FINAL Requirements Document.docx

NIST Requirements Document SIOS EPP-2 NG Gage Block Comparator or an equal brand/model

I. Background The Dimensional Metrology Group (DMG) at NIST is looking to procure an opposing probe gage block comparator that employs miniaturized laser displacement interferometer probes that enables gage block differential measurements of 5 mm or greater with an output resolution of ≤ 1 nm and a repeatability of ≤ 5 nm. The gage block comparator must accommodate gage blocks from 0.1 mm to 101.6 mm.

DMG provides fee-for-service measurements of approximately 3000 customer gage blocks (Service ID# 10011C) per year. For decades, NIST’s current measurement system has required a high-level and much more time-consuming process for the maintenance of roughly 764 master blocks. The intent of this procurement is an instrument with a greater range but the same performance, thus significantly reducing the number of masters needing maintained.

II. Scope The intent of this procurement is an active two-point contact gage block comparator with a greater range between master and unknown (≥ 5 mm), but the same performance as our existing comparison instrument. This will enable a significant reduction in the number of masters needing maintained using a higher-level, more labor-intensive process. NIST has identified that this objective can only be met by an instrument using a miniaturized laser displacement interferometer probe on both the top and bottom contacts of the instrument AND where the laser source is thermally isolated from the instrument by means of fiber optic feeds to the probe.

III. Minimum Requirements The system shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements 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 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.

The Contractor shall provide a SIOS EPP-2 NG Gage Block Comparator or an equal brand/model capable of meeting the following salient characteristics of the SIOS EPP-2 NG:

1. Measure System Type and Configuration:

1.1. Must be a constant force dual-probe gage block comparator

1.1.1. Top probing force must be less than 1 N

1.1.2. Bottom probing force must be less than 0.5 N

1.2. Probes tips must be 6 mm diameter tungsten carbide (6%Co) or diamond and must be user replaceable with standard size metric or English threads.

1.3. The system must allow for adjustment of the alignment of the opposing contacts

1.4. Must accommodate gage blocks from 0.1 mm to 100 mm in length.

1.5. Measurement configuration must be Abbe-Error free design (displacement measurement axis must be nominally co-linear with gage block length being measured)

1.6. Support (bottom platen) must be designed such that it is:

1.6.1. Nominally orthogonal to the measurement direction

1.6.2. Flat, but does not cause the blocks to wring (adhere to) the surface when sliding in and out of the gauging position.

1.6.3. The support area upon which the gage block sits, while being measured at any position on the gaging surface is most critical, there also must be additional room on this surface to stage blocks awaiting measurement. This additional area may be different in design but must be the same nominal material, must meet requirements 1.6a and 1.6b, and the minimum surface dimensions of both areas combined must be 150 mm by 150 mm. Variations in shape from square to rectangular area is acceptable, but no one side should be less than 100 mm. A block should be able to be repositioned anywhere on the support platen, without lifting the block, when the automated positioning template is removed and the instrument is configured for manual block positioning.

An example of a suitable surface would be a serrated anvil where the bottom probe protrudes through an access hole.

2. Scale Type:

2.1. Laser displacement interferometer scales, both probes must be interferometric displacement probes.

2.2. Measurement system resolution must be ≤ 1.0 nm

2.3. Repeatability ≤ 5 nm.

2.4. Laser source must be stabilized (method of stabilization and stability specifications will be considered)

2.5. Laser source must have a useful life rating of greater than 25,000 hours.

2.6. Laser source must be fiber optic feed to avoid instrument heating issues

2.7. Laser source must be accessible for independent frequency/wavelength calibration

2.8. Displacement readings must be actively compensated for atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity (vapor pressure) using index of refraction formula that are internationally recognized and accepted.

2.9. Laser wavelength compensation sensors must be present and be accessible for independent calibration and compensation software must be able to accept and apply determined correction factors/equations to for reading error compensation.

2.10. The atmospheric pressure sensor must be equipped with a standard fitting that will allow it to be plumbed into a closed system that will provide a means to calibrate the sensor at specific pressures within the range of normal atmospheric conditions.

2.11. The air temperature sensor must be located near the measurement arm within the interferometer displacement beam path and must be removeable for independent calibration.

2.12. Environment sensor performance specifications and resolution will be taken into consideration.

2.13. Laser wavelength compensation must be also permitted by manual entry of input readings by user.

3. Gage Block Positioning:

3.1. If the comparator has automated positioning of the gage blocks, the system must include the following:

3.2. Must allow for unassisted/manual measurement by the user. The automated position must be able to be disabled and any fixturing mechanisms must be removeable.

3.3. The measurement anvil/platen/support surface (for manual measurement) and fixturing mechanism/template (for automatic positioning) must accommodate two different intercomparison configurations: (1) three rectangular gage blocks and (2) two rectangular gage blocks and one square gage block. The cross-sectional dimensions are as specified in ASME B89.1.9 and ISO 3650.

3.4. The automatic manipulation of the block positions during the measurement intercomparison process must be user programmable to allow for measurement sequence customization.

3.5. Stage motors for automatic block manipulation must be thermally isolated from the instrument measurement path thermal loop.

4. Measurement Output:

4.1. User must be able to interface with the instrument to acquire compensated and uncompensated measurement data, via common connection methods, such as, RS232, IEEE, USB.

5. Measurement Speed:

5.1. With a gage block that is cleaned, thermally stabilized, and positioned on the measurement anvil, measurements can be executed on the current system within 5 seconds. Measurement speed of the procured measurement system will be evaluated, and final product selection will consider measurement speed. Measurement speed of the current system is given for reference only and is not a baseline requirement.

5.2. During block-to-block measurements, the upper probe must have the ability to operate without retracting the full range of travel.

IV. Delivery

Delivery shall be FOB Destination or equal terms such as Incoterms Delivered Duties Paid (DDP) and hall occur not later than (NLT) 16 weeks after receipt of an order.

The contractor shall deliver all Line Items to:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640 V. Inspection and 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.

- 5 nm or better repeatability using standard NIST linear drift eliminating mechanical comparison measurement sequence designs on multiple gage block intercomparisons of blocks less than 25 mm in length. NIST Measurement Design Reference: The Gauge Block Handbook NIST Monograph 180 https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/calibrations/mono180.pdf

The Government will test, inspect, and accept the equipment onsite within 30 business days of the receipt of the gage block comparator. A visual inspection of the gage block comparator will be performed by the NIST TPOC to identify surface defects or any form of indication that the gage block comparator 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 gage block comparator due to defects and/or nonconformance.

VI. Installation The system shall be installed by the Contractor and meet contract specifications no later than 30 days after delivery. Installation, at a minimum, shall include uncrating/unpackaging of all equipment, rigging, set-up and hook-up of the system, demonstration of all specifications, and removal of trash. Onsite installation and demonstration shall be done at NIST, (Gaithersburg, MD- Building 219)

VII. Training

The contractor shall conduct 1-day minimum training session for up to 4 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 at NIST immediately after installation/set-up and on-site measurements demonstrating that no damage or misalignment issues arose during transportation and installation but shall be completed no later than 21 days after installation.

VIII. Warranty The contractor shall warrant the entire system for a period of a minimum of 1 year after receipt of the equipment and shall be in accordance with terms in FAR 52.212-4

IX. 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:

Proposed Payment Schedule:

· 30% will be due upon vendor’s receipt of proof of expenses acquiring materials for construction that equal or exceed 30% of the total cost.

· The remaining 70% will be due upon acceptance by NIST which must be completed within 30 days of receipt by NIST of the equipment.

1. The Government anticipates inspection will occur upon:

a. After the testing procedures set forth in this document have been completed