DRAFT LBIR Service Contract SOW.pdf

LBIR Service Contract March 31, 2025

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STATEMENT OF WORK

LOW BACKGROUND INFRARED (LBIR) SERVICE CONTRACT

1. BACKGROUND

Ground based Mid-Course Defense (GMD) and Aegis SM-3 interceptors systems use Kill Vehicle (KV) sensor-seekers to discriminate and intercept lethal objects launched via intermediate range and intercontinental ballistic missiles. Effective discrimination and targeting requires KV onboard sensors to accurately measure the radiometric characteristics of potential targets. To ensure accurate performance, KV sensors are characterized during production with Raytheon (RTX) Low-background Scanning Point Source (LSPS) test chambers. Also, KV mission scenario testing is performed by John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU-APL) Infrared Seeker Space Calibration and Test (ISSCAT) chambers, Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) test chambers, and Next Generation Intercept (NGI) test chamber.

These laboratories use blackbodies and infrared emitter arrays to test and evaluate the KVs. These sources provide the stimuli to the KV that simulates the infrared signatures of objects in the threat scene. The emitter arrays provide the KV with complex real-time scene generation. This enables the testing and evaluation of the KV guidance algorithms and the KV discrimination between reentry vehicle, debris, and countermeasures.

To ensure that these test chambers provide consistently repeatable and accurate measurements, thus ensuring consistent KV sensor measurement results from year to year, periodic calibration using measurement/calibration standards is required. These calibration standards must be traceable to the System International (SI) units of radiometric power and wavelength as maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

The Air Force Metrology and Calibration (AFMETCAL) established the Low Background Infrared (LBIR) facility at the NIST and serves as the Department of Defense (DOD) Missile Defense Agency (MDA) executing agent for the facility. The LBIR Facility located at the NIST Sensor Science Division in Gaithersburg, MD provides the infrared user community with a calibration base that includes both spectral and broadband measurements in a 20-kelvin background environment. The spectral calibration capability is currently developed in three areas:

spectral calibration of low-background infrared detectors, characterization of optical components, and three cryogenic transfer radiometers, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) Transfer Radiometer (BXR), Missile Defense Transfer Radiometer (MDXR) and User Transfer Radiometer (UXR) used to evaluate highly collimated infrared sources (e.g. Test Chambers) such as those located at RTX, JHU-APL, AEDC and NGI. The broadband measurements are performed for the calibration of blackbodies in radiance mode.

The Contractor shall provide research and service assistance utilizing Government furnished laboratory equipment and facilities at the National Institute of Standards and Technology campus, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg Maryland, Building 221.

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2. TASKS

2.1. Provide support for the calibration, operation and maintenance of the Low Background

Infrared (LBIR) Facility including the BXR, MDXR and UXR infrared transfer standard radiometers, the Broadband Calibration Chamber (BCC), the Spectral Calibration Chamber (SCC), the 10 Centimeter Chamber (10CC), the 30 Centimitter Chamber (30CC or Floyd) and ancillary refrigeration systems and hardware. Specific tasks include but are not limited to the following:

2.1.1. Refrigeration Systems – The refrigerators consist of 2 He compressors and two refrigerator cold boxes. There is one model RS and one model RSX compressor from Linde Inc. which shall be maintained as per the manual instructions. This includes but is not limited to evacuating and replacing the charcoal filters every 10,000 hours of operation and replacing the rotary scroll compressor every 100,000 hours of operation. During operation the compressors shall be periodically checked for operational failure and oil blow through. For start up and shut down the operator shall follow the documented standard operating procedures (which can be provided upon request). Close contact shall also be maintained with the NIST physical plant to make sure all support services, such as chilled water and electrical power, are functioning for the periods of time the compressors are running.

There are two Model 1620 Cold Boxes from Linde Inc. which shall be maintained as per the manual instructions. This includes but is not limited to re-lubrication of all essential parts every 250 hours of operation, baking out of the charcoal filters every 3000 hours of operation, and rebuilding of the piston and valve systems every 3000 hours of operation. It also includes the periodic checking for He leaks to minimize the rate of He loss. For start up and shut down, the operator shall follow the documented standard operating procedures (which can be provided upon request.)

