SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Automated, motorized, optical microscope
- Notice Date
- 6/29/2022 10:13:47 AM
- Notice Type
- Solicitation
- NAICS
- 339112
— Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- SLAC Natl Accel Lab -DOE Contractor Menlo Park CA 94025 USA
- ZIP Code
- 94025
- Solicitation Number
- 330305
- Response Due
- 7/15/2022 4:30:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 07/30/2022
- Point of Contact
- Barbara Garcia, Phone: 6509263549
- E-Mail Address
-
barbarag@slac.stanford.edu
(barbarag@slac.stanford.edu)
- Description
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is operated by Stanford University for the Department of Energy. As a management and operating contractor, subcontracts awarded by the Laboratory are not Federal procurements, and are not directly subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulations in 48 CFR. Nonetheless, certain Federal laws, Executive Orders, and regulations may affect our DOE approved purchasing system, as required by statute, regulation, or contract terms and conditions. SLAC has a requirement for a U.S. domestic end item source of the following product: We wish to procure an automated, motorized, optical microscope for wafer-scale surveying of thin film patterns. Not every user of this motorized microscope will be an expert microscopist. A system that can be precalibrated and then can enable every user to get very high quality stitched images with a �one-click� interface would most efficiently use researchers� time. The first goal is to be able to image at least 1x1 cm^2 area in under 10 minutes, including time for stitching multiple individual photos into a single image without prominent seams (on a suitably fast computer: see below.) This should be done using a 20X objective with 0.45 or higher numerical aperture (NA), in combination with a high resolution color camera allowing for imaging with 0.8 micron or finer resolution at 0.55 micron wavelength.� The system to be acquired should be based around an upright microscope capable of Koehler episcopic illumination. A typical specimen to image will be a silicon wafer ranging in dimensions from 1x1 cm^2� to 10x10 cm^2. The atomically-thin film patterns of interest atop the wafer, with lateral dimensions ranging from 1 micron to hundreds of microns, may have low intrinsic optical contrast, requiring high-bit-depth imaging to distinguish them. Specimens of interest are not expected to be damaged by sustained exposure to even intense LED illumination. The second goal is to be able to image regions of interest identified manually by a user based on a relatively coarse preliminary map acquired at 20X magnification. This will involve applying additional commonly-used reflected light imaging techniques at various magnifications. These include bright field microscopy, dark field microscopy, differential interference contrast microscopy and simple polarized light microscopy. The system must be able to switch between different imaging modes, automatically implementing optimal preset illumination conditions for every objective as that objective is selected through software. Hence, a fully automated and motorized microscope is needed which includes a motorized objective turret, motorized components for applying optimal Koehler illumination with each objective, motorized sample stage and focus, as well as motorized polarization components including DIC prism. We are not soliciting proposals for a computer to operate the microscope at this time, since we will be designing and separately acquiring our own custom-configured computer for best performance. But all software costs associated with meeting these goals should be included in the proposal. Also, configuration requirements for a computer to run the software and operate the microscope to the required performance levels should be included in the proposal. Similarly, we are not soliciting proposals for microscope objectives other than 20X magnification at this time, as we expect to acquire other objectives separately as we further define our needs. Evaluation Criterion Description 1 Upright microscope configuration Microscope must be capable of inspecting samples oriented such that the sample surface under inspection faces upwards. 2 Reflected light capabilities As part of the ""as-purchased"" or ""initial configuration"", microscope must be configured to allow performing Bright Field (BF), Dark Field (DF), Differential Interference Contrast (DIC), and simple polarized light measurements, using reflected light, in upright configuration with episcopic illumination. 3 Transmitted light capabilities Microscope body must be capable of future implementation of transmitted illumination. 4 Objective - Motorized turret Ability to switch between six reflected-light objectives, by calling upon software functions to switch between objectives using a motorized objective turret. 5 Objective - Magnification, NA, correction Initial configuration should include only one objective, of 20X magnification, with a Numerical Aperture (NA) of 0.45 or higher. Objective must be plan corrected and infinity corrected, without any coverslip or coverglass compensation. Imaging will be performed in air (dry medium). 6 Objective - Imaging capabilities As part of the initial configuration, ability to perform reflected light BF, DF, DIC and simple polarized imaging with the 20X magnification objective. 7 Objective - Software and hardware features Ability of the microscope to recall a collection of last used or preset parameters for every one of the six objectives, which could eventually be installed on the motorized turret. Upon selecting any objective in software, the relevant objective should rotate in place. Also, any stored parameter settings, relevant to the objective in-use, should be recalled automatically, including but not limited to adjusting illumination intensity, applying parfocal compensation to correct for the variance in the parfocality of different objectives by changing the height of objective or sample stage (Z-axis), setting elements necessary for Koehler illumination such as aperture and/or field diaphragms. Parfocal compensation is only expected for objectives manufactured by the microscope manufacturer. 8 X-Y sample stage - travel range X-Y sample stage of approximately 100x100mm (4x4 inches) travel range. 9 X-Y sample stage - motorized and encoded Motorization on the X-Y axes of the sample stage for computer controlled, automated scanning of large area samples with a minimum step size in each axis of 0.1 micron or better (smaller distance). Also, equipped with encoders to read position with a resolution of 0.1 micron or better (smaller distance) and accuracy of +/- 0.5 micron or better (smaller distance). 10 X-Y Sample stage Solid or transparent sample plate, providing a flat surface on which to place samples (such as silicon wafers or chips cut from such wafers). The size of the flat area on which samples can be placed must match or exceed the travel range of the motorized X-Y stage, to enable optimum use of the full travel range. 11 Focus - Motorized Ability to bring the sample into focus using software functions which call upon a motorized objective focus drive or a motorized Z-axis of the sample stage or a combination of both. Focus motion step resolution should be 0.1 micron or better. This motorization of focus should enable software autofocus. 12 Joystick Ability to move the motorized X,Y and focus (Z) axes using a joystick, in addition to software controls. 