FA910125QB026 - Helium Recovery and Liquid Helium System Questions and Answers.pdf

FA910125QB026 - Helium Recovery and Liquid Helium System Questions and Answers

The questions are in black text with numerical numbering. The Government’s answer is in blue text with alphanumerical numbering.

1. Section 3.2 in the requirement document refers to an exhaust flowrate of 2-5 SCFM, can you clarify what this Flowrate is coming from and why it is required?

a. This is the gaseous helium exhaust flowrate that AEDC expects to send to the helium recovery system. The purpose of this is to tell the vendor that their system should be able to receive this volumetric flowrate of gaseous helium initially. If not stated, the flowrate may be too low or high for the vendor’s system to function properly.

2. Section 3.2 in the requirement document refers to an average liquid helium usage of 750 L / 30 days, can you describe the production and demand? (Hours of Production, Frequency, timing of recovered He Gas, etc.)

a. This is meant to inform the vendor of what AEDC expects to consume over a period of use for the liquid generation system. This means that the liquid helium generation system should be able to produce a minimum of 25 L/day while supplying the same volume per day to AEDC’s liquid cooled systems. The system should be capable of 24/7 production with long (> 30 days) mean time between system maintenance periods. Additional information was added to the SOW.

3. Section 3.2 in the requirement document refers to an average liquid helium usage of 750 L / 30 days, are there existing dewars or cylinders? If so, approximately how many will be part to this system? This can have an impact on size of bladder, cylinders, and dewar.

a. The vendor should not assume the usage of any existing liquid dewar or cylinders.

Section 3.3.5 states that the total storage of the post-purification storage cylinders should be what is equivalent in gaseous helium to make ≥ 60 L of liquid. Section

3.3.6 states that the dewar filled by the liquid generation system must hold ≥ 150 L.

4. Section 3.2 in the requirement document refers to an average liquid helium usage of 750 L / 30 days, based on quantity of existing cylinders, is there a collection of mobile cylinder racks rotating in/out of the recovery area? If so if we understood the quantities and routine, would a quote that eliminated the recovery compressor be considered?

a. The vendor should not assume that there are existing cylinders. The system should have an area to store the compressed gaseous helium for reintroduction into the liquid helium generation system, completing the idea of a closed-loop system. A quote that eliminated the recovery compressor would be considered, but it must meet all of the other required specifications of the requirement. Additional information was added to the SOW.

5. Section 3.3.1 in the requirement document refers to the footprint ≤ 12 ft by ≤ 9 ft Height: ≤ 8 ft (fully inflated), what systems/how much Gas Helium is being accumulated in the Bladders (verses cylinder racks)? Is there room for a 12.2x6.2x 9 ft Bladder (1 ft taller)?

a. The bladder would have a maximum fill based on volume/pressure constraints. Any volume of helium exhaust that exceeds the bladder’s limit would be vented by a relief valve on the bladder. The primary (largest mass-wise) storage location of the collected gaseous helium would be the compressed cylinders. A bladder of that volume would be considered. Information was updated in the SOW.

6. Section 3.3.1 in the requirement document refers to Helium and Controls Line Length Between Adjoining Equipment: ≥ 50 ft, can you provide a basic drawing including room dimensions and existing equipment so that we can understand and estimate how much material is needed as it was referred to several times?

a. The line length requirement is meant to inform the vendor about the type of pressure loss their system should be designed to handle. The vendor’s system should be a solution that does not require any drawings. The solution shall be commercial and easily integrated by the Government or the Government’s support contractor for installation.

7. Section 3.3.2 in the requirement document refers to a flowrate ≥ 6 SCFM, why is greater than 6 SCFM required?

a. The compressor should be able to handle a minimum of 6 SCFM incase there are any abnormal fluctuations AEDC’s liquid helium system exhaust.

8. Section 3.3.3 in the requirement document refers to cylinders grouped in a type of easily maneuverable rack, how is “easily maneuverable” defined? Clarify how these Racks will be moved (manual by pallet jack, 2-wheel dolly). Is the expectation to provide as many cylinders/rack to fit in this space? Is the mobility requirement for future relocation or frequent exchanging?

a. Easily maneuverable is stated this way so that the vendor can interpret and propose a solution. This system should be COTS. The important part here is that maneuverability is considered in the solution for the racks since future relocation is possible. Frequent exchanging is not a concern. A solid rack would also be acceptable. Additional information was added to the SOW.

