Large_Contract_SOW_NMR.doc

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Intrinsic Standard Replacement

PR: TBD

1. INTRODUCTION

The Program Manager (PM) for Navy and Marine Corps Metrology and Calibration (METCAL) Research Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Program requires Metrology and Calibration support in order to provide cost effective, uniform, and adequate Quality Assurance and measurement accuracy of Magnetics as it pertains to Magnetometer Calibration Services using quantum physics packages in support of Test and Monitoring Systems (TAMS).

2. BACKGROUND

The Navy and Marine Corps METCAL R&D Program is responsible for ensuring its products fill the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) measurement traceability requirement as per the OPNAV instruction 3960 to maintain at least the four to one (4:1) Test Accuracy Ratio (TAR), appropriate Test Uncertainty Ratio (TUR), and when possible, acceptable derived Uncertainty Budgets (UB) between the unit under test (TAMS), and the calibration standards used in the calibration process. The NAVAIR METCAL program at the Navy Primary Standards Laboratory (NPSL) San Diego CA. currently has a 4:1 TAR deficiency, TUR deficiency, and is unable to derive Uncertainty Budgets required in the Magnetics measurement area to fulfill the mandated requirements for a NIST traceable calibration system for low and midrange magnetics. A new system is required to calibrate magnetometers and magnetics workload. This new system shall be installed at the NPSL. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) does not offer a calibration service for magnetometers having transferred the National responsibly for this measurement area and calibration services to NPSL, however, to ensure that the country’s need in this measurement area can be met, the solution provider shall coordinate between affected laboratories and work together to provide a system at NPSL and other designated Navy or NIST laboratories in which magnetic calibrations can be traced to NIST through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements or quantum mechanics. This requirement directly impacts operational and combat readiness, safety of life, safety of flight, for NAVAIR and NAVSEA METCAL supported weapon systems, Submarines, Surface Ships, Aircraft Carriers, and equipment within the Department of Defense (DoD) to include commercial testing and calibration labs.

3. SCOPE

The scope of tasks required are in specific areas of concentration for this level of effort and are focused on four major tasks with optional accelerated phases in order to produce a new modern Magnetics intrinsic (through NMR or quantum techniques) calibration system. In optional phase 1 the level of effort shall be completed in 36 months with support for an additional 24 months for a total of 60 months for the period of performance. In optional phase 2 the level of effort shall be completed in 48 months with support for an additional 12 months for a total of 60 months for the period of performance. If the government chooses optional phase 3 the level of effort shall be completed in 60 months along with the support for a total of 60 months for the period of performance and close out of the contract. This new system shall serve as the new National Standard for the United States in the low and midrange Magnetics measurement area, specifically .001 to 1500 Gauss centimeter–gram–second system of units (CGS) or 100.0 (Tesla to 150 mTesla in the International System of Units (SI).

The system shall adhere to evolving metrological science to develop quantum standards that are Universal, allowing electrical quantities to be determined in units that do not change with time and that are reproducible in any laboratory. Through this approach, the focus is on products and techniques that use optically pumped magnetometers. These sensors report magnetic field based on measurement of the precession frequency of atomic spins in vapor. The spin populations are polarized using light, hence the term, ‘optically pumped.’ This category includes scalar and vector magnetic field sensors. The system shall also directly support the Measurement Assurance Program (MAP) using Navy METCAL procedures using the round robin methodology. In order to use the MAP, matching Helmholtz and electromagnet solenoids shall be manufactured along with matching power supplies, software products, cables, connectors, and any required ancillary equipment.

4. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:10012:ed-1:v1:en

https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso-iec:17025:ed-2:v1:en

5. REQUIREMENTS

5.1 The contractor will provide intrinsic NMR and quantum technical engineering for designing, modeling, building and testing with the required services solutions to provide a low, midrange, and as design capabilities permit a mid-to-high range magnetics new national standard for magnetometer calibration. There are additional requirements for support using help desk, web based or DVD training, software systems, software engineering, and software reengineering in support of all current and future calibration support packages to be transitioned to NAVAIR METCAL support facilities designated Government installations. The current intrinsic standard maintained by the NPSL is a flowing water NMR Teslameter which uses pure, distilled water as the Proton NMR sample. This is the current intrinsic standard for magnetic field calibration measurements with an absolute accuracy of 300 ppm or better. It features a measurement range from 0.1 µT – 1.5T (14mG to 21.6kG) with a single small probe enabling precision NMR measurement to very low fields. Since the NMR probe measures the total amplitude of the magnetic field vector (rather than a single field component) the final reading is independent of accurate orientation. For measurement stability, the frequency source is a Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS) with an oven controlled crystal oscillator as a reference. The current solution has an RS-232-C interface. The new desired configuration is with an IEEE-488 and USB interface as an option

