Attachment_I_SOW_Laser_Ablation_Instrument.docx

Attachment I

STATEMENT OF WORK

Laser Ablation system

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Material Measurement Division is involved in the development of methodologies for the measurement of trace element composition and isotopic abundance of single micrometer size particles using a Laser Ablation sample inlet connected to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS). To enhance sensitivity and dramatically reduce the time spent on sample preparation, NIST is in need of a nanosecond Laser Ablation (LA) instrument that is directly compatible with our existing Thermo-Fisher iCAP Qc ICPMS instrument and Qtegra Software. The LA system must include software Plug-In and hardware connections to provide immediate operation of the two systems as one integrated unit. The 213 nm (wavelength) Nd:YAG laser, ablation (sample cell) chamber (with options to reduce volume), pump, electronics and system control/analysis software must provide the means to ablate as small as five micrometer spot size on micrometer particles (surfaces) directly from swipe and environmental samples. The ablated material – nanometer size particles – must be incorporate directly into the ICPMS plasma for ion production and elemental and isotopic abundance monitoring within the Qtegra software environment. Performance specification shall be based on the signal homogeneity across the entire movement of the sample cell (stage; 2% RSD) and the trace elemental concentrations and their isotopic abundances of the NIST Glass SRM series 612. An LA system for this purpose must be capable of enabling the simultaneous analysis of several samples (SRMs) with automatic triggering of the LA system from the Thermo-Fisher Qtegra Software.

II. SCOPE OF WORK

Laser Ablation systems shall demonstrate a direct hardware and software (Plug-In) compatibility with a Thermo-Fisher (T-F) iCAP Qc ICPMS through the Thermo-Fisher Qtegra Software. The LA system shall be a bench-top instrument; or, it can be operated from a cart supplied by the contractor. To avoid lengthy sample preparation, to increase sample throughput and to improve sensitivity, Laser Ablation system shall couple with NIST’s T-F ICPMS for trace elemental and isotopic analysis of single micrometer particles collected on environmental swipes and filters.

Especially important for reliable elemental and isotopic measurements is signal stability across the entire range of the sample chamber, the reproducibility of the XYZ stage position, and the same Laser fluence (energy/spot area) and ablation rate regardless of sample location and height differences to yield uniform sample aerosol flow to the ICPMS. With computer control of all Laser parameters such as these LA systems afford, elemental and isotopic measurements of micrometer size particles can be achieved to better than 2% RSD.

III. SPECIFICATIONS

The Contractor shall provide one (1) analytical instrument system that meets the following minimum technical requirements. The Contractor shall install the instrument and provide training as described below.

Laser Ablation System Requirements:

· Must be a benchtop Laser Ablation (LA) instrument with the following maximum dimensions: 30 inch wide, 32 inch depth and 36 inch height

· The system must include a manufacturer’s cart measuring no more than 31 inch wide to house the LA instrument, power supply and cooling system.

· Must have a 213 nm (wavelength) Nd:YAG laser that operates at nominally 20 amp, 120 volt AC power

· The laser must have the following minimum characteristics: 4 – 10 mJ pulse energy, 5 - 10 ns pulse width, a flat energy profile, fluence (laser power) of 5 – 25 J/cm2, stabilized thermally and mechanically, and a pulse repetition rate of 1 – 20 Hz.

· The laser must be computer controlled to produce a single shot, burst or continuous output while scanning, raster scanning or positioned at a fixed point; software must be capable of controlling the laser and XYZ stage movement to maintain constant fluence.

· The laser spot size must be as small as 5 µm diameter and at least as large as 100 µm; must have variable aperture wheel for selection of any spot size within the range

· The laser energy must be manually selected continuously adjustable and computer controlled

· The laser must be a Class-1 that is fully interlocked for safe operation.

· The LA microscope must have an imaging video camera that can also provide still pictures with the following requirements: variable optical zoom (60x magnification) with parfocal magnification that must clearly resolve a 2 µm diameter particle, wide field of view, and capable of mosaic images

· Software must be capable importing a sample image file from another instrument (e.g. electron probe) to relocate the same analyzed particle (or spot) by its position relative to a fiducial mark for LA-ICPMS analysis

· Lighting must be computer controlled high intensity LED, reflected and transmitted.

