Amended NIST Requirements.docx

NIST Requirements

Closed Cycle Cryogen-Free Probe Stations

Background The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) requires (2) closed cycle cryogen-free probe stations. Each probe station will have (6) micro-manipulated probe arms. One probe station will be used solely for quasi-DC electrical characterization of novel devices and circuits at cryogenic temperatures. The second probes station will be used solely for ultra-fast electrical time domain and frequency domain characterization of novel devices and circuits at cryogenic temperatures. Device and circuit cryogenic characterization will enable the development a variety of cryogenic electronics platforms in support of ongoing programmatic thrusts in quantum information science.

Minimum Requirements

The system shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements identified below. All items must be new. Used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered for award. Experimental, or prototype will not be considered. The use of “gray market” components not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the proposer is not acceptable. All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable. All specifications below must be verified at NIST before final acceptance.

Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) 0001: The contractor shall provide quantity of one (1) Cryogenic Probe Station (quasi-DC electrical characterization) that meet or exceed the minimum requirements identified below:

1. Shall be cryogen-free and shall operate in a closed cycle manner. The probe station shall include all the necessary equipment to operate and verify the closed-cycle cooling (compressor, stainless steel hoses, cryogenic temperature controller(s), temperature sensors to verify sample chuck and shield temperatures, sample heater, shield heater, etc).

2. Shall have a sample vacuum chamber with (6) micro-manipulated probes capable of reaching the full periphery of a 25 mm diameter sample region.

3. Shall have cooling capacity to maintain a chuck temperature of ≤ 7 K. Typically this is achieved using a cold head with cooling capacity of 1-1.5W at 4.2K.

4. Shall include a vacuum pumping station capable of pumping out the sample vacuum chamber in 30 minutes.

5. Shall include provisions for an expedited warm-up time (≤ 1.5 hr).

6. Shall include a stand that pneumatically isolates vibrations from the sample vacuum chamber (i.e. local environment, pump vibrations.). The vibration at the sample shall be ≤ 1 micron.

7. Shall include a vision system (monoscope) and integrated light source which outputs directly to a display (no requirement of a separate computer). The vision system shall have < 5 micron of resolution at the maximum magnification.

8. Shall include (6) micromanipulated probe arms/probe tips configured for a Kelvin connection (two connections to each probe) with triaxial feedthroughs.

9. Shall include a sample chuck with triaxial feedthrough connection.

10. Shall include ≥ 10 spare probe tips.

CLIN 0002: The contractor shall provide quantity of one (1) Cryogenic Probe Station (Ultrafast electrical characterization) that meet or exceed the minimum requirements identified below:

1. Shall be cryogen-free and shall operate in a closed cycle manner. The probe station shall include all the necessary equipment to operate and verify the closed-cycle cooling (compressor, stainless steel hoses, cryogenic temperature controller(s), temperature sensors to verify sample chuck and shield temperatures, sample heater, shield heater, etc).

2. Shall have a sample vacuum chamber with (6) micro-manipulated probes capable of reaching the full periphery of a 25 mm diameter sample region.

3. Shall include provisions to internally mount a NIST supplied 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm printed circuit board which can maintain a temperature ≥ 230 K during cryogenic operation. The heated printed circuit board mount shall be located in close proximity to one of the microwave probe tips (≤ 5 cm). Stronger consideration will be given to a system in which the heated mount is closer to the microwave probe tip (< 5 cm).

4. Shall have the cooling capacity to maintain a chuck temperature of ≤ 9 K. Typically this is achieved using a cold head with cooling capacity of 1-1.5W at 4.2K. This includes the additional heat load of the heated circuit board mount.

5. Shall include a vacuum pumping station capable of pumping out the sample vacuum chamber in 30 minutes.

6. Shall include provisions for an expedited warm-up time (≤ 1.5 hr).

7. Shall include a stand that pneumatically isolates vibrations from the sample vacuum chamber (i.e. local environment, pump vibrations). The vibration at the sample shall be ≤ 1 micron.

8. Shall include a vision system (monoscope) and integrated light source which outputs directly to a display (no requirement of a separate computer). The vision system shall have < 5 micron of resolution at the maximum magnification.

