MICROWAVE DIGESTION SYSTEM SoR REVISED.docx

STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS

REVISED 23 AUG 2023

Microwave Digestion System

I. BACKGROUND

The Chemical Sciences Division (CSD) provides the measurement science, standards, technology, data and chemical informatics that is integral toward supporting the nation’s need in determining chemical composition and chemical structure of gases, organic, and inorganic species and in the measurement of a wide variety of chemical properties and processes, including chemical reactivity and mechanisms, and thermochemical properties. The CSD aids stakeholders, members of industry, other government agencies, and academia make still more progress in the chemical sciences, from assessing human health with diagnostic tests to determining the nutritional value of food supplements, from setting emissions standards to assessing the climate.

The Inorganic Chemical Metrology Group (ICMG) is responsible for developing, critically evaluating, and applying techniques for the identification and measurement of inorganic and organometallic species using X-ray, optical, and mass spectrometric techniques, classical analytical methods, pH, and electroanalytical methods. Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) and analytical methods development support a variety of industries including advanced materials, cement, ores, fossil fuels, food, and clinical analyses. The group develops and maintains primary national standards for elemental and anionic concentrations, pH, electrolytic conductivity, and isotopic abundance.

II. SCOPE

The ICMG requires a Microwave Digestion System that will provide several benefits to researchers that include (but are not limited to) decreasing our hazardous chemical usage, consumption, and exposure, allow diversification of sample types for individual digestion runs, and allows digestion of refractory metals. Additionally, this purpose would serve to replace a defective unit that has become a fire hazard.

III. MINIMUM TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The Microwave Digestion System shall meet or exceed the minimum technical requirements identified below. All items must be new. Used or refurbished equipment will not be considered for award. Experimental or prototype 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. The Microwave Digestion System shall be shipped in the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable.

System Requirements

General Design

The Microwave Digestion System shall:

· be a commercially available, off-the-shelf benchtop system designed for digestion of laboratory samples.

· have a design that exposes all reaction vessels simultaneously to identical temperature and pressure conditions, often described as a rotor-less or single reaction cell type design.

· be compatible with a variety of chemicals used for digestion, which includes but is not limited to aggressive mixtures such as aqua regia, hydrogen peroxide, concentrated hydrochloric acid, concentrated nitric acid, concentrated hydrofluoric acid, concentrated sulfuric acid, and concentrated perchloric acid.

· be able to digest different sample types (e.g., soils, botanicals, foods, metals, biological material, and refractory metals) and different acid mixtures simultaneously (in the same cycle), ensuring the same temperature and pressure is reached in all vessels so that unknown samples and quality control samples experience the same digestion conditions even if the materials are not matrix matched.

Sample Handling/Monitoring

The Microwave Digestion System shall:

· have simultaneous, active measurement and control of the maximum pressure in all vessels and the measure pressure at intervals shorter than or equal to ~1000 ms. Pressure in each vessel shall be monitored independently in order to match digestion anomalies with individual sample/vessels.

· have a maximum working temperature up to 300°C and a maximum working pressure of 199 bar.

· have a reaction chamber cooled by a closed-loop water cooling system to provide high cooling efficiency and fast cooling (cooling from 300°C to 80°C in approximately 15 mins.)

· be able to accommodate both polytetrafluoroethylene or quartz vessels, usable up to a maximum temperature of 260°C for PTFE vessels and 300°C for quartz vessels. Additional consideration will be given to a system that allows for the usage of PTFE vessels above 260°C without significant degradation. Significant degradation would be damage from routine usage that reduces the vessel lifetime by more than half.

· not require tools and assembly each time the system is used

Safety Related Features

The Microwave Digestion System shall:

· have safety features that include acid-resistant and corrosion resistant parts if exposed to caustic vapors released during digestion, hardware and software interlocks.

· have some mechanism for safely dispensing with toxic or caustic gases or vapors generated during digestions if reaction vessels vent in an unplanned manner.

Software

The Microwave Digestion System shall:

· have a tablet or smart touch screen equipped with intuitive software, a pre-loaded catalog of application methods, user manuals, the ability to extract and export data, and the ability to connect for remote control using an app on mobile phone or electronic notebook – the tablet/touch screen may be integrated with the microwave digestion system or detachable (so that the digestion can be monitored while other tasks are completed). If the tablet/touch screen is not detachable, NIST would also find it acceptable if the digestion could easily be monitored remotely from a typical desktop PC.

Accessories

The Microwave Digestion System shall include:

· Multiple sets of digestion vessels provided in quartz and PTFE. Each set of vessels shall be furnished with a rack which allows the vessels to rest securely in an upright position for addition of samples and reagents

· the following sets of digestion vessels with a single set in quartz and a single set in PTFE

· Set 1: sample vessels that can hold a minimum of 2mL of a sample+digestion mixture and are a configuration that at minimum 26 vessels can be digested in a single run

· Set 2: sample vessels that have a routine filling volume of 10 to 15mL and that are of a configuration that 15 to 20 vessels can be digested in a single run

· Set 3: sample vessels that can hold 20mL of a sample+digestion mixture and are of a configuration that 5 to 10 vessels can be digested in a single run. If vessels can hold more than 20mL, this is acceptable, but must not suffer performance issues with 20mL volumes

OPTION

Automated reagent filling station capable of managing up to 6 reagents at a time, with touch screen terminal and software and is compatible with the digestion vessels outlined above

IV. DELIVERY

Delivery shall be FOB Destination and shall occur not later than (NLT) 150 calendar days after receipt of order (ARO).

