Statement of Requirements.pdf

Statement of Need / Required Specifications Procurement of a microscope miniature mechanical testing apparatus

Background

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Infrastructure Materials Group (IMG) in the Materials and Structural Systems Division studies durability and performance of polymeric materials used for infrastructure and renewable energy systems. A miniature mechanical testing apparatus that is compatible with the existing AFM, Raman microscope and laser confocal microscope in the IMG can allow the in-situ monitoring of microstructural changes and cracking formation of materials under the mechanical deformation. This capability will greatly enhance the characterization ability of IMG and better the understanding of the material mechanical performance. This acquisition will benefit the “Net Zero Energy Research” program and “Engineered Materials for Resilient Infrastructure” program, as well as the work with other NIST operating units (OUs) and external collaborations.

Purpose

The purpose of this acquisition is to procure a microscope miniature mechanical testing apparatus that is capable of performing programmable tensile, compression, creep, and fatigue mechanical tests with accurate load/force/displacement control on solid film samples under the IMG’s existing microscopes including atomic force microscope (AFM), Raman microscope and laser scanning confocal microscopy as well as warranty, installation, and training.

Brand Name or Equal requirement. Brand name or equal descriptions are intended to be descriptive, but not restrictive and are to indicate the quality and characteristics of products that will be considered satisfactory to meet the agency’s requirement.

Description of Required Products

Please provide a Firm Fixed Price FOB Destination quotation for the following contract line items (CLIN):

CLIN 0001: The contractor shall provide one (1) 522 Systems, LLC AFM Tester 100 (Mfr. Part Number 8000-0075) Miniature Mechanical Testing Apparatus or an equivalent meeting the following salient characteristics:

The apparatus must consist of the load cell, apparatus frame, analysis software, and the ability to attach the apparatus to the three existing microscopes in IMG: Bruker Icon AFM, Bruker Senterra II Raman microscope, and Zeiss laser scanning confocal microscope. The miniature mechanical testing apparatus must be able to perform programmable tensile/compression/sinusoid/creep/fatigue load/displacement controlled mechanical tests on solid samples that may be single- or multi-layer.

Loading capability shall include:

• Crosshead motion is concentric to ensure working zone stays centered during testing.

• At least 100 lb (450 N) max load capability with interchangeable load cells

• At least 25 mm max displacement travel or longer

• At least ± 0.2 % load cell accuracy or smaller

• At least ± 20 nm accuracy for linear displacement travel or smaller

• Max displacement speed for tensile and compression: at least 0.05 mm/sec or higher

• Max cyclic loading speed: at least 0.005 Hz with 1 mm stroke or higher

Sampling:

• Shall be compatible with Bruker Icon AFM, with option for SEM (Scanning Electron

Microscope) chamber

• Shall be compatible with Bruker Senterra II Raman microscope and Zeiss laser scanning confocal microscope under high magnification objects (100X and higher)

• Shall include quick-connect and interchangeable mounting fixtures

• Shall include aligned mounting designs for AFM, Raman microscope, and laser scanning confocal microscope

• Shall include cable adaptors that can pass through AFM chambers and Raman microscope chambers

• Shall be compatible with max sample size: at least 1 mm x 70 mm x 10 mm (thickness x length x width) or larger

• Shall be compatible with min sample size: 50 mm (length) or smaller

• Shall be equipped with standard sample clamps for use in tension and compression testing

Apparatus frame:

• Tested sample top surface shall be located at the plane that is less than 19 mm above the microscope stage

• Max dimension for L x W x H: 170 mm x 110 mm x 35 mm or smaller

• Max weight: 750 g or less

Quality control:

• Load cells must be calibrated

CLIN 0002: The contractor shall provide one (1) 522 Systems, LLC Digital Controller System (Mfr. Part Number 8000-0082-001) or an equivalent meeting the following salient characteristics:

1. The equipment must be software controlled for tests execution, data acquisition and data analysis.

2. The software must be able to control the equipment in a programmable manner, so that the load/displacement control can be static and dynamic

3. The software must be compatible with excel.

4. The software must be able to be installed in 64-bit Windows 10 or newer computers.

Control system shall include:

• High speed USB interface (USB 2.0 or higher)

• Real-time plots of test parameters

• Automated tests and calculations

• Automatic stop function at the point of sample break

Analysis shall include:

• Customizable analysis reports

• Zero strain correction function

• Complete set of data processing tools

• Extensive help and/or tutorials

The contractor shall provide the following documentation:

• A manual describing all procedures to operate the equipment must be delivered with the equipment.

• A manual describing the maintenance procedures and removal of all major components must be delivered with the equipment.

• A manual describing the procedures to uninstall and install the equipment between different microscopes.

• Instruction manuals of the original equipment manufacturer for all third-party components must be delivered with the equipment.

• A manual describing the operation of the data acquisition and analysis software shall be delivered with the equipment. The format of the data in the data files must be fully documented.

Deliverables and Deliverable Due Dates

The contractor shall provide:

• A detailed checklist of pre-installation requirements to include all required parts and services

• Delivery of one (1) microscope miniature mechanical testing apparatus (CLINs 0001 and 0002) no later than 12 weeks after award of this requirement.

• On-site installation and training of the microscope miniature mechanical testing apparatus shall be conducted within 30 calendar days of delivery to NIST.

Delivery

Delivery shall be FOB destination and shall occur no later than 12 weeks after award.

FOB Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery.

All items shall be delivered to the following address:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301 Shipping and Receiving Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640

Installation Requirements

The system shall be installed by the Contractor and meet contract specifications no later than 30 calendar days 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 in Building 226 at NIST Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Contractor access to the NIST campus shall be scheduled in advance with the NIST Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) and shall adhere to the COVID-19 mitigation guidelines that will be provided prior to accessing the NIST campus. Contractor staff will be escorted by NIST staff during installation.

Training:

The installation of the equipment must also include training of up to four operators at the NIST Gaithersburg site on equipment maintenance, hardware and software. Training shall be conducted within 30 calendar days after delivery to NIST after successful on-site installation of the instrument.

Inspection & Acceptance

NIST will inspect delivered products within ten (10) business days after delivery, installation, and training to ensure that they conform to the requirements identified in this Statement of Need. If all requirements are met and the equipment is operational, the product shall be accepted.

The Contractor has the right, at its expense, to be present during the inspection. The place of inspection and acceptance shall be: NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

Warranty Requirements The contractor shall warrant the entire system, including ALL third-party components, for a period of at least one year. The Contractor guarantees the full system performance of the instrument, including third-party accessories, if these components have been purchased through them and are covered under the Contractor’s Warranty or Service Contract. 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. The warranty must include unlimited telephone/e-mail support, during normal business hours, for questions regarding operation. All costs including parts, labor, travel, and other expenses necessary to repair the system will be provided solely by the contractor at no additional cost to the U.S.

Government.