SB134115RQ0195.pdf

SB1341-15-RQ-0195 DILUTION REFRIGERATOR

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THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN

ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR SUBPART 12.6-STREAMLINED PROCEDURES

FOR EVALUATION AND SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS-AS SUPPLEMENTED

WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT

CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTATIONS ARE BEING REQUESTED, AND A

WRITTEN SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED. THIS SOLICITATION IS

BEING ISSUED USING SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES UNDER THE AUTHORITY

OF FAR SUBPART 13.5 TEST PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-79.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. This acquisition is being procured using full and open competition.

1352.215-72 INQUIRIES (APR 2010):

Offerors must submit all questions concerning this solicitation in writing to both the Contract Specialist (Lynda.Roark@nist.gov) and the Contracting Officer (Patrick.Staines@nist.gov). Questions should be received no later than 3 calendar days after the issuance date of this solicitation. Any responses to questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract. (End of Provision)

Background:

As part of its research into Si-based quantum dot devices, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a need for a dilution refrigerator measurement system. The experiments that the government wishes to pursue impose the following general requirements: i) dilution refrigerator capable of achieving ultralow temperatures, where the quantum dot effects are maximized: ii) magnetic field, in order to investigate electron spin effects; iii) high-frequency leads, for high-speed pulsing and for fast sensing; iv) low noise (both mechanical and electrical) for doing very sensitive electrical measurements.

General System Requirements:

LINE ITEM 0001, Quantity one (1) each: Cryogen-Free Dilution Refrigerator, meeting or exceeding the following requirements: (Used and refurbished equipment shall not be considered for award):

1. Cryogen-free: The Government requires a system in which liquid helium is not needed. A system that requires the use of liquid helium will not be accepted. A system requiring liquid nitrogen is acceptable. The minimum acceptable period of time between liquid nitrogen replenishment is 7 days;

2. Cooling Power: Minimum cooling power 400 µW at 0.1 K.

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3. Operation times without magnet: The maximum acceptable times are 30 hours for both cool down and warm-up;

4. Operation times with magnet: The maximum acceptable times are 50 hours for both cool down and warm-up. (Stronger consideration shall be given to an instrument with shorter times)

5. Base temperature: The maximum acceptable temperature shall be 12 mK.

6. Magnet: The Contractor shall provide a sample space within an 8 Tesla superconducting magnet.

The sample space must have a minimum diameter of 5 inches, and a minimum length of 6 inches, with a minimum of 3 inches below and 3 inches above the center of the magnetic field. As part of the requirement of a cryogen-free system, the superconducting magnet must be cryogen-free. The maximum acceptable inhomogeneity is 2 % within a 1 cm diameter spherical volume. There must be cancellation coils, so that the maximum field at the mixing chamber and all higher stages is less than 0.3 T.

Component Requirements:

1. High-Frequency Leads:

1.1. 10 high-frequency cable assemblies are required. Two of these cable assemblies shall have 2.92 mm connectors, and eight shall have SMA connectors.

1.2 Cable assemblies with connectors on both ends between i) top plate and plate near three K; ii) plate near three K and still plate, and iii) still plate and mixing chamber plate shall be provided;

connectors on bottom side of mixing chamber plate shall be attached no further away from center of system than the I.D. of the magnet bore (so that Government-supplied cables running from mixing chamber plate into magnet bore will be straight).

1.3 Heat-sinking shall be provided, so that the inner conductors of high-frequency leads at the mixing chamber are at the mixing chamber temperature;

1.4 Cable assemblies shall be provided that have strain relief for semi-rigid cable assemblies that are not already bent, so that it is not necessary to bend a straight assembly in order to remove it or install it;

1.5 The successful Contractor shall coordinate with Government regarding length of cables. It is anticipated that NIST will insert attenuators or filters during installation.

2. Low-frequency leads:

2.1. At least 48 low-frequency leads, running between the top plate and the mixing chamber, in twisted pairs (24 twisted pairs total) shall be provided. The Contractor shall provide an electrostatic shield between these leads and all diagnostic (thermometer and heater) wiring. The leads shall be connectorized at the plate near 3 K and at the still plate, as well as at the top plate and the mixing

P a g e | 3 chamber; the electrostatic shield must be electrically continuous from room temperature down to the mixing chamber.

