Purchase of a Carl Zeiss LSM 800 Confocal Widefield Microscope

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC., located at 1 Zeiss Drive, Thornwood, New York, 10594 to purchase a LSM 800 Confocal Widefield Microscope (Part Number 4109002042979000) to facilitate the measurement of rough and irregular surfaces. The sole source justification is based on the following: NIST's optical microscopy capabilities are met at present with a suite of five unique manual microscopes: upright, inverted, stereo, micromanipulation, and Gilbraltar. An instrument is needed that will significantly extend the capabilities of this suite by enabling the imaging and mensuration of rough and irregular surfaces such as those created by additive manufacturing, fracture, wear, plastic deformation, and corrosion as well as the imaging of failed components and micro-devices used in nanomechanical testing. Additive manufactured materials are extremely 3D in nature, are typically larger than optimal microscopy specimen in both lateral dimension and weight, and require detection of small surface features. Because of this, the ability to perform both widefield and confocal microscopy on the same instrument is essential. The ability to measure, analyze, and document these microscopic features is required to enable investigators to study how these features influence the properties and behavior of materials in service and the development of measurement tools, data, and models that can be used to develop better materials and manufacturing methods. The Zeiss LSM 800 was the only microscope discovered during market research that can provide a combined widefield and confocal microscope with the widefield contrast modes required by NIST. Given these facts, Zeiss Microscopy, LLC is the only source reasonably available to provide the required equipment and software. The resulting purchase order will be a Firm Fixed Price purchase order. The NAICS Code is 33314 with a size standard of 500 employees. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by 11:00 am EST 06 July 2016, will be considered by the Government. 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 normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.