66 -- Controller Upgrades, a Software Package and Wedge Grip Inserts for Fatigue Testing Machines

In the absence of other qualified sources, it is the intent of the Materials Reliability Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to negotiate with MTS Systems Corporation, located at 14000 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2247 for three controller upgrades, a software package and wedge grip inserts. BACKGROUND: Items are needed to continue mechanical properties research on pipeline steel materials in support of the National Pipeline Safety Act and the Department of Transportation/Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT/PHMSA). NIST is in need of the new controllers because the existing MTS controllers are approximately 25 years old; they are obsolete and no longer repairable. The new controllers will update the test machines to current state-of-the-art. The software package is needed so that NIST can monitor crack-mouth-opening displacement on both sides of a test specimen using NIST's current fatigue-crack-growth-rate software package. The wedge grip inserts are needed so that NIST can test various thickness test specimens in the existing 220 kip hydraulic grips. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The contract to be negotiated is for a 90 day performance period. SOLE SOURCE: NIST has determined that MTS Systems Corporation is the only contractor that can satisfy its requirements. NIST currently has nine MTS fatigue machines that total approximately $2.5M in value. These machines are set up so that controllers and other related equipment can be easily interchanged between the machines and hydraulic power supplies if necessary. This interchangeability feature saves the Government substantial dollars because of its compatibility. A different type controller would not be interchangeable with the existing systems and would require a substantial outlay in Government dollars to make the other systems compatible to a different controller. The needed MTS controllers are unique in that they have particular required features that are not found in other test machine controllers as follows: 1) Control loop rate must be 6 kHz for high speed test control with the three-stage valve, 2) data acquisition rate of at least 49 kHz is required to capture high speed events, 3) data acquisition must be at least 16 bit resolution, simultaneous sample and hold on all channels, simultaneously, 4) Controller must be capable of defining and running block-cycle tests with and without computer supervision, 5) Controller must be able to support sine-sweep function generation, with and without computer supervision. Controller must also be capable of user-selectable lower frequency, amplitude, linear or log sweep and continuous or single sweep, 6) Controller must have user interface with display and keypad to support stand-alone operation and 7) A software program must be provided that includes PC data acquisition (timed, peak/valley, level crossing, max/min and cyclic/logarithmic), function generation on all channels, (Sine, square, triangle, ramp, hold processes) and the ability to play digitized profiles. It must also provide for limit sensing, sequencing triggers and interface to 32 digital I/O channels. In addition, the required software package is proprietary software and is sold only by MTS. It interfaces with another proprietary software package sold by MTS. Finally, the wedge grip inserts are for an existing MTS hydraulic wedge grip system. MTS Systems Corporation is the only one responsible source for two controller upgrades, a software package and wedge grip inserts described above. This is not a formal solicitation. This notice may represent the only notice. See numbered note 22.