13 Camera - Hardware Color camera with at least a 14mm sensor diagonal with the following properties at 1x1 binning: 1) At least 16 megapixel (16MP) resolution, 2) At least 12-bit color depth (4096 levels for each of red, green and blue color channels), 3) At least 5 frames per second of live display. 14 Camera - Grayscale correction Ability to correct for spatial non-uniformity in optical components and illumination, by using a grayscale correction/subtraction or flat-field correction or shading correction. Ability to switch between stored grayscale corrections based on different reference images, or if desired to correct based on acquiring new reference images, when changing objectives and/or optical configurations. 15 Camera - LUTs, Gamma, Exposure Ability to modify, with ease, while live imaging, look up tables (LUTs) for the three primary colors in software. Ability to also change gamma and exposure time in software. Ability to do auto-exposure in software. 16 Imaging - BF Ability to switch to bright field (BF) imaging using purely software functions to move motorized hardware. No manual interchanging of parts or manual adjustment of knobs or non-automated changing of parameters should be needed to switch between imaging modes. 17 Imaging - DF Ability to switch to dark field (DF) imaging using purely software functions to move motorized hardware. No manual interchanging of parts or manual adjustment of knobs or non-automated changing of parameters should be needed to switch between imaging modes. 18 Imaging - DIC Ability to switch to Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) imaging using purely software functions to move motorized hardware including motorized DIC prism, motorized analyzer and polarizer. No manual interchanging of parts or manual adjustment of knobs or non-automated changing of parameters should be needed to switch between imaging modes. 19 Imaging -Polarized light Ability to insert polarizer and analyzer using purely software functions to call upon motorized hardware. 20 Illumination - Source Coaxial white light LED, with computerized intensity control as well as computerized LED on/off function and/or computerized shutter open/close function. 21 Illumination - Manual filters Ability to slide filters manually into the incident light path. These filters could include color filters, fly eye lenses, etc. The filters themselves are not expected to be provided in the initial configuration. 22 Illumination - Motorized filters Ability to move at least one filter each in the incident and reflected light path, using motorized hardware called upon by software. These motorized filters may include band pass filters, band reject filters, color filters or quarter/lamba wave plates. The filters themselves are not expected to be provided in the initial configuration. 23 Illumination - Koehler & motorized components for Koehler Ability to set optimum Koehler illumination using software functions that call upon motorized components in the incident light path including but not limited to aperture and/or field diaphragms. By recalling these conditions optimized for each objective, optimum Koehler illumination should be maintained when switching between objectives, once parameters are optimally set for each objective in software by the user 24 Eyepieces - Field of view Eyepieces covering the full field of view allowed by the microscope 25 Eyepieces - Trinocular configuration Must have ability to switch between 100% light to camera and 0% light to eyepieces to 100% light to eyepieces and 0% light to camera. Other modes are optional but not required. 26 Software - Microscope control Ability to control all motorized features mentioned in this document, using a manufacturer provided software which also supports saving the acquired image to a computer's storage. 27 Software - Autofocus Ability to focus on the sample surface with software-based one-click autofocus function, using motorized focus. 28 Software - Image stitching Ability to rapidly form seamless stitched or tiled images of regions 1cm^2 (one square centimeter) or larger, in area, using a 20X magnification objective. Ability to complete image acquisition and stitching at 20X magnification over a 1x1cm^2 area in under 10 minutes is required. 29 Software - Image stitching with focus correction or polynomial background subtraction Ability to perform image stitching with focus adjustment at every image location calculated to compensate for a gradient or other smooth variation in focus across the 1x1cm^2 or larger sample area, based on focus determined at two or more points which may be at diagonally-opposite corners of a specimen or at other points spread across the specimen. This avoids the slowdown that would be caused by autofocusing before taking each image, though automatically running autofocus before taking each image should also remain a user-selectable option. 30 Software - Macros or SDK or APIs Ability to retain the full functionality of the hardware as well as the camera, without using vendor-provided software directly - i.e. using macros to control the software from an external script, or using an external script and controlling the microscope using commands provided as part of a software development kit (SDK) or application programming interface (API). 31 Lead Time or Delivery Delivery on-site as soon as possible. Less than 12 weeks ARO (After Receipt of Order) required. 32 Installation, Calibration and Training Include in the quote the cost of initial on-site installation, calibration and training. This includes demonstration of imaging with the included objective, including image stitching, and calibration of the microscope's illumination configuration for optimal Koehler illumination. Training should include, but is not limited to, training of at least two users on-site following the installation, in the imaging and image stitching of user specimens. BUSINESS EVALUATION FACTORS: Evaluation Criterion 1 Cost The award will be made based upon the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable method. Marking of Proprietary/Confidential Information. Offerors shall properly mark and identify with a restrictive legend or information markings on pages of the proposal that contain Proprietary/confidential information. For Offeror to be eligible for a subcontract award with the University and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Offeror shall be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). Entities may register at no cost directly at the SAM website: https://www.sam.gov. The resulting purchase order shall be performed in accordance with SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's Terms and Conditions for Fixed Price Commercial Supplies and Services dated December 2016 NOTE: The following documents are attached in this solicitation. Buy American Act Certificate Terms & Conditions for Fixed Price Commercial Supplies and Services, December 2016 Please provide quoted price, delivery, technical compliance statement and certification to the attention of Barbara Garcia. Payment Terms: Net 30 days Freight terms: FOB Destination Prepaid and Add
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/9c53839d9a704fbab813762a86cc7723/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
- Zip Code: 94025
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 94025
- Record
- SN06372993-F 20220701/220629230104 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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