishap Investigation and Special Projects. The Scanning Electron Microscope will aid in the LSEL's reports which are critical to establish safety board products including factors, findings, and recommendations. The Scanning Electron Microscope will be utilized as a forensic tool thus the product of the device must be of a high quality and credibility to withstand scrutiny before a court of law. REQUIREMENTS The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) must adhere to the following specifications listed below: The Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) of the SEM are as follows. Unless otherwise specified, each of the following KPPs shall be considered a threshold: a. The microscope shall be capable of fitting on a desk. b. The microscope shall not require a separate cooling system. c. The microscope shall be capable of accommodating a sample size greater than 3 inches square (about 75 mm square) and 2 inches (about 50 mm) tall. d. The microscope shall use a backscattered electron detector (BSD) as its primary means of image acquisition. e. The microscope shall include a secondary electron detector (SED) for increased resolution of sample surfaces. f. The microscope shall have an integrated energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (aka EDS/EDX/EDAX) to determine chemical composition of samples. g. The microscope shall be capable of at least 100,000x magnification. h. The microscope shall be capable of optical navigation for sample positioning. i. The microscope shall have a motorized stage for sample positioning. j. The microscope stage shall be capable of 3-axis translation as well as 3-axis rotation to better position samples. k. The microscope shall be capable of automatic focal point adjustments to maintain sample image clarity. l. The microscope resolution shall be less than or equal to 10 nm. m. The microscope shall have a high and low vacuum sample chamber mode. n. The output image resolution shall be no less than 4,000 x 4,000 pixels. o. The microscope shall be delivered in a "plug and play" configuration with all necessary accessories including, but not limited to, monitor, keyboard, and software. p. The microscope shall be delivered with a "plug and play" sputter coater for preparation of non-conductive samples. q. The microscope shall include initial vendor setup and training as well as all supplemental training manuals and instruction documents. r. The microscope shall not require technician-level calibration more frequently than once per calendar year. s. The system shall have the ability to save image files to an external hard drive and burn images to CD and DVD. The Key System Attributes (KSAs) of the digital microscope shall be as follows. Unless otherwise specified, each of the following KSAs will be considered an objective: a. The microscope electron source should be a CeB6 crystal. b. The microscope should be capable of acceleration voltages beyond 15 kV. c. The microscope software should be capable of programming multiple users with security partitioning. d. The staged configuration should include crash avoidance to protect internal components. e. The system should be out of the box calibrated or user calibrated. CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY Part I. Business Information Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners: Company/Institute Name: Address: Point of Contact: CAGE Code: Phone Number: E-mail Address: Web Page URL: Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, 6650 –Optical Instruments, Test Equipment, Components and Accessories. Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is: Small Business, (Self-Certified or Third Party Certified) (Yes / No) Small Disadvantaged Business, (Self -Certified or Third Party Certified) (Yes / No) Woman Owned Small Business, (Self -Certified or Third Party Certified) (Yes / No) Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business, (Self -Certified or Third Party Certified) (Yes / No) 8(a) Certified, (Self -Certified or Third Party Certified) (Yes / No) HUBZone Certified, (Self -Certified or Third Party Certified) (Yes / No) Veteran Owned Small Business, (Self -Certified or Third Party Certified) (Yes / No) Service Disabled Veteran Small Business, (Self -Certified or Third Party Certified) (Yes / No) *All interested contractors must be registered in SAM in order to be eligible for award of Government contracts. The government reserves the right to consider a small business set-aside based upon responses hereto for any subsequent action. A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership). Please provide a statement that the respondent will allow or will not allow the Government to release proprietary data. Please provide a statement to acceptability of the following proposed non-commercial provisions and clauses, as they are determined to be consistent with customary commercial practice. (Access www.acquisition.gov for full text): 1. FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors 2. FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial items 3. FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items 4. FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders 5. FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management 6. FAR 52.204-16, Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting 7. FAR 52.204-17, Ownership or Control of Offeror 8. FAR 52.204-20, Predecessor of Offeror 9. DFARS 252.203-7005, Representation Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials 10. DFARS 252.204-7016, Covered Defense Telecommunications Equipment of Services – Representation 11. DFARS 252.204-7017, Prohibition on the Acquisition of Covered Defense Telecommunications Equipment of Services – Representation Offerors are advised the System for Award Management (SAM) is not yet updated to reflect the required FAR provision 52.204-24 “Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.” Offerors shall not complete the representation in FAR 52.204-24 if the Offeror has represented that it “does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument” in the provision at FAR 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation, or in paragraph (v) of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. If the Offeror has represented that it DOES provide covered telecommunications equipment or services, they shall notify the Government before submitting a quotation in response to this synopsis/solicitation. FAR 52.204-24 is provided as a separate attachment to this solicitation should the Offeror need to complete this representation. Additional Terms that apply to this acquisition: 1. Notice to Offeror(s)/Supplier(s): Funds are not presently available for this effort and no award will be made under this solicitation until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this solicitation, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs. 2. This is a notice that this order is a total set-aside for small business concerns. The Government will accept only quotes submitted by small business concerns. Any quote that is submitted by a contractor that is not a small business concern IAW the NAICS code and size standard stated above will not be considered for award. OMBUDSMAN The purpose of the Ombudsman is to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. The Ombudsman does not participate in the preparation of solicitations, evaluation of proposals or source selection process and does not diminish the authority of the contracting officer. Any questions or concerns about this solicitation should first directed to the buyer at the e-mail address or phone number listed, or you may contact the Ombudsman, Col Sean Tucker, Deputy Director, Acquisition Excellence & Program Execution Directorate, AFLMC/AQ-AZ @ (937) 255-5512 and/or via email at ASCA@us.af.mil. If your company is interested, e-mail your responses to kyle.hartlage@us.af.mil or david.bathgate@us.af.mil no later than 7:00 pm EST on 30 July 2021. Direct and succinct responses are preferred. Marketing materials are considered an insufficient response. All responses must be UNCLASSIFIED; no classified material will be accepted or considered with this Sources Sought Synopsis. The response to Part I. Business Information should be single spaced, 12pt font. The response to Part II. Capabilities should be limited to no more than 10 pages (8.5x11 inches), single spaced, 12pt font. In addition, identify a representative to support further Government inquiries and requests for clarification of the information provided, if needed. Respondents should indicate which portions of their response are proprietary and should mark them accordingly. The Air Force will handle proprietary items in accordance with FAR 2.101 and 3.104.