2.2 Wiring for one extra thermometer: The contractor shall provide for NIST use thermally-anchored wiring for a standard commercial four-lead ruthenium oxide thermometer, satisfying the following:

a) The wiring shall terminate below the mixing chamber.

b) If the contractor uses a single commercial temperature controller to read other thermometers in various locations, the contractor shall provide a separate channel in this temperature controller which shall be connected to the four-lead wiring provided for our use.

3. System Size:

The Government requires a system which is as short (distance between top plate and floor) as possible. This requirement is important given that, if possible, operation without the need of personnel climbing on ladders is advantageous. The maximum acceptable distance is 3 m.

(Stronger consideration shall be given to the contractor who offers a shorter distance)

4. Ease of Use:

4.1 The Government requires a system which can be operated from open to closed to base temperature to room temperature to open by only one person (as opposed to requiring two or more people to operate some or all of the cycle).

4.2 Sound isolation box: The government requires noise reduction coming from the pulse tube refrigerator (PTR) through the top plate of the cryostat. For this reason, the contractor shall provide panels with sound-deadening acoustical foam on all six sides surrounding the top plate (above, below, and all four sides), satisfying the following criteria

a) Efficacy: The difference in sound, as measured in dB at a position level with the top plate and 1 m away from the panel when closed, between side panels closed and open shall be at least five dB on all four sides. The contractor shall not have to meet this criterion if, with the panels closed, the difference in sound between PTR off and on is less than five dB.

b) Ease of access to the top plate: the four panels on the sides shall have hinges on their top sides that allows for rotation of the panels up and out of the way. The contractor shall provide a mechanical system so there is no need to separately support the panels when they are in the open position.

c) Size: On all four sides, when the panel is open, the opening shall have a minimum height of 85 cm.

5. Magnet interchangeability: Preference will be given to a system in which the magnet and its support structure are interchangeable with presently-owned systems.

(Stronger consideration shall be given to the system that provides interchangeability). As an example, these requirements will include (but are not

P a g e | 4 limited to) the following: Magnet must operate at T = 4.0 K or above, Magnet attachment to 4 K plate: Bolt circle 10 X M6 clearance, 34.0 cm diameter, Magnet and support maximum OD = 35.5 cm Below 4 K stage (e.g., still, CP, MC), maximum length below underside of 4 K stage = 107 cm.)

6. Pulse Tube Refrigerator Compressor Location:

The Contractor shall provide a system in which the compressor for the pulse tube refrigerator can be located in a separate room. The minimum acceptable distance between the compressor and the system is 10 m.

7. Vibration:

The maximum acceptable amplitude of vibrations is 10 µm at the mixing chamber plate.

8. System Mechanical Support:

8.1 The Contractor shall provide its standard floor-based support system.

8.2 The Government may choose not to utilize the vendor supplied support legs, and instead support the system from above, by mechanically connecting the top of the contractor-supplied support system to the ceiling. For this reason, to avoid additional electrical noise in the system, the contractor shall supply a system where the top plate and metal pieces inside the cryostat have a controlled electrical isolation from the contractor-supplied support system.

In particular, the minimum electrical resistance between the top plate and the support system shall be 1 MΩ.

9. Computer:

The Contractor shall provide a system which can be controlled by a Government-supplied standard laboratory computer. The Contractor shall install, and demonstrate all necessary software on the Government-supplied laboratory computer. In order to minimize electrical noise, the Government intends to use commercially-available fiber extenders for any communications ports such as GPIB, USB, LAN; the Contractor must supply a system which is compatible with such optical isolation.

10. Manual/Stand-by Operation:

All valves must be able to be operated by manual switches, separate from any computer operation; ``computer operation" specifically excludes any electronic touch-screen-actuated switches. Switches which are acceptable include mechanical, electrical (not controlled by digital electronics), and pneumatic.

(Stronger consideration shall be given to a system in which it is possible, after equilibration at base temperature, to turn off all electrical equipment except for pumps and compressors)

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11. Plate Mounting:

The Contractor shall provide mounting holes on all plates. The maximum number of holes on any single plate shall be 30. Placement of holes shall be coordinated with the Government Technical Point of Contact (TPOC)(TBD). The contractor shall contact the TPOC upon receipt of award to coordinate.

