Dry Ice Blaster for Parylene Removal from FLASH Memory Modules

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. FURTHER, IT DOES NOT REPRESENT A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF DATA OR ANY OTHER COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

This is a Special Notice (PUR260177) with the intent to award a sole source purchase order to Cold Jet, LLC (COLD JET), under the authority of FAR 13.106-1 based on their unique technical qualifications as the only known provider of the brand name “COLD JET i3 MicroClean dry ice blaster”. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) knows of no other sources for this requirement. Notice is provided as information to the marketplace, market research, and is an invitation for any other qualified companies to express their interest in and demonstrate their capability to provide the required equipment.

The NTSB is an independent Federal agency with the primary missions of investigating civil aviation accidents in the United States and significant accidents in the other modes of transportation -- railroad, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space -- and issuing safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents.

The NTSB has a requirement for delivery and setup of one (1) COLD JET CO2 dry ice blasting machine to perform precision removal of Parylene conformal coating from printed circuit boards containing non-volatile FLASH memory devices. The Recorders Laboratory has an urgent need to develop a high-throughput method for the removal of the Parylene conformal coatings increasingly used in the aerospace industry.

Micro-blasting is the most promising avenue for a high-throughput method adaptable to wide variety of complex surface geometries and conditions. A large variety of abrasive media is available for use depending on the application. One major concern when using dielectric abrasives for the blasting medium is the potential for Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) generation. While some particulate systems are now available that incorporate multiple ESD-mitigation strategies, the efficacy of these systems has not been internally evaluated for the removal of Parylene from inaccessible areas under and behind the pins of a Thin Small Outline Package (TSOP) package without spiking local ESD levels or damaging the pins and underlying Printed Circuit Board (PCB). Another concern is the selection, management, and disposal of residual abrasives material – which cannot be re-used. Most of these concerns can be mitigated by the use of CO2 ice as the blasting material – which this requirement addresses.

The decision to award a sole source purchase order is because the Cold Jet i3 MicroClean dry ice blaster is the only known equipment that meets NTSB’s requirement. The only known source of this instrument is from COLD JET. The NTSB has an urgent need to perform work in a timely and responsive manner by replicating a known effective process for accomplishing this work that can be duplicated in the NTSB Recorder Laboratory using the equipment to be acquired.

Sources capable of fully satisfying the above requirements are invited to submit capability statements/expressions of interest providing the government the necessary information to determine actual capability. At a minimum, this information, which must be prepared specifically in response to this notice should, must include: (1) identification of company or organization; (2) an assertion of existing, full capability to meet proposed requirements; (3) business/contracts/marketing office point(s) of contact; (4) notification of business size and /or special status; and (5) any additional information that may be useful to the successful procurement of the requirements, if solicited. These expressions of interest shall adhere to a five (5)-page submission limit plus web links and any specialized product descriptions. The statement of qualifications should include only information that clearly demonstrates the respondent's capabilities, expertise, and experience to provide the requirements described in this notice. General marketing material should not be included. The NTSB prefers that companies do not submit proprietary material. However, the government recognizes that proprietary data may be a part of your submittal. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data and present it as an addendum to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the government not to compete the proposed purchase order based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by NTSB. Parties must submit information within five (5) days of publication of this notice. NTSB will not return capability statements and the supporting documentation submitted in response to this notice. Telephone responses and inquiries will not be accepted. You may email questions regarding this notice to the issuing office to Bryan J. Moy via email at: bryan.moy@ntsb.gov.