Filmetrics F40 UV Repair

Announcement Type: Special Notice
Classification Code: J066

Announcement Number: NB680000-25-00464

Subject: Notice of Intent to Noncompetitively Acquire Filmetrics F40 UV Repair

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), located in Boulder has a state-of-the-art research laboratory (the Katharine Blodgett Gebbie Building) to support the most sensitive research done at NIST. Included in this building is a Class 100 microelectronics fabrication facility, called the Boulder Micro-fabrication Facility (BMF). The BMF has a Filmetrics F40 UV White Light Spectrophotometer system that it uses to characterize films required for fabrications processes. The spectrophotometer system is currently not operational and requires repairs.

This notice is not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued and quotations will not be requested.

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) via FAR 13.106-1(b). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 811210, Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance.

NIST requires repair to its Filmetrics F40 UV White Light Spectrophotometer system that it uses to characterize films required for fabrications processes. The spectrophotometer system is currently not operational and requires repairs. After thorough evaluation, it has been determined that the repair can only be done by AFP Technology, Inc. for the reason below:

1. The F40 UV White Light Spectrophotometer system is manufactured by Filmetrics, which is owned by KLA Corporation. In discussions with KLA, KLA does not provide parts, schematics, or trained personnel to third parties so only KLA, which provides service in the Boulder, Colorado region exclusively through its partner AFP Technology. Only AFP Technology can provide the repair for our system to OEM specifications. NIST's mission critical research requiring this system has been halted until repairs have been completed. Therefore, the Government requires a repair to its existing spectrophotometer system and only AFP Technologies can perform the repair per the manufacturer.

NIST conducted market research in November 2024-December 2024 by internet searches and discussions with the manufacturer. The results of that market research revealed that only AFP Technology, Inc., 203 Neville Wood CT Austin, Texas 78738-1711, USA UEI: EQK6XRAZ1GKM8 appears to be capable of meeting NIST's requirements.

However, any sources that believe they are capable of meeting NIST's minimum requirements are encouraged to respond to this notice by the response date to provide the following information at a minimum: Company Unique Entity Identifier number in https://sam.gov; details about what your company is capable of providing that meets or exceeds NIST's minimum requirements; whether your company is an authorized reseller of the product or service being cited and evidence of such authorization; and any other information that can help NIST determine whether this requirement may be competitively satisfied.