***THIS IS A SPECIAL NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS REGARDING A PRE-SOLICITATION CONFERERENCE TO BE HELD AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NIST) IN GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND. All Contractors who may be interested in providing a quotation regarding a pending procurement for Hydraulic Power Units for the NIST Force Deadweight Machine are encouraged to attend. If interested in providing an offer; however, are unable to attend the conference, the contract specialist should be notified via email at
[email protected]. *** The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 333995 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. This requirement is 100 percent set-aside for small businesses. Only interested small businesses may submit a quote. In accordance with the Non-Manufacturer Rule, to qualify under a small business set-aside, the distributor and the manufacturer must qualify as a Small Business manufacturer under the NAICS code identified above. *** ***The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a requirement for two (2) each, Hydraulic Power Units for the NIST Force Deadweight Machine to be used in the Manufacturing Metrology Division at NIST, Gaithersburg, MD. *** 498 kN (112 klbf)- The hydraulic power unit must be a turnkey replacement for the existing hydraulic power unit (HPU) that has powered the weight manipulation system in the NIST Force Lab at the 498 kN deadweight machine (DWM) for over 40 years. The HPU must be designed and built to current hydraulic standards and to the requirements dictated by the remainder of the existing components that comprise the operational DWM. The HPU will power a vertical single-acting hydraulic piston ram/cylinder that incrementally lifts up to 112000 lbs of steel weights under manual or automated control. The successful vendor is expected to demonstrate the ability to furnish a fully compatible, yet fully modernized replacement HPU that will integrate with the existing control panels or integrate with original electronic controls as shown on NIST drawings, whichever is more beneficial to the government. The HPU must: ? Meet all requirements of a turnkey system for the 4.45 MN DWM and 498 kN (112 klbf) DWM ? Be compatible with the DWM operating pressures of up to 1200 psi ? Be physically sized to fit through existing door frames of the mechanical rooms ? Be compatible with existing seals in the main lifting ram ? Retain cylinder return under gravity flow, with rate control and manual emergency unload valve ? Be compatible with existing manual and automated control systems; careful examination of NIST drawings and hardware will dictate design of new HPU ? Include owner-serviceable filters ? Be capable of controlling any oil leakage at ram piston rod end by allowing return to reservoir ? Show operating capability over temperature range of approximately 10-35?C Special Provisions: Based upon market research, NIST has determined that the required hydraulic power units (HPU?s) are not available as off-the-shelf items but should be readily obtainable from qualified hydraulic engineering vendors as custom-assembled replacements for the existing HPU?s using various components that are readily available. The HPU?s must meet the requirements noted in the Force Lab specification sheet and successfully integrate with the existing force deadweight machines. Pre-Bid: The deadweight machines are available for examination to allow all potential vendors full access to the NIST deadweight machine installation points in order to resolve any technical details or other installation issues. The conference will include the NIST COTR and the Force Lab engineer. The successful vendor will provide a turn-key bid estimate to NIST based primarily upon the site visit and machine examination. A SITE VISIT shall take place on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 10:00:00am Eastern Standard Time. Attendees shall convene at NIST, Engineering Mechanics Building 202, Room 221, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Potential Offerors are strongly encouraged to attend site visit. SITE VISIT REQUIREMENTS: To better facilitate the site visit, it is requested that all technical questions be submitted in writing to Jennifer Lohmeier, Contract Specialist, via e-mail or fax no later than 3:30:00pm Eastern Standard Time on May 29, 2007. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: Because of heightened security, Offerors who are planning to attend the site visit shall e-mail their intention to attend to Jennifer Lohmeier at
[email protected], not later than 3:30:00pm on May 29, 2007, with the following information: 1) Company name 2) Names of all individuals attending the site visit 3) Country of Citizenship of all individuals attending the site visit* *For non-US Citizens, the following additional information will be required: 1) Title 2) Employer/Sponsor 3) Address Failure to register will result in individuals being denied access to NIST, and subsequently, the site visit. It is the sole responsibility of each Offeror to register for the site visit. Offerors must pick up a Visitor's Badge at the Visitor's Registration Center located at the Main Gate (Gate A, off Bureau Drive) Please ensure all individuals bring photo identification or they will be denied access to the facility.