FINAL SOW FOR RFQ.pdf

Request for Quotation Number 1333ND21QNB640565

Statement of Work

TITLE: Procurement of a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)

A. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The NIST Security Technologies Group (STG) in the Materials Measurement Science Division is involved with synthesis and characterization of various polymeric fibers, films, and composites, including those incorporating nanoparticles into their structure. This acquisition supports several projects in the protective materials program and is critical for meeting milestones in this program, as well as work with other OU’s and external collaborations that require chemical imaging. The DSC must be capable of performing thermal measurements on polymeric samples over the temperature range from -90 °C to 550 °C.

B. SCOPE OF WORK

The government requires a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) with autosampler for performing thermal measurements on polymeric samples. The vendor shall provide an DSC system that consists of the instrument and related accessories, analysis software.

C. SPECIFICATIONS

The system shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements identified below. Used or remanufactured equipment shall not be considered. Experimental, prototype, or “gray market” not authorized for sale in U.S. by the proposer shall not be considered. All items shall be shipped in the original manufacture’s packaging and include all original documentation and software.

System Requirements

1. The instrument shall have a heat flux design whereby the sample and reference are measured in the same furnace with separate sample and reference heat flow measurements.

2. The DSC shall be capable of measuring heat capacity directly from one experimental run. It will not require a baseline scan subtracted from the sample scan for quantitative data.

3. The DSC shall have a linear baseline with deviation of 5 µW between -50 °C and 300 °C, where most thermal transitions from NIST samples are expected, with a standard deviation of 5 µW or less in 10 scans over this temperature range.

4. The DSC shall be capable of measuring temperature with a standard deviation of 0.025 °C or less in onset temperature over 10 replicate runs with an indium calibration standard.

5. The enthalpy of melting for an indium calibration standard shall have a relative standard deviation of

0.04 % or less over 10 replicate runs with an undisturbed (not removed from the instrument or moved in the sample compartment) sample.

6. The DSC should measure temperature directly below the sample and reference positions in the cell for maximum accuracy.

7. The DSC shall be supplied with a separate thermocouple for a third temperature measurement for additional temperature verification.

8. The DSC cell shall be constructed in such a way as to be easily user-exchangeable to allow for cells to be swapped for specific experiments. For the purpose of this procurement, “easily user-exchangeable” means that an individual that is trained in the use of this equipment can exchange the cell in 15 minutes or less.

9. The DSC shall be constructed in such a way as to include integrated, mass flow controlled purge gas delivery for two purge gases. The flow rates and gas type must be selectable options within the operation software for the instrument. The instrument shall be capable of using nitrogen or helium gas, at a minimum, both simultaneously installed on instrument. Gas switching shall be programmable using instrument software.

10. Shall include temperature modulation:

a. Ability to apply sinusoidal temperature wave to sample: Amplitude of sine wave ¬± 0.01 to 3°C;

frequency period from 10 to 200 seconds.

b. Ability to perform quasi-isothermal experiments, i.e. holding isothermal with a small temperature modulation.

c. The temperature modulation must provide continuous steady-state control and experiment reproducibility.

d. In order to view the signals real-time, deconvolution of the signals shall be done real-time, on board the module using a discrete Fourier Transformation, not after the scan.

e. Must be able to view the following signals in real-time during the experiment (not simultaneously): Total Heat Flow, Total Heat Capacity, Reversing Heat Capacity, Reversing

Heat Flow, Non-Reversing (Kinetic) Heat Flow, Modulated Temperature, Modulated Heat Flow, Heat Flow Phase, Reference Sine Angle, Temperature Amplitude, Heat Flow Amplitude.

f. All of the signals above shall be collected during one single experiment and stored in one single data file.

11. Shall have baseline flatness (with no baseline subtractions) from -50°C to 300°C of less than or equal to

5 microWatts

12. Baseline repeatability (average standard deviation of at least 10 empty cell baseline scans collected at

1°C intervals, opening and closing the lid in between each run) from -50°C to 300°C of less than 10 microWatts.

13. Baseline noise (average root mean square) from -50°C to 300°C of less than 0.2 microWatts

14. Shall have enthalpy precision of at least ± 0.04%

15. Shall include an autosampler which can be configured to accommodate up to 50 samples:

a. Capable of loading and unloading both sample and reference pans.

b. Accommodate a variety of DSC pan types, including but not limited to the following: standard, hermetic, open, and high-volume.

16. Shall have accessible temperature range of -90°C to 400°C, temperature accuracy of ±0.025°C, and temperature precision of ±0.002°C

17. A compatible thermomechanical cooler that does not require liquid nitrogen shall be supplied with the instrument to reach temperatures of -90 °C or lower.

18. The instrument software shall be capable of calculating temperature calibration with up to 5 different reference materials, including but not limited to indium.

Software Requirements:

1. Personal Computer (PC) based package: Windows 10 compatible.

2. Allow for the instrument to be fully calibrated and verified automatically, without the need for operator presence. Calibrations must include baseline, cell constant, and temperature. Scheduling capabilities must be present, such that these calibrations and/or verifications can be programmed to perform during normal quiescent periods, such as overnight or on weekends.

3. Software and Instrument firmware updates shall be available from manufacturer at no additional cost for at least 1 year from date of installation.

Documentation:

1. A manual describing all procedures to operate the instrument must be delivered with the equipment.

2. A manual describing the maintenance procedures and removal of all major components must be delivered with the equipment.

3. Instruction manuals of the original equipment manufacturer for all third party components must be

4. One copy of a manual describing the operation of the data acquisition and analysis software shall be

Trade-In Credit

The Government has the following equipment available for trade-in. The Government prefers, but does not require, that the Contractor accept one or both of these in exchange for a trade-in credit. If a trade-in credit is provided, the Contractor shall pay all costs for and be 100% responsible for packaging and shipment of the equipment to the Contractor’s site.

Quantity 1 Each RCS

NIST Property number 635268

Make/Model: TA Instruments RCS90

S/N: RCS1-1666

Quantity 1 Each DSC

NIST Property number 635272

Make/Model: TA Instruments Q2000 DSC

S/N: 2000-1153

D. INSTALLATION

The system shall be installed by the Contractor and meet contract specifications no later than 30 calendar days after delivery. Installation, at a minimum, shall include uncrating/unpackaging of all equipment, 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 220 Room B205.

The Contractor shall adhere to all NIST requirements relevant to COVID-19 while working on-site at the NIST campus. The Contractor must monitor the NIST website as requirements can change.

E. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

1. On-site Acceptance Test: The Contractor shall demonstrate correct operation of all functions of the instrument and control system before it is accepted.

2. NIST will supply a known indium standard material for testing during installation for acceptance.

F. TRAINING

The Contractor shall conduct one (1) training session for up to six (6) 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 30 days after acceptance.

G. WARRANTY

The Contractor shall warrant the entire system, including ALL third-party components, for a period of at least one year. The Contractor shall guarantee the full system performance of the instrument, including third-party accessories purchased with the DSC system.

All costs including parts, labor, travel, and other expenses necessary to repair the system will be borne solely by the Contractor at no additional cost to the U.S. Government.

The warranty must include unlimited telephone/e-mail support, during normal business hours, for questions regarding operation.

H. DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERABLE DUE DATES

The Contractor shall provide:

1. Delivery of one (1) DSC no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after award of this requirement.

2. On-site installation and demonstration of the DSC shall be conducted within 30 calendar days of delivery to NIST.

3. Training on the DSC shall be completed at NIST no later than 30 days after installation.

All work shall be completed not later than six months from the date of award.