SOLICITATION NOTICE
68 -- Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite Neutron Filter
- Notice Date
- 7/28/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 325998
— All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899-1640
- ZIP Code
- 20899-1640
- Solicitation Number
- SB1341-05-Q-0875
- Response Due
- 8/8/2005
- Archive Date
- 8/23/2005
- Description
- THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR SUBPART 12.6-STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION AND SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS-AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTATIONS ARE BEING REQUESTED, AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED. This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-04. The Solicitation number is SB1341-05-Q-0875. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 325998 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. This procurement is being competed on an unrestricted basis. ****The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has a requirement for one (1) Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite Neutron Filter for MACS Incident Beam. See attached drawing (038-0075 Rev 3.pdf) at ftp://ftp.ncnr.nist.gov/pub/incoming. Background This procurement is to acquire Pyrolytic Graphite that will be used by NIST to reject unwanted high energy neutrons from the MACS neutron scattering spectrometer at the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR). The full width at half maximum mosaic distribution width shall be less than 8 degrees (as measured with 11.6 meV neutrons). Due to the crystalline structure of the material and the coherent nature of interactions between neutrons and carbon, neutrons with wave lengths greater than 0.23 nm will pass through this material along its crystalline c-axis with a low probability for scattering and absorption. However, shorter wavelength neutrons will generally be strongly scattered and hence rejected from the instrument as desired. Scope The procurement is for a large right circular truncated conical block of oriented pyrolytic graphite to filter the beam that emanates from the NCNR cold neutron source before it reaches the MACS monochromating system. The required physical dimensions and tolerances are provided in drawing 038-0075 rev 3. Contractor Requirements The Contractor shall ship a first article sample plus the post-sample production lot of specified chemical purity, density, and mosaic distribution to the technical information contact (TIC). The first article sample shall be provided following award of the purchase order. The post-sample production lot shall be provided only after the Contracting Officer notification to the Contractor in accordance with Clause 52.209-4 Alt I. The contract line items for this request for quotation are as follows: LINE ITEM 0001: Quantity: One (1) Unit Each ? Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite Neutron Filter for MACS Incident Beam First Article Sample that meets or exceeds the following specifications: First Article Sample The Contractor shall provide a materials first article sample that is representative of the filter material to be delivered so that compliance with specifications can be verified. The first article sample, which can itself be a laminated structure, shall have a thickness along the c-direction of 50 mm. The dimensions in both orthogonal directions perpendicular to the c-axis shall be between 20 mm and 50 mm. The first article sample shall be provided within 1 month after Contractor acceptance of the purchase order. If the sample is deemed not to meet specifications, the Contractor must submit a subsequent sample within one month of receiving written comments from the Contracting Officer regarding the deficiencies in the first sample. LINE ITEM 0002: Quantity: One (1) Unit Each ? Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite Neutron Filter for MACS Incident Beam Post-Sample Production that meets or exceeds the following specifications: Post-Sample Production Requirements Chemical composition and Density: This specification ensures sufficient content of the desired oriented graphite majority phase. - Carbon as Pyrolytic Graphite >99% by weight - The overall density of each the filter (taking the volume to be that defined by the corresponding drawings) shall exceed 95% of the room temperature density of Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite, which is 2.26g/cm3. Mosaic distribution: This specification is set to maximize transmission in the 0.23 nm to 0.4 nm wave length range and to maximize efficiency as a filter for higher order neutrons. - The average c-axis direction for the filter shall be parallel to the high symmetry axis (the beam direction) to within 1o. - The average Full Width at Half Maximum Mosaic width for the filter as measured with 11.6 meV neutrons shall not exceed 8o. Neutron transmission specification: This specification ensures adequate neutron transmission in the operating energy range. Factors that reduce neutron transmission are neutron absorbing impurities, lattice defects, and graphite powder inclusions. - The room temperature transmission of 11.6 meV neutrons through 50 mm of the material along the c-axis shall exceed 80%. This material must be received by NIST within six (6) months after NIST acceptance of Item 0001. Overall Physical Dimensions and Lamination Requirements The segment of the post-first article production run shall be delivered as an accurately dimensioned body. The physical dimensions, tolerances and surface finish are specified on the attached drawings, which is numbered 038-0075 rev 3. The filter may be built as a laminated structures detailed by the Contractor. The following requirements ensure that the potentially laminated body can be mounted effectively and that there are no open joints along beam axis - Lamination planes shall be perpendicular to the central axis of the filter. - This requirement is to prevent streaming through cracks in the lamination. The lamination structure shall preclude straight line neutron propagation within 10 degrees of the cylinder axis without passage through at least 35 mm solid graphite. - The overall density of the laminated body with volume as defined by the corresponding drawings shall be at least 95% of the density of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. Other Requirements: Certified Materials Analysis (Items 0001 and 0002) The materials delivered under this purchase order (both first article and first article production) shall be accompanied by a certified materials analysis indicating the graphite and impurity content and the average mosaic distribution as measured through X-ray diffraction. Neutron