12. Compressor for Return Line:

If the high-pressure 3He return line has a compressor in it, the Contractor shall provide valving that makes it possible to bypass the compressor after the cooldown period, when the refrigerator is operating in its nominal condition at base temperature.

13. Preventive Maintenance:

The Government shall conduct general preventive maintenance. The minimum acceptable time between required preventive maintenance, is at least two months. Such maintenance provided by the Government includes, but is not limited to, pump maintenance, compressor maintenance, changing pump oil, and/or any other standard maintenance required to keep equipment running in accordance with the original equipment manufacturers’ performance specifications.

14. Gaskets:

The Contractor shall provide two duplicates of all gaskets needed on the various vacuum cans.

15. Extra low-frequency connectors:

The Contractor shall provide at least six of every type of cable and bulkhead mount connector necessary for government personnel to make electrical contact to the government's samples.

Since the government will use these connectors in the region of magnetic field, the connectors must be totally non-magnetic. Note: this Requirement applies only to the connectors for the low-frequency leads, not the high-frequency leads.

16. Replacement Metric Bolts:

The Contractor shall provide 50 extra bolts, 50 extra washers, and 50 extra nuts of each size of metric bolt used in the system; these items must be delivered with the system. The length and head style of the bolts shall be identical with those used in the system.

17. Infrastructure requirements:

The Contractor shall provide a system which requires no more than the following maximum requirements on infrastructure:

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Area: total footprint of all equipment 18 m2 Electrical power: maximum 50 A at each of 110/208/220/240 V. No voltages above 240 V.

Cooling water: maximum flow 30 liters/minute Pneumatic (pressurized air or nitrogen gas) service: maximum 10 bar.

18. Location of turbo molecular pump:

Turbo mechanical pumps are a source of both mechanical and electrical noise; as listed on page 1, Background information: minimal noise in order to allow NIST to complete very sensitive electrical measurements. For this reason, the Government requires that the turbo molecular pump not be located at the top of the refrigerator, but rather in a remote location such as the gas handling system.

LINE ITEM 0002: DELIVERABLES:

All documentation must be provided in both electronic and hardcopy format. NIST will not accept electronic format in lieu of hardcopy. The Government will inspect the documents at time of final acceptance.

DELIVERABLES:

Description Format Quantity Due Date Overall system mechanical drawings showing the overall size and configuration of i) the dilution refrigerator; ii) plumbing/control panel (typically mounted in an electronics rack); and iii) separate compressors/pumps;

Hardcopy and electronic format

One hardcopy/one electronics copy delivered to the

TPOC

With instrument delivery

Operator's manual in permanent bound format;

Hardcopy and electronic format

One hardcopy/one electronics copy delivered to the

TPOC

With instrument delivery

Full set of complete mechanical drawings, including i) a separate mechanical drawing for every separate stage in the system, ii) a separate mechanical drawing for each vacuum can or radiation shield, as well as iii) overall assembly mechanical drawings; if there are multiple separate configurations (e.g., with versus without magnet), there must be a separate assembly drawing for each configuration.

Hardcopy and electronic format

One hardcopy/one electronics copy delivered to the

TPOC

With instrument delivery

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List of commercial equipment purchased from separate sources which it is likely that Government personnel will need to operate (example: personnel are likely to need to know how to operate a temperature controller as a standalone unit, but are unlikely to need to know how to operate a pressure gauge as a standalone unit) IF APPLICABLE

Hardcopy and electronic format

One hardcopy/one electronics copy delivered to the

TPOC

With instrument delivery

Plate Mounting Drawing, Specification

Drawing One electronic copy delivered to the TPOC.

Upon coordination with TPOC

Full printed manual for any commercial equipment the Contractor purchases from a separate source which it is likely that Government personnel will need to operate. IF APPLICABLE

Hardcopy and electronic format

One hardcopy/one electronics copy delivered to the

TPOC

With instrument delivery

List of all metric bolts, including specification of length, that has been used in the cryostat; this list will be cross checked against the set of extra bolts, nuts, washers provided

Hardcopy and electronic format

One hardcopy/one electronics copy delivered to the

TPOC

With instrument delivery

Final Delivery of System:

Before delivery of the system from the Contractor’s site to NIST, the Contractor shall demonstrate compliance with all specifications of the system in the Contractor’s site or other location as agreed between the Contractor and the Government. The Government reserves the right to be present, on-site, at the Contractor’s facility during this testing.