2.1.2. Chamber Systems – There are numerous cryogenic vacuum chambers (space simulation chambers) and liquid helium (He) cryostats that are operated at the LBIR facility. Each consists of a vacuum chamber, radiation shielding, and cooling system. Each shall be maintained for proper operation, which includes but is not limited to:

2.1.2.1. Maintenance of vacuum integrity by adherence to strict vacuum cleanliness protocol and with the use of leak checking hardware and the replacement or repair of vacuum hardware as necessary.

2.1.2.2. Maintenance and improvement of electrical cabling for the control of test hardware and monitoring of internal chamber temperatures

2.1.2.3. Maintenance of cryogenic systems using leak detection systems and routine trouble shooting procedures.

2.1.2.4. Improvement of cryogenic systems by the modeling, design and construction of He cryostats, and heat exchangers to meet the continually changing test requirements in

LBIR.

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2.1.3. Pumping Systems – The LBIR facility operates and maintains numerous rotary vane, oil-free rotary scroll, turbo and cryo-pumps from numerous different manufacturers. Each of these shall be maintained as per the instructions in their respective manuals.

2.2. Improve LBIR radiometric calibrations, characterization, and operation both at NIST and at off-site facilities through research, development, design, assembly, and test of LBIR hardware, software, and metrology infrastructure. Improvement goals include reduced operational and support costs, and increased accuracy and reliability.

2.3. Operation and use of LBIR chambers/standards to provide for the on-site calibration of customer Test Chambers and assist with the NIST calibrations of Test Chamber blackbody sources and ancillary standards.

2.4. Develop and implement procedures to purchase materials and services required to support tasks 2.1 through 2.3.

2.4.1. The contractor shall be authorized to procure, for the Government, all required services, equipment, and any other items required by the Government to support Tasks 2.1, 2.2, and

2.3. Each Project Plan will specify the amount required by the Government for which the contractor will be re-imbursed.

2.4.2. All purchases shall be reported on monthly basis. The report shall include description of the item or service including manufacture and part number as applicable, a justification describing how the purchase supports one or more of Tasks 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, and the cost of the item.

3. PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

3.1. Experience

Effective support of these facilities will require a team of personnel with experience in the following areas:

3.1.1. Large cryogenic refrigerator systems.

3.1.2. Storage and handling of cryogenic liquids such as nitrogen and helium.

3.1.3. Design, maintenance and use of large scale, high vacuum chambers and associated equipment.

3.1.4. Design, maintenance and use of thermal infrared optical equipment, such as cryogenic radiometers, electro-optic detectors, cryogenic mirrors and opto-mechanical equipment.

3.1.5. Maintenance and use of visible and infrared laser systems.

3.1.6. Maintenance and use of cryogenic (20 Kelvin) vacuum Fourier transform infrared radiometers.

3.1.7. Hardware and software design and implementation for effective data acquisition and automation.

3.1.8. Data reduction, error analysis and report writing.

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3.1.9. Design (using Zemax optical design software and Solid Works mechanical design software), assembly, and operation of cryogenic imaging, spectroscopic, and radiometric instrumentation and associated test and calibration procedures.

3.1.10. Overall good mechanical skills for the routine maintenance of vacuum pumps, clean room facilities, and other simple hardware that needs routine maintenance.

3.1.11. Overall good computer operating systems, hardware, security and networking skills for compliance with NIST internet technology security requirements.

3.2. Education and Experience Requirements:

The contractor shall have as a minimum the following key personnel:

3.2.1. Two highly experienced specialized senior principal scientist or senior engineer with a Ph.D. degree, from an accredited college or university, in a physical science, mathematical or engineering field with at least 10 years of experience in building high vacuum cryogenic systems for infrared instrumentation and making measurements of infrared irradiance and radiance using cryogenic Fourier transform spectrometers, cryogenic filter radiometers, cryogenic blackbodies, and cryogenic electrical substitution radiometers. One of these must be able to provide 1.0 level of effort (LOE) per year, and the other at least 0.5 LOE per year.

