NASA Langley Research Center, Bid Distribution Office, MS 126 Hampton, Va. 23681-0001

66 -- MULTIMODE ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE SOL 1-074-DMF.4866 DUE 061996 POC Artistine R. Lethcoe-Reid, Buyer (804) 864-2432. Category 66 -- Multimode Atomic Force Microscope -- SOL 1-074-DMF.4866 DUE 6-19-96. POC Artistine R. Lethcoe-Reid 804-864-2432 or e-mail a.lethcoe-reid@larc.nasa.gov. Quantity 1 each Nanoscope Multimode Atomic Force Microscope. DIGITAL INSTRUMENTS Model MMAFM or fully equivalent necessary to upgrade the existing Nanoscope scanning probe system. The Polymer Materials Research Laboratory of NASA Langley Research Center is equipped with scanning, tunneling, and atomic force microscopes which are NanoScope II system provided by Digital Instrument. These systems are to be upgraded to support recently created Research and Development programs requiring new features and more capabilities. The current procurement is to acquire a base component of atomic force microscope (AFM) for this upgrade. This component shall be: 1) Capable of functioning as a contact, non-contact, lateral force, magnetic force, periodic point contacting (tapping), and electrical force microscope, 2) Capable of performing tests in force mode in air and fluid, in tapping mode in fluid, 3) Able to be configured into a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and electrochemical STM and AFM with additional accessories, 4) Able to be configured into magnetic force microscope with additional accessories, 5) Include a topview optical head for on-axis viewing of the probe and sample, and 6) Include a base with an automatic approach system, 45x monocular microscope with a laser filter, XY sample stage with 2 mm x 2 mm range probe handling tools, and mica sample for atomic imaging. The above specified AFM component shall be compatible with the existing Nanoscope II system and immediately operational when installed to the existing system without requiring additional component except for the requirement 3 and 4. The offeror shall submit specific list of accessories to accomplish requirements of 3 and 4 above. This notice constitutes a complete Request for Quotations (RFQ). No additional RFQ is available. This procurement is 100 percent set aside for small business concerns. This is a commercial item procurement, see FAR Part 12. FAR Clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-2, 52.212-3, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5 are incorporated by reference. Quotes may be mailed to NASA Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 138, Hampton, VA 23681-0001, or faxed to 804-864-6131, solicitation number must be cited in either case. The quote must be for the item(s) described above, contain a CERTIFICATION that the offeror is a small, small disadvantaged, or small woman-owned business, be FOB destination to this Center, include the proposed delivery schedule and discount/payment terms and warranty duration (if applicable), and be signed by an authorized company representative. Offerors should include their taxpayer identification number (TIN). Quotes are due by 3:00 p.m. local time on 6-19-96. All timely quotes received from small businesses will be considered. Quotes must include adequate information and submittals to determine whether the proposed item(s) will meet the requirement described above. Product literature is recommended for technical information. Evaluations will be per line item, and award(s) will be for the best value to the Government, with price, technical, and past performance considered essentially equal. Award is anticipated within 7 days of the date quotes are due. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures. An ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and contractors during the preaward and postaward phases of this acquisition. The purpose of the ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the contracting officer, the Source Evaluation Board, or the selection official, but to communicate concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations of interested parties to the appropriate Government personnel and to work to resolve them. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of formal contract disputes. Concerned parties may call the installation ombudsman Belinda Adams at 804-864-8989. DO NOT CALL THE OMBUDSMAN FOR SOLICITATION REQUESTS/INFORMATION. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations which cannot be resolved by the installation ombudsman may be referred to the NASA Agency ombudsman Tom Luedtke at 202-358-2090. Before consulting with any ombudsman, interested parties must try to resolve their concerns with the contract specialist or the contracting officer. For solicitation requests/information, contact the point of contact (POC) listed at the beginning of this synopsis. (0156)

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