RFQ_Attachment_1_-_SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. BACKGROUND

The Polymers and Complex Fluids Group of the Materials Science and Engineering Division (specifically) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) requires a Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) system that separates macromolecular analytes on the basis of hydrodynamic size. GPC is also referred to as size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and the terms are used interchangeably. This instrument will support ongoing efforts in the Materials Science and Engineering Division to develop comprehensive, quantitative, descriptions of distributions of composition, architecture, mass, and functionality in advanced polymer and nanoparticle materials. The GPC system must be capable of determining molar mass, molar mass distributions, intrinsic viscosity, refractive index increments for polymers, particularly cyclic and highly branched, “bottle brush” polymers, polysaccharides, polyacrylates, polystyrenes, and polyesters. These complex structures require multi-detector GPC with high accuracy detectors. In addition, this instrument will be used in the periodic stability testing of NIST standards. Injection reproducibility is very important to ensure that differences in results can be attributed to material heterogeneity and not instrument variability.

II. SCOPE

One (1) Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) system with manuals, warranty, installation and training.

III. SPECIFICATIONS

The system shall meet or exceed the technical specifications identified below. All items must be new.

Prototypes, demonstration models, used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered for award.

A. SYSTEM (LINE ITEM 0001): The contractor shall furnish, Quantity One (1) Each, Gel Permeation

Chromatography (GPC) system:

1. System

a. Must be able to perform GPC including the following components and capabilities:

i. Integrated degasser

ii. High-performance liquid chromatography pump

1) pump precision of at least 0.07%

iii. Auto sampler that can hold at least 20 sample vials

iv. Integrated auto sampler and auto injector to introduce polymer samples into instrument without user injection

v. Differential refractive index concentration detector (defined below)

vi. Differential viscometer (defined below)

vii. Multi-angle light scattering detector (defined below)

b. Must be able to perform polymer analysis in organic solvents including, but not limited to tetrahydrofuran, toluene, chloroform, and dimethylacetamide

c. Must include temperature control of sample from ambient (20°C up to 60°C or better)

i. Unit can be self-contained or have external components using transfer lines, but contractor MUST provide documentation in the quotation, demonstrating adequate temperature control methods for the entire system (to within ± 1°C of set point temperature) to prevent temperature fluctuations that can cause heterogeneity of the chromatograph.

ii. Temperature control within system must have control within 1°C

d. Must be able to configure system to transfer data

i. Must be able to transfer both raw and processed data via NIST-approved USB (not needed from contractor, NIST will provide) and NIST internal network

e. Must include acquisition and analysis software (defined below)

f. Must be able to add additional after-market detector for flow through dynamic light scattering (a.k.a. quasi-elastic light scattering) to unit with full integration into hardware and software components. This can be done with modification to a current detector or addition of a new one as long as temperature conditions of 1c are met.

2. Refractive Index -Concentration detector

a. Concentration detector is defined as a detector capable of determining relative abundance of an analyte in solution

b. Must be operational at ambient temperatures to at least 60°C

c. Must have a baseline noise level at 3 x 10-9 RIU or better and baseline drift of 1 x 10-7

RIU/hr or better for analysis.

d. Must measure DRI using wavelengths equivalent to the light source of the MALS detector, so dn/dc measurements in the RI detector can be used to calculate molar mass in the light scattering detector. This can be achieved using a light source at the identical wavelength of the light scattering laser or by using adequate filters to generate that wavelength of light from a broadband source. Contractor must provide documentation in the quotation to prove that the dn/dc values of polymers measured in the instrument are consistent with dn/dc measurements of the same polymer at the same analysis conditions

e. Must be able to resolve concentrations of samples at 1 mg/mL or less

f. Must be able to detect impurities below 2% in samples

3. Light scattering detector

a. Must be able to determine absolute weight average molecular mass (Mw) and mean square radius of gyration (Rg

