SOW.docx

3D Photometric Stereo Microscope

I. Background The Surface and Interface Metrology Group in the Physical Measurement Laboratory at NIST performs research and measurements in the field of surface topography and the forensic analysis of toolmarks. A photometric-stereo 3D scanning microscope system is needed that can acquire 3D scans of surfaces. Samples to be measured will include those that have steep local slope angles and be made of transparent or translucent materials, such as glass and various polymers. The ability to accurately measure these surfaces is critical to the research being performed. NIST requires an imaging microscope that can produce three-dimensional (3D) surface topography scans of samples under test. The microscope method of operation shall be of a photometric-stereo design.

The 3D photometric stereo microscope will be used in three areas of research:

1. Identifying toolmarks on the surfaces of 3D printed parts as part of a research project funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). The goal of this project is to test the ability to identify the 3D printer that a specific part was 3D printed from by comparing surface features and toolmarks that are produced on the printed part by the 3D printer. These include toolmarks transferred to the printed part from the 3D printer’s build plate and heated nozzle. Samples to be scanned include the 3D printed parts which may be produced from various polymers (PLA, ABS, PETG) as well as the components of the 3D printer (build plates, nozzles). Some materials are translucent in nature and may have high slope angles due to the 3D printing process. The ability to scan and acquire accurate 3D surface topography images of these samples is critical in meeting the deliverables of the project.

2. Research related to general surface texture analysis of samples. This includes samples that may be produced from transparent materials, such as glass, and those with surface features that have high local slope angles (greater than 30 deg. slope). This includes geometric reference surfaces such as step height samples for vertical scale calibration or grid samples for lateral scale and distortion calibration.

3. 3D scanning of forensic samples such as fired bullets and cartridge cases. Imaging of these samples supports our research in bringing new technology to forensic laboratories that investigate firearm related crimes. NIST is helping to bring new measurement methods, advanced correlation algorithms, and large image databases to forensic labs to improve their ability in making source identifications as part of criminal investigations.

II. Scope

This order is for one (1) photometric stereo microscope; associated software required to operate it, to analyze data, and to export data for external analysis; and any consumable supplies required to operate it. This microscope is required to perform the research described in Section I above.

III. 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, prototype, or custom items will not be considered. The use of “gray market” components not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Contractor is not acceptable. All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable.

The Contractor shall provide the following that meet the following minimum specifications:

1. Quantity of one (1) microscope system using a photometric-stereo type of operation. In general, this method of operation includes a series of sequential illuminating lights arranged around the surface to be measured at different incident angles. A series of images is captured sequentially from each light source. The computer then uses the series of images to calculate the surface normals of all points in the measurement region and construct a 3D surface topography image.

2. The microscope system shall include all necessary components for normal operation, including but not limited to:

a. Digital imaging components. (e.g.: imaging sensor/camera)

b. Array of LED light sources

c. Any necessary optical components (e.g: objectives, lenses, filters)

d. System shall incorporate a “live view” that allows viewing of samples in real time.

e. Shall include all necessary power supplies, cables, adapters, etc. for normal operation.

3. The vendor shall provide a Microsoft Windows based desktop, laptop, or tablet computer system capable of operating the microscope and performing any necessary processing or analysis of the captured scans. This shall include:

a. Display

b. Hard drive for storing the operating system, microscope program, and surface data. Must be of adequate size to store at least 500 scans.

c. Method of exporting the data, such as a USB port).

d. System RAM memory shall be adequate for capturing sample scans including those by stitching method, where multiple scans are combined into a single image.

4. The vendor shall include any necessary calibration artifacts to properly calibrate the microscope such that it performs in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

5. The vendor shall include all necessary power supplies, cables, adapters, etc. for normal operation. Power shall be configured for standard U.S. 120V operation.

6. Software functions shall include at a minimum:

a. Software shall fully operate microscope as intended.

b. Software shall have necessary calibration routines built in such that NIST can perform routine calibrations of the system.

c. Shall include a “live view” that allows viewing of the sample in real time for positioning and alignment purposes.

d. Software shall include a stitching routine for combining multiple scan images together, allowing larger fields of view to be acquired.

e. Shall have the capability to store scan data to the hard drive and include an export utility where measured surfaces can be saved into general purpose, nonproprietary formats, such as .txt and .X3P formats.

f. Shall include basic analysis routines, including plane fitting, filtering and calculation of surface roughness parameters (according to ASME B46 or ISO standards).

g. Software will be configured for a “perpetual license”. That is, the system will continue to operate fully without requiring additional recurring license fees.

