36 -- PROCUREMENT OF THREE INSTRUMENT FLEXURE RIGS

Notice Date

July 19, 2001

Contracting Office

Gemini 8-M Telescopes Project, Aura, 950 N. Cherry Ave, PO Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85719

ZIP Code

85719

Solicitation Number

N210980

Point of Contact

Andrew Flach, Gemini Contracts Manager, 520-318-8537

E-Mail Address

Click here to email the Gemini Contracts Manager (aflach@gemini.edu)

Description

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. ("AURA") is seeking a qualified vendor to provide three instrument flexure rigs. These rigs will be used to evaluate how astronomical instruments perform in different spatial orientations. A large and heavy instrument (up to 4.3x2.3x1.8 meters; up to 2000 kg) will be mounted to the flexure rig in a hanging position and then the rig will lift the instrument through a range of plus or minus 90 degrees while also rotating it through 360 degrees about the center of the mounting interface. Although a very stiff interface which is identical to the telescope interface will have to be fabricated, designs which are otherwise straightforward extensions of existing systems, e.g. welding manipulators, are desired in order to minimize cost. Parties interested in receiving the Request for Proposal for this procurement should send a one page letter of interest by 30 July, 2001, to Andrew Flach, AURA-Gemini Observatory by either fax (520-318-8590) or email (aflach@gemini.edu). The letter of interest should reference Announcement of Opportunity No. N210980, and include physical mailing address, telephone number, fax number, and email address for a contact person. The Gemini Observatory is an international collaboration to build and operate two 8 meter telescopes, one located on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the other located on Cerro Pachon in Chile. The Gemini partners include the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Australia. The Gemini project is operated by AURA under contract to the National Science Foundation.

Web Link

General information about the Gemini Observatory; no (http://www.gemini.edu)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010723/36SOL001.HTM (W-200 SN50S3R8)