The Contractor shall notify the NIST Technical Point of Contact, (to be identified at the time of award), 30 calendar days prior to the planned date of the testing. If the Government elects to be on-site for the testing, NIST shall be responsible for all travel costs to and from the testing site.

Accepted Demonstration of specifications

One Not later than 12 months after receipt of award

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LINE ITEM 0003: Installation:

The Contractor shall install the system. Installation shall include, at a minimum, uncrating/un-packaging of all equipment, set-up and hook-up of all equipment, start-up, and demonstration of all required specifications. Technical personnel experienced with the system shall install the system and perform all activities necessary to ensure the system is fully functional and meets all required specifications.

Installation shall be completed not later than 90 days after the system is delivered. The Contractor shall coordinate with the TPOC (TBD at Award).

LINE ITEM 0004: On-Site Training:

The Contractor shall schedule and conduct training for at least three (3) NIST personnel, on-site at NIST Gaithersburg. Training shall include all aspects of system operation and basic troubleshooting.

The training may be completed at NIST immediately after installation, however must be completed not later than 7 days after installation. The training must include, but is not limited to, system operation for all configurations, including i) operation without magnet, i) operation with magnet, and

iii) any other configuration which the Contractor supplies, such as longer shields to allow same physical layout, but without magnet.

Installation and training must be scheduled, in advance, with the NIST TPOC

LINE ITEM 0005: Warranty:

The Contractor shall provide, at a minimum, a one (1) year warranty for the system. The warranty must cover the complete system and associated components and software. The warranty must cover all defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of final acceptance by the Government.

During the warranty period, the Contractor shall bear all costs, including shipping, travel, and labor, to complete the repairs and/or replacement of any defects.

Customer Support:

The Contractor shall provide, within the standard warranty period, unlimited telephone customer support during normal business hours. This support shall be provided by technical personnel who are experienced with the offered system. Technical personnel shall be required to return calls within one

(1) business day;

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Delivery:

Delivery should be FOB DESTINATION and be completed in accordance with the offeror’s commercial schedule

1352.246-70 Place of Acceptance (APR 2010):

(a) The Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative will accept supplies and services to be provided under this contract. (b) The place of acceptance will be:

100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD. 20899

Final Acceptance:

NIST will provide payment in full upon successful completion of delivery, demonstration of specifications, inspection and acceptance testing, and submission of a proper invoice from the Contractor. Payment terms shall be Net 30 Days.

PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES:

The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are hereby incorporated by reference. All FAR clauses may be viewed at https://www.acquisition.gov/Far/

Provisions

52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items

Offerors shall complete annual representations and certifications on-line at http://orca.bpn.gov in accordance with FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items.

If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required.

Clauses

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders— Commercial Items (a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial items:

52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First Tier Subcontract Awards 52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest when subcontracting with Contractor’s Debarred, Suspended or proposed for Debarment 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns

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52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation 52.222-3, Convict Labor;

52.222-19 Child Labor – Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies;

52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities;

52-222-26, Equal Opportunity;

52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities;

52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans 52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving 52.225-5, Trade Agreements 52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases;

52.232-30, Installment Payments for Commercial Items 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-SAM

52.237-2 Protection of Government Buildings, Equipment, And Vegetation 52.247-34 F.O.B. Destination 1352.201-70 Contracting Officer’s Authority 1352.201-72 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) 1352.209-73 Compliance With The Laws 1352.209-74 Organizational Conflict of Interest 1352.246-70 Place of acceptance

Place of Acceptance (APR 2010)

(a) The Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative will accept supplies and services to be provided under this contract.

(b) The place of acceptance will be:

___100 Bureau Drive______ ___Gaithersburg, MD 20899___ (End of clause)

INSTRUCTIONS:

System for Award Management (SAM):

In accordance with FAR 52.204-7, the awardee must be registered in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) prior to award. Refusal to register shall forfeit award.

