AMND 1 - Q and A.pdf
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- Attached to
- Heating Microscope Dilatometer Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- AMDTCRQ2501966
About this file
This document is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) Amendment for a Heating Microscope Dilatometer solicitation (AMDTCRQ2501966) issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The amendment clarifies key technical and procedural details for potential vendors, including that the solicitation will be evaluated on a Lowest-Price, Technically-Acceptable (LPTA) basis. Significant points include: vendors can submit multiple proposals, the system must accommodate a sintering temperature up to 1400°C, vacuum pump and inert gas backfilling equipment will be supplied by the user, and a Software Attestation form is required for any software being procured.
The Q&A also provides specific technical guidance about the equipment, such as expectations for binder processing (ethylene glycol-based binder decomposing around 350°C) and clarification that the heating microscope should be able to handle the debinding process. Shipping terms are strictly FOB Destination, and quotations must include complete pricing information. Vendors must submit a completed Software Attestation form, which will be evaluated on a Pass/Fail basis, and failure to submit this form will result in the quotation being deemed technically unacceptable.
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Other files for this federal contract opportunity
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| AMND 1 - Requirements_rvsd.pdf | ||
| Requirements.pdf | ||
| RFQ attachment - FAR provisions.docx | DOCX document |
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Text version
Question & Answer (Q&A) Amendment 0001 Heating Microscope Dilatometer
Solicitation No. AMDTCRQ2501966
1. Question: Section 2, D, Technical Requirements, states:
“Capable of inert atmosphere. A gas control system is not required. However, the furnace must accommodate the user pulling vacuum and backfilling with inert gas (e.g., argon) with typical auxiliary equipment for this purpose that will be supplied by the user. The furnace must have seals that maintain the user-established low oxygen environment (less than or equal to 0.1 vol. % oxygen).”
Can NIST confirm the furnace specifications stated above and clarify if the user will be supplying the vacuum pump and inert gas backfilling equipment? That is, can we assume we do not need to include a vacuum pump in our quote?
Answer: Vacuum pump and inert gas backfilling equipment does not need to be included in the quote. The user will supply these items.
2. Question: Can NIST clarify how the binder is expected to behave during processing and whether provisions are needed for binder collection if it melts and flows before burning?
Answer: The binder should decompose and evaporate around 350°C. The binder shall be ethylene glycol based, which is common for metal binder jetting. The heating microscope shall be able to handle the debinding process. However, the user may decide to use a separate oven or furnace (provided by NIST) for the debinding step. In those cases, the heating microscope is expected to start with a brown part and end with a sintered part rather than a green part to a sintered part.
Green part refers to a part with binder and powder, and a brown part refers to a part after binder is removed but before sintering. The vendor shall provide instructions or restrictions regarding debinding in the heating microscope to avoid damage to the equipment. The Requirements document is updated to reflect this requirement in the Specifications.
3. Question: What sintering range should the system accommodate?
Answer: Per the requirements document, the system shall accommodate a sintering temperature up to 1400°C.
4. Question: The solicitation specifies FOB Destination. Are alternative shipping arrangements acceptable?
Answer: No. All Quoters must include FOB Destination terms in their quote. Other FOB terms, such as Point-of-Origin, will not be acceptable.
Question & Answer (Q&A) Amendment 0001 Heating Microscope Dilatometer
Solicitation No. AMDTCRQ2501966
5. Question: May we submit multiple proposals?
Answer: Yes.
6. Question: Might a higher cost be selected based on superior performance, or will the lowest bid win in any case?
Answer: Quotations will be evaluated on a Lowest-price, Technically-Acceptable (LPTA) basis. Quoters will be determined “technically acceptable” or “technically unacceptable” based on an evaluation of responses against the factors specified in the RFQ, to determine if, as submitted, the quotation is technically acceptable. The quoter quoting the lowest price among all technically acceptable quoters will be recommended for source selection.
7. Question: Would dual measurement capability be considered a competitive advantage, or should we just focus on the lowest possible price?
Answer: All quotations will be evaluated on an LPTA basis. Only the minimum requirements identified in the Requirements document will be used to determine if the quoter has the ability to fulfill all technical requirements stated in the RFQ.
8. Question: Will NIST accept the superior adaptive focus solution, or does NIST require both systems to meet the stated specifications?
Answer: See response to Question No. 7 above.
9. Question: Can NIST clarify if the Software Attestation form is required for the software being procured?
Answer: Yes, the Software Attestation form regarding the software being purchased needs to be submitted with the quoter’s quotation, which is an Evaluation criterion and rated on a Pass/Fail basis. The Software Attestation form may be completed by the vendor or by the manufacturer of the software. Quoters not submitting an Attestation form with their quotation will be evaluated as technically unacceptable.
See Secure Software Development Attestation Form (V 1.0) here:
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2024- 04/Self_Attestation_Common_Form_FINAL_508c.pdf.
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-04/Self_Attestation_Common_Form_FINAL_508c.pdf https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-04/Self_Attestation_Common_Form_FINAL_508c.pdf
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