7. The minimum performance requirements shall include:

a. The digital capturing device (image sensor) shall have at a minimum 1 MP (megapixels) with a minimum lateral (x-y) resolution of 5 µm.

b. The vertical scale (z) resolution shall be at least 1 µm.

c. The FOV (field of view) of a single image shall be at least 8 mm x 8 mm.

d. Capture of a single acquisition (scan plus data processing) shall take no more than 20 seconds.

e. Shall have the ability to accurately scan the surfaces of transparent materials, such as glass.

f. Shall have the ability to accurately scan the surfaces of translucent materials, such as some polymers used in 3D printing (PLA, ABS, PETG).

IV. Schedule of Deliverables

Place of Delivery

Standards of Acceptance: The NIST POC or COR shall review all the above deliverables and respond with an acceptance or request for revision email to the Contractor Point of Contact (POC) within fourteen (14) days of receipt of deliverable. This section applies to deliverables which must be reviewed and approved for acceptances (e.g., draft plans, drawings, etc.)

V. Delivery Delivery shall be FOB Destination (or equivalent terms, such as INCOTERMS Delivered Duties Paid) are required and shall occur not later than (NLT) sixty (60) days 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 Gaithersburg, MD 20899 VI. Installation The system shall be installed by the Contractor in accordance with contract specifications no later than thirty (30) days after delivery. Installation, at a minimum, shall include uncrating/unpackaging of all equipment, rigging, set-up and hook-up of the system, demonstration of all specifications, and removal of trash. Onsite installation and demonstration shall be done at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD at Building 219.

VII. Training The contractor shall conduct one day of training session for up to eight (8) users at NIST. 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 thirty (30) days after installation.

VIII. 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.

The equipment will be visually inspected upon receipt by the technical point of contact (TPOC) for observable damages and flaws. If damage and/or flaws are observed, the equipment will be returned to the vendor at the vendor’s sole expense. The TPOC will notify the vendor via email, within five (5) business days of observing the damage that the equipment is being returned. If damage and/or flaws are not observed, the equipment will be installed by the vendor. The vendor and TPOC will ensure the equipment is fully operational and demonstrates operation to the minimum specifications set forth in this document. If the equipment fails to be fully operational and/or does not demonstrate operation to the minimum specifications, the equipment will be returned to the vendor at the vendor’s sole expense. If no observable damage and/or flaws are observed, the following tests will be performed prior to acceptance within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of instrument, installation, and training:

a. Visual Inspection

1. General inspection of the microscope and components to ensure everything has been included and there is no damage.

2. The photometric stereo microscope will be operated using manufacturer recommended procedures.

b. Calibration of the microscope shall be performed using vendor developed methods. TPOC shall observe calibration process.

c. All requirements set forth in the minimum requirements section will be tested or verified.

d. A measurement of a NIST supplied step height standard of 10 µm or 50 µm height will be checked to ensure proper vertical (z) scale calibration.

e. A measurement of a NIST supplied roughness sinusoidal standard with a wavelength (RSm) of approximately 100 µm will be checked to ensure proper lateral (x-y) scale calibration.

f. A 3D-printed flat surface that includes printing lines will be measured twice using the instrument. The two resulting images will be registered with each other and compared. The root-mean-square difference between the two images shall be less than 5 µm.

The Government will test, inspect, and accept the equipment onsite within fourteen (14) business days of the receipt and installation of the 3D photometric stereo microscope. A visual inspection of the 3D photometric stereo microscope will be performed by the NIST TPOC to identify surface defects or any form of indication that the 3D photometric stereo microscope was 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 3D photometric stereo microscope due to defects and/or nonconformance.

IX. Warranty The contractor shall warrant the entire system for a period of a minimum of 1 year after acceptance and shall be in accordance with terms in FAR 52.212-4

X. 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 installation and acceptance by the TPOC of fully installed system.

2. The Government anticipates inspection will occur upon:

a. After the testing procedures set forth in this document have been completed