NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: Nano-SMPS, DMA with CPC upgrades

Active

Contract Opportunity

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 TSI Incorporated, 500 CARDIGAN ROAD, SHOREVIEW, MN 55126 for the purchase of a Nano-SMPS, and DMA with CPC upgrades for an existing TSI SMPS to be utilized by NIST’s Chemical Sciences Division. The statutory authority for this acquisition is 41 USC 3304(a)(1); FAR 13.106-1(b).

***** Sole source determination is based on the need to acquire a compatible Nano-SMPS and upgrade of an existing system to advance the CHIPS mission of developing new metrology techniques for enabling the manufacture of advanced semiconductor devices.

Minimum Requirements:

Line Item 0001: Electrostatic classifier

Description: Control unit that handles sheath flow and voltage supply for the nano-DMA to allow for rapid scanning of the particle size distribution.

Quantity: 1

1. Technical Specifications
   
   
   
   1. Plug-and-play compatible with existing TSI 3081L DMAs.
   
   
   2. Utilizes USB or ethernet to connect to a host computer.
   
   
   3. Utilize 120 VAC.
   
   
   
   

Line Item 0002: Soft x-ray charge neutralizer

Description: Ensures that particles reach an equilibrium charge distribution prior to classification by the nano-DMA

Quantity: 1

1. Technical Specifications
   
   
   
   1. non-radioactive source for particle neutralization inducing deviations less than 5 % in particle sizing compared to radioactive neutralizers.
   
   
   2. safety key switch and external power button to prevent accidental activation.
   
   
   3. maximum particle number density of 107 cm-3 at flow rates up to 5 L min-1.
   
   
   4. Utilize 120 VAC.
   
   
   
   

Line Item 0003: nano-DMA

Description: Particle size selector for generating monomobile aerosol stream with particles of known size from a polydisperse aerosol input.

Quantity: 2

1. Technical Specifications
   
   
   
   1. Capable of classifying particles in the range of 2 nm to 150 nm.
   
   
   2. Plug-and-play compatible with an existing 1 x TSI 3082 Electrostatic classifier.
   
   
   
   

Line Item 0004: Water-based condensation particle counter

Description: Particle counter for determining the number density of particles exiting the nano-DMA

Quantity: 2

1. Technical Specifications
   
   
   
   1. Utilizes water as the working fluid.
   
   
   2. Default operation capable of counting 2.2 nm particles with ≥ 50 % efficiency that can be user-optimized to ≈ 1.6 nm.
   
   
   3. Single particle counting up to 2 × 105 cm-3.
   
   
   4. Plug-and-play compatible with an existing 1 x TSI 3082 Electrostatic classifier.
   
   
   5. Utilizes a USB or ethernet to connect to a host computer.
   
   
   6. Utilizes 120 VAC.
   
   
   
   

Line Item 0005: software for controlling the nano-SMPS

Description: Software for collecting and storing sample data from the nano-SMPS

Quantity: 1

1. Technical Specifications
   
   
   
   1. Windows 10 64-bit compatible.
   
   
   
   

Market research was performed from February 2024 through April of 2024, including web searches, SAM searches, and searches of GSA to determine sources that could meet the Government’s requirements. Two sources sought notices were posted for the requirements, which yielded no capable responses. This market research determined that TSI is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the equipment that meets the required minimum specifications.

*****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 on January 13, 2025 will be considered by the government. Responses shall be submitted via email to jenna.bortner@nist.gov or Donald.collie@nist.gov.

Contracting Office Address:

100 Bureau Drive

Bldg. 301, Mail Stop 1640

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-0001

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