Attachment 1 NIST Requirements RF1.docx

NIST Requirements Document He-3 dilution refrigerator system

I. Background The Radioactivity Group at NIST is responsible for creating and disseminating standards for radioactivity measurements in the US. Ongoing NIST research in this field involves applying cryogenic Transition Edge Sensors (TES) being developed in the NIST Quantum Sensors group to measuring radioactive samples with higher accuracy and specificity. Doing so requires the Radioactivity Group to acquire a Helium-3 (He-3) dilution refrigerator system for operating the TES-based detector platform.

Once cold, the sensors will measure the heat signatures of the radioactive decay events from the embedded material. The goal is to be able to identify and quantify the radioactive sample based on the detected heat pulses.

Because the mixing chamber will be accessed frequently (once or twice per week) to replace the radioactive sources, the dilution refrigerator will need to have a fast cooldown time for the sample (achieved either by having a fast cooldown time for the entire fridge, an appropriate load-lock, or other method)

II. Scope of Work The goal of this contract is to supply, install, and train users on one (1) He-3 dilution refrigerator system that meets the requirements of the Radioactivity Group cryogenic detector project.

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:

The contractor shall provide one (1) He-3 dilution refrigerator system that meets the following minimum requirements:

1. Physical

a. The main dilution refrigerator system including the cryostat, support frame, and gas handling system shall fit within a volume smaller than 5000 mm long by 3200 mm wide by 3700 mm high.

b. The pulse tube compressor shall be able to be remotely located in an adjacent room at a distance exceeding 8000 mm. The government will provide all wall penetrations for this remote location.

c. The cryostat shall have a volume available for samples which exceeds 120 mm diameter by 200 mm tall.

d. The cryostat vacuum jacket and radiation shields shall be able to be installed or removed by one person. This can be achieved either through lightweight jacket and shields or with a provided counterweight or hoist system.

e. The dilution refrigerator system shall be of the cryogen-free type that does not utilize liquid helium. A liquid nitrogen trap is acceptable.

2. Helium

a. The required quantity of Helium-4 gas shall be provided.

b. The government will provide the required quantity of Helium-3 gas.

3. Cryogenic Performance

a. The dilution refrigerator shall be able to achieve a base temperature of 35 mK or lower.

b. The dilution refrigerator shall have a cooling power which exceeds 200 micro-Watts at a temperature of 100 mK.

c. The duration required to cool-down to base temperature after accessing the cold stage to change samples shall not exceed 14 hours for the as delivered system. This cooldown time may be achieved by various methods, such as cooling the entire system from room temperature, or employing a load-lock. If using a load-lock solution, the initial cooldown time from base temperature can exceed 14 hours, but the cooldown time after accessing the cold stages shall not exceed 14 hours.

d. The duration required to warm up to room temperature shall not exceed 14 hours for the as delivered system. This requirement can be achieved through intrinsic properties or with the assistance of a controlled heater system. If a load-lock solution is offered, then the warm-up period for the entire fridge can exceed 14 hours, but the warm up and unload time for the sample from the mixing chamber shall not exceed 14 hours.

4. Temperature Controller and Thermometry

a. A multi-channel resistive temperature controller shall be provided.

b. The number of channels shall be sufficient to measure the temperature of all physical stages of the cryostat.

c. Suitable resistive thermometers shall be provided for each stage.

d. The temperature controller shall have the ability apply power in manual mode.

e. The temperature controller shall have the ability apply power in closed loop PID mode.

f. The temperature controller shall be able to be interfaced to a computer.

5. Gas Handling System

a. A gas handling system shall be provided.

b. The gas handling system shall control the condensation and circulation of Helium-3.

c. The gas handling system shall be able to be operated manually or by computer control.

d. The gas handling shall include the capability to evacuate the vacuum jacket to a level sufficient for cooldown. The capability can be accomplished either with valves or with an additional provided vacuum pump.

6. Automation

a. The dilution refrigerator system shall have the ability to be controlled with automated recipes.

b. Automated recipes for cool-down, and warm-up shall be provided.