· The LA system must have a computer controlled polarizer

· Must have a precision stage with submicron resolution

· Must have a high accuracy/precision XY stage 10 cm x 10 cm with 0.25 - 1 µm resolution or better and return accuracy of 2-4 µm; also, Z travel computer control and documented XYZ position in metafile.

· Must have two software controlled mass flow controllers. One for the carries gas and a second MFC for an additional carrier or makeup gas

· The LA system must have a two-volume ablation cell (chamber) to reduce the volume with the following characteristics: exhibit signal homogeneity (spatial reproducibility) across the entire range of cell to 2 % RSD; have no interference between stage movement and collection efficiency; have zero stage hesitation across the stage; have fast washout times (< 1 s to return to background)

· The LA sample chamber must accommodate large format (10 cm x 10 cm) drawer and include at least one insert to accommodate special samples.

· The LA system chamber must include high intensity LED lighting

· The LA system must have a computer that operates from Windows 7

· The LA system must include all necessary hardware to connect directly to a Thermo-Fisher iCAP Qc ICPMS system

· The LA system must have specialized software to control laser parameters, sample viewing, stage position, gas routing, triggering ICPMS and fully automated ablation process

· The LA system must have a single point interface with the Thermo-Fisher Qtegra software using a DCMSLink (Plug-In) – common MS software to facilitate control and acquire data from both systems – to establish communication with the iCAP Qc ICPMS system and its Qtegra software.

· The LA-ICPMS hybrid system Plug-In must be capable of real-time display of elemental and isotopic raw intensities, data acquisition and analysis.

· The LA data must be transferrable to the various ICPMS file formats (CSV, XLS, XML, etc.) for integrated post analysis of data and compatibility with software toolset available in Qtegra software.

· Must be capable of combining XY-timestamp files of position with corresponding ICPMS timestamp signal files to map either a single image or mosaic using IOLITE software or equivalent (included in the price). Software updates that automate this process must be provided at no charge for the life of the equipment.

· With the LA system coupled to the NIST iCAP Qc ICPMS system, elemental concentration and isotopic composition results of NIST SRM’s 61X must be within the accuracy and precision of the stated SRM certified values; 235U/238U ratio must be statistically consistent with the certified values.

· The system must include an operations and maintenance manual covering proper operation, routine maintenance, and trouble shooting for the instrument and controlling software; the manual may be supplied in hard copy or electronic format (or both).

Installation:

The Contractor shall install the instrument in Building 217, Room C121, at NIST Gaithersburg, MD. Installation shall include, at a minimum, uncrating/unpacking of all equipment, set-up and hook-up of all equipment, start-up, demonstration of specifications, and removal of all trash. Instrument will operate to manufacturer’s specifications upon installation. Installation will take place during normal business hours, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday except Federal Holidays, and will be coordinated with the NIST Technical Point of Contact (TPOC). Installation shall occur within 60 days after award.

Warranty:

The Contractor shall provide, at a minimum, a one year warranty for the equipment. The warranty shall cover all parts, labor and travel. The warranty shall commence upon successful completion of delivery, installation, training and demonstration of all required specifications.

Training:

Include at least 2 hours of training at NIST for up to 2 NIST personnel covering normal operation, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance. 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 Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to ensure maximum availability of NIST personnel. Training shall occur within 10 days of installation. The training may be completed on-site at NIST immediately after installation and demonstration of specifications.

IV. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

No Government Furnished Property will be supplied to the Contractor.

V. DELIVERABLES

VI. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT SUMMARY

The Contractor shall demonstrate that the Laser Ablation instrument meets all of the specifications listed in paragraph III, above..

VII. GENERAL INFORMATION

Safety: The Contractor employee shall be responsible for complying with NIST installation safety prevention regulations (http://www-i.nist.gov/mml/safety/policies/index.htm.) Such regulations include, but are not limited to, general safety, fire prevention, and waste disposal.

Vehicle Registration: All Contractor employees must register their vehicles with the NIST Security Office to gain access to the campus. A valid driver’s license, Government-furnished civilian ID, proof of insurance and current registration must be presented to the NIST Security Office, at which time a NIST vehicle pass will be issued. The pass shall be displayed in accordance with instructions provided at the NIST Security Office. The Contractor employee shall follow NIST procedures for removal and turn-in of the vehicle pass upon termination of services under this contract.