and Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document, "Attachment 2 - Applicable Provisions and Clauses," lists and incorporates by reference numerous Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency-specific clauses and provisions. It serves to inform potential bidders of the terms and conditions that will govern any resulting contract.

• Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (52.252-1): Notifies offerors that solicitation provisions are incorporated by reference and provides links to access their full text.
• Clauses Incorporated by Reference (52.252-2): Notifies offerors that contract clauses are incorporated by reference and provides links to access their full text.
• List of Incorporated Clauses/Provisions: A comprehensive list of FAR and agency-specific clauses and provisions, including but not limited to:
  • Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government
  • Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights
  • Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions
  • Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements
  • System for Award Management (SAM) related clauses
  • Buy American Certificate
  • Place of Manufacture
  • Security Prohibitions and Exclusions
  • Iran Representation and Certifications
  • Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)
  • Agency Protests
  • GAO and Court of Federal Claims Protests
  • Place of Acceptance
  • NIST Local clauses regarding contract performance during NIST operating status, electronic billing, and invoicing processing.
• FAR 52.212-4 Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services: This clause is incorporated by reference and details definitions, inspection/acceptance, assignment, changes, disputes, excusable delays, invoice procedures, patent indemnity, payment terms, risk of loss, taxes, termination for convenience and cause, title, warranty, limitation of liability, and compliance with laws.
• FAR 52.225-2 Buy American Certificate: Requires offerors to certify the domestic content of end products.
• FAR 52.225-18 Place of Manufacture: Requires offerors to indicate the place of manufacture for end products.
• FAR 52.240-90 Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications: Addresses prohibitions related to covered telecommunications equipment, services, and business operations in Sudan and Iran.

This document is critical for bidders as it outlines the legal and contractual framework of the opportunity. Bidders must review these provisions and clauses to understand their rights and obligations, compliance requirements, and potential impacts on their proposal and contract performance. Specific attention should be paid to clauses related to Buy American, place of manufacture, security prohibitions, and payment/invoicing procedures, as these can significantly affect proposal content and contract execution.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and services, specifically for an Inductively Couple Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS). It constitutes the only solicitation, and quotes are requested instead of a formal written solicitation. The acquisition is a small business set-aside.

• CLIN 0001: Inductively Couple Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS) per Attachment 1.

• CLIN 0002: Optional one (1) year of PM Service per Attachment 1.

• CLIN 0003: Other transportation related charges (Not-to-Exceed amount).

• The Statement of Work (Attachment 1) details the specific requirements for the line items.

• Delivery and acceptance dates, and FOB point are required per the Statement of Work.

• This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ).

• The contract type will be firm-fixed-price.

• The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

• Due Date for Quotations: March 18, 2026, by 11:00 am Eastern Time.

• Submission Method: Electronic quotations via email to the Contract Specialist (forest.crumpler@nist.gov) and Contracting Officer (donald.collie@nist.gov).

• Pre-Quote Inquiries: Must be submitted in writing no later than 2 calendar days after the solicitation issuance date to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer.

• Quotation Preparation: Must be clearly and concisely written, indexed, and logically assembled. Quotations should be divided into four volumes: Technical Quotation, Demonstrated Experience, Price Quotation, and Terms and Conditions.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be based on best value, considering non-priced factors as significantly more important than price. Evaluation factors include:

  • Technical Capability: Must demonstrate proposed equipment meets or exceeds all minimum requirements. No prototypes, demonstration models, used, or refurbished instruments will be considered.
  • Experience: Prior demonstrated experience delivering, installing, and providing warranty for similar instruments.
  • Price: Must be reasonable and compatible with technical requirements.

• This acquisition is a small business set-aside.

• Offerors must have an ACTIVE registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of quotation submission and through award.

• The solicitation document incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through the RFO, supplemented by the U.S. Department of Commerce Acquisition Policy.

• Offerors proposing products manufactured outside the United States must identify any other or unknown charges, including country of origin and tariff percentages (CLIN 0003).

• Price quotations must remain valid for 90 days from the quotation due date.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To procure an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) system capable of performing Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Laser Ablation-ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) for elemental analysis and metrology critical to the development of new materials, packaging, and production methods in chip manufacturing.

• Purchase of one (1) new, commercially available "off the shelf" ICP-MS instrument with laser ablation capabilities.

• The system must be capable of stable plasma production, a mass range of 2-240 amu, and high sensitivity.

• It must support various sample introduction systems, including laser ablation, and include an HF-resistant autosampler and a peristaltic pump.

• A Windows 11 workstation with appropriate software for instrument control, data acquisition, and processing is required.

• The system must be compatible with U.S. standard electrical power.

• Specific performance criteria include: reducing doubly charged and oxide species below certain percentages, achieving single digit ug/kg detection limits for at least 20 elements, and maintaining relative standard deviations of < 5%.

• The instrument must be capable of reproducible measurements.

• The instrument is to be installed in Building 227 at the NIST Gaithersburg, MD campus.

• The period of performance for the instrument delivery is within 3 months of the date of purchase.

• Installation is to be completed within 30 days after delivery.

• Training is to be completed within 60 days after delivery.

• The contractor must provide on-site field service for a minimum of 1 year after full acceptance, with an option for 2 additional years.

• Comprehensive documentation, including operation manuals and software, is required.

• The contractor is responsible for delivery, installation, and training of NIST personnel.