The Acquisition Management Division (AMD) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), on behalf of the Materials and Construction Research Division (MCRD), Polymeric Materials Group (PMG) in the NIST Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL), requires four (4) Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometers with a custom optical interface. The custom optical interface will allow the optical path to analyze samples away from the FTIR. This will allow the samples to be handled automatically by a custom sampling system. Purpose: These spectrometers are an integral part of a planned Automated High Throughput Measurement system. The system will consist of an articulated robot and multiple analytical instruments. The initial instrument configuration will consist of (4) Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometers, (2) UV-Vis Spectrometers, and (1) NIST developed Glossmeter. Since the system is expandable, additional instruments can be added at a later date. The articulated robot is the “controller” that identifies the sample, retrieves it from a sample rack, inserts it into the proper instrument and then retrieves it when the analysis is finished. Due to long purge times and the high number of scans necessary for high quality FTIR spectra, the limiting step is the collection of FTIR spectra. Multiple FTIR spectrometers, running in parallel, will decrease the measurement time for a set of samples by a factor equal to the number of spectrometers. This system supports items (2) and (3) in our group mission statement (see above). For the Automated High Throughput Measurement system, PMG requires a compact, rugged, research grade FTIR spectrometer. Compact size and minimizing the length of time for purging are the two primary issues that must be addressed without sacrificing the quality of the IR spectra. Compact size: PMG currently has 2 research grade FTIR spectrometers. In the past, PMG has attempted to use these for small-scale versions of this application, with negative results. These instruments have too large of a footprint and it is difficult or impossible to configure the sampling external to the instrument. Since PMG needs to be able to maximize the number of instruments on the Automated High Throughput Measurement system, instrument size is the most critical specification. Smaller instrumentation is also easier to reposition, allowing a configuration similar to computer “plug and play” components to be adopted. Purge time: In FTIR spectroscopy, atmospheric water contributes to degraded spectra. All FTIR spectrometers are either dessicated or purged with dry air. In the conceptual configuration, the entire beam path is purged, except for the small area near the sample. This will enable spectra to be taken immediately without purging of the spectrometer, the small area near the sample will be subtracted from the final spectra. In PMG’s current application, for each set of samples, the FTIR is purged for 15 minutes. Since a set of spectra is collected in 30 minutes, this alone will increase sample throughput by 50%. A more compact instrument will also decrease the purge time. The Government’s minimum specifications for the FTIR spectrometers are: 1. FTIR Spectrometer a. Interferometer i. ZnSe with Germanium coating ii. 90 degree Michelson design (1) moving mirror hinged on frictionless mechanical bearings (2) vibration and shock resistant construction (3) not susceptible to resonant frequencies. (4) Ability to operate in any plane iii. User selectable resolution, 0.5cm-1 to 32cm-1 iv. Accuracy: greater than 0.01 cm-1 b. Beamsplitter i. ZnSe with Ge coating c. Source i. 1650 K ii. Air cooled iii. Permanently aligned d. Detector i. MCT (Mercury Cadmium Telluride) ii. Range: 2 to 18.5 microns, 5000 to 540 cm-1 e. Optics i. ZnSe (Zinc Selenide) windows for resistance to moisture damage. ii. All interface optics gold coated iii. Separate input output ports with collimated beams for external accessories mounted with flanges f. Case i. Hermetically sealed ii. Maximum dimensions: 8 x 14 x 8 inches, 20.4 x 35.6 x 20.4 cm (W x D x H) g. Electronics i. Dual ADC 2. Custom Optical Interface a. External optical transfer optics designed to provide focused beam for NIST horizontal sample wheel. b. Must allow easy access to sample holder for removal/replacement by robotic system c. Optical path must be sealed and/or purged, except at sample site d. Conceptual drawing available upon request. e. Possible configuration i. Optical conduits (Light guides) 3. Software a. Must to be able to operate the instrument for: i. Data collection ii. Archiving iii. Analysis iv. Real-time display v. Operating system: Windows XP Professional vi. Automated, unattended operation of the spectrometer with multi-level alarm thresholds that can automatically activate digital or analog alarm devices. vii. Capability to output to any PLC or DLC system using serial, TCP/IP, or 4-20 ma outputs. viii. System can be externally controlled to start and stop from a remote source via RS-432 or Socket interface. Based on NIST’s market research, which included a formal sources sought notice posted in FedBizOpps (see http://www2.eps.gov/servlet/Solicitation/R/DOC/NIST/AcAsD/Reference-Number-05-861-6594-Sources-Sought-Notice), NIST has identified only one system, manufactured by Midac Corporation, that is capable of meeting or exceeding all of the above specifications. Therefore, the NIST AMD intends to negotiate an open market purchase order on a sole source basis, under the authority of Section 4202 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, with Midac Corporation to purchase four (4) FTIR Spectrometers that meet or exceed those specifications. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, and the size standard is 500 employees. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, parties that are expressly authorized by Midac Corporation to sell the components noted above may respond to this notice and provide evidence that they are authorized to sell it and shall provide written evidence of such authorization. Such evidence shall be provided to
[email protected] no later than August 29, 2005; if it cannot be emailed, it may be faxed to Joseph Widdup at fax (301) 975-8884. The Government will then determine whether the procurement for the system noted above could be competed. A determination by the Government whether to compete the proposed acquisition will be based solely upon responses to this notice.