Department of Commerce, Mountain Administrative Support Center, Procurement Division, MC3, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80303-3328

B -- DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT A THERMAL DIFFUSIVITY APPARATUS, RHEOMETER FOR NEUTRON AND LIGHT SCATTERING AND UPGRADING AN EXISTING COUETTE CELL SOL NB838000704211 DUE 010697 POC Jacqueline Wright (303) 497-5282 Text The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Physical and Chemical Properties Division of the Chemical Science and Technical Laboratory (CSTL) requires a contractor to design and construct a thermal diffusivity apparatus, a rheometer for neutron and light scattering, and to upgrade an existing Couette cell. The contractor is required to have a sound background in the physics of complex liquids such a colloidal suspensions and complex organic fluids. A knowledge of radiation scattering, e.g., light and neutron scattering is mandatory, as is an understanding of nonNewtonian behavior in complex liquids. The contractor must demonstrate research expertise in each of these areas; a) a theoretical background of the molecular structure of complex fluids; b) experimental expertise in light scattering, neutron scattering, and rheometry; c) a theoretical knowledge of systems in equilibrium and under shear; d) experience in apparatus development, electronics, and computer interfacing; e) particular experimental expertise on the measurements of complex fluids, gels, suspensions, colloids and polymers; e) experimental expertise on the measurement of the properties of nonNewtonian fluids; and g) considerable machining skills. The contractor should be in the vicinity of the NIST Boulder, CO laboratories where the equipment resides and also be familiar with the small angle neutron scattering facilities at NIST Gaithersburg, MD. Dr. Gerald Straty has been identified as a leading expert in this field with over 30 years experience, has published over 50 papers on these topics, and has the proven expertise to design, and construct a shearing cell, modify the rheometer and to upgrade the neutron facilities. This contract will be let throughout the remaining FY97 with two option years, contingent on the availability of funds. It is the intent of the government to negotiate on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 6.302 and 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with Dr. Straty. (0341)

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