We want to buy tips that were specially developed for sSNOM measurements, since they provide the best quality of infrared spectra in scattering type scanning near field optical microscopy (sSNOM) measurements with our neaSNOM instrument. The provider of our instrument (Neaspec) tested many ordinary AFM tips and subsequently concluded to develop its own tips in order to boost the signal to noise ratio of the spectroscopy signal. Neaspec is the only company in the world providing these specially developed AFM tips for sSNOM measurements. Since the purchase of the instrument we have worked with this type of tips and learned how they work and obtained good results. We don’t have the resources that would be required to go through a tender process that would include testing of other tips, as well as a new learning process how to use other tips.