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B -- GLOW-DISCHARGE RESONANCE IONIZATION MASS SPECTROMETRY (GDRIMS) MEASUREMENTS OF RADIOACTIVITY IN NATURAL MATRICES SOL 52SBNB0C1028 DUE 030200 POC Marsha Rodgers, 301-975-6398, Fax 301-963-7732, CO: Romena Moy, 301-975-4999 WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@nist.gov. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis under the authority of 41 USC 253(c)(1) with Dr. Leticia Pibida, 921 Beacon Square Court, Gaithersburg, Maryland, to perform measurements leading to a "proof of principal" of a calibration procedure for a radionuclide in one of the NIST natural matrices using the NIST GDRIMS system and develop parallel methodologies for gamma (Ge) spectrometry. The tasks to be performed are as follows: 1) Establish gamma-ray methodologies with Ge detectors; 2) Optimize GDRIMS background using SIMON; 3) Draft paper for cesium GDRIMS results; 4) Perform literature search, calculations, and needed experiments to decide on radionuclide and matrix which shall be measured in the coming year, possibilities are U or Pu in soil or sediment; 5) Investigate and decide on optimal laser scheme; 6) Develop appropriate source construction schemes to provide maximum sensitivity and selectivity; 7) By performing appropriate experiments, decide conditions for either rf or dc glow discharge conditions; 8) Examine isotope dilution technique or method of standard additions for the calibration of the system; 9) Prepare source for insertion in the system for initial measurements of the radioactivity concentration of the sample; 10) Depending on the results of Task 4, either redesign glow discharge device in preparation for calibration measurements, or build laser stabilization system; 11) Perform tests either on the glow discharge or laser stabilization system for calibration measurements; and 12) Perform gamma-ray standardization measurements . The personnel qualifications shall include: 1) A doctorate in the field of physics; 2) At least seven years experience in spectrometric applications in radioactivity; 3) At least two years experience constructing, modifying and testing glow discharge resonance ionization mass spectrometers and 4) At least three months experience with gamma spectrometry systems. Tasks shall be performed at NIST using NISTinstruments. The period of performance shall be from date of award through one year. There are also four additional one year option periods. This is a sole source with Dr. Pibida because she is the sole person who has familiarity with the combined NIST glow discharge source, the NIST TiSapph laser system and the magnetic sector mass spectrometry system, in addition to the NIST gamma spectrometry systems, which is necessary to provide this service. A Request for Proposal shall be issued to Dr. Pibida. Numbered Notes 22 and 26 apply. Posted 01/18/00 (W-SN416604). (0018)

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