The sole source justification is based on the following: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a requirement for an annual service contract (base and four option years) Oxford Aztec Energy Microanalysis System with X-Max Extreme windowless silicon drift X-ray detector currently installed on the existing FEI Helious 660 focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB SEM). The Oxford microanalysis system (X-ray detector, analyzer and software) is a complex and proprietary piece of equipment that must be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer (Oxford's) specifications by the manufacturer's service engineers. Oxford does not sell detector components to third party vendors. Software updates are provided through the service engineers or through direct email or download link to customers with service agreements for off-line analysis products. Because the software is intimately tied to the detector performance, each software update requires the service engineer to perform calibration and performance tests. As a user, we are not provided the service level password to install or modify the control software or the service manuals. All service level functions including the calibration and performance testing utilities are only accessible to Oxford service engineers and the users or 3rd party vendors do not have access to these tools. Since Oxford does not have authorized service partners or resellers, troubleshooting, calibration, and testing as well as technical details for the detector and software are only available to Oxford service engineers. Because of the proprietary nature of the existing hardware and software, and the need for proprietary information for effective updates and servicing of the system, this service is only available through Oxford Instruments America.

Oxford Instruments America is a small business providing the required maintenance services for Oxford Aztec Energy Microanalysis System and they the only source available to provide the required services.

The NAICS Code is 334516 with a size standard of 1,000.