Inactive

This is not an announcement of a Solicitation. The U.S. Geological Survey needs to assess industry interest and capability to provide a commercially produced micro-sampling instrument capable of sub-m... This is not an announcement of a Solicitation. The U.S. Geological Survey needs to assess industry interest and capability to provide a commercially produced micro-sampling instrument capable of sub-micron stage resolution allowing the user to precisely and accurately drill powdered samples with real-time video observation. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3, Request for Information for Solicitation and Planning Purposes (October 1997), this notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ). USGS intends to assess the responses to inform decision-making. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the government to contract for services. The government will not pay for any information provided as a result of this notice and will not recognize or reimburse any cost associated with RFI submission. Responses to this RFI will not affect a potential offeror's ability to respond to any RFQ that might follow. Please ensure that any sensitive or protected information is marked as such and the government will ensure this information is not released externally. The overarching objective for this RFI is information gathering and not acquisition of products or services The unit shall be capable of: ¿ submicron stage resolution and positional accuracy, ¿ Sub-micron sample motion control, ¿ High-precision milling, ¿ Sample height detection and tilt correction, ¿ computer-driven sample movement on X, Y and Z axes, ¿ Data/image file re-coordination, including save, recall, and export. Hardware shall include ¿ High-resolution stereo microscope with up to 40X optical zoom, ¿ S-video color CCD video camera for imaging and digitizing samples. Software capabilities shall include ¿ Point-and-click functions, ¿ Live video image displayed on computer monitor, ¿ On-screen display of digitized and interpolated sub-sampling paths, ¿ Depth control over entire area to be sampled, ¿ Z-tilt correction and contour-following functions, ¿ Off-line digitized files can be read directly transformation of image coordinates, ¿ Data record file with sample-path information and estimated sample volumes, ¿ Save, recall and export images (BMP, TIF, JPG and TGA files). Please submit all responses and any questions to this notice by Monday, September 14,, 2020 to the Contracting Officer, Lane Jones, at lanejones@usgs.gov. Responses received after this date will not be evaluated. No feedback or evaluations will be provided regarding the information provided. End of RFI.