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

66 -- INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQUIPMENT SOL DAAL01-96-R-9883 DUE 022497 POC Kevin Hawk, Contract Specialist, (301) 394-3138, Kathleen M. Tennant, Contracting Officer, (301) 394-3439. The contractor shall manufacture, test, deliver, install, inspect and retest a refractory metal furnace for the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The furnace shall have the capability to heat up to and sustain a temperature of 2000 degrees C in an atmosphere of nitrogen, argon, helium, and under vacuum (10 -5 -10 6 torr). The working space in the furnace shall be one foot by one foot by one foot. The furnace shall have a thermocouple and optical pyrometer based control system connected to a programmer capable of performing multiple firing steps (>50) with a recorder to document furnace conditions during experiment. The manufacturer shall test the furnace prior to packing at the manufacture's site. The furnace shall be tested for ability to hold a high vacuum, ability to reach and sustain 2000 degrees C. Delivery shall be made at the ARL Aberdeen Proving Ground. The period of performance shall not exceed 150 days. It is intended to award a sole source contract to Thermal Technology, 90 Airport Road, Concord, NH 03301, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). Market research has demonstrated that Thermal Technology is the only vendor capable of meeting the Government's minimum needs. Firms that recognize and can produce the required item described above are encouraged to identify themselves and give written notification to the Contracting Officer, and provide supporting evidence to the Contracting Officer within (15) calendar days after date of publication of this synopsis. The final determination by the Government not to open this requirement to competition, based on any information provided, is solely within the discretion of the Government. All responsible sources may submit a bid or proposal which will be considered by the Agency. No telephone requests will be honored. See Numbered Note(s): 22. (0029)

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