measurements will be carried out by the TIC to determine whether the mosaic and transmission requirements are met. Acceptance of First-Article Testing Samples (Item 0001) The TIC will perform at least two types of analysis on the first article sample and report the results to the Contractor via the Contracting Officer. Neutron diffraction will be used to determine the mosaic distribution. The neutron transmission along the c-axis through 50 mm of material will be measured. All measurements will be carried out using 11.6 meV neutrons. This energy has been chosen because it is in the middle of the useful energy range for the filters on MACS and because it is an energy where graphite can be used to remove higher order contamination. Similar analysis may be performed on the full shipment when received to ensure compliance with specifications. Throughout the performance period, the TIC will carry out mosaic and transmission measurements as needed to ensure that the final product satisfies specifications. Such measurements will be carried out and reported to the Contractor within 2 weeks of receipt of a sample. Acceptance of Post-Sample Production (Item 0002) The following acceptance tests may be carried out by the TIC for the post-sample production to ensure compliance with specifications: Physical inspection to assure that the dimensions and tolerances are consistent with the supplied drawings. Measurement of the weight of the filter to determine whether the overall density (with volume as specified by the corresponding drawing) exceeds 95% of the density of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. Measurement of the overall mosaic distribution of the filter using 11.6 meV neutrons. Neutron diffraction measurements to ensure that the average c-axis direction coincides with the high symmetry axis of the filter to within 1o. Measurement of the neutron transmission along the c-axis and through 50 mm material for 11.6 meV neutrons. DELIVERY FOR BOTH ITEM 0001 AND 0002 SHALL BE FOB DESTINATION. The Contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with standard commercial procedures. The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items; and 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items; Clauses: 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration; 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions?Commercial Items; 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Items, including subparagraphs: 52.222-3, Convict Labor; 52.222-19, Child Labor ? Cooperation With Authorities And Remedies; 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases; 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer? Central Contractor Registration; 52.237-2, Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, and Vegetation; 52.214-35 Submission of Offers in U.S. Currency, 52.209-4 Alt I, First Article Approval-Govt. Testing with the following fill-ins (a) one unit of lot/item the first article sample within 30 calendar days from the date of purchase order acceptance at NCNR, Bldg. 235, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899; (b) within 14 calendar days. QUOTATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Offerors shall read FAR 52.212-1 and submit two (2) complete copies of their quotation in accordance with paragraph (b) of that provision. Each quote shall include items (1) through (11) of FAR 52.212-1(b), to include past performance information noted in (10). PRICING MUST BE INCLUDED AS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT FROM ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS. All quotes shall be sent to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Acquisition Management Division, Attn: Lisa Wells, Building 301, Room B129, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640. Quotes must be received by 3:30:00 p.m. eastern time on August 8, 2005. FAXED AND EMAILED QUOTATIONS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED. No payments will be made for the deliverables before the Technical Contact indicates written acceptance of the deliverables after acceptance testing. NIST intends to award a purchase order to the offeror whose quote represents the best value to the Government, technical, price, and other factors considered. The Government will evaluate quotes based on the following evaluation criteria: (1) The extent to which the offered solution meets or exceeds minimum RFQ specifications, (2) Past Performance Information, and (3) Evaluated Price. (1) and (2), when combined, are significantly more important than (3). Past Performance information will be evaluated to determine the overall quality of the products and services provided by the offeror. Evaluation of past performance information may be based on information obtained from the references provided by the offeror and/or information obtained from other sources. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS Because of heightened security, FED-EX, UPS or similar delivery methods are the preferred method of delivery of proposals. If quotes are hand delivered, delivery must be made through Gate A, and a 48 hour (excluding weekends and holidays) prior notice should be made to the Contract Specialist at 301-975-8171. Notice must include the company name, name of the individual making the delivery, and the country of citizenship of the individual. For non-US citizens, the following additional information will be required: title, employer/sponsor, and address. Please ensure that the individual making the delivery brings photo identification, or they will be denied access to the facility. NIST IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LATE DELIVERY DUE TO THE ADDED SECURITY MEASURES. In addition, offerors who do not provide a 48-hour notification in order to coordinate entrance to the NIST campus assume the risk of not being able to deliver offers on time. The Government is not responsible for the amount of time required to clear unannounced visitors, visitors without proper identification and without complete information that would allow delivery (i.e. point of contact, telephone POC, building, room number, etc.) If 48 hour notification was not provided, it is suggested that your company representative or your courier service arrive at NIST at least 90 minutes prior to the closing time in order to process entry to the campus through the visitors center and complete delivery.
- Place of Performance
- Address: 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD
- Zip Code: 20899
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 20899
- Record
- SN00856616-W 20050730/050728211855 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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