3D Photometric Stereo Microscope

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (Request for Quotation - RFQ) for commercial products or services, prepared in accordance with FAR Part 12. The government is seeking quotations for a "3D Photometric Stereo Microscope". This announcement is the sole solicitation; no written solicitation will be issued.

• The primary item to be acquired is a "3D Photometric Stereo Microscope" (CLIN 0001).

• Detailed requirements are specified in the attached Statement of Work (Attachment 1).

• Offerors must provide a firm-fixed-price quotation.

• This acquisition is being solicited as unrestricted.

• The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with 1,000 employees.

• Award will be a single firm-fixed-price purchase order (PO).

• Submission Deadline: Quotations must be received by 5:00 PM Eastern Time, May 26, 2026.

• Submission Method: Electronic quotations via email to cielo.ibarra@nist.gov and donald.collie@nist.gov. Reference the RFQ number in the subject line.

• Quotation Preparation: Quotations must be divided into three volumes:

  • Volume I: Technical Quotation (addressing technical approach, capability, and demonstrating how the proposed system meets or exceeds SOW requirements with citations).
  • Volume II: Price Quotation (firm-fixed-price for CLIN 0001, including shipping costs; must be separate from other volumes).
  • Volume III: Terms and Conditions (addressing any objections to the solicitation's terms and conditions).

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose quotation represents the best value to the Government, considering both technical capability and price. The government may award to a higher-priced offer if justified by superior performance. Technical capability will be evaluated based on whether the proposed equipment meets or exceeds all minimum requirements outlined in the SOW. Price reasonableness will also be assessed.

• No Discussions: The government reserves the right to make an award without discussions based solely on initial quotes.

• Offerors must possess an ACTIVE registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of quotation submission, award, performance, and final payment. Failure to maintain an active SAM.gov registration will result in the quotation not being considered for award.

• Inquiries: Written questions must be submitted to cielo.ibarra@nist.gov and donald.collie@nist.gov no later than 2 calendar days after solicitation issuance.

• Attachments: Attachment 1 (Statement of Work), Attachment 2 (Applicable Provisions and Clauses).

• Price quotations must remain valid for 90 days.

• If proposing products manufactured outside the U.S., identify any applicable charges (tariffs) separately.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To acquire a photometric stereo microscope system capable of acquiring 3D scans of surfaces, including those with steep local slope angles and made of transparent or translucent materials, for research purposes at NIST.

This order is for one (1) photometric stereo microscope system. The system must include:

• The microscope itself, operating via a photometric-stereo method.

• Associated software for operation, data analysis, and export.

• Any necessary consumable supplies.

• Microscope System:

  • Photometric-stereo operation (sequential illumination, image capture, surface normal calculation).
  • Digital imaging components (e.g., imaging sensor/camera).
  • Array of LED light sources.
  • Necessary optical components (objectives, lenses, filters).
  • "Live view" for real-time sample viewing.
  • All necessary power supplies, cables, and adapters for U.S. 120V operation.

• Computer System:

  • Microsoft Windows-based desktop, laptop, or tablet.
  • Capable of operating the microscope and performing analysis.
  • Display, hard drive (minimum 500 scans storage), and data export method (e.g., USB).
  • Sufficient RAM for capturing and stitching scans.

• Software Functions:

  • Full microscope operation.
  • Built-in calibration routines.
  • "Live view" functionality.
  • Stitching routine for combining multiple images.
  • Capability to store data and export in nonproprietary formats (.txt, .X3P).
  • Basic analysis routines (plane fitting, filtering, roughness calculation per ASME B46 or ISO).
  • Perpetual license (no recurring fees).

• Calibration Artifacts:

  • Necessary artifacts for proper system calibration.

• Minimum Performance:

  • Digital camera: Minimum 1 MP, 5 µm lateral resolution.
  • Vertical (z) resolution: At least 1 µm.
  • Field of View (FOV): Minimum 8 mm x 8 mm per image.
  • Capture time: Max 20 seconds per scan.
  • Ability to accurately scan transparent and translucent materials (glass, polymers like PLA, ABS, PETG).

• Delivery: NLT 60 days ARO (After Receipt of Order) to NIST Gaithersburg, MD.

• Installation: Within 30 days after delivery at NIST Gaithersburg, MD.

• Training: One day for up to 8 users, completed no later than 30 days after installation.

• All items must be new; no used, remanufactured, or experimental items.

• No "gray market" components.

• Items must be shipped in original manufacturer packaging with documentation.

• Warranty: Minimum 1 year after acceptance.

• Payment: 100% after installation and acceptance by the TPOC.

• Inspection & Acceptance: Includes visual inspection, calibration verification, and performance tests against minimum specifications. Government has 14 business days post-installation for inspection and acceptance.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document, "Attachment 2 - Clauses," contains various solicitation provisions and contract clauses that are incorporated by reference. It also provides the full text for some key clauses, such as FAR 52.212-4 "Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services" and several NIST-specific clauses. Bidders must review these provisions and clauses to understand their obligations and requirements if awarded a contract.

• Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (52.252-1): Informs offerors that provisions are included by reference and provides links to access their full text. Offerors may need to complete certain blocks within these provisions.
• Clauses Incorporated by Reference (52.252-2): Similar to provisions, this indicates that contract clauses are incorporated by reference, with links provided for full text access.
• List of Incorporated Provisions and Clauses: A comprehensive list of FAR and agency-specific provisions and clauses, many of which are marked with "(DEVIATION)" indicating recent updates or modifications.
• Full Text Clauses: Includes the complete text for FAR 52.212-4 (Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services), which details definitions, inspection, acceptance, changes, disputes, payment terms, termination, and other standard contract conditions. It also includes NIST-specific clauses related to COR designation, place of acceptance, contract performance during NIST operating status changes, and electronic billing instructions.
• Specific Provisions: Includes provisions such as 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors), 52.219-8 (Utilization of Small Business Concerns), 52.225-6 (Trade Agreements Certificate), 52.225-18 (Place of Manufacture), and 52.240-90 (Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications).

This document is critical for bidders as it outlines the legal and contractual framework governing the opportunity. Bidders must carefully review all incorporated provisions and clauses, paying close attention to any deviations, to ensure they can comply with all requirements. This includes understanding submission instructions, evaluation criteria, performance expectations, payment procedures, and any restrictions or certifications needed. Failure to acknowledge and comply with these terms could impact proposal eligibility or contract performance.