Notice of Intent to Sole Source JEOL Scanning Electron Microscope

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a sole source basis to Oxford Instruments America, Inc., to procure an AztecMinerals software package to upgrade the existing the JEOL Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) in NETL’s Microscopy and Microanalysis Laboratory in Albany, OR, specifically to enable rigorous and high-throughput automated mineral analysis on a high-resolution, field-emission scanning electron microscope platform.

The existing SEM is equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction detectors, all manufactured by Oxford Instruments. The upgrade provides an automated solution for high-throughput imaging and elemental analysis of materials using advanced scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to provide detailed, statistically robust datasets.

The system enables rapid and accurate identification and quantification of minerals and elements in a sample. Additionally, the added Oxford hardware and software will be used to quantify textural features of minerals (e.g. association, grain/particle size, orientation etc.) and morphological features (shape, aspect ratio, roundness etc.). These properties can be used for sorting, filtering, and categorization of particles and grains.

As a result, it is possible to obtain both quantity of minerals and grains (or particles) of a specific texture, association, or morphology. Through unique customizable scripting, users can describe particle texture and quantify particles left behind during the beneficiation process. The AztecMinerals software is specifically designed to operate with Oxford Instruments' Ultim Max SDD detectors.

It exploits the performance of up to 4 of Oxford Instruments’ large area SDDs to provide accurate classification of minerals at speeds comparable to dedicated systems. The detectors and software will operate using the existing PC & X4 electronics and can perform simultaneous data collection with the existing wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron backscatter diffraction detectors detectors on the scope.

This is considered a sole source to Oxford Instruments America, Inc., because, to the best of the NETL’s knowledge, based on market research conducted Oxford Instruments America, Inc is the only known source that can provide the required Ultim Max Infinity SDD detectors and AztecMinerals software package. No known potential alternate sources exist which could exactly satisfy NETL's requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for quote/proposal.

Any interested party that believes it is capable of meeting the NETL requirement described herein may identify themselves and must provide evidence of their capability to fulfill the requirement being requested by 4:30 PM EDT on July 10, 2025. Responses must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Specialist, Stefanie Page, via email at stefanie.page@netl.doe.gov no later than the time and date noted above. Telephone responses and requests will not be received.

A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.