Questions_and_Answers_15_APRIL_2015.docx

Q1. It asks for the system to be portable, what exactly is meant by this – in other words how would you define “portable”?

A1. Portable means a benchtop system with the footprint listed in the specifications. Second, it means a system which requires no additional building utilities beyond electricity. Third, a system that a single person, or at most two people, can move with little difficulty and without the need for additional equipment (e.g. forklifts) to do so.

Q2. Does Benchtop mean it has to be able to fit on top of a table/bench and not be a floor standing model?

A2. Yes, the system should be able to fit on top of a table/bench and not a floor standing model.

Q3. Standalone system – requiring no building utilities: What about electricity? With regards to water, can it use a chiller? A 2KVA power supply (as requested) puts out 400 Amps – you need water cooling for that kind of output especially for longer runs (more than a few minutes).

A3. Electricity is a utility that is building supplied, but water is not. Standalone system means that it requires no building water, compressed air, or anything other than electricity to function, as they will not be available in the building where the system will be used. Use of a chiller for cooling, or chilled water recirculation, is acceptable.

Q4. Is compressed air available? The air can come from a small compressor, or a bottle of compressed air. 80-110 psi is needed. If not we can put an electric actuated shutter for a slight cost increase.

A4. As stated in response to question 3, building supplied compressed air is not available. A small compressor would be acceptable, but use of air bottles as a critical part of the system’s ability to function is undesirable. An electric actuated shutter would also be acceptable.

Q5. Electrical: 110 VAC/60 Hz – what is the amperage available at 110V? Our standard configuration is 208V single phase which is much easier to wire. At 110V you would likely need 40A, in essence 3 phase 110V which would likely require running a new line anyway.

A5. The system should be able to run on the 120V (~20A max) that is provided by a standard wall outlet that can be found in every building on Eglin AFB.

Q6. Which factor is more important: Additional thermal sources or low cost?

A6. A minimum of two thermal sources are required. We do not intend to use multiple sources at once, only one source at a time in sequence. Therefore, having 3-4 thermal sources would be ideal and more important than low cost.

Q7. Is a unit with a chilled water recirculation (with a chiller) is acceptable?

A7. See the answer to number 3.

Q8. What type of sample is being coated (dimensions, type, etc.)?

A8. The samples will be disks that are (at maximum) 4” in diameter and 6mm thick. We are planning to put a coating of aluminum (several hundred nm thick) onto those samples, which could be metals, ceramics, crystalline materials (e.g. LiF, quartz, or Sapphire), and concretes.

Q9. May more than one proposal be submitted?

A9. Yes. If more than one proposal is submitted (e.g. for different products), each proposal will be evaluated on its own merit.

Q10. What is the name of the manufacturer?

A10. No manufacturer is specified in the solicitation. Any vacuum evaporator manufactured by a small business that meets the performance specifications outlined in the solicitation may be considered for award.