5.2 The contractor shall provide a written technical data package and deliver to the government how the level of effort outlines the feasibility on how to achieve the requirements for the proposed Navy Primary Standards Laboratory sensor development as shown in Table 1. Here, the required operational range is given as 100 nT (with 30 pT uncertainty) to 0.15 T (with 75 uT uncertainty). An additionally desirable operational range is listed as up to 1.5 T, with 750 uT uncertainty.

5.3 The Contractor shall provide the design and development of automated calibration capabilities and if desired a user manual mode of operation for testing and calibration of TAMS with the proposed solution. Table 2 outlines the technical requirements for new intrinsic NMR magnetometer. The new intrinsic NMR magnetometer shall exhibit properties as a sensor that reports magnetic field based on measurement of the precession frequency of atomic spins in vapor. The spin populations are polarized using light, hence the term, ‘optically pumped.’ fundamental physical principles of measuring magnetic fields with optically pumped spin-polarized atomic species in vapor state are well established. The contractor will deliver four (4) magnetics calibration systems with all associated hardware suites to include the following minimum specifications (Table 2):

SAM-HF Magnetometer anticipated specifications:

(10-2016)

1.

Electronic features and functions:

100 nT (with 30 pT uncertainty) to 0.15 T (with 75 uT uncertainty). An additionally desirable operational range is listed as up to 1.5 T, with 750 uT uncertainty.

2. Communications Interfaces

USB data cable

Storage Temperature

+5°C to +60°C

4. Connectors (rear)

5. System components (standard)

Magnetometer Control Unit

Sensor head with 2 m cable

AC Power cord

User’s manual

6. System Check Standards and Artifacts

Matching Helmholtz’s Coils – applicable ranges

Matching Electromagnet Solenoids – applicable ranges

Matching Power and current supplies – applicable ranges

Marching oscillator frequency generation hardware

Ancillary matching hardware and cables

7. Uncertainty Budget Software

ISO 17025 compliant uncertainty budget software algorithms supporting all test point measurements between standards and unit under test. Results captured in local database

8. Training of all system components

DVD and web based training supplied

5.4 The Contractor shall provide monthly reports of the risk, design progress, modifications, and any technical development difficulties in accordance with Table 3 listed below. The Contractor shall perform the following four tasks with subtasks as annotated. The contractor will deliver four (4) magnetics calibration systems with all associated hardware suites in accordance with the tasks, phase options selected by the government as listed in Table 3 listed below.

Quarter

0. Start project

Δ Ɵ

X

1. Task 1

Design, build, and test atomic vapor cell sensor prototypes for low, moderate, and possibly high field in the smallest practical footprint that technology allows using advanced computing and microfabrication techniques :

1.A.)- Build compact sensors using atomic elements that can be manufactured to provide optically pumped cell sensors for a wider range of field values.

1.B) Build prototype compact sensors for direct electron spin precession measurement for low and intermediate field operation

1.C) Physics model for candidate atomic elements spectra in cell conditions up to 100 Gauss, to be used for data analysis, 1.D) Test at contractor facility over 100 nT to 0.01 T (100 G) field range and report. Bring system to NPSL for initial tests in coil facility.

1.E) Configure a combination of control electronics and test equipment to operate at a wider range of frequencies, and test operation in fields down to 100 nT, where the atomic vapor cell performance can accommodate a frequency of about 350 Hz, and higher fields.

1.F) Configure the system to operate up to at least 35 MHz, corresponding to a field of 100 G in appropriate vapor cells technology along with a 50 G design.

1.G) Initial design for round-robin / testing of check standards with validation and verification of Helmholtz coils and electromagnets for high and low field check standards

Δ Ɵ

Δ Ɵ

X Δ Ɵ

2. Task 2:

Design, model, build and test the required hybrid laser excited gas cells, complementary probes, and sensor technologies.

