Questions and Answers.pdf

Questions and Answers:

Points for Clarification and Consideration:

Question 1. "Friction-free mechanism" – This seems to reference a specific method of achieving electrical connection to the chip. However, smooth alpha and beta tilt can be achieved through multiple design approaches. Could this requirement be reframed in terms of performance outcomes rather than implementation details?

Answer 1.

This could be rephrased as:

Tilting in both alpha and beta directions must be smooth and not alter/damage chips nor compromise electrical or thermal contact.

Question 2. Points 1 and 2 of Item 2 are natively available in the software that is operating on the TEM that this TEM holder will be used in, which means any bidder can check these requirements off without including anything. This is an example where a function from a specific bidder specification sheet has been copied without considering that this function is already available. Would these functions that the TEM software provides be sufficient and if not, would you be able to clarify what specific functional requirements are needed that are not part of what the TEM already offers?

Answer 2.

These are optional items that should be quoted separately. They could be rephrased as:

1 - Software that controls the holder heating/electrical capabilities and records heating/electrical data, (S)TEM images, and metadata together. This software should also control sample drift.

2 - Software that allows review and analysis of images and heating/electrical data on a computer separate from the TEM. This software can be standalone or an offline version of the control software.

Question 3. Item 2 – Specification 4 – The requirement for software to recommend the optimal temperature ramp rate appears to specify a method rather than a functional goal. We suggest rephrasing this to emphasize the desired resolution and tracking performance, independent of the specific implementation.

Answer 3.

This has been rephrased as:

Data shall be provided on the maximum temperature ramp rate that allows for ≤5% temperature overshoot shall be supplied for temperature set points every 100°C between room temperature and 900°C. This data may be in the form of a datasheet or program output.

Question 4a. Software requirements (Item 2):

a. Does NIST require that the software be open data compliant?

Answer 4a.

The option to export data in a non-proprietary format is preferred but not mandatory.

Question 4b. Is an open API mandatory?

Answer 4b.

An interface or language for user scripting for experiment control is preferred but not mandatory.

Question 5: Item 2 point 3: “Software that synchronously records in-situ heating and electrical parameters and TEM parameters…” does this also imply the hardware provided in Item 1 can apply both heating and electrical parameters at the same time? Although it specifies the software has to be able to record these items simultaneously, and it states that Item 1 (the holder) is capable of 40V at 900C, it does not specify there needs to be electronics included to perform both simultaneously only using the items quoted here.

Answer 5.

Yes, to clarify, Item 1 point 9 has been changed to “The holder shall be capable of simultaneously controlling up to 900 °C and concurrently applying voltage up to 40 V.”

Also, as stated in Item 1 point 10 “The holder shall include electrodes to perform 4-point probe electrical measurements simultaneously with sample heating.”

And, as stated in item 1 point 23 “The system shall include all hardware necessary to operate the biasing holder, including any necessary power supply(ies), electronics, and cabling.”

Question 6. Item 2: Should the proposed software be compatible or written with Thermo Fisher platforms like AutoScript 4 or Velox, or is a standalone software solution acceptable or even preferred?

Answer 6.

Software may be standalone or written to use ThermoFisher platforms.

Question 7. Software licensing: Should annual license fees be included in the quote? Will these be factored into the cost evaluation since they are not listed as a requirement?

Answer 7.

License fees should be included along with the cost of the software; if different time options are available for licenses they can be quoted.

Question 8. Multi-system compatibility: Item 1 lists compatibility with two TEMs. Should in Item 2 the software installation and ongoing maintenance of this software be quoted for both TEM systems?

Answer 8.

Installation on a second TEM is now included as an optional item to be quoted separately.

Question 9. Camera compatibility: Could you specify the cameras installed on the intended TEMs, to ensure the software can interface appropriately with the cameras on both these TEMs?

Answer 9.

The cameras on the TEMs are: Ceta-S and HAADF STEM detector.