SATPC0043077 Tab 07 2 SOW_Redacted.pdf

Statement of Work for the Purchase of a MassTech Atmospheric Pressure Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization

(AP/MALDI) source

1. Objective/Requirements The goal of the Cold Solar System Objects ISFM project is to investigate and understand the composition, origin, evolution, and chemical processes occurring on the surfaces and in the atmospheres of cold solar system objects (CSSOs). One of the main experimental tasks of the CSSO ISFM project is to characterize the physico-chemical properties of refractory samples produced by gas chemistry using the COsmic SImulation Chamber (COSmIC) or by ice chemistry using the Ices, Ice Irradiation, and Organics Laboratory for AstroBiology (I3OLAB) and the Matrix Isolation/Optical Constants of Ices (MIOCI) facility at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC). These laboratory-generated refractory samples are analogs of atmospheric aerosols and surface coloring materials present on Titan, Pluto, Triton, and Jupiter.

To characterize the chemical composition of these solid samples, high-resolution mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical tool. We requested the purchase of a Thermo Fisher Scientific Orbitrap Exploris 240 high-resolution mass spectrometer equipped with the OptaMax New Generation (NG) interface and Heated Electrospray Ionization (H-ESI II) source enabling the analysis of molecules present in the soluble fraction of solid samples of interest.

However, as the soluble fraction of the samples that are typically analyzed as part of the CSSO ISFM project represents no more than 50% of the samples, the purchase of a complementary atmospheric pressure/matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP/MALDI) source is necessary to enable the analysis of the molecules present in the insoluble fraction of all our samples. The MassTech AP/MALDI source (UHR model 155C) will allow for such an analysis of insoluble samples and is compatible with the Thermo Fisher Scientific Orbitrap Exploris 240 high-resolution mass spectrometer.

2. Characteristics, Scope, and Specs The Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) source shall be compatible with Thermo Fisher Scientific high-resolution mass spectrometers equipped with the OptaMax NG interface and allow the ionization of molecules constituting the insoluble fraction of laboratory-generated solid refractory samples formed by gas or ice chemistry, even in very low concentrations.

To achieve this goal, the MALDI source will need the following specifications:

- the MALDI source must be compatible with the Thermo Fisher Scientific Orbitrap Exploris

240 high-resolution mass spectrometer equipped with the OptaMax NG interface and easily installed and interchanged

- the MALDI source must come with standard Nd:YAG 355 nm laser offering robustness, high power, stability and repetition rate to enable fast data acquisition, high-resolution imaging and great compatibility with common matrices

- the MALDI source must be equipped with an X-Y translation stage and capable of analyzing micrometric spots (from 100 µm down to 5 µm), in order to map the chemical composition variations in our solid samples

- the MALDI source must be able to ionize very low-concentrated molecules, with limit of detection of 1 femtomole/sample.

- The acquiring organization requires the work to be performed in accordance with further quality requirements: installation support and training, additional Manufacturer Certificate of Conformance, Installation Manual, Operator/User Manual, Maintenance/Service Manual, and Warranty Documentation.

The MassTech AP/MALDI ultra high-resolution ion source meets our needs.

We have conducted market research and compared two different manufacturers of MALDI sources: MassTech and TransMIT Center for Mass Spectrometric Development. MassTech specializes in the design and development of AP/MALDI sources compatible with various commercial high-resolution mass spectrometers from major equipment manufacturers (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bruker, Agilent, Sciex and Waters). The MassTech AP/MALDI source is the most commonly used source with Thermo Fisher Scientific instruments.

3. Place of Performance NASA Ames Research Center

4. Period of Performance The AP/MALDI(ng) UHR source is needed by 12/15/2026.

Independent Government Cost Estimate:

NASA Technical POC: