QandA No. 1.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- RFP361279KMW
About this file
This document appears to be a set of questions and answers (Q&A No. 1) related to a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a neutron detector beam loss monitor contract opportunity.
The key details are:
- The RFP is for the design and development of a neutron detector system that should be able to measure a neutron energy spectrum with an average between 1-5 MeV before the moderator.
- There are questions around the placement and purpose of the moderator in the system, as well as the preferred neutron capture material (10B, 11B, or 6LiF).
- The RFP indicates a preference for the 6LiF ZnS(Ag) scintillation material, but the vendor has a more optically transparent 10****-based alternative that they propose as an acceptable substitute.
- The RFP does not include cost information, so it is unclear how a response to the technical requirements would translate to a full Request for Quote (RFQ).
- The federal contract opportunity is solicitation number RFP361279KMW, issued by the Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.
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Text version
Technical questions:
• Requirement 3_4 states: The detector shall be able to measure a neutron energy spectrum with an average of between 1 and 5 MeV before the moderator.
o Where is the moderator in the system?
The moderator is between the thermal neutron absorber (requirement 3_8), and the neutron capture / scintillator material.
o Is the detector to be observing thermal neutrons that have been moderated by the moderator or is the detector observing the 1-5 MeV fast neutrons and the moderator is doing something else?
The word detector as used in the SOW refers to the complete package including absorbers, moderators, capture, scintillator and PMT. Within this detector, the 1-5 MeV neutrons should be moderated and then interact with the capture material / scintillator and PMT.
o Language is unclear; shall the detector be able to determine the neutron energies in this range or just measure the flux of neutrons with energies in this range?
No. This was intended to indicate the range of energies that the detector should be sensitive to. So the detector should not be sensitive to thermal neutrons which is what drives requirement 3_8 to block thermal neutrons before the moderator.
• For 1-5 MeV neutrons 10B, 11B and 6LiF all have about the same neutron capture cross section. 10 B has a significantly higher absorption of thermal neutrons compared to 6LiF. Is there a preference if moderated neutrons are involved?
We want the initial thermal neutrons absorber (Requirement 3_8) and the 1-5 MeV neutrons moderated down to be more readily detected by the capture material.
• Requirement 3_3 states: The scintillation material shall be 6LiF × ZnS(Ag). We have made 10**** mats with ZnS(Ag). We anticipate that our **** × ZnS(Ag) mats are more optically transparent than the 6LiF mats. Would **** based mats be considered responsive?
We consider 10**** to be an acceptable alternative provided it meets the sensitivity requirements.
The RFP seems to request the design for the SOW. There is no indication of cost. How does a response to the RFP successfully translate to an RFQ?
The RFP should also include the cost.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .