Requirements Document Final.pdf

Requirements Document

Combustion Ion Chromatography System

I. Background

The Fire Research Division (FRD) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Engineering Laboratory provides measurements observed in fire and combustion experiments to enhance the standards and practice of the U.S. firefighting services and other fire-related organizations. The research conducted in FRD requires instrumentation that is utilized in various experiments that observe a wide range of compositions, including halogens (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, iodine, bromine) and sulfur in solid and liquid samples. Detecting and quantifying various elements in different applications is crucial to understanding the physics of fire and accessing the risk fire presents (e.g., textiles, smoke composition, etc.). One of the tools available to the FRD to characterize complex samples comprised of halogens is the combustion ion chromatography system (CIC). Through its ability to pyrolysize complex matrices and introduce components into an IC system, a CIC enables the analysis of difficult samples. A CIC system with the listed specifications would significantly upgrade the division’s capabilities for quantitative analysis of individual halides and sulfur species in fire-related samples.

II. Specific Requirements

The contractor shall provide products meeting the following minimum requirements and specifications identified below. All items must be new. Used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered for award. The use of “gray market” components are not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Contractor is not acceptable. All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable.

The Contractor shall provide a Firm Fixed Price Quotation for the following Contract Line Items Numbers (CLIN):

1. CLIN 0001: The contractor shall provide one (1) Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC) that meets the minimum specifications detailed below:

1.1) The CIC shall be a bench-top design, weighing less than 500 lbs. Components and sub-systems that require power shall operate between 110 V and 240 V, 60 Hz;

1.2) The CIC shall have the capability to perform simultaneous halogen and sulfur analysis;

1.3) The CIC’s sample introduction subsystem shall be automated and be able to introduce either solid or liquid samples automatically into the combustion unit. The sample introduction subsystem shall also be able to store at least 25 solid and at least 100 liquid samples simultaneously.

1.4) The CIC combustion unit shall have a combustion chamber and be able to achieve and maintain a temperature of 900 C or above. The CIC combustion unit shall be able to perform pyrolysis and oxidation of introduced samples with the assistance of external oxygen and argon supplies. The CIC shall be able to control the flow of oxygen and argon within the combustion unit via computer. The CIC combustion unit shall include a sensor system that adjusts flow and temperature for high-performance combustion conditions The CIC combustion unit shall be able to allow samples to be automatically introduced into the combustion chamber;

1.5) The CIC’s absorbent subsystem shall be able to dissolve gaseous compounds of samples generated from the CIC combustion unit and then introduced into the ion chromatography unit. The CIC absorbant subsystem shall have a washer and drain;

1.6) The CIC ion chromatography unit shall include a pump, suppressor, column oven, detector, purge valve, leak detector, and injection valve. The CIC ion chromatography unit shall be capable of anion and cation analysis. The CIC ion chromatography unit’s pump shall be computer controlled and maintain a flow rate greater than 15 mL/min. The CIC ion chromatography suppressor shall suppress background/eluent conductivity and have 100% solvent capability. The CIC ion chromatography column oven shall be computer controlled and be able to achieve temperatures up to 50 C. The CIC ion chromatography detector shall contain a digital signal processor controlled and monitored via computer and have a measuring minimum range of 0 to 15000 S/cm. The CIC ion chromatography detector shall be able to maintain a temperature up to 45 C;

1.7) Liquid and Solid sample accessories required for operation shall be included;

1.8) Sample line accessories to ensure the functionality of the system shall be included in the

CIC System 1.9) The CIC shall include a computer, monitor, instrument control, and operation software to perform simultaneous control and data acquisition of the CIC and all its accessories. The computer used for instrument control and data acquisition shall be a new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) equipment, with a Microsoft Windows 11 operating system or better, two network interface cards, or more than two if the CIC’s modules communicate via IP addresses. The system shall include an i7 processor or faster, at least 8 Gb RAM, six or more USB ports, and a 1 Tb SSD, or greater. The computer system shall also consist of one (1) 24-inch monitor with a minimum resolution of 1920 x 1080 dpi. The computer system and monitor shall not consist of any refurbished materials. Data reporting (e.g., integrated peak areas and mass spectra) shall be capable of export to Microsoft Excel for subsequent processing. The computer shall include software capable of controlling and communicating with all components of the CIC, executing all data acquisition, and performing quantitative and qualitative analysis.

1.10) The contractor shall provide at least one (1) electronic copy in PDF format of the operations and maintenance manual covering proper operation, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting for the instrument and controlling software to the NIST Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

III. WARRANTY

The Contractor shall provide a one-year warranty for the system and adhere to FAR clause 52.212-4. All hardware and consumables for normal operation of the system and software shall be covered. The warranty shall cover all parts, labor, and travel. Only new OEM-certified parts shall be used in the repair and maintenance of the instrument. The warranty shall commence upon successful completion of delivery, installation, training, and demonstration of all required specifications. During the warranty period, the Contractor shall provide telephone support during normal business hours, on-site service and replacement of any defective equipment or software.