3.2.2. One Senior MA/MS Scientist having at least an MA or MS degree in a physical science, mathematical or engineering field with 10 years of experience in building systems for infrared instrumentation, making measurements of infrared irradiance and radiance using Fourier transform spectrometers.

3.2.3. One Senior Technician having a technical background and at least 5 years of experience in handling cryogenic and high vacuum equipment, maintaining Linde Helium gas refrigerators, and build electronic equipment to given wiring diagrams with professional quality and workmanship.

3.3. NIST Domestic Guest Researcher Agreement

All contractor personnel must have an approved Domestic Guest Researched Agreement (NIST Form 1296) prior to performing any work in support of this contract. NIST Domestic Guest Researcher Agreement is required to collaborate with NIST on research and development projects of this contract.

4. SERVICES LOCATION

The contractor shall provide his/her services on site at the NIST LBIR facility located on the National Institute of Standards and Technology Campus, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg Maryland, Building 221. In certain situations, however, any or all tasks may be performed off-site with the permission of the COR.

4.1. All office space, equipment, and supplies needed to perform the activities identified in this Statement of Work will be made available by NIST. This includes, but is not limited to, telephones, faxes, copiers, personal computers, local and long-distance phone access, Page A - 5 internet and laboratory data access, ordinary business and special application software, and normal copying and reproduction services.

4.2. The contractor shall be available to assist in on-site calibrations at RTX Tucson, AZ, JHU- APL Laurel, MD, AEDC Tullahoma TN, NGI Huntsville, AL, and any other locations where MDA or Air Froce customers may be located.

5. TRAVEL

The contractor may be required to travel to assist in calibration and validation activities conducted by LBIR. Any travel must receive prior approval by the Executing Agent for Missile Defense Agency. The government will reimburse the contractor for all necessary expenses in connection with travel authorized pursuant to this contract. Costs incurred for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses shall be reasonable and allowable only to the extent that they do not exceed the daily maximum per diem rates in effect at the time as set forth in the Federal Travel Regulations prescribed by the General Services Administration. Subsistence is authorized in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations. Invoices requesting reimbursement for travel must be accompanied by itemized paid receipts

6. REPORTING CHAIN

The contractor shall report to and receive day to day activity instructions directly from the NIST Sensor Science Division, Infrared Technology Group Leader (ITGL). The ITGL will provide the contractor with the plan and priorities for addressing the Major Tasks identified in paragraph 2 and the specific tasks identified in each Air Force Project Plan.

7. MEETINGS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

All required documentation can be in contractor’s format. Draft copies of required technical documentation/reports identified in this SOW shall be provided at least one week prior to any scheduled reviews/acceptance.

7.1. Reporting: A monthly Activities Summary Report shall be prepared that provides a summary of activities, technical progress and anticipated completion timeframes on each Major Task identified in paragraph 2 of this Statement of Work and each specific task in each Project Plans.

7.2. The contractor personnel shall provide a weekly oral report of progress to the COR. The oral report shall include the following for each week:

7.2.1. Activities accomplished; any problems encountered; summary of data; issues; risks; and recommendations that were brought to the attention of the COR.

7.2.2. Planned activities for the next activity period.

7.3. Formal Meetings/Reviews: The contractor shall participate in progress meetings/reviews conducted at NIST with the Executing Agent to review all tasking progress and schedule.

7.4. Informal Meetings/Reviews: The contractor shall participate in any informal technical interchange meetings deemed necessary by the Infrared Technology Group Leader.

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8. Project Plans The contractor shall receive specific direction/tasking using Project Plans. Each Project Plan provides the contractor specific direction, a performance standard, and a government approved monitoring method.

9. Government-Furnished Property, Data, and/or Information All materials provided by the Government during the performance of this contract remain the property of the Government and shall be surrendered to the Government upon completion or termination of this requirement.