NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

59 -- SUPERCONDUCTIVE MAGNET SYSTEM SOL 8-1-8-02-C1074 DUE 091898 POC Lydia H. Butler, Contracting Officer, Phone (256) 544-0304, Fax (256) 544-4400, Email lydia. butler@msfc.nasa.gov -- Valerie N. Holmes, Contracting Officer, Phone (256)544-0314, Fax (256)544-4400, Email valerie.holmes@msfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/MSFC/date.html#8-1-8-02-C1074. E-MAIL: Lydia H. Butler, lydia. butler@msfc.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; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). The Marshall Space Flight Center currently has several test programs underway investigating the use of high energy sources for space propulsion application. To support this activity, a system which includes a high performance super insulated cryostat with integrated superconductive magnet is required. The cryostat and magnet will be arranged around a central horizontal cold bore region where test hardware will be placed. This cryostat will contain liquid nitrogen and liquid helium dewars providing cooling for both the superconductive magnet and the evacuated central cold bore region. This hardware shall be set up and used in a mobile environment (i.e. transported in an operating condition in either a covered truck or trailer on public roads and highways). This hardware will not be flown in space. The object is to acquire a factory tested super insulated cryostat with integrated superconductive magnet ready for operation as a "turn key" system. The cryostat will also be equipped with a cryogenic refrigeration system (which will be referred to as a cryo-cooler) to reduce the consumption of cryogenic coolants and extend the maintenance free operation of the entire system. The cryostat shall have interfaces used to mate up with test hardware that is inserted into the superconductive magnet horizontal cold bore region. The complete system shall require minimal time and effort to setup and make operational. Deliverables, detailed requirements, and performance goals are defined below. Deliverables. 1. A "turn key" system that is factory tested and includes a super insulated cryostat system with liquid nitrogen/helium dewars, cryo-cooler, and integrated 4 tesla superconductive magnet. 2. Control and power systems to operate superconductive magnet. 3. Control and hardware systems to operate cryo-cooler. 4. Monitoring systems for liquid levels and temperatures of nitrogen and helium dewars. 5. Procedure for setup and operation of cryostat, cryo-cooler and superconductive magnet. 6. Documentation of factory checkout of integrated cryostat, cryo-cooler and superconductive magnet. 7. Map of the magnetic field (at centerline) along the length of the horizontal magnet. 8. Magnetic field strength as a function of supplied current (ranging from 1 to 4 tesla). 9. Documentation specifying compliance with relevant Department of Transportation regulations for transportation of operational system (having cryogenic fluids and strong magnetic fields). 10. Documentation specifying compliance with relevant boiler and pressure vessel codes (for safety factors and relief protection). Physical/Performance Requirements for Super Insulated Cryostat and Cryo-Cooler. The super insulated cryostat with horizontal magnet will have a layout approximated by the illustrations in Figures 1 through 3, in Appendix A. Figure 3 shows the cryostat with a MSFC fabricated test section installed. These figures are meant as a guide, however, critical lengths and interfaces (to mate up the test section) are listed below and in Figures 4, 5 and 5a (Appendix A). The cryostat consists of an outer shell which serves as a support jacket for the external/internal components, mounting, and vacuum. Stacked within this shell (from the outside moving toward the center ) are: 7 Super insulation which provides thermal protection from the outside environment. 7 A liquid nitrogen dewar which absorbs the majority of the incoming heat flow. This dewar is shown as a cylinder (in the figures) but would more likely have a much larger reservoir on top (making it look oblong rather than cylindrical) so it could hold a sufficient liquid reserve and integrate more easily with the cryo-cooler. 7 A highly reflective heat shield/insulation which serves to intercept heat transfer between the liquid nitrogen dewar and the liquid helium dewar. 7 A liquid helium dewar which contains a superconductive magnet (horizontal orientation) in the shape of a long solenoid. 7 Evacuated central cold bore region through the liquid helium dewar (surrounded by the superconductor) which forms the hardware test section. The system shall also include a cryogenic refrigerator (or cryo-cooler) to reduce the overall cryogenic coolant consumption rate. Figure 4 documents the cryostat general evacuation interface which uses a factory standard evacuation system or a Conflat type flange (modified to accept an 0-ring seal). Figure 5 and 5a documents the attachment of the test section to the cryostats forward flange (also uses a O-ring modified Conflat type flange) and the placement of this section within the inner cold bore of the helium dewar. 