IV. Inspection and Acceptance

The Contractor shall demonstrate that all performance standards in this statement of requirement have been met upon which the item will be accepted. The contractor shall also ensure compliance with FAR clause 52.212-4.

V. Delivery Terms

Delivery shall be F.O.B Destination and shall occur in accordance with a delivery due in accordance with OEM commercial practices, not to exceed 180 days from the award date.

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 purchase 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 Polishing System shall be delivered in a fully assembled and ready-to-use state. The contractor shall deliver all Line Items to:

Delivery shall be made to the NIST Shipping and Receiving address identified below. The delivery will then be directed to the equipment’s final destination, also identified below.

NIST Shipping & Receiving 100 Bureau Drive Building 301 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001

NIST Final Equipment Destination:

100 Bureau Drive Building 224, Room A356 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001

The Contractor shall comply with the NIST Visitor and Contractor Protocols for Mitigating COVID-19 Exposure on NIST Campuses as identified at this link: https://www.nist.gov/about-nist/visit/nist-visitor-and-contractor-protocols-mitigating-covid-19-exposure-nist-campuses

VI. Installation The Contractor shall install the equipment in Building 224 at NIST Gaithersburg, MD. The installation shall occur during normal business hours, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern https://www.nist.gov/about-nist/visit/nist-visitor-and-contractor-protocols-mitigating-covid-19-exposure-nist-campuses https://www.nist.gov/about-nist/visit/nist-visitor-and-contractor-protocols-mitigating-covid-19-exposure-nist-campuses

Time, Monday through Friday, except for Federal Holidays, and will be coordinated with the NIST COR. Installation is to occur within 30 calendar days after delivery of equipment.

VII. TRAINING

The Contractor shall provide training at the NIST Gaithersburg Campus for up to five (5) NIST personnel covering normal operation, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance as applicable.

Training shall be provided during normal business hours, between 8:30am and 5:00pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays, and shall be coordinated with the NIST Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to ensure maximum availability of NIST personnel.

Training shall occur within 30 calendar days after installation and acceptance.

VIII. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Advance payment is not authorized. The Contractor must invoice in arrears according to the payment schedule. The Contractor shall be paid, in accordance with Net 30-day payment terms, upon receipt and acceptance of a proper invoice, in accordance with the following schedule:

1. 100% after receipt, inspection and acceptance of the fully delivered supply.

NOTE: Partial shipments and partial invoices will not be accepted, unless otherwise requested and accepted by the Contracting Officer prior to award offer. Proposed payment schedules shall be submitted with vendor’s response to the RFQ for consideration.

IX. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

SITE ACCESS AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:

NIST is a federal facility and access is controlled at all entrances to the campus. Only Government employees may grant access to non-Government employees. All non-Government employees must be registered with security prior to site access. Non-Government employees, including those with Visitor Passes (Yellow Badges), must be escorted by Government employees at all times. The Contractor shall notify the COR a minimum of 48 hours prior to site access. Contractor shall provide the COR with first and last names, country of citizenship, and whether the individual has a permanent resident card, (a.k.a. Green Card), of all personnel requiring site access. If any individuals are here on a work visa, they must complete a NIST 1260 form and return to the COR.

Please refer to the following web site for additional Visitor Information http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/visitor/

Automobile & Personnel Access:

Contractor personnel arriving in cars on their first day must check in at the visitor center to receive a temporary paper badge prior to proceeding to the project site. Hours of operation of the visitor center are 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST. Once in possession of a valid NIST badge, workers may enter via the Main Gate and proceed to the project site. Note that all automobiles are subject to a random inspection.

Trucks:

All Trucks are to enter NIST via the gate located at approximately 705 Quince Orchard Rd.

Gaithersburg, MD 20899, between 6:00 AM and 4:30 PM daily. No deliveries will be allowed after 4:30 pm. “Trucks” include such vehicles as pick-ups with storage compartments, delivery trucks, delivery vans, and tractor center. Trucks arriving at NIST shall be inspected at the Truck Inspection area near Building 301. Any truck which exits NIST will have to be re-inspected upon re-entry. A vehicle dashboard placard will be placed within the truck. Placards change daily.

NIST Truck Inspection Stations hours are:

6:00 AM -4:30 PM at Truck Inspection area near building 301

Equipment Safety Requirements:

Contractor equipment on the NIST campus may not be left in emergency response locations, or other locations pertinent to general safety such as crosswalks, next to campus perimeter fences, areas which may block traffic or exits, etc. Prior to the contract’s start of performance, the Contractor shall furnish a list of equipment that is expected to be left on NIST’s campus during the installation process. The list shall be discussed with the NIST Office of Security to determine locations which meet security requirements and are reasonable for the work to be performed.

Travel: No travel costs associated with this requirement will be reimbursable by the Government. All cost of travel incurred by the contractor shall be included in the total price of the contract.