SOR-Elemental Analyzers.pdf

STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS

TITLE: Procurement of Elemental Analyzers for the Determination of Carbon, Sulfur, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Hydrogen in Alloys

I. Background Information

The Materials Science and Engineering Division (MSED) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently developed the capability to rapidly produce candidate alloys for addressing impurity tolerance in recycled metals as part of sustainable metals processing efforts. Essential to these efforts is the ability to measure the mass fractions and quantify the measurement uncertainty of common impurities and trace elements in alloys, such as carbon, sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. Acquisition of elemental analyzers is required to perform these measurements to support the sustainable metals processing project. The state-of-the-art elemental analyzers will provide NIST the capability to measure these elements based on standardized methods used by industry. These measurements are crucial for the development of process-structure-property models, which are essential to the mission of the Thermodynamics and Kinetics Group within MSED.

Additionally, the acquisition of elemental analyzers, while primarily intended for the sustainable alloy processing project, will support other projects within the division since accurate measurements of chemical composition are a key pillar to materials science.

II. SPECIFICATIONS

The contractor shall deliver one (1) analyzer for the determination of carbon and sulfur and one

(1) analyzer for the determination of oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. The analyzers shall meet or exceed the following requirements:

Requirements for the carbon and sulfur analyzer

1.1 The analyzer shall provide specifications based on a nominal sample mass no larger than 1 g.

1.2 The analyzer shall use infrared absorption as the method for quantifying carbon and sulfur in samples.

1.3 The analyzer shall measure the quantity of carbon ranging from 0.0006 mg

(0.6 ppm by mass) or less to 60 mg (6 % mass fraction) or greater for a nominal sample mass of 1 g.

1.4 The analyzer shall measure the quantity of sulfur ranging from 0.0006 mg (0.6 ppm by mass) or less to 60 mg (6 % mass fraction) or greater for a nominal sample mass of 1 g.

1.5 The analyzer shall meet or exceed a precision for carbon measurements of 0.0002 mg (0.2 ppm by mass) or 0.4 % relative standard deviation (RSD), whichever is greater, for a nominal sample mass of 1 g.

1.6 The analyzer shall meet or exceed a precision for sulfur measurements of 0.0002 mg (0.2 ppm by mass) or 0.4 % relative standard deviation (RSD), whichever is greater, for a nominal sample mass of 1 g.

1.7 The analyzer shall have a nominal cycle time of 120 s or less.

1.8 The system shall consist of all new equipment. Used or remanufactured equipment shall not be accepted (including parts and consumables).

1.9 The equipment shall include a set of manuals covering proper operation, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting for the instrument and for any controlling software. The manuals may be supplied in hard copy or electronic format (or both)

Requirements for the oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen analyzer

1.1 The analyzer shall provide specifications based on a nominal sample mass no larger than 1 g.

1.2 The analyzer shall use infrared absorption and thermal conductivity as the methods for quantifying oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen in samples.

1.3 The analyzer shall measure the quantity of oxygen ranging from 0.00004 mg

(0.04 ppm by mass) or less to 10 mg (1 % mass fraction) or greater for a nominal sample mass of 1 g.

1.4 The analyzer shall measure the quantity of nitrogen ranging from 0.00004 mg (0.04 ppm by mass) or less to 30 mg (3 % mass fraction) or greater for a nominal sample mass of 1 g.

1.5 The analyzer shall measure the quantity of hydrogen ranging from 0.00008 mg (0.08 ppm by mass) or less to 2.5 mg (0.25 % mass fraction) or greater for a nominal sample mass of 1 g.

1.6 The analyzer shall meet or exceed a precision for oxygen measurements of

0.00002 mg (0.02 ppm by mass) or 0.2 % relative standard deviation (RSD), whichever is greater, for a nominal sample mass of 1 g.

1.7 The analyzer shall meet or exceed a precision for nitrogen measurements of

0.00002 mg (0.02 ppm by mass) or 0.2 % relative standard deviation (RSD), whichever is greater, for a nominal sample mass of 1 g.

1.8 The analyzer shall meet or exceed a precision for hydrogen measurements of

0.00004 mg (0.04 ppm by mass) or 0.2 % relative standard deviation (RSD), whichever is greater, for a nominal sample mass of 1 g.

1.9 The analyzer shall have a nominal cycle time of 180 s or less.

1.10 The system shall consist of all new equipment. Used or remanufactured equipment shall not be accepted (including parts and consumables).

1.11 The equipment shall include a set of manuals covering proper operation, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting for the instrument and for any controlling software. The manuals may be supplied in hard copy or electronic format (or both)

III. Safety The system shall be compliant with all State and Federal requirements for safety.

IV. Training and/or Manuals

The Contractor shall provide training for up to two (2) NIST personnel. Training shall include, at a minimum, a demonstration of specifications, safe operation of the equipment, all equipment functions, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance procedures. Training shall occur within 10 business days after receipt of the analyzers.

V. Warranty The Contractor shall provide at least a one (1) year warranty to include parts and service for all manufacturer defect or flaws. The warranty shall commence upon successful completion of delivery, training and demonstration of all required specifications and written acceptance by the

NIST TPOC.

VI. DELIVERY

Address:

National Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8555

VII. DELIVERABLES

Description Quantity Due Date

Carbon & Sulfur Analyzer One (1) system Within 90 calendar days after award of this requirement.

Oxygen, Nitrogen & Hydrogen Analyzer One (1) system Within 90 calendar days after award of this requirement.

A set of operation and maintenance manuals for each analyzer Two (2) sets Within 90 calendar days after award of this requirement.

VIII. ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

Acceptance shall be met after the Contractor demonstrates that all performance specifications are met according to the specifications in Section II.

IX. GENERAL INFORMATION

Safety: The Contractor employee shall be responsible for knowing and complying with commercial installation safety prevention regulations. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, general safety, fire prevention, and waste disposal.

Security: NIST is a restricted campus. An identification badge is required for access for entry into buildings and also is shown to the armed Security Police when entering the campus.

Identification Badges: Contractor employees shall comply with NIST identification and access requirements. The Contractor shall provide the name and citizenship information of employees for on-site visits to the NIST Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) prior to arrival. The TPOC will submit the name(s) and citizenship information to the NIST Office of Security in order for a given Contractor employee to enter the NIST campus. The Contractor employee is responsible for absences due to missing or expired identification and access documents. Each Contractor employee shall wear a visible identification badge provided by the NIST Security Office.

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 (which in most cases can be a valid driver's license), proof of insurance and current registration must be presented to the NIST Security Office.