1. Cryostat approximate envelope: width 80 cm, length 80 cm, height 95 cm(these dimensions exclude fill tubes, vents and cryo-cooler head). 2. Cryostat approximate dry weight should not exceed 140 kg (excluding cryo-cooler, evacuation hardware and fill hardware). 3. Cryostat materials shall include: aluminum, stainless steel and other low thermal conductivity composites with low outgassing characteristics which are non-magnetic. 4. Cryogenic fluids: liquid nitrogen (~ 15 liters) and liquid helium (~ 50 liters). 5. Cryostat nominal operating pressure of 5x10-6 torr when evacuated. 6. Cryostat cold bore test section will have an internal diameter of 10.00 +/-0.05 cm and extend from the forward flange to the end of the liquid helium dewar with an approximate length of 52 cm. The test hardware (to be used in the bore) weighs less than 2 kg and will be equipped with three copper slip rings which will provide support and prevent radial movement within the bore. The cold bore region should have a temperature goal near 4 K. 7. Cryostat general evacuation/relief interface shall be provided (factory standard if it exists) which can be mated (with an adapter) to a standard 4.5 inch Conflat type flange. Alternative would consist of a 4.5 inch Conflat type flange modified for an o-ring seal with dimensions and layout as specified in figure 4. 8. Cryostat equipped with standard fittings for filling and pressure relief of both liquid nitrogen and helium dewars. 9. Cryostat forward bore mounting interface to mate with a 8 inch Conflat type flange modified for an o-ring seal with dimensions and layout as specified in Figure 5 and 5a (seals against the dewar vacuum 10-6 torr range). Interface shall be aligned to match the centerline of the horizontal cold bore. 10. Cryostat shall be designed with mounting legs attached to either the flange or shell (illustrated in figure 3) capable of supporting and bolting down the cryostat. This mount must also satisfy the handling load factors detailed in Appendix B. 11. Cryostat dewars may require porous baffles (horizontal and/or vertical) to reduce fluid motion generated by highway transportation which could adversely effect the superconductive magnet (limits on liquid levels may also be required). 12. Cryostat shall be sized for nominal operation with a heat load at the inlet to the hardware test section bore from external environment. This heat load is approximately 1 watt at the nitrogen shield, 0.2 watts at the intermediate shield and less than 20 millwatts to the LHe bore. 13. Total system capable of operation in stand alone mode without refilling cryogen dewars, and without cryo-cooler turned on for a minimum of 4 days. 14. System operation without refilling cryogen dewars, and with cryo-cooler turned on for a minimum of 30 days. 15. Cryo-cooler support equipment such as the compressor and control system must be able to operate at a minimum of 5 meters from the cryostat. 16. Cryogenic dewars and vacuum annulus equipped with necessary relief protection to prevent over and under pressure and designed to relevant boiler and pressure vessel codes. 17. Cryostat andcryo-cooler system designed so that it may operate under transportation loads which include: moving on a dolly, lifting by forklift/hoist and transportation by truck and trailer. See Appendix B for handling load factors. 18. Cryostat and cryo-cooler system shall be designed to satisfy all pertinent Department of Transportation requirements for operation while being transported on public streets and highways. Physical/Performance Requirements For Superconductive Magnet. The superconductive magnet shall be a solenoid design and fabricated as an integral part of the liquid helium dewar portion of the cryostat system as illustrated in Figure 3, Appendix A. The magnet shall be factory tested for performance and field strength mapped along the centerline bore. 1. Magnet shall be rated at 4 tesla (as measured at the magnet center) during normal operating conditions. 2. Magnet length of 40 cm and weight (not including power supply or feed system) shall be less than 20 kg. Magnet axial center shall be located approximately 30 cm from cryostat forward flange (the exact location shall be documented by vendor). 3. Magnet will have end compensation to provide magnetic field uniformity: 1) variation of no more than 0.01% in field along the axial centerline +/- 1.0 cm from the magnet center, 2) variation of no more than 15% at a distance of +/- 15 cm measured axially from center of magnet. 4. Magnetic field shall be symmetric about the magnet center (along the axial centerline). 5. Magnet shall include shielding (active or other) to reduce the extent of magnetic field external to the magnet bore. The shielding should be sufficient to drop the field strength to 10 gauss within 50 cm of the magnet. The shielding shall not create any zero or reversing points in the magnetic field. 6. Magnet power supply and monitoring equipment shall be capable of operating at a minimum of 5 meters from the cryostat/magnet system. 7. Magnet shall be equipped with necessary temperature sensors to monitor system health and performance. 