FOB Destination means: The Contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery. The Contractor shall deliver the microwave digestion system to:

National Institute of Standards and Technology Bldg. 301 Shipping and Receiving 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001

V. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

An initial visual inspection of the microwave digestion system and filling station (if exercised at time of PO award) will be performed by NIST to identify surface defects or any form of indication that the instruments were damaged during transport to NIST. The Government has sole discretion to require repair or replacement of any observed damage to the microwave digestion system and/or filling station detected during transport, at no cost to the Government.

In addition to the inspection/acceptance terms articulated in FAR 52.212-4(a), the Government, prior to acceptance, reserves the right to conduct performance tests and evaluations to verify the microwave digestion systems performance. Such tests and evaluations will be conducted onsite within the environment that the instrument is to be operated. The Contractor has the right to be present during the tests and evaluations at the Contractor’s expense.

Acceptance testing will be conducted by NIST to verify the microwave digestion system and if exercised at time of PO award the filling station conform to all minimum technical requirements and achieves successful results, by performing diagnostic digestion tests with SRM materials.

Final acceptance by the Government shall be granted after confirmation that the microwave digestion system meets all minimum technical requirements defined in the Statement of Requirements (SoR), including achieving satisfactory performance test results, successful installation, and completion of training.

Should any deficiencies be noted prior to final acceptance, the Contractor will be notified and provided the opportunity to correct all deficiencies, at their expense.

VI. INSTALLATION

The Contractor shall install the Microwave Digestion System and Automated Reagent Filling Station (if exercised at time of PO award) in Bldg. 227, Rm. B317 at NIST’s Gaithersburg MD facility. Installation shall include, at a minimum, uncrating/unpacking of all equipment, set-up and assembly, hook-up of all equipment, software installation, start-up, demonstration of all required minimum technical specifications, tutorials for proper use, and removal of all trash.

Contractor authorized personnel shall install the microwave digestion system + automated reagent filling station and perform activities necessary to ensure each is fully functional and meet all required minimum technical specifications.

The microwave digestion system and automated reagent filling station shall operate to OEM specifications upon completion of installation.

The installation shall occur during regular business hours, between 8:30AM and 5:00PM ET M-F except Federal Holidays and shall be coordinated with NIST. Installation shall occur within 10 calendar days after receipt of the Microwave Digestion System and Automated Reagent Filling Station.

VII. TRAINING

The Contractor shall conduct onsite training in Bldg. 227/Rm. B317 at NIST’s Gaithersburg MD facility for up to four (4) NIST personnel covering normal operation, basic troubleshooting, routine maintenance procedures, and a thorough demonstration of all system functions including for the filling station (if exercised at time of PO award). Training shall be provided during regular business hours, between 8:30AM and 5:00PM ET M-F except Federal Holidays. The training session shall be scheduled at a mutually agreeable date/time to ensure maximum availability of NIST personnel. Training shall occur within 10 business days of installation. Alternatively, training may be conducted on-site at NIST’s Gaithersburg MD facility immediately after installation of each.

VIII. WARRANTY

The Contractor shall include, at a minimum, a 3-year warranty for the Microwave Digestion System and Automated Reagent Filling Station (if exercised at time of PO award). The warranty shall cover all parts, labor, and travel. The warranty shall commence upon successful completion of a) delivery, b) initial visual inspection, c) installation, d) training, e) demonstration of all required specifications, and f) acceptance testing which will be satisfied by performing diagnostic digestion tests with SRM materials.

IX. DELIVERABLES

X. INVOICING / PAYMENT

The Contractor shall invoice in one aggregate sum after the Microwave Digestion System, Automated Reagent Filling Station (if exercised at time of PO award), Rack + Vessel Accessories and all services have been accepted by NIST. Partial payments are not authorized. Advanced payment is not authorized.

The Contractor shall be paid in accordance with net 30-day payment terms upon receipt and acceptance of a proper invoice.

The Contractor shall be according to the following:

100% after installation, training, verification the Microwave Digestion System and Automated Reagent Filling Station (if exercised at time of PO award) are each operating to OEM specifications, and final acceptance by NIST.

XI. GENERAL INFORMATION

Safety: The Contractor shall be responsible for knowing and complying with commercial installation safety prevention regulations. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, general safety, fire prevention, and waste disposal. The Contractor shall be responsible for following NIST safety protocols as directed by NIST staff onsite during installation and training.

Security: NIST is a restricted campus. An identification badge is required for entry into buildings. Once issued, the identification badge shall be shown to the armed Security Police when entering the campus.

Identification Badges: The Contractor shall comply with NIST identification and access requirements. The Contractor shall provide the name(s) and citizenship information of employees for on-site visits to the designated NIST technical representative prior to arrival. Contractor employee name(s) and citizenship information will be submitted to the NIST Office of Security in order for a given Contractor employee to enter the NIST campus. Each Contractor employee shall visibly wear the visitor identification badge issued at NIST’s Visitor’s Center.