DOC; Mountain Administrative Support Center; Acquisition Management Division; 325 Broadway MC3; Boulder, CO

66 -- WIDE FREQUENCY FORCED VIBRATION ELASTOMETER SOL NB853000803407MB POC Michelle Bernal, Purchasing Agent, (303) 497-3983 or FAX (303) 497-3163 E-MAIL: NOAA; MASC Acquisition Management, bid.tech@noaa.gov. The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) requires a complete wide frequency forced vibration elastometer. The instrument will be used in accurate measurements of mechanical damping capacity, Q.E -- 1, and changes in dynamic elastic moduli, deltaM/M. The results will be used in fundamental studies of the effects of magnetic field, plastic flow, dislocation dynamics at very low frequencies, and diffusion rates of interstitials and other lattice imperfections. It is essential that the Elastometer have a Q.E -- 1 resolution of at least 1* 10.E -- 5 and deltaM/M resolution of at least 1*10.E -- 4. The primary mode of operation should be the sub- frequency, forced-vibration mode. However, operation in the natural-decay mode is also highly desirable. In the forced- vibration mode, the measurement envelope should include the 10.E 5-to-10 Hz and 10.E -- 7-to-3*10.E -- 4 strain amplitude regions with at least 1% amplitude-control capability. The instrument should be able to operate with thin-plate steel samples that are typically 70mm long, 3mm wide, and 0.8mm thick. However, variations in sample width and thickness of plus or 50% will have to be accommodated. Also, it is likely that samples made of other materials, e.g. Aluminum, will be studied in the future. It is essential that the electronic control unit generate frequencies int he 10.E -- 5-to-10.E -- 5 range with a minimum step size of 1*10.E -- 4 Hz. The tractional driving frequency and amplitude stability should be at least 1*10.E -- 6/month. The heating unit must be capable of raising the temperature of the sample to at least 200C. However, the design of the instrument should incorporate provisions for adding another heating unit that would be capable of raising the sample temperature to 800c. It is very desirable that the control software include a graphical user interface (GUI) that is windows based and include provisions for operator setting and adjustment and scheduling of all drive and data acquisition parameters as a function of temperature, frequency, and time. Furthermore, it is essential that the control computer be based on a Pentium II microprocessor with a speed of at least 266 MHz. Also, a permanent-magnet assembly is required to provide a magnetizing field of at least 80000A/m. This assembly is needed to saturate magnetic effects in steel samples. The instrument should be supplied with all instruction manuals, including instructions for sample preparation and mounting. The supplier is expected to install the instrument at NIST and provide initial training. 120-day delivery is expected following receipt of order. Technical merit as well as price will be used to evaluate offers. As the technical merit becomes more equal, price becomes a greater factor. Procurements under Simplified Acquisition Procedures ($100,000 or less) are set-aside for small business unless small business cannot meet the need at a reasonable price. Responses must be received on or before June 1, 1998. Terms and Conditions and agency level protest procedures can be found on web site http: netsite.esa.doc.gov/oam/conops/#REFERENCE. Hard copy in full text available from office address and phone number listed in notice. (0138)

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