Attachment 1 SOW PressureFlowSystem.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Pressure-based Flow Control System

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group within the Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division of the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) require a pressure-based flow control system to realize high precision flow-based measurements inside a microscale measurement system. This will enable accomplishment of this group’s mission of developing microscale measurement technology for application of detection and classification of critical minerals within semiconductor manufacturing waste streams.

Critical minerals are present in heaps of materials in domestic stockpiles of e-waste, mining waste, and byproducts of fossil fuel production. Chemical receptors (including membranes and sorbents) can capture critical mineral ions leached into solutions from waste in order to recover them for re-use or sale. When receptors bind specific ions, they often have characteristic heat signatures that correspond to the thermodynamics of the binding/release mechanism. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is a technique capable of measuring these heat flow signatures via addition of precise volumes of a titrant solution to a receptor reservoir. The thermal response arising from individual injections is integrated until a saturation point is reached and can be used to fit a curve relaying reaction stoichiometry, receptor-ion affinity, reaction enthalpy and reaction entropy. These parameters can be affected by solution characteristics including pH, presence of competing ions, solvent, etc. While ITC is traditionally a biochemical analysis technique, it has been demonstrated in inorganic/organic chemistry instances and for other areas of materials science as well.

Delivery of mineral ions and receptors to microreactor vessels require precision flow control. To facilitate reagent changes and precision stop/start conditions, the flow control method desired here requires precision pressure-driven flow controllers, flow rate sensors, and valving schemes. These systems require facile operation with Matlab and Python programming software for hardware interface and data recording.

II. PURPOSE

The contractor is responsible for delivering one pressure-based flow control system meeting the specifications described within this document and providing necessary software and warranty. The flow control system requires very accurate control of (air) pressure (and/or vacuum) over liquid reservoirs to drive and measure highly stable and pulseless liquid flows into (from) sample cells. The contractor is also responsible for providing installation instructions and facilitating initial training and troubleshooting of the system either in-person or remotely.

The acquisition of this equipment is aligned with CHIPS R&D Metrology Project 7.03 (“Quantifying Critical Materials Recovery from Microelectronic Waste”).

The flow control system is critical to achieve the project mission as it will enable the R&D team to (i) precisely control samples and reagent delivery to microfluidic measurement reservoirs, (ii) enable optimization of flow conditions and design criteria needed during development and use of integrated temperature sensing systems, (iii) enable quantitative comparison between the NIST-developed instrument and an industry-recognized commercial system for aspects of throughput, heat flow sensitivity, reaction volume, contact time, material intensity, and other factors.

III. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide a system that meets all technical specifications 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 are 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.

Line Item 0001:

Description: Pressure-based Flow Control System Quantity: 1 Technical Specifications

1. Pressure control module with 4 pressure outputs, 2 pressure inputs (vacuum, ~5.5 bar)

1.1. Output channel configuration (range and stability):

1.1.1. Channels 1 and 2: 0 to 200 mbar

1.1.1.1. 0.015% full scale stability

1.1.2. Channel 3: 0 to 8000 mbar

1.1.2.1. 0.005% full scale stability

1.1.3. Channel 4: -900/1000 mbar

1.1.3.1. 0.007% full scale stability

1.2. Response and settling times ~50 ms

1.3. Software interface to read and record pressure stability

2. Flow sensors

2.1. Low flow range (below 1.5 µL/min) with +/- 10 % accuracy

2.2. Low/Medium flow range (approx. 1 to 7 µL/min) with +/- 5% accuracy

2.3. High flow range (approx. 0 to 1 mL/min) with +/- 5% accuracy

2.4. Software to read and record flow rates at > 10 Hz; possibility for feedback to pressure controller

3. Switching microvalves

3.1. Multi-switch controller

3.2. Two (2) 3/2-way microvalves to enable sample selection into

3.3. Two (2) 2/2-way (nominally open) valves

4. Reservoirs and accessories

4.1. Four (4) fluid reservoirs (50 mL volume)

4.2. Fittings and connectors for reservoirs to interface with pressure controller and microvalves

4.3. Fittings kit for adapting various conventional microfluidic tubing (e.g., flexible Tygon or PEEK with 1/16” outer diameter) via Luer, barb (e.g., 1/16), and threaded (e.g., ¼-28) connectors

5. Software

5.1. The software must provide:

5.1.1. Complete control of pressure to individual outlets.

5.1.2. Real-time plotting and visualization of pressures and flow rates

5.1.3. Interface with Matlab and Python for real-time instrument readout and control

5.2. The computer used to control this system may not be connected to the internet; therefore, installation of any software needed for this instrument must be achieved without the use of the internet.