7. Coaxial Wiring

a. Quantity four coaxial cables shall be provided.

b. The coaxial cables shall be of the semi-rigid type, 0.86 mm, copper-nickel.

c. The coaxial cables shall be installed from room temperature to the mixing chamber stage.

d. The coax cables shall be heat sunk at various stages to minimize heat loading

8. Twisted Pair Wiring: Room temperature to the 4K stage

a. A quantity of 36 twisted pairs shall be supplied for DC signals

b. The twisted pairs shall be installed from room temperature to the 4K stage

c. Wiring shall be Phosphor Bronze size 36 AWG

d. Wires shall be heat sunk at various stages to minimize heat loading

e. Light tight flanges shall be used for each stage passthrough

f. Hermetic feed through connectors shall be used at room temperature

g. Wiring shall be connectorized at the 4K stage

h. Micro-D type connector or equivalent shall be used

i. The contractor shall provide mating connectors for both ends of the wiring

9. Twisted Pair Wiring: 4K stage to mixing chamber

a. A quantity of 24 twisted pairs shall be supplied for DC signals.

b. The twisted pairs shall be installed from the 4K stage to the mixing chamber

c. Wiring shall be superconducting NbTi/CuNi of a suitable wire gauge to minimize heat load.

d. Wires shall be heat sunk at various stages to minimize heat loading

e. Light tight flanges shall be used for each stage passthrough

f. Wiring shall be connectorized at 4K and be able to mate with the wiring described in section 8.

g. Wiring shall be connectorized at the mixing chamber.

h. Micro-D type connector or equivalent shall be used

10. Available port(s)

a. There shall be at a minimum one available port available for government provided twisted pair wiring for SQUID control interfacing.

b. The available port(s) shall be KF-40 or larger on the top plate of the dilution refrigerator.

c. These available port(s) shall have associated pass-thrus in each stage of the cryostat.

d. Blank plates shall be installed at each pass-thru

11. Supply the installation manual, utility requirements, and a diagram showing the tool footprint, measurements, and wall penetrations along with bid.

IV. Site Preparation The contractor shall provide specifications for required utilities prior to installation. NIST will prepare the space and necessary utilities with appropriate connectors.

V. Place of Performance All work shall be performed at: The National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 245, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

a. The government will provide access to Building 245 to the contractor during the agreed times for a preinstallation site visit and/or installation visit.

b. The day-to-day supervision and direct control over the work performed by the on-site contractor personnel shall be the sole responsibility of the contractor.

VI. Delivery/ Period of Performance Delivery shall be FOB Destination (or equivalent terms, such as INCOTERMS Delivered Duties Paid) are required and shall occur not later than (NLT) 9 months ARO. If the lead time for delivery is less than 6 months, the Government may request delay of delivery for up to 6 months ARO, to have time to prepare the site.

a. The contractor shall provide the Government with an updated delivery estimate 4 weeks ARO.

b. The time period for delivery will be agreed upon by the Government and Contractor.

c. No later than 2 weeks before delivery, the Contractor shall:

i. supply a final delivery date

ii. confirm installation date

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 245 Gaithersburg, MD 20899

d. The government will provide a time window for installation that will not begin earlier than 1 week after the delivery date and spanning at least 4 weeks.

e. The time period for installation will be agreed upon by the Government and contractors.

f. The contractor shall provide a 1-year warranty after acceptance. The contractor may offer multiple warranty options to choose from, including a 2-year warranty.

VII. Installation The government will provide a time window for installation that will not begin earlier than 1 week after the delivery date and spanning at least 4 weeks. The time period for installation will be agreed upon by the Government and contractors. 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 per the place of performance listed.

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 performance of the He-3 dilution refrigerator system will be tested against some or all the specific requirements listed in Section 2.c.

The Government will test, inspect, and accept the equipment onsite within 7 business days of the receipt of the He-3 dilution refrigerator system A visual inspection of the He-3 dilution refrigerator system will be performed by the NIST TPOC to identify surface defects or any form of indication that the He-3 dilution refrigerator system 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 He-3 dilution refrigerator system due to defects and/or nonconformance.

IX. Training The contractor shall conduct a 1-day training session for up to five (5) users at NIST. The training shall provide a thorough demonstration of all system 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.

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

XI. 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: 30 % at the time of Government acceptance of installation manual, 60 % at time of delivery, 10 % on acceptance

XII. Deliverables timeline

(if applicable)