Magneto-Optical Kerr Microscope & Magnetometer

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) from Argonne National Laboratory for a Magneto-Optical Kerr Microscope. The government is procuring this specialized microscope for high-resolution domain observation.

The primary deliverable is a Magneto-Optical Kerr Microscope with the following key components and features:

• Wide-field optical polarization microscope

• High-end Carl Zeiss optics

• Microscope head on a massive granite stand (80 kg) to minimize vibrations

• Motorized height adjustment

• Manual focusing unit with fine and coarse focusing control

• Binocular tubus with selection between eye-piece and camera observation

• Tubus lens revolver with optical zoom lenses (1x, 2.5x, 4x)

• Auxiliary optics for conoscopic imaging

• Polarizer, wire-grid type (420nm-700nm)

• Sample Stage, Regular (x-y-shift, Phi-rotation)

• Motion and Drift Correction Kit (xyz piezo stage, autofocus)

• Perpendicular Coil (iron-free solenoid, up to 110 mT)

• Customizing of existing Perpendicular Electromagnet (XYZ stage, cylinder extension)

• Camera for Kerr Microscopy (Low-Cost)

• Magnetoholder (mechanically decoupled)

• Shipping (DAP Lemont)

• Installation and Training (on-site installation, 2 days onsite instruction, travel expenses)

• The resulting Purchase Order will be subject to Argonne Terms and Conditions for Commercial Items (ANL-71COM, dated October 22, 2025).

• Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer (PD-124, dated October 20, 2023).

• Low Risk On-Site Supplemental Conditions (ANL-366L, dated October 1, 2024).

• Quotations must be received by June 17, 2026.

• Submit quotations to jmangis@anl.gov.

• Provide a published price list or redacted invoice to prove price reasonableness.

• Verify country of origin.

• Include any applicable tariff charges in the unit price.

• Confirm lead time.

• Indicate any available discounts for DOE or if the order falls under GSA contract pricing.

• Offerors must provide the signed page one of the RFQ (ANL-70), completed Representations and Certifications (ANL-70B), and verify shipping details.

No specific set-aside requirements are mentioned in this RFQ.

• Any inquiries should be directed to Jazlyn Mangis at (630) 252-6884 or jmangis@anl.gov.
• The attached RFP/RFQ and only Argonne Terms and Conditions will govern any resultant order.

Other / Unclassified

This document, "ANL-366L (10-01-2024) Low Risk On-Site Supplemental Conditions," outlines specific contractual conditions and requirements for contractors performing low-risk, on-site work at Argonne National Laboratory. It details critical aspects such as approval to proceed, indemnity clauses, insurance requirements, and comprehensive Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H) protocols.

Key areas covered include:

• Approval to Proceed: Contractors must receive explicit approval before commencing on-site work.
• Indemnity: Broad indemnification requirements for the contractor, covering damages and expenses arising from work performance.
• Insurance: Mandated insurance coverage levels, including General Liability, Automobile Liability, and Professional Liability, with specific limits and requirements for additional insured status.
• Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H): Extensive requirements for protecting personnel and the environment, including compliance with federal regulations (e.g., 10 CFR 851, OSHA standards), reporting of incidents, and the mandatory development and implementation of Job Safety Analyses (JSAs).
• Site Access and Rules: Procedures for site access, including ES&H orientation, and prohibited conduct on Laboratory grounds.
• Disciplinary Program: Requirements for contractors to establish a disciplinary program for safety violations, with progressive disciplinary actions outlined for both employees and supervisors.
• FAR/DEAR Clauses: Inclusion of specific Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR) clauses related to personal identity verification, pollution prevention, and access to/ownership of records.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it establishes the stringent safety, health, environmental, and administrative conditions under which work must be performed at Argonne National Laboratory. Bidders must understand and be prepared to comply with these requirements, which will significantly impact operational planning, risk management, insurance costs, and overall contract performance. The detailed ES&H requirements, including the JSA process and disciplinary program, are particularly important for assessing the feasibility and cost of undertaking the work.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "ANL-70B (Long Version) - Reps & Certs," dated January 13, 2025, is a comprehensive set of representations and certifications required from offerors for solicitations issued by Argonne National Laboratory. It serves to gather essential information about the offeror's business, compliance status, and eligibility for various contract types and provisions.