Due Date for Quotations http://www.sam.gov/

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Offerors shall submit their quotations so that NIST receives them not later than 3:30 pm eastern time on March 11, 2015. FAX quotations shall not be accepted. E-mail quotations shall be accepted at Lynda.Roark@nist.gov. Offerors’ quotations shall not be deemed received by the Government until the quotation is entered into the e-mail address inbox set forth above.

Quotations shall be sent to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Acquisition Management Division, Attn: Lynda Roark, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640. All offerors should ensure the RFQ number is visible on the outermost packaging.

Because of heightened security, FED-EX, UPS, or similar delivery methods are the preferred method of delivery of quotes. If quotes are hand delivered, delivery shall be made on the actual due date through Gate A, and a 48 hour (excluding weekends and holidays) prior notice shall be provided to Lynda Roark, Contract Specialist on 301-975-3725.

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Quotation Preparation Instructions

1) Price Quotation: The offeror shall submit an original and one copy of the completed price schedule.

If the quotation is submitted electronically, hard copies are still required. The pricing quotation shall be separate from any other portion of the quotation. The offeror shall propose a firm-fixed-price, FOB Destination, for each CLIN. Price quotations shall remain valid for a period of 90 days from the date quotations are due.

2) Technical Quotation: The offeror shall submit an original and one copy of the technical quotation. If the quotation is submitted electronically, additional hard copies are still required. The technical quotation shall address the following:

Technical Capability: The offeror shall submit a technical description and/or product literature for the equipment it is proposing, which clearly identifies the manufacturer, make and model. The offeror must demonstrate that its proposed equipment meets or exceeds each minimum requirement described in the statement of work by providing a citation to the relevant section of its technical description or product literature. If applicable, evidence that the Offeror is authorized by the original equipment manufacturer to provide the item(s) in the quotation should be included.

If standard product literature and/or technical descriptions do not address all required specifications, offerors must provide narratives and or explanation of the work that will be performed to meet the requirement(s). All proposed work must be addressed in sufficient detail that all technical requirements are discussed and that the intended outcome of the work can be clearly discerned.

1) In a separate section, the Contractor shall submit the following technical information; this separate section must have a table of contents, showing the location in the section of the responses to each of the following:

a) Overall system technical drawings, showing the overall size and configuration of i) the dilution refrigerator with and without floor-based legs; ii) plumbing/control panel (typically mounted in an electronics rack); iii) separate compressors/pumps;

b) Photographs of delivered systems showing proposed mounting system(s);

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c) System needs for electrical power, cooling power, compressed air, floor space, any other infrastructure requirements; Reference Component Requirement 17. For floor space requirement, offeror must submit a typical floor plan showing approximate footprints of system components;

d) Preventive maintenance schedule; Reference Component Requirement 13;

e) Telephone number and hours of operation for technical support; Reference Line Item 0005;

f) Minimum period of time between liquid nitrogen replenishment during routine operation, if applicable. Reference General System Requirement 1;

g) Maximum cooldown time and maximum warm-up time, separately for without magnet and with magnet. Reference General System Requirement 3 and 4;

h) Specify guaranteed base temperature. Reference General System Requirement 5;

i) Specify i) whether or not the Contractor will have any cable assemblies that have no bends;

ii) if yes, shall specify the means of strain relief. Submission of photographs is acceptable.

Reference Component Requirement 1.4;

j) Specify distance between top plate and floor. Reference Component Requirement 3;

k) State whether the offered system can be operated routinely by a single person (in particular, a person able to perform typical but not extraordinary laboratory tasks), specifically, with respect to weight and awkwardness of shrouds and shields. If the offeror states that the system can be operated routinely by a single person, the offeror must demonstrate during installation. Reference Component Requirement 4.1;

l) Specify maximum amplitude of vibrations at the mixing chamber plate. Reference

Component Requirement 7;

m) Specify what interface connections are necessary on the Government-supplied computer to interface with the dilution refrigerator. Reference Component Requirement 9;

n) State whether the preference for run without power in Component Requirement 10 is being offered;

o) State whether a compressor is part of the system. Reference Component Requirement 12;

p) Specify all necessary periodic preventive maintenance requirements for the system, including the requirements for the pumps and compressors. The Contractor shall provide the time (e.g., maximum number of hours between replacement of some item) as well as a brief description

P a g e | 13 of the process necessary for each preventive maintenance requirement. Reference Component Requirement 13;

q) Specify maximum distance allowable between compressor and system. Reference

Component Requirement 6;

r) State whether the preference for magnet interchangeability in Component Requirement 5is being offered;

s) Specify location of turbo molecular pump; Reference Component Requirement 18

t) Specify quantity of 3He required; the Government will separately procure the 3He gas.

