SS-2025022634_Combinatorial XRD.pdf

Sources Sought Notice No. SS-2025022634

“Combinatorial 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 Bruker D8 Diffractometer with an updated system that will receive support going forward. This system was acquired in 2003 with the goal of enabling combinatorial work, and it is extremely heavily used. It has a large 2D detector, which decreases the necessary acquisition time for screening samples, along with a large 150mm x 150mm translation on the sample stage, which enables screening across combinatorial sample libraries during an overnight run.

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 Combinatorial X-Ray Diffraction Instrument to enable high-throughput combinatorial screening of materials, temperature studies, and provide other materials characterization for materials and processes that would benefit from an area detector.

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. Minimum 100mm x 100mm and preferably 150mm x 150mm or larger sample stage, with x-y translation that extends to the limits of that stage

b. Ability to measure multiple samples in an automated and targeted fashion across the sample stage

c. Rapid screening, even with a relatively wide angular range (e.g., an effective 2-theta range of 36 degrees) measured with total acquisition time of 5 minutes or less

d. Resolution of 0.01 degrees 2-theta while doing the rapid screening, i.e., detector pixel size is compatible with that angular resolution.

e. 4-circle goniometer

f. Cu K-alpha x-ray target

g. Minimum operating power of 1500 W for the x-ray tube

h. Parallel beam optics, spot size should not be more than 1 mm

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

j. Option for capillary samples

k. Programable mapping to automate measurements repeated at multiple set positions on a sample

l. Programable to automate data analysis capabilities for multiple datasets (batch processing)

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

n. Facile access to servicing for maintenance

o. Support for remote troubleshooting

PREFERRED CAPABILITIES

a. Hardware configuration automatically detected

b. Automatic alignment procedures

c. Optical sample alignment

d. Possible option for microdiffraction

e. X-ray optics protected from degradation (Goebel mirror)

f. Integrable with an existing Anton Paar DHS900 hot stage, correlating the setpoint/measured temperature with the data acquired, introducing different gasses for the measurement area, and able to be exhausted. Although this is highly desirable, it may be acceptable if there is limited integration.

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.

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

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 “Combinatorial X-Ray Diffraction Instrument” RFQ, please submit the following to Paul Wilke at ASP.Responses@nrel.gov with this subject line: “SS-2025022634, “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).

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.

mailto:ASP.Responses@nrel.gov https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration