SAM #1174226

Sole Source Procurement: 3-Axis UV Laser Marking System for USDA Forest Products Laboratory

This notice announces the USDA Forest Service's intent to award a sole-source contract for specialized laser marking equipment. - Agency: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) - Work Unit: Forest Biopolymers Science and Engineering Research Work Unit (RWU4707) - Procurement Type: Sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract - Vendor/OEM: Keyence Corporation of America - Product: 3-Axis UV Laser Marking System - Must feature a 355 nm UV marking laser - Integrated 3-axis controller - Automatic non-planar contour detection - Dynamic focus depth of field of at least +/-20 mm - Purpose: High contrast, high-resolution 'cold marking' of wood and cellulose-based specimens - Minimizes thermal damage and mechanical degradation during material characterization - Keyence is the only known OEM capable of meeting these requirements - No part numbers or quantities specified in the notice - Commercial opportunity for similar OEMs is limited due to unique technical requirements

Description

The US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory intends to negotiate a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract award with Keyence Corporation of America for a 3-Axis UV Laser Marking System.<!--TgQPHd||[]-->

The Forest Biopolymers Science and Engineering Research Work Unit (RWU4707) at FPL conducts research on the multiscale material characterization of wood and wood products. Wood and cellulose-based materials are highly heterogeneous complex materials that require full-field deformation measurements to properly characterize the mechanical behavior for use in various forest products markets. The most effective methods for full-field metrology utilize imaging of patterned surfaces. A UV laser marking device enables high contrast “cold marking” of specimen surfaces at high resolution while minimizing thermal damage.<!--TgQPHd||[]-->

The Government intends to acquire this equipment under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b), soliciting from a single source. Keyence Corporation of America is the only known manufacturer capable of providing a 355 nm UV marking laser with an integrated 3-axis controller capable of automatic non-planar contour detection and a dynamic focus depth of field of at least +/-20 mm, which is required to prevent thermal and mechanical degradation of heterogeneous wood specimens during characterization.<!--TgQPHd||[]-->

This notice is not a request for competitive proposals. However, interested parties who believe they can fully satisfy the technical requirements may submit a capability statement. All capability statements received within 15 days of this posting will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.<!--TgQPHd||[]-->

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