3. Experience: The offeror shall demonstrate the extent to which it has manufactured, distributed, and installed similar equipment within the last 5 years.

4. Past Performance: The offeror shall provide past performance information regarding relevant contracts over the past five (5) years with Federal, state, or local governments, or commercial customers.

If the offeror intends to subcontract with another firm(s) for part of this requirement, that firm’s past performance information shall also be provided. If the offeror has no relevant past performance, it may include a statement to that effect in its quotation. The government reserves the right to consider data obtained from sources other than those described by the offeror in its quotation. It is required that at least 3 contacts be referenced.

The description of each contract/order described in this section shall not exceed one half page in length.

For each contract/order, the offeror shall provide the following information:

1. Contract number;

2. Description and relevance to solicitation requirements including dollar value;

3. Period of Performance – indicate by month and year the state and completion (or “ongoing”) dates for the contract;

4. Reference Contact – If a non-Government contract, identify the name and address of the client with current telephone number and email address of a point of contact of the client responsible for the contract;

5. Contracting Office – If a Government contract (Federal or state), identify the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO), administrative Contracting Officer (ACO), and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and their names, current telephone numbers and email addresses.

6. Problems Encountered – include information regarding information regarding any problems encountered on the contracts described above and corrective actions taken to resolve those problems.

5. Acceptance of Terms and Conditions: This is an open-market solicitation for equipment as defined herein. The Government intends to award a Purchase Order as a result of this solicitation that will include the clauses set forth herein. The quotation should include one of the following statements:

“The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition.”

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OR

“The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:

Offeror shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s)

Note: This procurement is not being conducted under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program or another Government-Wide Area Contract (GWAC). If an offeror submits a quotation based upon an FSS or GWAC contract, the Government will accept the quoted price. However, the terms and conditions stated herein will be included in any resultant Purchase Order, not the terms and conditions of the offeror’s FSS or GWAC contract, and the statement required above shall be included in the quotation.

Evaluation Factors

Award shall be made to the offeror whose quotation offers the best value to the Government price and other factors considered. The Government will evaluate quotations based on the following evaluation criteria: 1) Technical Capability 2) Experience, 3) Past Performance, and 4) Price. All non-price factors, when combined, are more important to price. Technical capability and past performance are more important than experience.

1. Technical Capability: No prototypes, demonstration models, used or refurbished instruments will be considered. Evaluation of technical capability shall be based on the information provided in the quotation. NIST will evaluate whether the offeror has demonstrated that its proposed equipment meets or exceeds all minimum requirements. Quotations that do not demonstrate the proposed equipment meets all requirements will not be considered further for award. If an offeror does not indicate whether its proposed equipment meets a certain minimum requirement, NIST will determine that it does not. NIST will give preference to offerors who demonstrate that their proposed equipment exceeds NIST’s requirements.

NIST will give stronger consideration in no particular order, to the following requirements:

General Requirements, Specification 4: Operation times with magnet: The maximum acceptable times are 50 hours for both cool down and warm-up. (Stronger consideration shall be given to an instrument with shorter times)

System Size: The Government requires a system which is as short (distance between top plate and floor) as possible. This requirement is important given that, if possible, operation without the need of personnel climbing on ladders is advantageous. The maximum acceptable distance is 3 m.

(Stronger consideration shall be given to the contractor who offers a shorter distance)

Magnet interchangeability: Stronger consideration will be given to a system in which the magnet and its support structure are interchangeable with presently-owned systems. (Stronger consideration shall be given to the system that provides interchangeability. As an example, these requirements

P a g e | 15 will include (but are not limited to) the following: Magnet must operate at T = 4.0 K or above, Magnet attachment to 4 K plate: Bolt circle 10 X M6 clearance, 34.0 cm diameter, Magnet and support maximum OD = 35.5 cm Below 4 K stage (e.g., still, CP, MC), maximum length below underside of 4 K stage = 107 cm.)

