SOLICITATION NOTICE
66 -- GAS SOURCE STABLE ISOTOPE MASS SPECTROMETER SYSTEM
- Notice Date
- 6/9/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, 77058-3696, Mail Code: BH
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- NNJ06160640Q
- Response Due
- 6/16/2006
- Archive Date
- 6/9/2007
- Description
- NASA/JSC has a requirement for a gas source stable isotope mass spectrometer system for the analysis of extraterrestrial and terrestrial materials at the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Directorate at Johnson Space Center (JSC). These analyses will be performed on micro-gram-sized samples that are available from meteorites, Mars analog materials, and future samples returned from asteroids or planets. A gas source stable isotope mass spectrometer with Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen & Sulfur (CNOS) and Deuterium/Hydrogen (D/H) universal collectors, capable of high precision analyses with the ability of operating in both dual-inlet and continuous-flow configurations is required. The specific requirements for the stable isotope mass spectrometer system are follows: (1) The Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer System: The stable isotope mass spectrometer must deliver high precision measurements for the determination of D/H, 13C/12C, 15N/14N, 18O/16O, 34S/32S (from SF6), 28Si/29Si, as well as Ar, Kr and Xe isotope ratios. Since the ARES-JSC requirements are experimental in nature it is necessary to have a wide mass range resolution, therefore the mass range should span 1-150 Dalton, at 10kV (i.e. high enough to analyze the SF6, at mass 146). Mass resolution for Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Sulfur should be 200 m/m (at a 10% valley); and for Hydrogen 25m/m (at a 10%valley). Furthermore, since small sample analytical capabilities are an integral part of the scientific research at JSC it is imperative that sensitivity for CO2 (mass 44) should be 600 molecules/ion or better, within the dual inlet configuration, and 900 molecules/ion or better when operated in continuous flow mode. Also, sample consumption should be 0.031 nmol/s or better in dual inlet. Ion source linearity should be 0.02 %/nA (for mass 44). (2) The ion source: The ion source must operate at an accelerating voltage of 10kV in order to maximize analytical sensitivity. Additionally, the ion source should be constructed in such a way as to minimize leaks; ideally, eliminating metal welds and having it constructed from a single piece of stainless steel would accomplish this. Change between dual inlet and continuous flow operations should be controlled by a single mouse click that calls up resident application specific software. The total time elapsed during changeover should be of the order of a minute. The switchover between inlet systems should be totally automatic, and there should be no requirement for loading of new software. Linearity of the ion source should be <0.02? per nano-amp ion current and measurement of this specification must be possible under computer control from computer operating program using the dual inlet system. The ion Source must be self-aligning, so that it can only be inserted in one way. Procedure for removal and reinstallation of ion source must be specified in detail. (3) The analyzer: The analyzer?s geometry should be capable of stigmatic focusing with a large dispersion (at least 460 mm). The magnetic sector field should be generated by a high precision current-regulating electro magnet that will allow for mass scanning via magnetic strength regulation. (4) The Collectors: The collector system should include the ability to collect the following stable isotopes: carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, silicon, argon, krypton and xenon. Faraday cups should be individually shielded to minimize stray ion interference and should also consist of a secondary electron suppression system. The collector system should allow for up to eight individual cups to be present and any given time. Amplifiers, both CNOS and D/H, should reside in evacuated housings to minimize the effects of high relative humidity, a problem endemic to the Houston climate. (5) The inlet system: The mass spectrometer should consist of not only a dual inlet system, but must also allow for operation within continuous flow mode. This dual inlet should be designed in such a manner as to allow for minimum dead volume; ideally it should be mounted directly to the ion source housing. Changeover valves as well as nominal inlet valves should be all-metal and employ gold-seated and gold-sealed technology, which also will help to minimize inlet dead volume. (6) Hydrogen Collector. The hydrogen collector should be able to analyze D/H ratios by either dual inlet or continuous flow modes. There should be no measurable He tail on mass 3 at He flow rates into the ion source (after any open split) >0.3 ml/min. corresponding to EA and GC flow conditions, and He/H2 ratios comparable to what would be experienced in capillary GC analysis. The focusing for the m/z=3 beam must be stigmatic. The mass 2 and mass 3 beams must have identical ion optical conditions in the field free drift region between the magnetic sector and the exit slit. Collector housing should allow evacuation to reduce background noise (7) Differential pumping: Differential pumping will be necessary as a getter for excess He when the instrument is operated within continuous flow mode and should be incorporated in to the pumping design. (8) Micro-volume capabilities: Micro-volume capabilities should be present and be capable of operation in the dual inlet mode with the ability to connect to a cryogenic dewar that is already in the possession of ARES. Sample size should be less than 3 micro liters for CO2. The dual micro volume inlet shall include two exchangeable cold fingers, one with a volume <225 ul for the measurement of CO2, the other with a larger volume for measurement of N2 or O2 onto silica gel or molecular sieves. (9) Power conditioner: A power conditioner will be necessary to free the supply voltage of spikes. A three phase 50/60 Hz dedicated line (which already exists in the laboratory space dedicated to the new system) will feed the power conditioner, which should supply 230V (-10% + 6%). (10) Computer and Isodat software: DATA SYSTEM for control of mass spectrometer, data acquisition, and data reduction must consist of the following: a. Software operating system must be Windows 2000 b. Change between dual inlet and continuous flow operations should be controlled by a single mouse click that calls up resident application specific software. The total time elapsed during changeover should be of the order of a minute. The switchover