Amendment 0001-Questions and Answers.docx

Questions and Answers Question 1: The Technical Requirements fall within the range of two potential standard systems. Option 1 would be an inverted, tabletop design. Is an inverted design acceptable for the end application? An alternative option (Option 2) would follow a top-down design. Is a top-down design acceptable for the end application?

NIST Answer: An inverted design is not acceptable for the end application due to concerns about later installation on a neutron beam. A top-down design is acceptable (and desired) for the end application.

Question 2: SOW section: III. A. a. v. and III. A. b. iv. -- You are asking for the optical windows and sample space volume to be centered at 1,194mm above ground level. Is this a hard specification? We can raise the frame if it is needed.

NIST Answer: Yes, this is a hard specification as the dilution refrigerator will be used on a neutron beamline at a later point and this is required for mating to the beamline. Raising the frame to achieve this is acceptable.

Question 3: SOW section: III. A. a. vii. You are asking that the split between the 2 sections of the OVC cans / Shield should be near or at 4K plate. Our standard section split is below 4K plate, closer to Cold Plate, is this acceptable ?

NIST Answer: This is acceptable.

Question 4: SOW section: III. A. e. ii. You are asking for a minimum of 3 additional channels for user application on the thermometry. Could you confirm these 3 channels should be able to handle thermocouple and Cernox type temperature sensors ?

NIST Answer: These additional channels should be able to handle cryogenic temperature sensors such as Cernox or Rox.

Question 5: SOW section: III. A. f. iv. You are asking that the gas handling system shall include capability to evacuate the vacuum jacket, do you need that turbo pumping station to be included or you are asking for the pump out port to be present on the gas handling system. Please confirm if you want the OVC pump included or not.

NIST Answer: We are asking for the pump out port to be present on the gas handling system. We do not require an OVC pump to be included.

Question 6: SOW section: III. A. h. iii. You are asking that the coaxial cable shall be install in such a way as to allow for user installed amplifers/electronics at the 4K stage. Do you need a break at 4K on the RF lines so you can route the RF lines to your electronics ?

NIST Answer: Yes, we need a break at 4K on the RF lines so they can be routed to electronics mounted at 4 K.

Question 7: SOW section: X. 6. You are asking for verification of vibration isolation specifications during performance test, could you confirm you will do the measurement of the vibrations yourself and it is not expected from the supplier to conduct those tests ?

NIST Answer: We will perform this verification ourselves. We do not expect the supplier to conduct these tests.

Question 8: The Due date for quotations is listed as the morning of June 17th, 2024. Due to the summer months, we are coordinating around several staff travelling to conferences, site visits, and on vacation. Would it be acceptable to extend the submission deadline to June 30th, 2024?

NIST Answer: Due to Government restrictions on spending by the end of the fiscal year we can only extend an additional week to June 24, 2024 @ 11am at this time.