SS-2024022341-Hi-Flux XRD.pdf

Sources Sought Notice No. SS-2024022341

“High-flux X-Ray Diffraction Instrument” November 6, 2024

Background:

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a national laboratory owned by the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE). NREL is the only federal laboratory dedicated to research, development, commercialization, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. NREL is managed and operated for DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy (Alliance), the “M&O Contractor”.

The plan is to replace a Rigaku DMax X-ray Diffractometer with an updated system which will receive support and have available replacement parts going forward. This system is heavily used, as it has a rotating anode which increases the x-ray flux significantly from more conventional x-ray tube sources and allows very quick high-quality measurements. This, in turn, allows for multiple users to have access to the instrument for measurements as this instrument serves a multiuser facility.

Objective:

The objective of this Sources Sought is to identify potential subcontracting companies that are qualified and capable of meeting the project objectives. The project objective, at a high level, is to provide a replacement High-flux X-Ray Diffraction Instrument to the existing instrument. The current instrument is used for measuring XRD on powder and thin-film samples.

Project Details:

In the event a solicitation is released, NREL is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a solution that meets or exceeds the following minimum capabilities:

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

X-ray Diffraction measurement instrument with the following capabilities:

a. 4-axis cradle for sample tilt and rotation

b. Rotating anode Cu K-alpha x-ray source, or similar improved signal-to-noise ratio/high x-ray flux at the sample

c. Operates with a 100A, 208V, 3-phase circuit, or less

d. Minimum operating power of 8 kW for the x-ray source

e. Cross beam optics (CBO) included

f. Able to switch between Bragg Brettano (BB) and Parallel Beam (PB) optics

g. Capability for pole figures

h. Capability for glancing incidence XRD

i. Capability for running multiple powder samples in sequence

j. Compatible with previous SmartLab hardware components that NREL has

k. Compatible with Anton Paar DHS1100/Smartlab

l. Software is configured to accept these previous Smartlab components

m. 2D/1D/0D configurable detector

n. Detector can withstand direct beam from the x-ray source without damage

o. Hardware configuration automatically detected

p. Advanced data analysis software (e.g. Rietveld, phase composition, Pawley method, etc.)

q. Facile access to servicing for maintenance

r. Support for remote troubleshooting

PREFERRED CAPABILITIES

a. Capability for Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)

TECHNICAL OR SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

a. Fully interlocked safety system preventing exposure to x-ray beam

b. Internationally recognized safety requirements of x-ray systems

c. Replacement instrument, prospective location is where the original currently resides

Small-Business Requirements: Sufficient, qualified responses to this SSN will determine if a total small business set aside is appropriate for a resultant RFQ. The NAICS code applicable to this SSN is 334516.

The following links are being provided for convenience:

• https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards

• https://www.sba.gov/size-standards

Anticipated Lead/Delivery Time: The Alliance program anticipates the lead/delivery time to be a factor to be determined IAW program funding requirements at the time of an eventual solicitation.

Location of Work to be Performed: Offerors shall be able to demonstrate their capability to perform in these locations:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) South Table Mountain Campus (STM)

15013 Denver West Parkway Golden, CO 80401

Submission Requirements:

For companies interested in competing for the “High-flux X-Ray Diffraction Instrument” RFQ, please submit the following to Paul Wilke at ASP.Responses@nrel.gov with this subject line: “SS- 2024022341, “your company name”” on or before 5:00 p.m. (MST), 11/22/2024. Your submission response is limited to 4 pages:

1. Company Name, Address, and Company URL (include bona-fide location as stated above).

https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards https://www.sba.gov/size-standards mailto:ASP.Responses@nrel.gov

2. Point of Contact Information (Email, Direct Phone Number).

3. Company’s Capability Statement that provides a narrative of the Offeror’s expertise with projects of similar scope, size, and complexity as identified above.

4. Respondents must address the “Project Details” as stated above to be considered in a potential resultant RFQ.

5. Rough Order of Magnitude Estimate (ROM Estimate)

6. Estimated Lead Times

Disclaimer: Responding to this request identifies your company as an interested candidate only.

Your submittal is not in response to a Request for Quote (RFQ). This is an SSN, not a Request for Quote. Verbal replies will not be accepted. All inquiries must be in writing via email. Project related questions will not be entertained at this point in the procurement process. This document represents a market research effort. Any costs associated with the development of a response to this request will not be reimbursed by NREL and submission does not guarantee or otherwise promise inclusion in any forthcoming RFQ. In the event a solicitation results from this SSN, NREL reserves the right to set aside in total or in part any resultant award. No award will be made to any subcontractor/vendor that is not registered or in the process of registering with the System for Award Management (SAM). Please visit the SAM website at https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration for instructions on how to register.

If a solicitation is conducted and an award is resulting, a SAM registration is required to be active at time of award.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration