58 -- COMPLETE GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEM

Notice Date

September 13, 2001

Contracting Office

Administrative Contracts Service Center (3803R), Environmental Protection Agency, Ronald Reagan Building -- 7th Floor, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460

ZIP Code

20460

E-Mail Address

smith.christopher@epa.gov (smith.christopher@epa.gov)

Description

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) intends to award a sole source fixed price purchase order to Canberra Industries of Meriden, CT for a Complete Gamma Spectroscopy System; Basic Spectroscopy Software, Gamma Analysis Software, Quality Assurance Software, Interactive Peak Fit Software, Automatic Batch Procedure Software, and Computer Controlled NIM detector support electronics for acquisition and control of four (4) existing Intrinsic Germanium Detectors. Detailed specifications for each of these components is stated below. Any exceptions taken to these specifications must be clearly stated and alternatives offered, or the response will be ruled noncompliant. Basic Spectroscopy Software. The intent of these specifications is to define a comprehensive nuclear spectroscopy software environment. 1. The spectroscopy software shall be a complete environment for MCA Acquisition control, spectral display, complete gamma analysis and quality assurance. 2. The package shall be designed on a native 32 bit, fully multitasking operational system. Systems using a single tasking or "task switching" are not acceptable. Software package(s) must be installed and successful operation demonstrated on-site (EPA NAREL Montgomery, AL) on an existing computer running Windows 2000 professional operating system. 3. The package shall support a variety of multichannel analyzer hardware. The different MCAs shall be supported consistently and seamlessly. The user shall be able to operate multiple MCAs from a single user interface window in a thoroughly consistent manner. Vendor literature provided with the response shall describe this capability in detail. 4. A specific requirement exists to be able to fully control the following existing Canberra Industries equipment; Acquisition and Interface modules (Model# 556A), ICB Spectroscopy Amplifier (Model# 9615), ICB 6KV High Voltage Power Supply (Model# 9645), ICB 6 mu/sec Analog to Digital Converter (16K Channels). 5. The system shall offer two entirely separate user interface environments. A fully interactive environment for the knowledgeable user shall allow full access to all system functions with a minimum of interaction. This environment will be used for setup, experimental operation, data review and troubleshooting. The batch procedure environment shall be provided which will allow for the creation of complete, dedicated application software. The batch environment shall provide full multitasking-programming features. Minimum capabilities in the batch environment shall include the creation of custom, graphical user interface screens, full MCA control, access to all spectrum analysis facilities along with setup parameters, logic and decision making commands, loops, etc. A batch command shall also be available to launch a spectrum display window or the full interactive environment. 6. The system shall offer comprehensive and varied spectral analysis facilities. Peak searches shall include "both library and second difference" approaches. Peak analysis shall be by non-linear least squares fit -- either for multiplet areas or for all peaks. An interactive peak fit feature shall provide a simple means to review peak fit results and add or delete peaks as required. Nuclide identification shall include automatic detection and correction of interfering peaks, confirming line identification with user adjustable confidence factors and weighted mean activity calculation. Analysis capabilities shall be described in detail in support literature. 7. The system shall use a single file data storage methodology whereby each sample assay results in a record that includes a complete snapshot of system status. Information in the sample record shall include raw spectral data, calibrations, the nuclide library contents, sample information, settings and serial numbers of any associated computer controlled signal processing electronics or MCAs, and any other data associated with the measurement. 8. The use shall have complete control over the format of report output. A template system shall allow report format to be specified in a straightforward manner. The template system shall include logical operations, branching and four function math facilities (+ -- * /). Report systems that require programming in a regular computer language (Fortran, C, etc.) or that require use of separate database or spreadsheet software are not acceptable. NOTE: Report file data structure shall be fully documented to provide for user software development for importing of specific information into an EPA Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Gamma Analysis Software. Software shall be supplied for full Gamma Spectrum Analysis and include the following. Background Subtraction; the background subtract algorithm shall allow for the subtraction of environmental background peaks from the sample spectra. Results shall be stored in the same file as the raw data as well as, calibration, analysis results, and setup information. Efficiency Correction; the efficiency correction and uncertainty shall be calculated for each of the found peaks. Three separate efficiency calibration models shall be supplied. These