The purpose of this special notice is to conduct market research for the maintenance of existing National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) NanoFab equipment (fabrication and processing tools). Maintenance includes services and replacement parts. Industry is encouraged to participate in NISTs market research as outlined in this notice. Additional information about NIST and the NanoFab may be found at: - http://www.nist.gov - http://www.nist.gov/cnst/ NOTE: This is NOT a "bidder's conference" and this announcement is not a contract, request for proposal, a promise to contract or a commitment of any kind. The Government will not assume liability for costs incurred by any vendor for presentations, travel, marketing efforts or data offered for examination, therefore, the cost of preparing information in response to this notice is not considered an allowable direct charge to the Government. BACKGROUND: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life. NIST's core competencies are in the areas of measurement science, Rigorous traceability, and development and use of standards. Within NISTs Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST), the NanoFab provides researchers from industry, academia, NIST, and other government agencies rapid access to a comprehensive suite of tools and processes for nanofabrication and measurement. The facility is a unique national resource, combining easy access, tool and process development, and training, while providing researchers from across the nation access to NIST-wide expertise in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The facility is accessible through a simple application process designed to get users into the facility in a few weeks. The NanoFab is a 60,000 square foot (5600 m2) facility that includes a 19,000 square foot (1800 m2), class 1000 cleanroom, with 8,000 square feet (750 m2) at class 100, along with additional high-performance laboratories nearby within the Advanced Measurement Laboratory complex. There are over 65 fabrication and processing tools in the cleanroom, including tools for electron beam-, photo- and nanoimprint-lithography, laser writing and mask generation, field emission scanning electron microscopy, metal deposition, plasma etching, chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, and silicon micro/nano-machining. Tools outside the cleanroom include a second electron beam lithography system, a second atomic force microscope, three dual beam focused ion beam systems and a transmission electron microscope. With an unusual level of operational flexibility, it can accommodate the needs of a wide range of researchers, from novices to the world's experts in nanofabrication. NIST has an ongoing challenge for the replacement of parts for the equipment (fabrication and processing tools) within the NanoFab. The NanoFab currently holds equipment manufactured by the following vendors: 1 4 Wave Inc. 2 Accu-seal 3 AMMT 4 Angstrom Sun 5 APT 6 ASML 7 Brewer Science 8 Bruker 9 CETR 10 Dektak 11 Denton 12 Disco 13 FEI 14 Filmetrics 15 First Tech 16 Heidelberg 17 Hitachi 18 Jandel 19 JEOL 20 Karl Suss 21 Kulicke and Soffa 22 Modular Process Technology 23 Nanometrics 24 Nanonex 25 Nikon 26 Oxford 27 Plasmatherm 28 Reynolds Tech 29 Semitool 30 Specialty Coating Systems 31 Tepla 32 Toho 33 Tousimas 34 Tystar 35 Veeco 36 Vistec 37 VWR 38 Woollam 39 Xactix 40 Yield Engineering Systems 41 Zeiss NIST is conducting market research to determine the best contracting solution through communications with industry that will allow for the procurement and start of maintenance (services and replacement parts) within hours of the identification of a NanoFab requirement. INFORMATION REQUEST: NIST is requesting input from industry on a recommended approach to fulfilling requirements for NanoFab equipment maintenance within hours of the identification of the requirement. Specifically, NIST is interested in crafting a procurement strategy that considers industry's constraints (i.e. related to company policy, warranties, manufacturing...) and is able to be executed in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Any party interested in assisting the Government as it investigates acquisition strategies is encouraged to attend the Information Day and/or prepare and submit a white paper with its constraints, observations, cautions, or recommendations. The white paper must be brief, should not exceed four pages in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format, should be written from the perspective of helping Government program managers make a decision regarding the procurement strategy, and should be email to megan.boblitt@nist.gov and mary.johnson@nist.gov by 12:00pm EST on May 4, 2012. INFORMATION DAY: NIST will be holding an Information Day, which will include a tour of the NanoFab, to openly discuss the requirements, challenges, constraints, and approaches to fulfilling requirements on May 9, 2012 at 1:00pm to 5:00pm EST at the NIST Gaithersburg, MD location. Registration (which will close May 2, 2012) is required through the following website: https://www-s.nist.gov/CRS/conf_disclosure.cfm?conf_id=5342 Please be advised, for security reasons, attendees who have not pre-registered will not be admitted to the NIST campus, or to the Information Day. All guests and visitors to the NIST campus must have the following items available before entering the Visitor's Center: Photo I.D. (State issued driver's license, Federal ID or passport) and Vehicle Registration card.
