Background:
The DuPont SPR 660M 1.0 Photoresist has been used at NIST in the clean room for multiple Divisions' research projects for the past eight (8) years. Shipley used to be the sole provider for this particular Photoresist and solely distributed through MicroChem Corp. Dow Chemical bought out Shipley and held on to MicroChem Corp. as the sole distributor for this particular brand of Photoresist.
All processing of microchips requires the use of photoresist to transfer layers over from design to actual device. The photoresist serves as a film that reacts to exposure to light and allows the user to transfer the specific needed pattern onto the surface of the silicon with great accuracy. This is done several times from the start of the chip to the final product, sometimes up to 10 different layers that need to match up to one another. Once this process is fine tuned to work with all layers, it is difficult to switch to a different type of photoresist as the exposure times will change and the edge profiles will change.

Purpose:
Procure Photoresist to be used in the Precision Measurement Laboratory Clean Room to manufacture wafers for various NIST research projects.

Market Research:
The customer performed market research to see if any other companies can supply the particular DuPont brand SPR 660M 1.0 Photoresist required to be used in the clean room, and found there are no other companies who distribute this photoresist. The contract specialist validated this information.

MicroChem Corp. is not a small business; however, are the only company who can distribute this particular Photoresist required to be used in our NIST labs.

Recommend sole sourcing to MicroChem Corp. based on the market research accomplished.

Synopsis:
The Department of Commerce (DoC) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division (AMD), on behalf of the NIST/MML Division, intends to procure with MicroChem Corp. of Westborough, MA, on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Subpart 6.302-1 - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, Photoresist Replacement.

The NAICS code is 325998 All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing with a small business size standard of 500 employees. NIST anticipates awarding a firm-fixed-price purchase order to MicroChem Corp. for this requirement in the second quarter of FY 2015.

Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for this acquisition. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to contract specialist, Patricia Bullington via e-mail at [email protected]. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted so that they are received by [email protected] no later than Friday, February 27, 2015 Midnight Mountain Time.

Bid Protests Not Available