ICT Questions and Answers Dated 17 April 2025.pdf

Questions and Responses ICT – 1500/2500 Detection, Control and Motion Systems

Solicitation - FA822725R0001 17 April 2025

Question Government Response 1 SOW over-specifies details on the manipulator control system. Do vendors have the option to propose a solution that does not include Bosch RexRoth controllers?

No.

2 Can a vendor propose a solution utilizing the existing Parker Servo motors and Heidenheim linear encoders? Do these devices not function properly? If not, which ones are not?

No. We do not want to use the existing components. We require new, COTS, modern designed motors. Currently, everything is working, but there are limited spare parts on the market.

3 The SOW underspecifies performance characteristics.

The SOW includes graphic representations of typical contrast discrimination functions and modulation transfer functions acquired in accordance with ASTM E 1695 using a metal disk phantom that approximates the attenuation of a typical inspection item. Please refer to these plots of the MTF and CDF.

4 SOW is missing detailed detector or component drawings - only a photodiode spec and drawing have been provided.

Additional drawings/schematics are currently unavailable, the (SOW) provides a comprehensive overview of the project scope. Please submit your proposal based on the information provided in the SOW, recognizing that detailed drawings/schematics will be provided after contract award.

5 The ARACOR file format is needed to determine compatibility with reading and displaying historical ARACOR data.

Correct, we need to be able to convert old data files to interpret them at any given time.

The ARACOR file format will be provided upon award. For purposes of proposal preparation, the ARACOR format comprises a label file and a data file for each image. The data file has no header information. The data file is a binary file that contains 16-bit integers in a column-row raster format

6 We assume that the minimum performance requirements for spatial resolution, contrast sensitivity, and field size are the same as stated in the SOW section 10.2.7. What about other performance parameters, most important of which are absorption limits, inspection time for slice, etc., for the ICT 1500 and ICT 2500 systems?

For the ICT-2500, scanning at 2048, images are taking roughly 7 minutes/slice. At 4096, around 10 minutes/slice. We would like the performance to be as good, or better than the existing system.

For the ICT-1500, scanning at 2048, images are taking roughly 3 minutes/slice. At 4096, around 5 minutes/slice.

Specific absorption limits will not be given. System designs must be capable of imaging objects that nearly completely fill the maximum 2.5-meter field of view while producing images of su icient quality to meet or exceed the MTF and CDF plots shown in the SOW.

7 The mechanical system for transporting the rocket motor is of the highest mechanical precision available. Who is the manufacturer, and what are the commercial equipment and model numbers of these mechanical systems?

Have there been specific issues with respect to the translate/rotate stages? Is replacement necessary? What are the maintenance requirements?

OEM was Eimeldingen Corporation which is out of business. Rusach International is the current OEM that is performing PMs on the system.

There have been no specific issues with the translate/rotate stages.

Replacement is necessary, but just the motors, encoders, and anything driving the table.

8 Why did the Government mention the Bosch Rexroth controller and motor, section 6 SOW?

To address Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS), the Government prioritizes commercially available and reliable solutions. Alternate solutions of equal or greater value will also be considered.

9 Is there a list of contractors available who have had ICT maintenance, repair, or upgrade contracts over the past decade? Is it possible to see the description, contract value, and period of performance?

The information is unavailable.

10 What are the geometric dimensions of the detector element: crystal and light guide?

This will be available upon award of contract.

The current detector design includes CdWO4 crystals of su icient size to collect impinging radiation through detector apertures up to 2.5x50 mm.

11 Is it possible to obtain drawings of the mechanical structure of the detector elements?

Additional drawings/schematics are currently unavailable, the (SOW) provides a comprehensive overview of the project scope. Please submit your proposal based on the information provided in the SOW, recognizing that detailed drawings/schematics will be provided after contract award.

12 What is the dynamic range, in bits, of existing detector electronics?

20 bits, using a 16-bit digitizer is the current configuration. We require as good or better than our current system.

ARACOR spoke of an e ective 18-bit dynamic range (see Q&A 13 below).

13 How has the dynamic range of existing detector electronics been measured?

Dynamic range can be measured in many di erent ways.

The raw data collected by the system spans the full 16-bit range of the analog-to-digital converter.

Additionally, the system utilizes four pre-gain settings, which extends the e ective data collection by two additional bits.

14 Is it possible to obtain schematics for existing front-end detector electronics?

Additional drawings/schematics are currently unavailable, the (SOW) provides a comprehensive overview of the project scope. Please submit your proposal based on the information provided in the SOW, recognizing that detailed drawings/schematics will be provided after contract award.

15 Is there a form factor requirement for the detector electronics?

The current detector geometry is preferred due to the scatter rejection of the detector apertures. Detector elements are placed on an arc at a radius (and source-to-detector distance) of 4200 mm. Detectors are positioned at ¼ degree intervals.

Current supporting electronics sit primarily above the detector elements. There is no specific form factor requirement for the supporting electronics.

16 Is there any requirement to interface to existing interfaces, e.g., detector readouts, amplification chains, housekeeping (e.g., encoders), if we propose to replace both sides of the interface? Are we expected to use any existing ICT interface?

Yes, we want everything to interface together to maintain the same functionality of the current controls. X-ray tube, detector, motion control (encoders, drive motors, etc), interlock system, cooling for the detector and tube.

There is no expectation to use current detector readout, amplification, A-D conversion or other electronics.

Replacement of current photodiodes is also desired.

17 Would a site visit be possible to familiarize ourselves with the ICT 1500/2500 systems?

Access to our ICT bays is restricted to essential personnel only due to the presence of sensitive equipment and materials, including explosives. This restriction is in place to ensure the uninterrupted flow of critical operations and the safety of all personnel, especially given the current high production levels that cannot accommodate any delays. Therefore, on-site visits will not be possible prior to contract award.