Army Research Laboratory, ALC Procurement Division, ATTN: AMSRL-CS- AL-PS, 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783-1197

N -- INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT SOL W2623860604004 DUE 013197 POC Karen Chapman, Purchasing Agent, (301) 394-1945, Beth Smith, Contracting Officer, (301) 394-3371. Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, materials necessary to retrofit new high vacuum pumping system to existing Ipsen furnace. Contractor shall supply the following items for high vacuum system: Varian 6" Diffusion Pump (2400 LPS), Varian Water-Cooled Baffle, VRC 6" High Vacuum Gate Valve, Vacuum Control Panel, Granville Model 307 Vacuum Controller (1 Ion Gauge, 2 T/C, with output signal to controller), PLC Automatic Control, Connection hardware and wiring. It is intended to award this contract to Centorr/Vacuum Industries, Inc., Nashua, NH on a sole source basis. Ipsen vacuum furnace was manufactured by Ipsen Co. approximately 35 years ago. At the present time, however the Ipsen Co. no longer exists. Ipsen Co. was bought by Vacuum Industries Inc. and they now service the Ipsen vacuum furnace. No other known source has adequate knowledge, skills, or experience to meet the Government requirement for the retrofitting vacuum system for the Government owned Ipsen vacuum furnace. Because of the ultra high temperature (up to 2700 degree C) capability of the vacuum furnace, it is not technically feasible to hire local service representative to perform vacuum retrofit. It is also very important to consider any safety features associated with proper installation and start-up procedures. Interested persons, responsible businesses only may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement by submitting in writing and request for a copy of the solicitation. No telephone requests will be honored. See Numbered Note(s): 22. (0010)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0069 19970114\N-0002.SOL)