2) for absolute radius of gyration for dilute polymer solutions of 0.2 mg/mL and greater

i. Must be capable of determining Rg, Mw, and A2 within 5% error

ii. exclude assumptions that may not always be applicable

1) Must include at least 10 angle measurements to reduce error at low angles and enable characterization of high mass ( > 1107 g/mol) samples

2) Must be able to determine molecular conformation of samples with Rg greater or equal to 10 nm (can be achieved in combination with other detectors, vendor must demonstrate this)

3) Must be able to determine if sample is absorbing at laser wavelength and correct for absorbing samples

b. Must have a dynamic molecular size range (Rg) of at least 400 nm for detection of high and low molecular weight polymers

c. Must have precise temperature control +/- 1°C from room temperature up to 60 °C

d. Sample cell must be cleanable by the user following each injection queue.

e. Must be able to be converted to static/non-flow mode to be able to measure Zimm, Berry, and Debeye plots to determine A2 (second virial coefficient) and absolute Mw without column fractionation

4. Viscometry detector

a. Must be a differential viscometer (type: 4 capillary wheatstone bridge) with pressure transducers to measure inlet pressure = IP and differential pressure DP

b. Must be able to purge inlet pressure and differential Pressure measurement signals

c. Must be able prevent over pressurization of the transducer

i. pressure control can be monitored by the pump and/or within the viscometer

d. Must have baseline noise of less than 1% of detector response with sample

e. Must be able to determine Mark-Houwink parameters (K and a) instrinsic viscosity, and hydrodynamic radius of the eluting sample, as well as degree of long chain branching.

5. Software

a. Must be able to control instrument hardware, collect data, perform calibrations, and analyze data. This can be done with one or more programs.

b. Must be able to acquire and analyze data from all detectors attached

c. Must be able to accommodate aftermarket detectors if purchased in the future, either through a software upgrade or download.

d. Determine relative molar mass (Mn, Mw, Mp, Mz, and polydispersity) based on calibrated standards

e. Must be able to apply a correction for interdetector delay and band broadening that occurs in multiple detector instruments.

f. Must be able to overlay multiple injections within software

g. Must include ability to export raw data for external processing in at least one of the following formats: .csv, .txt, .xlsx

h. Must be able to export and print analyzed data and data reports from analysis software

(printer not included in SOW)

i. Must include remote/offline analysis software (external to instrument computer) for at least three computers through either site licenses or network-based software license(s).

j. Must include ability to re-install software if the instrument computer (not purchased in this contract) becomes corrupted, or is outdated and needs to be upgraded/or replaced;

this can be achieved through an installation disk or drive, through an internet download, or though issue of a license key.

k. Software must meet NIST IT Security and Standard operating configuration requirements as follows:

i. During installation, the Government will perform security assessments for authorization (A&A) and continuous monitoring, to include web, database, and operating system vulnerability scanning (as applicable) and will inform the Contractor of identified risks associated with missing patches and/or configuration settings. The Government will determine the risk rating of identified vulnerabilities. The Government prefers, but does not require, that the Contractor provide an action plan, and a schedule for implementing the action plan and providing and updated version of the software, at no cost to the Government, to mitigate security risks found during A&A and continuous monitoring activities not later than 90 days of NIST’s notification of security risks.

6. Columns

a. The contractor shall submit with its quotation, column recommendations and specifications. Contractor shall not supply the columns. NIST will supply them to contractor so the contractor can fulfill the installation requirement.

7. Hardware

a. A/D converters, or any electronic equipment required to communicate with and send data from specified detectors to the analysis program will be provided in solicitation

i. Computers do not necessarily need to be included in quotation BUT full specifications of computers required to run instrument and analysis software

MUST be included with solicitation. Computers will meet all NIST/ Department of Commerce IT security requirements

8. Safety Considerations

a. Due to the volatile, organic solvents required of GPC systems, must meet safety requirements that minimize risk to the system user. Safety requirements, enumerated below, must be addressed in the technical specifications of the instrument quotation.