between inlet systems should be totally automatic, and there should be no requirement for loading of new software. c. It must be possible to cycle between all separate inlet systems without leaving the software and without crashes or hang-ups. d. Software must capable of fully automated peak centering in all modes of operation, including all CF modes, and it should not be required to reset tuning tables when switching applications. Software must display both beam voltages and updated delta value of sample in real time. It must be possible to make decision to quit or continue based on d output on screen e. Software must contain documented routines for corrections of measured delta values for 17O isotopomers of CO2, CO, N2O, and SO2. These routines should be assembled into a single module and should be applicable to measurements made on all sample preparation devices and all inlet systems. f. GC-IRMS software must contain documented routines for automated collecting and correcting time-shifted isotopomer peaks, corresponding to isotopically substituted molecules in the sample. g. Software must contain documented routine for automated correction of measured D value for contribution of H3+, for dual inlet and all continuous flow applications. h. Automatic data storage must be possible on any external storage device. i. Data must be archived in a database, which allows searching of all analyses for e.g., all analyses of a specific reference material, all analyses that are to be billed to a specific account, or all analyses run by a specific operator. It should be possible to use customizable templates to export of the data files. j. Users must have full access to data with capability to raw data into Excel spread sheets. k. Software must provide landscape printouts and data transfer based on the raw data files without any reduction of data sets. l. The instrument control software must have a library of routines that automate the measurement of the quantities that are measured in the final test of an instrument (including absolute sensitivity, relative sensitivity; linearity, abundance sensitivity, peak top stability (=magnet stability), peak side stability (=high voltage power supply stability), VFC converter stability, bellows compression ratio). These routines should display and compare the measured value and that value specified by the manufacturer. Printouts from these routines should be included. (11) Thermostated sample tray: A Thermostated sample tray is necessary for multi sample preparation and analysis. (12) Carbonate option: A carbonate option should be included and will allow for the automated extraction and analysis of micro-gram quantities of carbonate materials in large quantities for maximum sample through-put. It shall be possible to use the same auto-sampler and thermostated constant temperature block for high precision analysis of carbonates rocks and minerals. Phosphorolysis shall be performed in individual vials in a tray contained in a thermostated constant temperature block. Flushing of the reaction vial by He prior to analysis must be done in a fully automated fashion, under computer control, with reduction of background CO2 to negligible levels in <5 minutes. The computer control shall control cessation of the He flow at the end of flushing, to conserve the He from the external reservoir. If the initial sample is out of range, the software should control initiation of automated He dilution of the signal to bring subsequent peaks from the repetitive loop injection to within range; this dilution must be shown to be non-fractionating. Headspace CO2 shall be flushed with He and sampling done via a loop, this sampling must be done under complete computer control, and it should be possible to make repetitive (N>10) loop injections during the course of a single analysis. The loop shall initiate a GC run which separates the CO2 from other gas species (e.g. H2O, O2, N2, Ar). H2O shall be removed with a non-cryogenic porous Nafion membrane. INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS: <0.1? for 18O/16O and <0.1? for 13C/12C for 100 ug CaCO3. Size range for carbonates should be from 50-1000 ug CaCO3 (13) Gas Bench II: The gas bench will allow for multi-sample preparation and sample introduction to the mass spectrometer in an automated configuration. (14) Spare Parts/Consumables: Spare parts/consumables for the mass spectrometer that have been identified as the most common components that require replacing/renewing are required. These parts should be purchased at the same time as the main instrument because they will insure part compatibility, result in a significant cost savings compared to purchasing parts on an as-needed basis and minimize instrument downtime. NASA/JSC intends to purchase the items from Thermo Electron of North America LLC who manufactures the only known acceptable gas source stable isotope mass spectrometer system which meets several critical NASA requirements; which include, a source at 10,000 Volts (10kV) accelerating potential for all masses from 2-170 amu, a system readily configurable to allow both continuous flow sample inlet systems, and dual inlet systems on same mass spectrometer. Also key is this system?s ability to analyze the smallest possible samples which are of most interest to ARES personnel. The new mass spectrometer has been designated to replace an outdated mass spectrometer purchased from Thermo Electron. As such, it is determined that the footprint that is now occupied by the old instrument will serve as an ideal laboratory setting for the new instrument. This location is already configured with the Thermo Electron?s specified required utilities, including the proper incoming voltage feed, correct compressed air pressure and hoses for pneumatic valve operation, and carrier gas availability. NASA has amassed a large assortment of spare parts, both mechanical (vacuum pumps, etc.) and electronic, which are directly compatible with the new machine. Additionally, liquid nitrogen dewar in the possession of ARES will interface directly with the micro volume dual inlet cold fingers on the new instrument. Thermo Electron is the only known US based vendor that can provide the long-term support and training that the government requires. Thermo Electron has experienced installation and service technical support that are located in the US and can support JSC in a timely manner. They also keep spare parts stocked in the US, which shall minimize instrument down-time. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on June 16, 2006. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B". Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
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