8. Magnet shall be quench protected (for current flow in either direction) and shall be trained at the factory. Magnet and structure shall be protected against hardware damage if a quench occurs. 9. Magnet shall be equipped with a persistent switch and retractable power leads. 10. Magnet shall be capable of continuous operation with a minimum expected time between failures of 50,000 hours, provided sufficient cryogenic cooling is maintained. 11. Magnet capable of a minimum of 1000 startup/shutdown cycles (to 4 tesla). 12. Magnet shall be fully tested and placed through startup/shutdown sequences prior to shipment to verify normal operation. 13. Magnet designed so that it may operate under transportation loads which include moving on a dolly, lifting by forklift/hoist and transportation by truck and trailer. See Appendix B 14. Magnet system shall satisfy all pertinent Department of Transportation requirements for operation while being transported on public streets and highways. Delivery of a fully checked out super insulated cryostat with integrated superconductive magnet and cryo-cooler systems will be 24 weeks ARO. The provisions and clauses in the RFQ are those in effect through FAC 97-06. 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 3679 and 500, respectively. The quoter shall state in their quotation their size status for this procurement. All qualified responsible small business sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Delivery to George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL is required within 24 weeks ARO. Delivery shall be FOB Destination. The DPAS rating for this procurement is DO-C9. Quotations for the items(s) described above may be mailed or faxed to the identified point of contact by the date/time specified 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. Quoters are encouraged to use the Standard Form 1449, Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items form found at URL: http://procure.arc.nasa.gov/Acq/Forms/Index.html to submit a quotation. If the end product(s) quoted is other than domestic end product(s) as defined in the clause entitled "Buy American Act -- Supplies," the quoter shall so state and shall list the country of origin. The Representations and Certifications required by FAR 52.2l2-3 may be obtained via the internet at URL: http://ec.msfc.nasa.gov/msfc/pub/reps_certs/sats/ FAR 52.212-4 is applicable. FAR 52.212-5 is applicable and the following identified clauses are incorporated by reference: 52.203.6, 52.203-10, 52.219-8, 52.219-14, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-3652.222-37, 52.225-3, and 52.247-34. Questions regarding this acquisition must be submitted in writing no later than 09/15/98. Quotations are due by 09/18/98 to the address specified above and to the attention of the Bid Depository. Selection and award will be in accordance with FAR 52.212-2 with the following evaluation factors: 1. Technical merits: the offeror shows a clear understanding of and the ability to meet the dewar system layout and operation, the magnet layout and field tolerances (internal/external) and the operational environment of this magnet/dewar system; 2. Past performance: the offeror's prior work experience in assembling dewars/magnets of this size and field tolerance, with active magnet shielding, and assembling systems which were put through "shake and bake" qualification tests. Technical and past performance, when combined are significantly more important than price. Award will be based upon overall best value to the Government, with consideration given to the factors of proposed technical merits, past performance and price, meeting the required delivery timeframe. It is critical that quoters provide adequate detail to allow evaluation of their offer (see FAR 52.212-1(b); such detail should, as a minimum, include a general description of the proposed dewar system layout and operation, supply plots/data of the magnetic field both internal and external to the magnet, and considerations for the operational environment of this magnet/dewar system; in addition to the quoter's past performance in assembling dewars/magnets of this size and field tolerance, assembling and operating systems with active magnet shielding, and assembling systems which were designed to operate in a dynamic environment, i.e., put through a "shake and bake" qualification tests for road or flight use. Quoters must provide copies of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representation and Certifications Commercial Items with their quote. See above for where to obtain copies of the form via the Internet. An ombudsman has been appointed -- See Internet Note "B". Prospective quoters shall notify this office of their intent to submit a quotation. It is the quoter's responsibility to monitor this site for the release of amendments (if any). Potential quoters will be responsible for downloading their own copy of this combination synopsis/solicitation and amendments (if any). See CBD Note 1 and Internet Note B. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nnotes.htm. Posted 09/10/98 (D-SN248296). (0253)

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