SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Ultra-Small-Angle X-ray Scattering and X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy
- Notice Date
- 8/3/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- 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, Maryland, 20899-1640
- ZIP Code
- 20899-1640
- Solicitation Number
- NB852080-A-06362
- Archive Date
- 8/26/2010
- Point of Contact
- Richard Cordero, Phone: 3019753976, WILLIAM N. LI, Phone: 3019753955
- E-Mail Address
-
rcordero@nist.gov, William.Li@nist.gov
(rcordero@nist.gov, William.Li@nist.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE THIS IS NOT A FORMAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) AND DOES NOT COMMIT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARD AND TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT DIVISION TO AWARD A CONTRACT NOW OR IN THE FUTURE This sources sought notice is issued for information and planning purposes only. The Government is soliciting information to determine the availability of all small business groups capable to perform the requirement indicated below. DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK Develop, Commission and Apply Combined Ultra-Small-Angle X-ray Scattering and X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy for Material Measurement 1.Background Recently, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory (MSEL) staff in the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) Ceramics and Metallurgy divisions have demonstrated both the feasibility and potential usefulness of combining ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) with X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). This combination of measurements shows great promise for measuring the dynamics of structural changes in materials of interest in Ceramics, Metallurgy and Polymer divisions. Now, MSEL seeks to include XPCS capabilities in current instrument upgrade plans that will develop, commission and apply a next generation USAXS facility in collaboration with staff at the Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory. Details of the current USAXS instrument are given in: J. Ilavsky, P.R. Jemian, A.J. Allen, F. Zhang, L.E. Levine and G.G. Long; “Ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering at the Advanced Photon Source,” J. Appl. Cryst., 42, 469-479 (2009). Details of the feasibility of combining USAXS and XPCS measurements are given in: F. Zhang, A.J. Allen, L.E. Levine, J. Ilavsky, G.G. Long and AR. Sandy; “Development of Ultrasmall-Angle X-ray Scattering - X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy,” J. Appl. Cryst., submitted (2010). Both of these documents are attached to this solicitation. 2.Scope of Work The Contractor shall perform research on USAXS and incorporate measurement capabilities from SAXS and XPCS. The expected outcome of this requirement is a next generation USAXS facility that will be developed and incorporate not only USAXS and conventional (pinhole geometry) SAXS measurement capabilities, but also a XPCS measurement capability over a scale range from nanometers to micrometers and over a dynamic time range from milliseconds to hours. It is envisaged that the potential of the new facility for addressing materials microstructure measurement and characterization issues across the whole range of materials of interest to MSEL (also the new Material Measurement Laboratory) will be demonstrated through research publications. 3.Specific Tasks The Contractor shall complete the following research tasks: a.Work with NIST MSEL and APS staff in the design, commissioning and application of X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) measurement capabilities within the overall development of a next generation ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) facility that will include a 2D pinhole geometry small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) capability. The experimental design and measurement methods must be approved by the Technical Information Contact (TIC). b.Work with NIST MSEL and APS staff to develop optimized reduction and analysis procedures for USAXS–XPCS data, particularly in converting successive, short, partially coherent USAXS scans of momentum transfer, Q, intensity, I(Q), and uncertainties, into time correlation function data that probe the system dynamics. c.Work with NIST MSEL staff in preparing manuscripts for submission to archival journals for publication of the research results obtained using the new XPCS capabilities, together with the next generation USAXS facility. d.Attend scheduled on-site project team meetings at least once each month unless excused by the TIC. Optional Tasks: Task 1: Validation of XPCS capabilities and preliminary scientific studies using the combined XPCS-pinhole SAXS and USAXS capabilities of the next generation USAXS facility. Task 2: Dedicated application of the completed next generation USAXS facility to scientific studies of ceramics, metals and/or polymers that will be selected by MSEL staff. 4.Deliverables and Deliverable Due Dates The Contractor shall provide the following: a.Documented, optimal USAXS–XPCS measurement and analysis procedures at the end of the contract base period and at the end of each option period; b.Archived analysis routines at the end of the contract base period and at the end of each option period, and significant measurement results as they arise and first reported orally at monthly project team meetings; c.A written summary of results in a format suitable for archival journal publication, including on the future application of combined USAXS–XPCS measurements, at the end of the contract base period and at the end of each option period; d.Verbal updates of progress made at monthly project team meetings. Standards for Acceptance of Deliverables: The Technical Information Contact (TIC) will provide comments on each deliverable within 10 calendar days from receipt of a given deliverable. The contractor shall make any needed changes to the deliverables within 10 calendar days from receipt of electronic or written comments from the TIC. Specific Information The following specific information is requested: (a)company descriptive literature; (b)specific related corporate experience;(c) experience with the type of performance expectations mentioned above; and (d) references (to include a point of contact and phone number) with first hand knowledge of the experience cited in (b), and(c) above;(e) Business information outlined below. Business information: a. DUNS b. Company Name c. Company Address d. Company Point of Contact, phone number and email address e. Type of company under NAICS: (Size Standard: 500 employees), as validated via the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). All offerors must register on the CCR located at http://www.ccr.gov/index.asp. Additional information on NAICS codes can be found at www.sba.gov. g. Point of Contact, phone number and email address of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses. This sources sought notice should not be construed as a commitment or authorization to incur costs in anticipation of such procurement. NIST is seeking responses from all responsible small businesses. Small businesses are defined under the associated NAICS code for this effort, 541712, with a size standard of 500 employees. Please include your company’s size classification in any response to this notice. Interested parties are requested to provide information on their ability to satisfy any or all of the requirements outlined above No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement and any follow-up information requests. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. All information submitted in response to this announcement must arrive on or before the closing date. No telephone requests will be honored. All information provided will become property of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and will not be returned. All capability statements can be submitted via e-mail, facsimile, or regular mail to the point of contact listed below. Responses must be submitted not later than August 11, 2010 at 12:00 PM EST. Responses shall be limited to 10 pages. Interested parties capable of performing this requirement should send email to Ricardo Cordero at ricardo.cordero@nist.gov.
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