For the higher field range, design, build and test a compact sensor containing selected atomic elements. The best performing element may serve as the active element for magnetometry at lower fields, and as the means for spin-exchange optical pumping of the appropriate atomic element chosen for use at higher fields.

2.A) Compact chosen atomic element selected sensor designed, built and demonstrated in shielded, controlled environment. Spin-exchange polarization of element used characterized and reported.

2.B) Sensor demonstrated in laboratory noise environment. Integrated field coil and compact current supply to be incorporated to set optimal field environment for selected element performance for spin polarization.

2.C) Demonstration of atomic element chosen for NMR signal detection for high field measurement. Bring system to NPSL for initial tests in coil facility.

Δ Ɵ

Δ Ɵ

Δ Ɵ

3. Task 3:

Design, model and test the required software and control electronics:

Custom compact control electronics and operation software. It is anticipated that the proof-of-principle sensor demonstrations performed in Tasks 1 and 2 will use test equipment (Lock-in amplifiers, laser drivers, function generators, etc). To deliver a compact and user-friendly probe system, there will be a need to develop some custom control electronics appropriate for this measurement system. Also develop and deliver custom Labview vi’s that allow the user to collect and analyze frequency data directly. This task will progress in parallel with Tasks 1 and 2.

3.A) Necessary electronics and software to demonstrate Task 1 prototype chosen atomic vapor sensor.

3.B) Necessary electronics and software to demonstrate Task 2 prototype chosen best atomic vapor sensor.

3.C) Demonstration of control electronics suitable for system operation over range of required frequencies and dual (best performing atomic vapor cells) measurement techniques. Maximum overlap range available to be delivered for self-cross-calibration.

3.D) Optimization and integration of control unit with prototype sensor.

3.E) Test sensors with custom built Helmholtz and electromagnet solenoids including matching power supplies and ancillary required equipment.

Δ

Δ

Ɵ

X

4.

5. Task 4:

Finalize all designs, models, and perform final integration testing and evaluation for delivery of all components of each system.

In this final task, perform any necessary re-design based on results from previous tasks. Build, test, and deliver a sensor system meeting or exceeding all requirements stated in all Tables herein. All control software allowing direct access to atomic frequency measurement to be included.

4.A) Finalize testing of sensors with custom built Helmholtz and electromagnet solenoids including matching power supplies and ancillary required equipment to ensure MAP procedures are fully vetted. 4.B) System delivery and successful demonstration at NPSL and remaining systems delivered to government designated laboratories.

4.C) Technical data, training, and post deployment support.

