Multi-purpose X-ray Diffraction (XRD) System
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Air Force, specifically FA8126 AFSC PZIMB, is conducting a Sources Sought to identify vendors capable of providing a Multi-purpose X-ray Diffraction (XRD) System for the Analytical Chemistry Section at Tinker Air Force Base, OK. This system is critical for various diffraction applications, including material analysis and health safety investigations. Responses are due July 5, 2026.
Scope of Work
The requirement includes furnishing, shipping, assembling, installing, verifying, calibrating, testing, and training on a new, current-design XRD system. The system must support a range of applications:
- Phase identification of powders and crystalline corrosion deposits on aircraft parts.
- Quantitative phase analysis of thermal spray powders and resultant coatings.
- Residual stress investigations and micro-diffraction.
- Single crystal orientation measurements.
- Crystalline phase identification of unknown powders for health safety investigations. The contractor is responsible for providing all necessary labor, tools, equipment, materials, PPE, transportation, and shipping, along with basic operational training.
Key System Requirements
- The instrument must be the manufacturer's current design and a new unit.
- A 1-year on-site warranty on parts and labor is required, effective upon installation acceptance.
- Must seamlessly switch between Parallel Beam (PB) and Bragg Brentano (BB) geometry without manual realignment.
- Support for multiple X-ray tube types (Co, Cu, Cr, Mn LFF) and optics.
- Capability for biaxial stress tensor determination and residual stress determination for various alloys.
- CMOS pixel detector with high spatial resolution and dynamic range.
- Includes specific computer hardware, licensed software, consumables for 60 days, special tools, and various test samples.
- On-site installation, verification, and training are mandated, including Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and System Acceptance Test (SAT).
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: July 5, 2026, by 7:00 PM ET
- Published: June 5, 2026
- Estimated Full Operational Capacity: September 15, 2027
- Place of Performance: Tinker Air Force Base, OK
Additional Notes
This notice is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. Responses will be used to determine potential acquisition strategies. For inquiries, contact Bryce Cornish.