i. Vapor/leak sensing within system

ii. Vents for solvent vapor to leave the system through proper channels (this may or may not require use of a fume hood, but vendor must state specifically if a fume hood is needed in the quotation) and include specifications on ventilation flow rate and where the instrument needs to be vented so NIST can anticipate and procure lab renovations as necessary

iii. Solvent waste handling. Minimization of exposure of laboratory technician will be considered in technical evaluation. Engineering controls in the instrument designed to minimize solvent use (waste) and exposure (during routine analysis, while the system is on standby, and under routine maintenance) will be given preferential evaluation as long as minimal technical specifications are required.

iv. Thermal Safety: System must minimize exposure of the user to heated instrument components.

v. Pressure safety: System must have a safety/shutoff for over pressurization.

vi. Electrical safety: Contractor must document preventative measures to prevent electrical shock to the user in the submitted quotation.

B. DOCUMENTATION (INCLUDED IN LINE ITEM 0001): The contractor shall deliver all manuals and documentation on the system in electronic format no later than the date of system delivery.

C. INSTALLATION (INCLUDED IN LINE ITEM 0001): The contractor shall install the GPC system no later than one (1) month after delivery. Installation, at a minimum, shall include uncrating/unpackaging of all equipment, rigging, set-up and hook-up of the system, demonstration of all specifications, and removal of trash. Onsite installation and demonstration shall be done at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899- 0001.

D. TRAINING (INCLUDED IN LINE ITEM 0001): The contractor shall conduct one (1) training session for up to three (3) technical personnel at NIST, and shall provide the duration of this training session. The training shall provide a thorough demonstration of all system/solution functions, maintenance, data administration, basic troubleshooting and hardware/software operation. The training shall be completed at NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001, and may be delivered immediately after installation, set-up and demonstration of performance specifications, but shall be completed no later than 30 days after the NIST TPOC’s acceptance of installation.

a. This includes demonstration of a fully functional SEC unit, including sample prep, columns, all specified detectors, full data acquisition and processing of narrow and polydisperse samples and software capabilities.

b. This includes demonstration of calibration and data analysis using all included detectors.

E. EXPRESS WARRANTY (INCLUDED IN LINE ITEM 0001): The contractor shall warrant the entire system for a period of at least one (1) year from acceptance. The warranty shall include unlimited telephone/e-mail support for questions regarding operation. All costs including parts, labor, travel, and other expenses necessary to repair the system will be borne solely by the contractor at no additional cost to the U.S. Government.

IV. SITE PREPARATION

Prior to the system delivery date, NIST will renovate the laboratory site to enable the contractor’s timely installation of the system. As a condition precedent to NIST’s duty to complete said renovation, within five (5) days of purchase order award, the contractor shall provide a complete list of facilitation requirements and a layout of the system and associated equipment. In addition, the contractor shall provide a list, inclusive of manufacturer names and applicable part numbers, of all necessary consumables, including the recommended columns submitted with the quotation.

The contractor may be required to coordinate with a contractor performing the laboratory renovations.

This coordination may include, but is not limited to participating meetings in person or via conference call and the providing of information regarding electrical, water, ventilation, and air requirements.

V. PACKAGING AND MARKING

Standard commercial packaging and marking is acceptable.

VI. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

The NIST TPOC will observe the Contractor’s installation and demonstration that the instrument meets all technical specifications as well as the Contractor’s training to NIST personnel and will notify the Contractor of NIST’s acceptance within a commercially reasonable time.

VII. DELIVERY SCHEDULE

Delivery shall be FOB DESTINATION to the following address:

National Institute of Standards and Technology Shipping and Receiving Building 301 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899

With the exception of all time requirements set forth in this SOW, the contractor shall complete the requirements of this purchase order in accordance with its commercial schedule. However, in no event shall the total period of performance exceed 120 days from the award of this purchase order.

VIII. PAYMENT TERMS

The Contractor shall be entitled to one (1) payment upon submission of its invoice upon notification by the NIST TPOC of NIST’s acceptance of all requirements set forth herein. Advance or interim commercial payments are not authorized.