5.3. Software should be compatible with a Windows 11 operating system, which will be installed on a NIST supplied computer.

IV. DELIVERABLES

V. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

a. Construction and fabrication of the equipment shall be completed at the contractor’s facility.

b. If necessary (i.e., if remote training is not an alternative) training will be performed at 100 Bureau Dr., Building 225, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

i. The government will provide access to Building 225 to the contractor for the entire period of performance of this contract.

VI. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE/LEAD TIME

No later than 8 weeks ARO for delivery of equipment followed by training within 5 business days of installation.

VII. DELIVERY TERMS

Delivery shall be F.O.B Destination (or equivalent incoterms, such as DDP) and shall occur in accordance with the delivery due dates provided in the above table.

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:

DOC/NIST

Shipping & Receiving 100 Bureau Dr.

Attn: TBD, Building 225 Gaithersburg, MD 20899

VIII. INSTALLATION

The system shall be installed by NIST staff with the option for Supplier to be present during installation.

IX. TRAINING

The contractor shall conduct training session(s) for up to 2 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 either on-site at the NIST Gaithersburg campus or remotely, Monday – Friday during the operating hours of 8:00 am - 5:00 pm (eastern time), within 5 business days after installation.

a. After the system passes the site acceptance test, the contractor shall train users on the operation and maintenance of the system.

b. The contractor shall supply the initial installation manual, utility requirements, and full system design schematics for the system at the time of award.

X. INSPECTION & 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.

Performance Tests:

1. Basic functions will be tested including:

a. Powering on the provided control computer.

b. Connecting the instrument to the control computer and pressure sources

c. Ensuring the instrument powers on.

d. Ensuring the control computer can communicate with and control the instrument and any accessory interfaces.

e. Ensuring the control computer records the data from the instrument.

f. Ensuring the analysis software can operate with instrument collected data.

g. Validation of Specifications for pressure stability (per channel) and accuracy of flow sensors

h. Ensuring the software offers the functionality listed in Section 5 of the Technical Specifications for Line Item 0001.

NIST may choose at its discretion to forego this part of acceptance testing.

A visual inspection of the equipment will be performed by the NIST COR to identify surface defects or any form of indication that any equipment 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 equipment due to defects and/or nonconformance. The vendor is responsible for latent defects discovered any time after final inspection. However, the extent of its liability shall be prorated over the useful life of the equipment.

Ownership of the equipment shall transfer to NIST upon acceptance by the Government.

The Government will test, inspect, and accept or reject the equipment within 2 months of the receipt of the equipment unless otherwise indicated above. The Government reserves the right to conduct quality assurance testing to confirm that a given instrument(s) meets the manufacturer’s and/or the Government’s performance specifications. It is anticipated that the equipment will meet all manufacturer’s specifications and/or the Government’s performance specifications identified in the most recent operations and maintenance manual for each piece of equipment and/or in this document.

XI. WARRANTY

At a minimum, the Contractor shall provide a 12-month limited warranty, starting upon acceptance, to cover defects in materials and workmanship of the flow control system.

XII. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Advance payment is not authorized. The Contractor must invoice in arrears according to the 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 and/or COR, AND

2. After the successful completion of the testing requirements set forth in this document.

NOTE: Partial shipments and partial invoices will not be accepted, unless otherwise requested and accepted by the Contracting Officer prior to award offer. Proposed payment schedules shall be submitted with vendor’s response to the RFQ for consideration.

XIII. TRAVEL

The contractor shall be responsible for all travel expenses, if applicable.

XIV. CONTRACTOR SUPPLIED MATERIALS

The contractor shall supply all parts, hardware, equipment, and labor required to perform the tasks listed.

XV. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Safety: The Contractor employee must be responsible for knowing and complying with all installation safety prevention regulations. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, general safety, fire prevention, and waste disposal.

Security: NIST is a restricted campus. An identification badge is required for access for entry into buildings and is shown to the armed Security Police when entering the campus.

Regular Business Hours. Regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, excluding Federal holidays and NIST closures.

Identification Badges: Contractors shall comply with NIST identification and access requirements. Each Contractor employee shall wear a visible identification badge provided by the NIST Security Office.

Vehicle Registration: All Contractor employees must register their vehicles with the NIST Security Office to gain access to the campus. A valid driver’s license, Government-furnished civilian ID, proof of insurance and current registration must be presented to the NIST Security Office, at which time a NIST vehicle pass will be issued. The pass must be displayed on the vehicle in accordance with NIST Security Office instructions.

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