Sources Sought - Service on S3500N SEM

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is for informational planning purposes only and it not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any actual procurement of materials, machinery, or services. This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely at the responding parties' expense. Respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and clearly identifying any proprietary information or trade secrets contained within their response. The Government will not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly marked and clearly identified. Proprietary information received in response to this RFI will be safeguarded and handled in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The BEP will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) in Washington, DC, utilizes an Hitachi S3500N scanning electron microscope (SEM) for microscopic imaging and analysis. The BEP requires maintenance and repair services for the SEM so that the system can be operated on any business day to deliver the images and analysis of a broad range of materials with the contrast and resolution at performance levels specified and delivered by Hitachi at installation in March, 2002. As such, BEP needs responsive telephone support and an expert engineer dispatched as often as needed for on-site services, including annual preventative maintenance, and replacement parts and software identical or fully compatible with original equipment. At a minimum the BEP anticipates: One preventative maintenance visit per year to service and inspect the S3500N SEM, including at a minimum: o Cleaning the instrument, with special attention to the electron gun and column o Replacement of all necessary parts o Inspection and replacement of vacuum pump oil and filters o Inspection and replacement of hoses, airlines, and waterlines o Servicing the computer control system and air compressor o Inspection and adjustment, as needed, of all systems o Column alignment and inspection of image o Magnification calibration (if requested) - Twelve months of unlimited on-site repair services including all necessary travel, labor, and replacement parts. Service hours 8 am to 5 pm Eastern Time, Monday to Friday. - On-site emergency response service response time of 48 hours or less, Monday to Friday. - Customer is called back within four (4) hours of leaving a message at the contractor's telephone support center, Monday to Friday, to provide technical support or to inform of on-site arrival time. - Unlimited telephone technical support during business hours. - On-site service to be performed by an expert service engineer fully trained on the Hitachi S3500N, its hardware, software, and support systems. - Service personnel must be acceptable for entry into a secure US government facility. - Replacement parts and software are identical or fully compatible with original equipment. Interested parties are requested to submit responses to via email only to: Kathleen.Reidy@bep.gov The response shall include: 1. 1 Page maximum 2. Business size classification 3. Contact information: name, phone number, email address, web site. This notice closes on June 6, 2011 2 PM EST.