• General Information: Includes fields for company legal name, Unique Entity ID (UEI), Doing Business As (DBA), physical address, primary performance location, and primary contacts.
• Business Organization & Small Business Status: Requires selection of entity type, state of incorporation, and certifications related to small business classifications (Small Business, Small-Disadvantaged Business, Woman-Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, HubZone).
• NAICS Code and Size Standard: Requires the offeror to provide the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and its corresponding size standard.
• FAR Clauses & Certifications: Covers numerous Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, requiring certifications on topics such as:
  • Covered Telecommunications Equipment and Services (FAR 52.204-26)
  • Laboratory's standard terms and conditions (FAR 52.204-25)
  • Suspect Counterfeit Parts
  • Personal Conflict of Interest (requiring disclosure of Argonne/UChicago employee interests)
  • Representation of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software (FAR 52.227-14)
  • Small Business or Non-Profit Status (Public Law 96-517)
  • Patent Waiver Rights
  • Exemption from Service Contract Labor Standards (FAR 52.222-48, 52.222-52)
  • Affirmative Action Compliance (FAR 52.222-25)
  • Equal Opportunity Compliance (FAR 52.222-26)
  • Buy American Act – Supplies (FAR 52.225-1)
  • Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (FAR 52.204-10)
  • Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Proposed Debarment and other Responsibility Matters (FAR 52.209-5)
  • Certification Regarding Knowledge of Child Labor (FAR 52.222-18)
  • Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Federal Transactions (FAR 52.203-11)
  • Compliance with Veteran's Employment Reporting Requirements (FAR 52.222-37)
  • Certificate of Independent Price Determination (FAR 52.203-2)
  • Covenant Against Contingent Fees (FAR 52.203-5)
  • Combating Trafficking in Persons (FAR 52.222-50)
  • Cost Accounting Standards Notices and Certification (FAR 52.230-1)
• Signature and Date: Requires an authorized representative to sign, date, and provide their printed name and title.

This document is critical for any vendor intending to bid on opportunities from Argonne National Laboratory that utilize this form. Bidders must carefully review each section, understand the certifications required, and accurately complete all applicable fields. Failure to properly complete and submit these representations and certifications may result in an offer being deemed non-responsive or ineligible for award. It helps Argonne assess the offeror's business status, compliance with federal regulations, and overall responsibility.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN ENGLISH VERSION AND TRANSLATION OF AGREEMENT (FEB 2000)", clarifies how to handle discrepancies between the English version of an agreement and any translated versions.

• It states that in the event of inconsistency between any terms of an agreement and any translation into another language, the English language meaning shall control.

This document serves as a standard clause or clarification that may be incorporated into agreements. Bidders should be aware that the English version of any contract or agreement will be considered the authoritative text in case of translation discrepancies.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Appendix A, outlines the Argonne Terms and Conditions for Commercial Goods and Services. It details various clauses and regulations that govern contracts with Argonne National Laboratory. Bidders should review this document to understand the contractual obligations, requirements, and legal framework applicable to the opportunity.

• Definitions: Clarifies terms such as "Argonne National Laboratory," "Government," and "Laboratory Procurement Official."
• Contract Clauses: Lists and briefly describes numerous clauses, including Assignment, Audits and Rights, Changes, Conduct of Employees, Cybersecurity and IT Acquisitions, Disputes, Environmental Protection, Excusable Delays, Inspection, Acceptance and Title, Integration, Laboratory Site Access, Safety and Health, Limitation of Liability, Non-Waiver of Defaults, Order of Precedence, Packaging, and Payments.
• Payment Information: Details accepted forms of payment and procedures for domestic and foreign vendors.
• Public Release of Information: Outlines restrictions on using Argonne's name for promotional purposes.
• State and Local Taxes: Addresses the exclusion of these taxes from the contract price.
• Survival: Specifies obligations that survive contract termination.
• Suspect Counterfeit Parts: Provides a detailed list of headmarks to identify suspect or counterfeit bolts, along with reporting requirements.
• Termination Clauses: Outlines procedures for termination for cause and for convenience.
• Incorporated by Reference: Lists additional clauses and directives that are part of the contract.

This document is critical for understanding the full scope of contractual terms and conditions. Bidders must familiarize themselves with these requirements, especially those related to cybersecurity, conduct, site access, payments, and the handling of suspect counterfeit parts, as they will form the basis of the eventual contract. The "Suspect/Counterfeit Bolt Headmark List" is particularly important for any procurement involving hardware. Failure to comply with these terms can lead to contract termination or other legal ramifications.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the policy and procedures for payment by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)/Wire for contractors working with Argonne National Laboratory. It specifies that all payments will be made via EFT/Wire unless the Laboratory is unable to do so, in which case domestic contractors may accept alternative payment methods like check. For foreign contractors, wire payment is the exclusive method unless special approval is granted.

• Payment Method: Primarily EFT/Wire.
• Alternative Payments: Domestic contractors may accept checks or other mutually agreeable methods if EFT/Wire is not feasible.
• Foreign Contractors: Wire payment is the sole option unless special consideration is approved.
• Authorization Form: ANL-1094 "Electronic Transfer Authorization Form" is required for payment.
• Payment Timing: Payment is contingent upon receipt of correct EFT payment information via the ANL-1094 form.
• Fees: Any intermediary or beneficiary banking charges are the contractor's responsibility.

This document is crucial for understanding how and when payments will be processed. Bidders should note the mandatory EFT/Wire payment method, the requirement for the ANL-1094 form, and that they are responsible for any associated banking fees. This information is essential for financial planning and proposal cost estimation.