NASA/Ames Research Center, JA:M/S 241-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

66 -- AUTOCLAVE SOL RFO2-36676-RRK DUE 082198 POC Rachel R. Khattab, Contract Specialist, Phone (650) 604-5237, Fax (650) 604-4646, Email rkhattab@mail.arc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/ARC/date.html#RFO2-36676-RRK. E-MAIL: Rachel R. Khattab, rkhattab@mail.arc.nasa.gov. This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This notice is an RFO conducted under NASA's midrange procedures. This procurement is being conducted under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.5, Test Program for Certain Commercial Items. This notice is being issued as a Request for Offer (RFO) to 1) Furnish and install an autoclave to be used in the production of composite parts within the Aeronautics and Space Flight Hardware Development Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, by the Advanced Composites and Metals Development Branch; 2) Provide necessary documentation as detailed below, and; 3) Provide on-site training in the operation and maintenance of the autoclave. Functional Requirements: All upgrades and enhancements shall be modular and field installable. I. General Machine Requirements: A1. Construction requirements are: Inner Working Dimensions: 6 feet diameter, 16 feet in length minimum; Two equally spaced internal lights, minimum; Pressure: 200 psi maximum internal, 15 psi external; Temperature: 6500F maximum internal and external shell temperature not to exceed 1200, Heat ramp of 200 per minute; Radiography: spot (minimum); Thermocouple connectors: 16 minimum, equally spaced, positioned along the length of the chamber; Vacuum feed-through: 8 minimum, equally spaced, positioned along the length of the chamber; Electrical feed-through (pressure sensors):8 minimum, equally spaced, positioned along the length of the chamber; Nitrogen/air hook-up: Nitrogen source shall be from standard compressed gas containers (bottles or tanks) sufficient to provide and maintain specified operating pressure. Air shall be supplied from compressor sufficient to provide and maintain the specified operating pressure; Water cooled: Ability to cool down autoclave at a minimum heat ramp of 100 degrees per minute; Automatic door: Power operated with push button operation (open/close), interlocked with a pressure switch; Cart: One internal cart on a track with minimum weight capacity of 2000lbs and one external with locking mechanism to internal cart for load transfer with identical weight capacity. A2. The autoclave shall use electric or gas heating elements. The autoclave shall have a pressure building capability of 200 psig, utilizing gaseous nitrogen/air in order to maintain pressure. A3. Installation of the autoclave and training in the operation of the autoclave are required. B. Autoclave Electrical: NASA has established specifications for the heating requirement using electricity. Proposals utilizing gas for the heating requirement will also be considered. If using electricity: The heater shall run on 480 volts, 3-phase, and 60 Hertz; The heater shall be multi-staged SCR controlled; All control circuits shall be 120 volts or less. C. Requirements for computer controller are as follows: 1)Controls shall be on a centrally located panel meeting industrial operating standards for user friendly programming and monitoring of required processes; 2) User defined ramp rates (heating and cooling), pressure holds shall be both manual and computer (Windows95 compatible) programmable; 3) All necessary software (RS View Works and RS Logix 500) and training for both manual and computer controls; 4) Controls shall include four (4) point analog input, an analog output card a thermocouple input module, 24 VDC input source and DC output source, I/O scanner, smart communication interface, uninterruptable power supply; 5) Controls shall include two (2) pressure sensors (H/W Mounting), a "smart" temperature transmitter, RTD sensor, thermowell and a current to pressure transducer. D. Control System Enclosures: The system enclosures shall have Nema-12 rating; The enclosures must be front access; The enclosure shall include a "Control Power" selector switch whichsupplies 120V power to the entire autoclave. A "Control Power" light shall be provided to indicate that the power is enabled; The control enclosure shall include a yellow mushroom head push-button for "Alarm Silence " and a red mushroom head push button for "Emergency Shutdown"; The control enclosure shall include an alarm horn which shall be used for autoclave and/or process alarm conditions; The enclosure shall be labeled in accordance with NFPA 79. II. Applicable Specifications, Codes, and Standards: A. The latest revisions of the following specifications, codes, and standards are included as a portion of this specification. Detailed requirements listed in this specification shall override any contradictory portion of the following specifications, codes and standards. 