9. Shall include a grounded sample chuck.

10. Shall include (6) micromanipulated probe arm assemblies configured for high-speed (≥ 20 GHz) microwave probes (SMA feedthrough).

11. Shall include (4) ground-signal-ground microwave probe tips (100-micron pitch).

12. Shall include (2) ground-signal-ground microwave probe tips (100-micron pitch) which are each 50-ohm terminated at the probe tip.

13. Shall include (2) ‘signal’ microwave probe tips (no ground tips) which are 50-ohm terminated at the probe tip.

14. Shall include (4) ‘signal’ microwave probe tips (no ground tips).

15. Shall include provisions for additional DC ‘control’ lines. This includes a feedthrough with ≥ 6 coaxial (BNC) connections and ≥ 8 pin-feed through wires in which all wires are run to the sample chuck area and remain loose for connection at a later time. Stronger consideration will be given to a system that can offer greater numbers of DC connections (>6 BNC feed throughs and > 8 pin-feed throughs).

16. Shall include a means to control the temperature of the heated circuit board assembly separate from the sample temperature.

Delivery

Delivery shall be FOB Destination (or equivalent terms, such as INCOTERMS Delivered Duties Paid). This delivery shall occur within contractor’s standard commercial lead time. after receipt of order (ARO).

FOB Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery. The contractor shall deliver all Line Items to:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Drive, Building 220 Room B018 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640 Certification of Conformance In accordance with FAR 52.246-15 a Certification of Conformance shall be required and delivered with the cryogenic probe stations. The Certification of Conformance shall verify that the cryogenic probe stations conformed to the purchase order requirements prior to be shipped to NIST.

Installation The system shall be installed by the Contractor and meet contract specifications no later than 30 days after delivery. The Contractor shall install the system. Installation shall include, at a minimum, uncrating/un-packaging of all equipment, set-up and hook-up of all equipment, start-up, and demonstration of all required specifications, and removal of trash. Technical personnel experienced with the system shall install the system and perform all activities necessary to ensure the system is fully functional and meets all required specifications. Onsite installation and demonstration shall be done at NIST, Gaithersburg, MD.

Training The contractor shall conduct 1 training session for at least 3 NIST personal to operate the system. The training shall provide a thorough demonstration of all system/solution functions, maintenance, data administration, and basic troubleshooting. The training may be completed at NIST immediately after installation/set-up and on-site measurements demonstrating that no damage or misalignment issues arose during transportation and installation but shall be completed no later than 30 days after installation.

Inspection and Acceptance In addition to the inspection and acceptance terms articulated in 52.212-4, the Government reserves the right to perform such performance tests and evaluations as defined below to verify specified system performance. Such tests and evaluations, if performed, shall be conducted within the environment that the system is to be operated. The Contractor has the right to be present during the tests and evaluations, if performed, at the Contractor’s expense.

Inspection and acceptance shall occur within thirty (30) days after receipt installation and training of Cryogen Probe Stations at NIST.

1. The NIST TPOC shall perform tests to verify output power values.

A visual inspection of the systems will be performed by the NIST TPOC to identify surface defects or any form of indication that the systems were damaged during transport to NIST. The Government shall have sole discretion to require repair or replacement of damaged and/or nonconforming supplies at no cost to the Government. The Government at any time prior to acceptance shall reject the systems due to defects and/or nonconformance.

The contractor is responsible for latent defects discovered any time after final inspection. However, the extent of its liability shall be prorated over the useful life of the cryogenic probe stations.

Ownership (title) of the cryogenic probe stations shall transfer to NIST upon acceptance.

Warranty The contractor shall warrant the entire systems in accordance with the contractor’s standard commercial warranty. Warranty shall commence upon acceptance of the cryogenic probe stations and shall be in accordance with terms in FAR 52.212-4 Payment Schedule The Contractor shall be paid, in accordance with Net 30-day payment terms, upon receipt and acceptance of a proper invoice, in accordance with the following schedule:

1. 100% after receipt and acceptance by the TPOC of fully delivered system.

2. The Government anticipates inspection will occur upon:

· After the testing procedures set forth in this document have been complete NOTE: Partial shipments/installation and partial invoices will not be accepted, unless other-wise requested and accepted by the Contracting Officer prior to award offer. Proposed payment schedules shall be submitted with vendor’s response to the RFQ for consideration.