DOC; Mountain Administrative Support Center; Acquisition Management Division; 325 Broadway MC3; Boulder, CO 80303-3328

B -- LASER-COOLED, NONNEUTRAL ION PLASMAS IN PENNING TRAPS EXPERIMENTS SOL NB847000900167JW DUE 061299 POC Jacqueline Wright (303) 497-5282, FAX (303) 497-3163 E-MAIL: NOAA; MASC Acquisitions Management, Brenda.S.Summers@noaa.gov. The National Institute of Standards and Technology ion storage group has a requirement for someone to conduct nonneutral plasma physics and ion trap frequency standard experiments. The main objective of the nonneutral plasma physics experiments is to investigate the trapping and sympathetic cooling of positrons in a Penning trap by laser-cooled beryllium ions. In this work positrons from a moderator crystal are passed along the magnetic field of a Penning trap containing laser-cooled beryllium ions. The beryllium ions can slow down and trap the moderated positrons. Experimental studies which measure the number, temperature, and spatial distribution of the trapped positrons will be the main focus of this work. In addition to the work with positrons, some time could be spent on ion trap frequency standard experiments. These experiments will study the potential of small numbers of mercury ions in a linear rf trap, or larger numbers of zinc ions in a Penning trap, for providing a stable reference for a microwave frequency standard. The person conducting the experiments must have previous experience with laser-cooled, nonneutral ion plasmas in Penning traps. Previous experience with radioactive positron sources is necessary. Extensive hands-on experience with the set-up and operation of frequency doubled CW lasers with wavelengths in the ultraviolet is a necessity for the completion of this work. Interested sources must submit a written qualification statement with references, showing experience with the trapping and sympathetic cooling of positrons in a Penning trap. No RFQ is available, however, interested sources must reference synopsis No. NB874000900167JW. In the absence of other qualified sources, it is the intent to award on a sole source basis to Brian Jelenkovic, Boulder, CO. This announcement/solicitation is being issued under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures, FAR Part 13 (NTE $100,000.00). The award decision will be based upon the best value to the Government, with technical merit and past performance being significantly more important than price. Terms and Conditions and agency level protest procedures are referenced at http://netsite.esa.doc.gov.oam. Technical questions can be directed to John Bollinger at (303) 497-5861. JACQUELINE WRIGHT, Purchasing Agent. Posted 05/27/99 (D-SN336572). (0147)

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