The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineering Research and Development Center – Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) in Champaign, IL has a requirement for one (1) RC2 Spectroscopic Ellipsometer with Vertical Auto Angle Base, accessories, installation and training and warranty.

ERDC-CERL intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis to J.A. Wollam Co., Inc. in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

Market research indicates that J.A. Wollam Co., Inc. is the only source for this requirement because the RC2 Ellipsometer from J.A. Woollam is the only ellipsometer available that satisfies all of the requirements for our research objectives which are as follows:

• First, it has a complete spectral range from 193 to 1600nm, which means that we can analyze and characterize nearly any property for any material. Therefore, we can analyze not only polymeric and semiconductor films but also biomaterial and metallic thin films.

• Second, due to our research that investigates dynamic properties in response to liquid changes, the instrument must acquire data over all wavelengths extremely rapidly. This RC2 instrument is equipped with a charge-coupled diode detection that can acquire data over the entire wavelength range in less than 1 second.

• Third, we need an instrument that can measure all 16 elements of the Mueller matrix for complete characterization of all samples. The RC2 has the required dual rotating compensators and achromatic compensator design to allow acquisition of the complete matrix. The RC2 performs both variable angle ellipsometry and transmission and reflection measurements with the same accessory, thus preventing sample handling and misalignment. The instrument must also perform analysis on samples while immersed in liquids.

• Finally, our previous measurements have all been performed on a J.A. Woollam instrument and, thus, to eliminate sample to sample variability, this brand will provide continuity. Only this instrument from this company satisfies all requirements.

The need to have installation and training provided directly from the equipment manufacturer, as well as a three-year warranty, eliminates availability of this equipment from any 3rd party distributor.

This is not a small business set aside. 

This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties may identify their interests and capability to respond to this requirement. Any interested party that believes they can fulfill this requirement should submit a capability statement to be reviewed. All submissions will be considered, however there is no guarantee that submissions in response to this notice will be in any way alter the Government’s acquisition strategy.

Please provide responses to this notice no later than the Response time listed above in this notice, to:

[email protected]

Telephone responses will not be accepted.

Responses to this notice will not be considered as a response to any solicitation, a request to be added to a prospective offers list, or to receive a copy of any solicitation.  A determination by the Government not to compete the contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.