Statement of Requirement (Final) 3.17.22.pdf

STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENT

TITLE: Particle Manipulation Microscope

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Material Measurement Laboratory’s Materials Measurement Science Division (MMSD) conducts research on the development of innovative metrologies and measurement protocols for micro/nano-scale heterosystems analysis. Measurement techniques are used to determine sample composition as well as structural, electronic, and chemical properties of a wide variety of organic, inorganic and biomolecular systems where materials of interest are typically present as micro/nano-scale features, films or particles. MMSD is working on an externally funded project to perform method development and quality control research and development work in the areas of single particle analysis, standards for quality control, and particle recovery efficiency. This acquisition will allow MMSD researchers to locate, identify, and manipulate single particles down to one micrometer in size in films and on surfaces and move them individually to other substrates for analysis by electron, photon, and ion beam instruments as composition standards or model unknowns.

II. SCOPE OF WORK

MMSD needs a multifunctional stereo zoom microscope to allow MMSD researchers to locate, identify, and manually manipulate single particles down to one micrometer in size in films and on surfaces and move them individually to other substrates for analysis by electron, photon, and ion beam instruments as composition standards or model unknowns. The base must be low profile and the working distance long to allow manual manipulation of particles and other specimens directly on the stage. Zoom and focus need to be motorized and operable by foot pedals to keep the microscopist’s hands free to use the tools needed for particle manipulation. Multiple lighting and imaging modes are needed for visualizing different specimen types and a remotely triggered high-resolution digital camera for recording images.

III. SPECIFICATIONS

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

System Requirements:

• The stereo microscope shall provide both macroscopic and microscopic motorized high resolution imaging capabilities.

• The stereo microscope shall be able to achieve transmitted brightfield illumination with oblique lighting control, reflected oblique brightfield illumination, reflected coaxial illumination, and EPI-fluorescence illumination.

• The stereo microscope shall include a motorized EPI-fluorescence attachment that ensures uniform illumination across the field of view at all magnifications and shall be capable of mounting four filter cubes simultaneously.

• The stereo microscope shall have filter cubes for brightfield and fluorescence imaging modes.

• The stereo microscope shall include a motorized focus and zoom operation, capable of achieving a dynamic zoom ratio of 25:1 or better and shall automatically adjust the zoom factor when switching objective lenses to maintain the same field of view.

• The stereo microscope shall have a slim base of 35 mm in thickness or less for ergonomic reasons and optimal particle manipulation. The stereo microscope base must also have integrated LED transmitted illumination capable of providing and controlling oblique transmitted illumination for better contrast of translucent and transparent samples.

• The stereo microscope shall include a remote controller, designed for right- and left-hand use, shall be able to control and display information regarding the zoom factor, focus, filter cube, aperture diaphragm, and LED transmitted light brightness.

• The stereo microscope shall include a footswitch to operate the microscope’s zoom and focus as well as a foot switch to capture digital images by foot during particle manipulation.

• The stereo microscope shall include an interface for integrating all microscope hardware, controls, and motorized components with a PC and/or remote controller. Digital image acquisition software capable of doing multiple imaging, processing and analysis including z-stack capture, time-lapse imaging, and the generation of extended depth of focus (EDF) images.

• The stereo microscope shall include a high-definition, high-speed, and high-sensitivity C-mount color microscope camera capable of digital imaging in brightfield and fluorescence observation. The C-mount color microscope camera must be equipped with a 5.9-megapixel image sensor, or better.

• The stereo microscope shall have a tilting trinocular for good ergonomics (100:0 / 0:100 positions) with a C-mount camera port.

• All manual and motorized parts included in the microscope shall be capable of being used interchangeably and must be compatible with each other.

• The stereo microscope shall include two sets of wide eyepieces, one set with 10x magnification and no less than 22 mm field of view and the other set with 15x magnification and no less than 16 mm field of view.

• The stereo microscope shall include three objective lenses that are appropriate for regular transmitted, brightfield, dark field, and fluorescence light. The objective lenses shall cover a range of magnifications: 0.5x, 1x, and 2x. All the objectives shall be Plan

Apochromatic. The 2x objective shall also have a high resolution of no less than 1000

LP/mm (10x eyepiece). The minimum working distance shall be greater than or equal to

70 mm, 60 mm, and 20 mm for the 0.5x, 1x, and 2x objectives, respectively.

• The stereo microscope shall include a nosepiece capable of attaching a minimum of two objective lenses at a time. The stereo microscope shall recognize the objective in use and maintain calibration in the software as the zoom function changes. The nosepiece shall switch between stereo position and mono position (on-axis view) for digital imaging.

• The objective lenses and the optical zoom system of the stereo microscope shall have apochromatic correction to eliminate any color aberrations.

• The stereo microscope shall have solid-state light source that can provide 365 nm ultraviolet light source and four visible light sources (420-680 nm). The light source shall include a remote controller and a compatible light guide to transmit the light from light source to the microscope.

• The stereo microscope shall include a reflected oblique illumination setup with flexible fiber optic bundle to illuminate the sample from two sides with an LED powered light source. Each branch end of the fiber optic bundle shall have focusing lenses to concentrate/diffuse the illumination. Flexible articulating arms shall be included to hold each branch of the fiber optic and be able to lock in place with a single knob to allow for precise positioning of the fiber bundle. The light source shall have a tethered remote controller to control light intensity and power on/off.

• The motorized components and light sources of the stereo microscope shall have supplied power cords and adapters that plug into a standard 3-prong US 110/120V outlet.

• The stereo microscope shall include a calibration slide to use as a standard for size measurements.

• The stereo microscope shall include a detachable mechanical stage that is compatible with the base of the microscope and sits on top of the LED transmitted light. The mechanical stage shall control movement in the X- and Y-axis, which is needed to be able to manipulate particles at the highest magnification. Additionally, the mechanical stage shall include a slide holder that can accommodate at least one 1-inch by 3-inch glass slide, which is needed when working on prepared glass slide samples.

Installation:

The Contractor shall install the instrument in Building 217, Room D101, 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 shall operate to manufacturer’s specifications upon installation. Installation shall 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 is to occur within 90 calendar days of 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:

The contractor shall provide training at NIST, Gaithersburg, MD for up to 2 NIST personnel, covering normal operation, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance. Training will be provided during normal business hours, between 8:30am and 5:00pm Eastern Time, Monday through

Friday, except Federal Holidays, and will be coordinated with the NIST Technical Point of

Contact (TPOC) to ensure maximum availability of NIST personnel. Training is to occur within

10 calendar days of installation.

IV. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall be for 120 days from date of award.

V. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

All work shall be completed at the Contractor’s facility. Installation of the instrument and training shall be accomplished at NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Normal duty hours are

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the exception of Federal holidays.

VI. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

None.

VII. DELIVERABLES

Description Quantity Due Date

Analytical instrument One (1) 90 calendar days after award of this requirement.

Installation of the analytical instrument Once 90 calendar days after award of this requirement.

Operations and maintenance manual for the analytical instrument

One (1) 90 calendar days after award of this requirement

Training of NIST personnel at NIST, Gaithersburg, MD

Once 10 calendar days after installation.

VIII. ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

The Contractor shall demonstrate that all performance specifications are met after completion of installation.

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.