FTIR Specifications 2013[1].docx

Maine State Police Crime Laboratory FTIR Specifications 2013 The system will consist of a Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) and associated fully integrated single platform software; Infrared Microscope; and ATR microscope accessory. The computer with all necessary related items including printer must be included. Additional line items include a bench ATR accessory and commercial library bundles. The FTIR system and components will not be considered as “discontinued” upon time of delivery. Additionally, components will not be supplied with the anticipation that those components will be discontinued within the next five years.

Demos may be requested upon completion of the RQS process. Demos must be completed by June 12, 2013. Laboratory staff anticipates travelling to vendor sites within a day’s reasonable drive from Augusta, Maine for demonstrations.

1. FTIR:

This instrument must be high performance, optically flexible, rugged, user serviceable and microscope ready. The entire system must be entirely new (not a demo, refurbished or used). This system will provide the capability for the analysis of solids, including but not limited to fibers, powders, plastics and various polymers; as well as liquids.

The spectrometer will contain the following at minimum:

· The interferometer must be a continuous scan Michelson interferometer. The interferometer must be stable and maintain optical alignment.

· The system must utilize a beamsplitter that is not affected by atmospheric moisture.

· The detector will have a scan range of 7,000 to 650 cm-1 with a 2cm-1 resolution or better.

· The system will be delivered with all power cords suitable for North America (120).

· The internal optics should not require alignment.

· The mid-infrared source must be warranted for at least 5 years.

· The system interface will include a TCP/IP communications interface for PC work station or LAN connection

· The spectrometer software must be capable of identifying when an accessory has been placed or removed from the main sample compartment. The spectrometer should then automatically perform a check to make sure the accessory is functioning properly.

· The microscope Dewar must be guaranteed to be free from artifacts due to icing.

· The microscope must allow for the end user to work in transmission and reflectance.

· The microscope must have an ATR (Attenuated Total Reflectance) accessory.

· The microscope must include an illumination system for the ease of viewing.

· The microscope must include a fully automated stage which is user controlled via the attached computer.

· The fully automated stage must have the capability of being programmed by the user to allow for multiple analysis points automatically.

· The microscope must have built-in validation standards for abscissa accuracy and ordinate repeatability for automatic validation.

· The automated microscope stage must be accurate.

2. Computer System:

· None of the items may be considered as “discontinued” by any sub-contractor or vendor supplying the item at the time of delivery.

· The system must include a workstation for the management of the software to run the FTIR Microscope system. This workstation must be supplied with Windows XP, wireless keyboard, and wireless mouse. NOTE: The laboratory anticipates a transition to Windows 7. Computers supplied must be capable of making the transition to Windows 7 as necessary.

· The system must include all cables and power cords for the complete and successful running of the FTIR system and software as it acquires and manages the data from the system. The computer system must be fully networkable.

· The system will include a minimum of a 19” flatscreen monitor.

· A high speed color printer must be provided. The printer must be print-ready at the time of installation.

3. Software:

· The software must be compatible with Windows XP and be capable of transitioning to Windows 7 as necessary. The software should be single platform incorporating all of the functions required for the infrared analysis, instrument control, data management, and report generating required during routine forensic analysis. The software must have the ability to receive upgrades as new versions of the software are available without the repurchase of the entire software suite. The software must provide precise and reproducible data to the end user.

· Bench system diagnostics must be a standard feature of the software. The software must be able to determine if there is a failure in one of the following components: laser, mid-infrared source, power supplies, electronics and detector. The failure mode should be automatically displayed on the screen with no operator interaction. The software should then suggest possible solutions along with multi-media tutorials for repairs of the instrument.

· The software must provide easy-to-use report templates, which can be modified by the end user.

· The software as supplied must have the ability to search either commercial or user generated spectral libraries. The library search software should be capable of searching against multiple libraries with one command. The library search software must allow for spectral and text searches within a library. User created digital spectral libraries must be able to be created and searched at any spectral resolution level. The software must also be able to search multiple spectral regions to aid in identifying mixtures. The software must have the ability to combine spectral searching with text searching.

· The software should offer a mathematical algorithm to compensate for atmospheric H2O and CO2 correction. This option’s usage would be determined by user.

· The software should offer the ability for secure user login where the user name, date and time of work are electronically attached to the data. Additionally username, date and time of work could be printed on the spectra at print-out.

Additional software features should include but are not limited to:

· Stack/Overlay

· Baseline correction

· Blank region

· ATR correction

· Peak find

· Interactive spectral subtraction

· Automatic and manual smoothing

· Add

· Difference

· Peak annotation

· Noise computation

· File management for storing and grouping spectra

· Undo / redo

· Box and zoom

· Fully user programmable toolbar and menu

· All data processing history must be recorded with associated spectral data

· User log-in

· Absorbance / transmittance

4. General Considerations:

· The system supplied should be sealed and desiccated. The appropriate desiccant for initial use should be provided upon delivery / installation.

· All cables and connections for the complete use of the infrared microscope, ATR, computer, printer and spectrometer must be provided.

· A NIST traceable standard (polystyrene or other applicable standard) will be provided as a calibration check standard.

· A certificate of validation will accompany the spectrometer showing the successful validation of the instrument, accessories and internal components upon installation.

· A microsampling accessory kit will be included.

5. Warranty, Service and Training

· Upon installation, acceptance of the system will be based upon the completion of an onsite validation of the instrument by the service engineer. Installation will not be accepted until the instrument has been satisfactorily validated. Upon acceptance of this validation, the warranty will then commence. This date is referred to as the ACCEPTED installation date.

· The spectrometer system, including microscope and ATR accessory must be warranted for at least three years from the date of ACCEPTED installation. This warranty should include all parts, labor and travel. In addition, one annual preventative maintenance visit will be supplied per 12 months for at least three years after the date of ACCEPTED installation.

· The interferometer and mid-infrared source must be covered for a full five (5) year warranty from the date of ACCEPTED installation.

· The mid-infrared source, laser, power supplies and detectors must be completely user replaceable without the need of a service visit. No optical alignment or alignment tools should be required to replace these components.

· A technical support toll free hotline must be available for the end user.

· The system must include installation by a factory trained service engineer.

· Included in the system will be software upgrades for the vendor provided software, as they are commercially available for a period of at least five years from the date of ACCEPTED installation.

· A minimum of one day of familiarization will be provided at the time of the system installation.

· A minimum of one additional full day of training will be provided to laboratory staff members within 30 days of ACCEPTED installation.

· The vendor will provide a minimum of three days of training at the vendor facility for up to two chemists.

Items that should be addressed as separate line items

6. ATR Accessory The system should include a single bounce ATR accessory for the sample compartment. This ATR should be capable of performing analysis on liquids and solids including powders during the forensic examinations of trace-type evidence. This ATR accessory should be recognized by the software automatically without the need for alignment.

7. Spectral Libraries:

· The system should include the following Sadtler library bundles or equivalents. Each library should be a separate line item. If the libraries can be bundled for reduced cost, please note the bundle options.

· Automobile paint chips (~1900 spectra)

· Dyes, pigments and stains (~2500 spectra)

· Explosive Materials (~700 spectra)

· Fibers and textile chemicals (~400 spectra)

· Fibers by Microscope (~450 spectra)

· The Hummel Polymer Library (~4000 spectra)

· ATR-IR polymers (~2000 spectra)

· The system will be able to search purchased libraries against unknown obtained spectra as well as against on site created libraries.

· The libraries will be provided and installed by the service engineer during system installation.

· The system will include BioRad Know-It-All search software.