Δ

Ɵ

X

LEGEND OPTION – 1= Δ option – 2= Ɵ Option – 3=X

5.5 Process Measurement Assurance Program (PMAP) The Process Measurement Assurance Program (PMAP) consists of methodology and software to determine, control, and improve measuring processes. PMAP uses check (control) standards that represent the calibration output (or product) to evaluate the total measurement process, including the equipment, standards, personnel, procedure, and environment. Measurements made with check standards that duplicate the process are called control measurements. Data from the control measurements are used to develop control charts and calculate measurement uncertainties as calibrations are produced. PMAP methodology calls for modeling the measurement process in such a way that the data from control measurements realistically evaluate the uncertainty, which allows measuring the uncertainty, rather than theorizing about or estimating uncertainties. The PMAP methodology includes the following components described in this section: • Modeling the process; • Selecting check standards; • Establishing values for check standards with independent reference standards; 3 • Installing at the time of calibration for standards and equipment; • Controlling the accuracy of all standards and the measurement process; • Assisting in determining calibration needs; and • Using statistical tests to make decisions on the process performance and when to take action. Modeling the process requires knowledge of the measurement instrument and standards to determine which measurements will evaluate maximum process variability and potential bias in the range of use. The objective of each PMAP application is determined before selecting the required check standard or standards. When possible, the objective includes controlling the measurement process uncertainty and controlling the accuracy (established at calibration) of the working standards used. Control measurements are made to duplicate the measurement of the unknown artifacts or product. In a calibration laboratory, the control measurements must represent the type of standards that are submitted for calibration. Control measurements are made continually throughout the year at various times of the day; therefore, they evaluate environmental influences on the measurement uncertainties. Each metrologist who performs calibrations makes control measurements. Data can be used to evaluate how the operator’s skill and performance influence measurement uncertainty. Check (control) standards are selected to evaluate process variability and systematic errors in the range of use. They are chosen to evaluate the same variables that influence the calibration of a customer’s artifacts. Check standards should be calibrated with a sufficiently small uncertainty to help detect changes in the working standards by comparing each calibrated value with the history of measurements on the check standard. The value of the check standard should be established with a reference standard that is independent of the working standard and the reference standard used to calibrate it in the controlled process. If the check standards and working standards do not have independent calibrations, the program will probably not detect a bias, or error, in the measurement process, although it may be detected during an outside calibration or a round robin exercise. After modeling the measurement process and selecting the check standard(s), the PMAP software evaluates and controls the measurement uncertainties. Four screens, called pages, are used to set up the software control program. The first page sets up the control file, the recall date for data analysis, archive file, measurement equipment and units of measure. The second page is used to input information about the standards used. This screen includes input for check standard identification number, uncertainties of standards used, calibration and expiration of working or reference standards used, and the established value of the check standard. The third page contains information on limits for the measurement process including coverage factor (k) confidence intervals desired for uncertainty calculation, information for scaling the control chart, reference data and other limits that can either be calculated by the program or entered manually. The fourth page allows input for titles and labels desired on each control chart. The Contractor shall deploy a similar PMAP program for use with MAP along with adapting the Navy METCAL RDT&E uncertainty budget analyzer and risk tools which shall be sent to the contractor as GFM/GFI to use for uncertainty budget analysis of the system. The results shall be reported out as either an electronic or paper product as to the performance of each Magnetics calibration systems uncertainty budget results.

5.6 The Contractor will provide Transitional Post Deployment Support (TPDS) for the new Magnetics calibration system for hardware and software. The new Magnetometer shall have a 10 year warranty for parts only with labor being an extra cost to the government.

5.7 The Contractor will provide a help desk function during TPDS to facilitate technical support as required in support of the new Magnetics calibration system. The help desk hours shall be normal hours of operation 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (during normal business hours, Eastern Standard Time).

5.8 The Contractor will provide web based or DVD training during TPDS.

5.9 The Contractor will provide the latest user manual and training videos hosted by the Navy METCAL R&D support portal.

5.10 The Contractor will provide post deployment knowledge transfer of the MAP and uncertainty budget methods, as documentation, to the government to the level that the government can effectively and efficiently manage the new Magnetics calibration system.

5.11 The contractor will employ the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) level II/III conformances for software development, and Earned Value Management (EVM) will be used during the period of performance in order to reduce risk and control cost schedule and performance during the TPDS support term.

5.12 The contractor shall use CMMI level II/III conformances, IEEE, EVM, Scrum, and agile software development methods to control the quality of products along with the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) body of knowledge and practices.

5.13 The Contractor shall provide project management assistance and program support functions within the scope and guidelines of this SOW to the PMO.

6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

N/A

6.1 Government Furnished Material

N/A

6.2 Government Furnished Equipment

N/A

6.3 Government Furnished Information

7. DELIVERABLES

CDRL A001- Monthly Progress Reports

DID: DI-MGMT-80227

CDRL A002- Software Transition Plan

DID: DI-IPSC-81429

CDRL A003- Software Requirements Specifications

DID: DI-IPSC-81433

CDRL A004- Software Design Description

DID: DI-IPSC-81435

CDRL A005- Software Product Specification

DID: IPSC-81488

CDRL A006- Software Version Description

DID: DI-PPSC-81442A

CDRL A007- Software User Manual

DID: DI-IPSC-81443A

CDRL A008- Computer Software Product

DID: DI-IPSC-81488

CDRL A009- Final Developer Report and Data Dictionary

DID: DI-MGMT-81740A

CDRL A010- Monthly Financial Report

DID: FNCL-80912

8. ACRONYM LIST

N/A

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE / REQUIRED DELIVERY DATES

One (1) year from Date of Award (DOA) with four (4) Option Years

A. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Contractor’s Facility

B. SHIPPING ADDRESS

C. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

D. TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT

Marie G. Juliano

Program Manager

US Navy Metrology and Calibration Research and Development Program

703-216-9273 Voice

Email: marie.juliano@navy.mil