The Supply and Install of an Ion Mill System

Suppliers can find the complete tender document(s), at no cost, on: https://uwo.bonfirehub.ca. Procuring Entity: University of Western Ontario (Western) Procurement Services 1151 Richmond Street London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7 Contact: Erica Watson ewatso25@uwo.ca Procurement Method: Open tender whereby all interested Suppliers may submit a Proposal. Description: The RFP is an invitation to submit offers for the provision of The Supply and Install of an Ion Mill System, as further described herein. The proposed ion mill system will be used as a dedicated sample preparation tool for electron microscopy workflows, with primary applications in EBSD, SEM and TEM imaging, and related microstructural and chemical analyses, to complement the extensive analytical suite at the Western Advanced Materials Foundry (WAMF) and Surface Science Western. Many research programs supported by Western require highly controlled surface preparation to enable reliable crystallographic analysis, particularly for EBSD, where surface flatness, minimal deformation, and low contamination are critical. An application area for materials research is related to hydrogen effects, including hydrogen embrittlement, hydride formation, and degradation of structural alloys in hydrogen‑containing environments. In these studies, the ion mill will be used to selectively remove surface layers, prepare localized regions of interest, and support correlation between microstructure and hydrogen‑induced damage mechanisms. The ion mill will be used to prepare flat and cross‑sectional surfaces where traditional mechanical or chemical polishing methods are insufficient or introduce unacceptable artifacts. Broad‑beam argon ion milling allows reproducible removal of mechanically induced damage and surface layers, while maintaining control over material removal rates and affected depth. Variable ion energy and adjustable milling geometry allow both efficient bulk removal and low‑energy final polishing suitable for EBSD analysis of hydrogen‑sensitive materials. Cryogenic ion milling capability is required to support beam‑sensitive, thermally sensitive, and environmentally sensitive materials. Liquid nitrogen cooling during milling reduces beam‑induced heating, limits surface diffusion and oxidation, and helps preserve phases or features that may be altered during room‑temperature milling. This is relevant to research on battery materials, functional coatings, polymers, and other systems where conventional polishing or room‑temperature ion milling is not appropriate. The ion mill will be incorporated into integrated workflows involving gloveboxes and electron microscopes. Compatibility with air‑free or inert transfer systems is important for minimizing atmospheric exposure between preparation and analysis, particularly for air‑sensitive and hydrogen‑containing specimens. In many cases, controlled transfer reduces oxidation and contamination and may reduce reliance on post‑preparation coating. In addition to academic research, the ion mill will support industrial services such as metallurgical analysis, coating evaluation, corrosion studies, failure analysis, and process development. Typical use cases include preparation of metallographic cross sections, EBSD‑quality surface finishing, and investigation of microstructural features that are difficult to access using mechanical preparation alone. The instrument will operate as a shared facility asset with high utilization by users with varied levels of expertise. Overall, the ion mill system will function as a supplementary sample preparation instrument within Western, enabling consistent, low‑damage preparation of materials for advanced electron microscopy. Its use will support fundamental research, applied research, and industrial problem‑solving across a broad range of materials systems and experimental requirements. Budget: The estimated budget for this project is CAD $456,650 plus HST. Estimated Quantities: Available within the tender document Submission Details: All tender submissions must be uploaded electronically at https://uwo.bonfirehub.ca. Submission Deadline: July 7, 2026 at 12:00PM (noon) ET Public Opening: Not Applicable Conditions for Participation: Available within the tender document(s). Mandatory Submission Requirements: Appendix B- Submission Form Appendix C- Rate Bid Form Appendix D- Reference Form Appendix E- Deliverables and Technical Requirements Questionnaire Appendix F and Sustainability Supporting Documentation Complete submission requirements are provided within the tender document(s). Scored Submission Requirements: Mandatory Requirements Experience, Qualifications and References Technical and Functional Requirements Service and Support Value- Added Ideas Sustainability Accessibility (AODA) Pricing Presentation (short-listed Suppliers only) This procurement is covered by Chapter 5 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). This procurement is covered by Chapter 19 of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). Delivery Date: Fall 2026 Duration of Agreement: Upon receipt of equipment and satisfaction of obligations as set out in the Agreement. Additional Options: Available in the tender document(s) Negotiation: At the end of the evaluation process, Western may identify one or more Suppliers with whom it wishes to enter into negotiations, by written notification. See tender document(s) for further detail. Prequalification: Not Applicable Responses must be submitted in English. Suppliers should note that information contained within this Tender Notice is subject to change. Suppliers are encouraged to download the tender document(s) which contain the most current information. If there is a conflict between the tender document(s) and this Tender Notice, the tender document(s) will take precedence. Bidding and Documents are available on http://www.merx.com. Fees may apply; See https://www.merx.com/public/pricing for more information.