Loren Data Corp.

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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF APRIL 22,1997 PSA#1829

DOC; Mountain Administrative Support Center; Acquisition Management Division; 325 Broadway MC3; Boulder, CO

66 -- SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE SOL 52RANB70C025 POC Procurement Technicians, (303) 497-3221 or Fax (303) 497-3163 E-MAIL: NOAA; MASC Acquisition Management, Joyce.J.Mills@noaa.gov. In the absence of other qualified sources, it is the intent of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Electromagnetic Technology Division to acquire a high resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), from JOEL USA, Inc., 11 Dearborn Road, Peabody, MA 01960, under "other than full and open competition procedures," pursuant to 41 USC 253(c)(1) -- only one responsible source. The model number is JSM-6400 with options SM-40101 (LBFS) LAB6, SM-46100 (PCD64) probe current detector, SM-43160 (LND) LN2 trap, and SM-47010 (EXT) RS232 ext. interface. This SEM is to be used primarily as a base system/electron beam source for attachment to a prototype x-ray detection system. The x-ray detector has been designed to be completely interchangeable between laboratory microscopes at the NIST laboratories located at Boulder, CO and Gaithersburg, MD. This interchangeability is based on the fact that the detector is moved between the various microscopes and used to gather data at the different locations.The new SEM will become part of this system and must be completely compatible with both an x-ray detection/adiabatic demagnetization refrigeration (ADR) unit, an SEM used in Gaithersburg, MD (JOEL JSM-6400), and an existing SEM (JOEL JSM- 6400). The SEM chamber dimensions, port locations and sizes are of utmost importance to the compatibility and portability of the NIST x-ray detector/adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator. Due to design constraints of the prototype x-ray detector/adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator its geometrical configuration does not allow for use in different sizes of SEM chambers or ports. This interchangeability/compatibility between microscopes is the primary basis for utilizing other than full and open competition. The chamber size and location of the access port must be such that the distance from the sensing portion of the detector (contained within an ADR snout) to the center of the electron beam is 66 mm +/- 1 mm. This distance allows for optimal use of the detector and an x-ray optic. Chambers that are too small do not have room for the prototype apparatus. Due to constraints on the length of the snout which contains the x-ray detector, chambers that are too large cannot provide an optimal distance from the electron beam to the detector. The access port must be at least 5" wide, be easily machined to incorporate the ADR's snout, and not have other detectors, wiring, or portions of the specimen stage blocking the entrance into the SEM chamber. The port opening should be opposite the EDS detector port. In addition, the stage must be eucentric to keep the sample in focus while it is tilted. The stage must be capable of being tilted at least 5 degrees in the direction of the access port (opposite to the normal direction of tilt in most SEM stages). To ensure an accurate take off angle of the x-rays generated from the surface of the specimen by interaction with the electron beam of the SEM, the prototype detector must be placed in the same position relative to the electron beam and aeucentric specimen stage to ensure high enough count levels to gain good data with the x-ray detector. If the detector is mounted onto an SEM that does not fit the required chamber dimensions and port locations/size specifications, the take off angle will no longer match that previously obtained. Whenever a new detector is characterized, it is extremely important that testing parameters remain constant to ensure testing is accurate and meaningful. Position of the prototype detector within each SEM at each site must be the same. The acquisition is a commercial item acquisition. Interested concerns must submit a written qualification statement that clearly establishes the firm's capability to meet the above requirements. This qualification statement shall be submitted to the individual and office cited above within 15 days from the publication date of this synopsis. This is not a formal solicitation. See Note 22 except 45 days is changed to 15 days for commercial items. (0108)

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