9. Section 3.3.3 in the requirement document refers to total storage liquid helium equivalent: ≥ 60 L, based on the 7x7 space, which is more beneficial: 4 each cradle with 6 each K cylinders that measure 29x29x75, 1100lbs, 1308 CF each, or a single Cradle holding 12 cylinders?

a. The requirement is that the storage rack has a total volume that is ≤ 7’x7’x7’. All cylinders should be connected in a manifold-type configuration that the liquid generation system can pull from at the same time as stated in Section 3.3.3.

Additional information was added to the SOW.

10. Section 3.3.4 in the requirement document refers to purification should be achieved in one self-contained, easily maneuverable unit and cooling (internal compressor): Air (ideal) or Water, what is the current/normal purity of recovered Helium and is it 90% pure or better?

a. The purifier should provide Grade 5 or higher gaseous helium to the storage cylinders. Any current/normal purity levels of recovered helium are beyond the scope of this requirement.

11. Section 3.3.4 in the requirement document refers to Outlet Helium Purity: ≥ 99.999% (Grade

5.0 or higher), is this Helium Purity requirement based on specifications of potential equipment? What is the required helium purity of the research equipment?

a. The purifier should provide Grade 5 or higher gaseous helium to the storage cylinders. Any current/normal purity levels of recovered helium or equipment utilizing is beyond the scope of this requirement.

12. Section 3.3.5 in the requirement document refers to cylinders grouped in a type of easily maneuverable rack, what is the parameters that will make this optional? Based on previous cylinder questions, do you wish this to be a price shown as optional line item on quote and not included in total price?

a. The Government has decided the system should be able to function without the post-purification storage cylinders. The solicitation was updated to provide clearer language for pricing this option line item. The Government will evaluate total price inclusive of this one option line item.

13. Section 3.3.6 in the requirement document refers to unit’s compressor capable of being ≥ 20 ft away from the cryocooler, can you provide a layout?

a. See answer to question six.

14. Section 3.3.6 in the requirement document refers to Liquification Method: Pulse Tube

Cryocooler (low vibration), is any established liquefication method acceptable if it meets all specifications set forth?

a. No, the liquification method must be a pulse tube cryocooler as stated in the SOW.

15. Section 3.3.6 in the requirement document refers to Liquification Method: Pulse Tube

Cryocooler (low vibration), please clarify the specific vibration requirements to be considered low vibration and what distance is available for placing liquefier/Compressor from vibration sensitive equipment to mitigate vibration to acceptable levels?

a. The mention of low vibration has been updated in the SOW.

16. Section 3.3.6 in the requirement document refers to Post Liquification Dewar Capacity: ≥

150 L (liquid helium), Based on previous questions of operational parameters and cylinders, would a larger Dewar be beneficial/acceptable to provide up to 20 Days of Liquid He reserve?

a. 150 L capacity is stated as a minimum. The solicitation evaluation method is lowest price technically acceptable. The solution must be considered technically acceptable by meeting all required specifications of the system. Technically acceptable/unacceptable is defined in the solicitation. Exceeding the required elements of the system is not a requirement of this solicitation.

17. Based on equipment quoted, would a significant potential electrical power savings in excess of a certain percentage or dollar value be considered beneficial in the Evaluation process?

a. The solicitation evaluation method is lowest price technically acceptable. The solution must be considered technically acceptable by meeting all required specifications of the system. Technically acceptable/unacceptable is defined in the solicitation. Exceeding the required elements of the system is not a requirement of this solicitation.

18. Based on equipment quoted, would a significantly lower run time by 60% positively affecting Equipment Maintenance and Life Expectancy be considered beneficial in the Evaluation process?

a. The solicitation evaluation method is lowest price technically acceptable. The solution must be considered technically acceptable by meeting all required specifications of the system. Technically acceptable/unacceptable is defined in the solicitation. Exceeding the required elements of the system is not a requirement of this solicitation.

19. Based on equipment quoted, would the ability to more than triple your Liquid Helium production with no additional capital expenditures be considered beneficial to the evaluation process?

a. The solicitation evaluation method is lowest price technically acceptable. The solution must be considered technically acceptable by meeting all required specifications of the system. Technically acceptable/unacceptable is defined in the solicitation. Exceeding the required elements of the system is not a requirement of this solicitation.