Manual/Stand-by Operation: All valves must be able to be operated by manual switches, separate from any computer operation; ``computer operation" specifically excludes any electronic touch-screen-actuated switches. Switches which are acceptable include mechanical, electrical (not controlled by digital electronics), and pneumatic. (Stronger consideration shall be given to a system in which it is possible, after equilibration at base temperature, to turn off all electrical equipment except for pumps and compressors)

2. Experience: NIST will evaluate the extent of the offeror’s experience within the last 5 years providing similar equipment. In demonstrating relevant experience of supplying, manufacturing, and installation of dilution refrigerators, the following features shall be rated as very relevant to the requirements listed within the specifications;

1) A cryogen-free system consisting of a) dilution refrigerator with a base temperature below 0.015 K, with b) integrated superconducting magnet capable of reaching a field of 3 T;

2) A cryogen-free system consisting of a) dilution refrigerator with a base temperature below 0.015 K, with b) at least 4 high-frequency cables from the room temperature flange to mixing chamber plate.

These system(s) must have been installed and accepted by purchaser(s). It will be sufficient for the Contractor to have supplied cryogen free dilution refrigerators with magnet and high-frequency cables, or separate refrigerators.

3. Past Performance: The Government will evaluate the Offeror's past performance information and, if appropriate, its proposed subcontractors' past performance to determine its relevance to the current requirement and the extent to which it demonstrates that the offeror has successfully completed relevant contracts in the past five years. In assessing the offeror's past performance information, NIST will evaluate, as appropriate, successful performance of contract requirements, quality and timeliness of delivery of goods and services, cost management, communications between contracting parties, proactive management and customer satisfaction.. Evaluation of this factor will be based on information contained in the technical portion of the quotation and information provided by references. The Government will evaluate past performance information by contacting appropriate references, including NIST references, if applicable. The Government may also consider other available information in evaluating the Offeror’s past performance. The Government will assign a neutral rating if the offeror has no relevant past performance information.

Relevant past performance shall include a dilution refrigerator that is cryogen free (0.015 K base temperature), with a magnet capable of at least 5 T, and high-frequency cables. Past performance for a general cryogenic system at 0.3 or 1.0 K or that requires liquid helium would not be considered relevant.

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Price: The Government will evaluate price for reasonableness.

Past Performance, Experience, and Price shall not be evaluated on quotes that are determined technically unacceptable under the Technical Capability Evaluation factor.

1352.233-70

AGENCY PROTESTS (APR 2010)

(a) An agency protest may be filed with either: (1) the contracting officer, or (2) at a level above the contracting officer, with the appropriate agency Protest Decision Authority. See 64 Fed. Reg. 16,651 (April 6, 1999)

(b) Agency protests filed with the Contracting Officer shall be sent to the following address:

NIST/ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT DIVISION

ATTN: PATRICK STAINES, CONTRACTING OFFICER

100 Bureau Drive, MS 1640 Gaithersburg, MD 20899

c) Agency protests filed with the agency Protest Decision Authority shall be sent to the following address:

NIST/ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT DIVISION

ATTN: HEAD OF THE CONTRACTING OFFICE (HCO)

100 Bureau Drive, MS 1640

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

(d) A complete copy of all agency protests, including all attachments, shall be served upon the Contract Law Division of the Office of the General Counsel within one day of filing a protest with either the Contracting Officer or the Protest Decision Authority.

(e) Service upon the Contract Law Division shall be made as follows:

U.S. Department of Commerce Office of the General Counsel Chief, Contract Law Division Room 5893 Herbert C. Hoover Building 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20230.

FAX: (202) 482-5858

1352.233-71 GAO AND COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS PROTESTS (APR 2010)

(a) A protest may be filed with either the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Court of Federal Claims unless an agency protest has been filed.

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(b) A complete copy of all GAO or Court of Federal Claims protests, including all attachments, shall be served upon (i) the Contracting Officer, and (ii) the Contract Law Division of the Office of the General Counsel, within one day of filing a protest with either GAO or the Court of Federal Claims.

(c) Service upon the Contract Law Division shall be made as follows:

U.S. Department of Commerce Office of the General Counsel Chief, Contract Law Division Room 5893 Herbert C. Hoover Building 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20230.

FAX: (202) 482-5858

(End of clause)