1. The autoclave shall be designed and constructed to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Associated piping shall be designed and constructed to ASME B31 Code. The autoclave shall be code stamped in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and National Board Registered (Certified as such, with documentation). 2. The system shall meet or exceed all applicable OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration), ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards related to this type of equipment. 3. Equipment shall meet or exceed all applicable NEC (National Electrical Code, 1984), NEMA (National Engineers Manufacturing Association), and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association, specifically the Electrical Standards for Metal Working Machines -- 1979-1980) standards for electrical controls, devices, and construction. 4. The Joint Industrial Council (JIC) Electronic Standards for Mass Production Equipment and General Purpose Machine Tools EL-l-71. 5. National Aerospace Standard (NAS) 972, Glossary of Manufacturing Equipment Terms. III. Safety Features: Two independent circuits shall control all critical systems, one by the computer control system and one by a hardwired system. The following are considered critical systems: Provide redundant temperature controllers and sensors (one each for computer control system and hardwired system) to shutdown the autoclave in case of over temperature situations. Provide redundant pressure switches (one each for computer control system and hardwired system) to prevent the operation of the door when the autoclave is pressurized. A. All locations for operation, set-up, and maintenance shall be easily accessible. B. All mechanical drives (gears, belts, shafts, etc.) shall be guarded per OSHA standards. All potential pinch points shall be guarded and color coded. C. Back-up safety systems: Relief valve, rupture disk, men in autoclave alarm, over temperature alarm, and overpressure alarm and redundant shutoff. IV. Paint/Finish: The exterior surfaces of the machine shall be painted. Moving parts and pinch points shall be painted in accordance to OSHA color code. V. Utility Requirements: The Government will provide all utilities to within approximately ten (10) feet of the system's installation. A. No Later than 45 calendar days after placement of order of the Autoclave, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer in writing as to the required footprint, operational and maintenance requirements, (structural support, bolting plate, weight requirements and center of gravity), electrical, water, and compressed air requirements needed to operate the Autoclave. B. At least 45 calendar days before shipment of the Autoclave, the Contractor shall furnish to the Contracting Officer a schematic showing the location of where the utilities described above shall connect to the Autoclave being supplied in order to assist the Government in expediting the site preparation. VI. Documentation (3 copies of each): Operating manual; Maintenance manual; Assembly/sub-assembly mechanical drawings; Electrical schematics; Recommended parts list; Spare parts price list and lead time (to be provided with the proposal and another current list with delivery); ASME Code Data Report; Acceptance test plan (to be provided at least 45 days prior to delivery); Required utilities as specified in paragraph V.; Utility connections as specified in paragraph V. Unless stated differently, all documentation shall be provided at least 45 days prior to shipment.VII. Start Up and Training: Within two (2) weeks of delivery to the Government, and at a time mutually agreed upon between the Contractor and the Government, the Contractor shall perform the following: 1) Provide the necessary hardware and make the final connections to the utility points described in Item V., Utility Requirements; 2) Set up, inspect, and adjust the machine; 3) The contractor shall demonstrate an acceptance test that the machine performs all of the functions identified in section I.; 4) Provide the necessary operator and maintenance training to Government personnel on-site at NASA Ames Research Center. The training shall cover general operation, general maintenance and trouble-shooting. The provisions and clauses in the RFO are those in effect through FAC 97-07. This procurement is a total small business set-aside. See Note 1. The SIC code and the small business size standard for this procurement are 3821 and 500 employees respectively. The offeror shall state in their offer their size status for this procurement. All qualified responsible business sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. Delivery to ARC is required within 10 months of the date of order. Delivery shall be FOB Destination. The DPAS rating for this procurement is DO-C9. Offers for the items(s) described above may be mailed or faxed to the identified point of contact by the date/time specified above and include, solicitation number, FOB destination to this Center, proposed delivery schedule, discount/payment terms, warranty duration (if applicable), taxpayer identification number (TIN), identification of any special commercial terms, and be signed by an authorized company representative. Offerors are encouraged to use theStandard Form 1449, Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items form found at URL: http://procure.arc.nasa.gov/Acq/Standard_Forms/Index.html to submit a offer. Offerors shall provide the information required by FAR 52.212-1. If the end product(s) offered is other than domestic end product(s) as defined in the clause entitled "Buy American Act -- Supplies," the offeror shall so state and shall list the country of origin. FAR 52.212-4 is applicable. FAR 52.212-5 is applicable and the following identified clauses are incorporated by reference; 52.203-6 RESTRICTIONS ON SUBCONTRACTOR SALES TO THE GOVERNMENT (JUL 1995) ALTERNATE I (OCT 1995); 52.219-8 UTILIZATION OF SMALL BUSINESS CONERNS AND SMALL DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS CONCERNS (JUN 1997); 52.219-14 LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTS (DEC 1996); 52.222-26 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY (APR 1984); 52.222-35 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR DISABLED VETERANS AND VETERANS OF THE VIETNAM ERA 9APR 1998); 52.222-36 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR HANDICAPPED WORKERS (APR 1984); 52.222-37 EMPLOYMENT REPORTS ON DISABLED VETERANS AND VETERANS OF THE VIETNAM ERA (APR 1998); 52.225-3 BUY AMERICAN ACT -- SUPPLIES (JAN 1994); 52.225-9 BUY AMERICAN ACT -- TRADE AGREEMENTS ACT -- BALANCE OF PAYMENTS PROGRAM (JAN 1996). PROCUREMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR 98-8 YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE (MAY 1998) (a) Definition: "Year 2000 compliant", as used in this clause, means that the information technology (hardware, software and firmware, including embedded systems or any other electro-mechanical or processor-based systems used in accordance with its associated documentation) accurately processes date and date-related data (including, but not limited to, calculating, comparing, and sequencing) from, into, and between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and the years 1999 and 2000 and leap year calculations, to the extent that other information technology, used in combination with the information technology being acquired, properly exchanges date and date-related data with it. (b) Any information technology provided, operated and/or maintained under this contract is required to be Year 2000 compliant. To ensure this result, the Contractor shall provide documentation describing how the IT items or services demonstrate Year 2000 compliance, consisting of: standard product literature or test reports. (c) The Contractor warrants that any IT items or services provided under this contact that involve the processing of date and date-related data are Year 2000 compliant. If the contract requires that specific listed products must perform as a system in accordance with the foregoing warranty, then that warranty shall apply to those listed products as a system. (d) The remedies available under this warranty shall include repair or replacement, at no additional cost to the Government, of any provided items or services whose non-compliance is discovered and made known to the Contractor in writing within 90 days after acceptance. In addition, all other the terms and limitations of the Contractor's standard commercial warranty or warranties shall be available to the Government for the IT items or services acquired under this contract. Nothing in this warranty shall be construed to limit any rights or remedies the Government may otherwise have under this contract with respect to defects other than Year 2000 performance. Questions regarding this acquisition must be submitted in writing no later than August 7, 1998. Offers are due by close of business August 21, 1998 to the identified bid distribution office, marked with this solicitation number. Award will be based upon overall best value to the Government, with consideration given to the factors of proposed technical merits, price, and past performance; other critical requirements (i.e., delivery) if so stated in the solicitation will also be considered. Unless otherwise stated in the solicitation, for selection purposes, technical, price, and past performance are essentially equal in importance. It is critical that offerors provide adequate detail to allow evaluation of their offer. (SEE FAR 52.212-1(b)). Offerors must include completed copies of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items with their offer. These may be obtained via the internet at URL: http://ec.msfc.nasa.gov/msfc/pub/reps_certs/midrange/. These representations and certifications will be incorporated by reference in any resultant contract. An ombudsman has been appointed -- See Internet Note "B". Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this site and/or the CBD for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of this combination synopsis/solicitation and amendments (if any). See Note(s) 1. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.htm and http://cbdnet.access.gpo.gov/num-note.html. Posted 07/21/98 (D-SN226576). (0202)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0397 19980723\66-0005.SOL)