shall be "DUAL", "LINEAR", and "EMPIRICAL". Nuclide Identification; this algorithm shall take into account all lines of a nuclide entered into the analysis library selected for weighted mean averaging with proper branching ratios, as well as the half-life of the nuclide. For all identified nuclides meeting the criteria of matching peaks, half life, branching ratios and with a confidence index greater than the user selected threshold will be classified as identified. For all identified nuclides the algorithm shall calculate the value of the confidence index and a decay corrected activity per unit volume (or mass) for each energy with a matching peak in the spectrum. Decay correction shall automatically include a correction for decay during the acquisition as well as for decay from the sample date to the start of acquisition. For all unidentified peaks in a spectrum, the software shall generate an unknown peak list containing at a minimum counts and counting uncertainty. Interference Correction and Weighted Mean Activity; the software shall automatically correct for interferences of two or more nuclides with at least one common energy. The activities for these such unclides shall be calculated as a solution to a linear least square equation. The activity of a nuclide with only one peak and no interferences from other nuclides, shall automatically be calculated from its only peak. MDA; a "Minimum Detectable Activity" (MDA shall be calculated for both the radionuclides which have not been found in the spectrum, as well as for those that have been found). Quality Assurance Software. A quality assurance software package shall be offered and completely integrated into the spectroscopy package. The user shall be able to specify any variable in the data file for QA and maintain QA database of individual QA check measurements. Control chart outputs with mean/standard deviation statistical tests and investigate/action alarm levels shall be included. The QA software must be operable in both the interactive and batch user interface modes described above. The quality assurance software shall also track all settings of the computer controlled data acquisition electronics as well as analysis results from any application. Interactive Peak Fit Software; this shall allow the user to view the results of peak locate/peak analysis graphically, evaluate the quality of the peak fit using graphical residual plots, add or delete peaks manually to modify and improve peak results, modify the width of peak fit regions, fit algorithms and background functions, and plot results graphically or generate a text report. Automatic Counting Procedure Software. Automatic procedures shall be supplied to guide the user through sample counting, calibration operations, background counting and quality assurance. User dialog shall be presented using terminology defined by the system manager at setup time. Key menus shall be constructed during operation to present only appropriate choices to the operator. A security/password system shall be provided to control access to menu selections and procedures based on a security level. Computer Controlled NIM Acquisition and Control Electronics; four complete sets of Acquisition and Control electronics shall be supplied consisting of the following. Acquisition Interface Module (AIM), this unit shall include the following features as a minimum (two required); PHA acquisition server with Ethernet interface, Two ADC inputs per module, High speed data acquisition up to one megahertz (1MHz) data acceptance rate, 64K 32bit channels of local acquisition memory, PHA and Loss-Free PHA acquisition modes, Fast spectral data transfer using Ethernet, Host interface for controlling other programmable ICB NIM. Computer controlled Spectroscopy Amplifier, this unit shall include the following features as a minimum (four required); Completely programmable with the Basic Spectroscopy Software, Automatic fine tuning of critical parameter such as Pole/Zero matching -- BLR rate -- BLR threshold -- and PUR threshold, Differential Input, Gaussain/Triangular shaping, Front panel common balance mode control, Pileup rejection and live time correction, Secure computer operation without conflicting front panel controls. Computer controlled ADC, this unit shall include the following features as a minimum (four required); Completely programmable within the Basic Spectroscopy Software, 6 mu/sec fixed dead time ADC, 16K channel resolution, Digital offset in 128 channel increments, Differential linearity < +/- 0.9%, Integral linearity > +/- 0.025%, Pulse height analysis using either automatic peak detection or delayed triggering, Pulse pileup rejection and live time correction, Secure computer operation without conflicting front panel controls. Computer controlled High Voltage Power Supply, this unit shall include the following features as a minimum (four required); Completely programmable within the Basic Spectroscopy Software, Regulated up to +/- 6000V dc 300 muA output, Noise and ripple <3mv peak to peak, Overload and short circuit protected, Overload -- Inhibit -- and Polarity status indicators, Inhibit and Overload latching circuits, Ramped high voltage output with bar graph indication, Secure computer operation without conflicting front panel controls. Nim/Bin Power Supply; NIM/Bin and power supplies shall be provided to house and power all electronics specified. See Note(s) 22 and 23.

Web Link

smith.christopher@epa.gov (smith.christopher@epa.gov)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010917/SPMSC006.HTM (W-256 SN50X4D9)