STATEMENT OF WORK.pdf

Request for Quotation Number 1333ND21QNB640562

Statement of Work

TITLE: Procurement of a Fourier Transfer Infrared (FTIR) Microscope

A. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Security Technologies Group, in the Materials

Measurement Science Division, is involved with synthesis and characterization of various polymeric fibers, films, and composites, including those incorporating nanoparticles into their structure.

This acquisition supports several projects in the protective materials program and is critical for meeting milestones in this program, as well as work with other operating unit’s and external collaborations that require chemical imaging. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) microscope must be capable of performing FTIR measurements on a variety of sizes of samples, including single fibers of diameters 10 um, which may be transparent or opaque. The current FTIR microscope in the group is over 15 years old and unreliable.

B. SCOPE OF WORK

The Government requires a benchtop FTIR with microscope and Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) accessory. The Contractor shall provide an FTIR system that consists of the instrument and related accessories, analysis software, and the ability to perform ATR measurements using both the bench and the microscope independently. The FTIR equipment must be capable of performing the FTIR measurement on variety of sizes of samples, which may be transparent or opaque.

C. SPECIFICATIONS

1. The Contractor shall provide an FTIR system that is capable of measuring solid or liquid samples that may be transparent or opaque for chemical imaging applications.

2. The FTIR system shall be capable of measuring samples with a resolution of 1 cm-1 or less.

3. The FTIR system shall be comprised of 3 parts, a benchtop spectrometer capable of transmission measurements, either a built in or removable ATR accessory for the bench compartment for quick sample analysis, and an FTIR microscope accessory capable of conducting transmission, reflectance, and ATR measurements for microscopic samples such as single fibers.

4. The FTIR system must be controlled from a single operation software that allows for the user to switch between the different components of the system, such as switching from using the benchtop system to using the microscope.

5. The benchtop portion of the FTIR system shall be supplied with the following characteristics:

a. Infrared source

b. Thermoelectrically cooled deuterated L-alanine doped triglycene sulphate (DLaTGS) detector capable of analyzing the wavenumber range between 12,500 cm-1 and 375 cm-1

c. A beamsplitter capable of the wavenumber range (7000 cm-1 to 375 cm-1) shall be included in the benchtop system.

d. Information detailing all fitting outlet connections so that NIST can ensure that it can obtain the correct parts to connect to existing FTIR purge gas generator in laboratory.

e. Shall be supplied with a transmission film style holder capable of measuring commonly used 2 in by 4 in

IR sample cards with a 19 mm transmission window. An example of such cards that are commonly used in the

NIST laboratory is found here:

https://spectroscopy.internationalcrystal.net/viewitems/chemicals-powders-solvents-and-random-cuttings-/econo-cards?plpver=1001

f. Shall have the capability for future upgrades to expand the spectral range to near IR and attachments to couple to a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA).

https://spectroscopy.internationalcrystal.net/viewitems/chemicals-powders-solvents-and-random-cuttings-/econo-cards?plpver=1001 https://spectroscopy.internationalcrystal.net/viewitems/chemicals-powders-solvents-and-random-cuttings-/econo-cards?plpver=1001

g. Supplied with NIST-traceable polystyrene standard for instrument verification

6. The benchtop portion of the FTIR system shall also include a sealed, purged, built in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) module with a diamond crystal having the following characteristics:

a. All necessary optics to direct the FTIR beam to the ATR accessory.

b. Use its own integrated DLaTGS detector capable of analyzing a spectral range between 5000 cm-1 and

100 cm-1.

c. Capability to provide the application of a known, consistent, amount of pressure to the sample being analyzed. Specifications on the amount of pressure supplied must be provided in the instrument documentation.

d. A minimum of 70 % of incident FTIR energy must be returned to the detector for analysis from the ATR module for better sensitivity.

e. Fully integrated with FTIR operation software.

f. Capability to remove sample compartment for cleaning in the event of spills.

7. The FTIR system shall be supplied with a microscope accessory having the following characteristics:

a. System shall allow analysis of samples as small as 10 micrometers with its microscopy-optimized room temperature detector.

b. At least one liquid nitrogen-cooled detector, such as a mercury-cadmium-telluride (MCT) detector, shall be included to increase the speed and sensitivity of the microscope for small spot analysis and ultra-fast chemical imaging, with capability of imaging the spectral range of 12,000 cm-1 to 600 cm-1, combined.

c. Liquid nitrogen cooled detectors must be capable of operating for 16 hours without additional liquid nitrogen.

d. The FTIR microscope shall be fully automated and software controlled.

e. The FTIR microscope shall be supplied with polarizers for both the visible and IR beam.

f. The FTIR microscope shall be configurable in transmission, reflectance, or micro-ATR sampling.

g. The FTIR microscope shall come equipped with all necessary illumination to perform transmission, ATR, and reflectance measurements.

i.The FTIR microscope ATR accessory shall be equipped with 15X objectives and relevant condensers to perform FTIR analysis.

ii.The FTIR microscope ATR accessory shall be equipped with 10X objectives for visual location of samples.

h. The FTIR microscope shall come equipped with a motorized stage and automatic focusing abilities in order to be able to perform sample mapping.

i. The FTIR microscope shall have the capability of simultaneously viewing and sampling a region of interest from the sample.

j. The FTIR microscope shall be supplied with 32X objectives.

k. The FTIR microscope shall have the capability to provide a visual image of the region being sampled, which must be able to be exported to a universally accessible image file, such as a jpg, tif, gif, png, etc. that can be saved on the instrument computer or on removable media such as a USB drive.

l. The instrument software shall be capable of both data collection and analysis. Analysis must include the ability to background correct the data and export the data (absorbance/transmittance/reflectance and wavenumber) to an ASCII file format that can be universally read by other analysis packages.

m. The software interface shall have the capability to compare an FTIR spectrogram with a library database for unknown identification.

n. The software interface shall have the capability to display a “real-time” spectrogram of the data before and during collection.

o. The FTIR microscope shall provide spatial fidelity in which the visual aperture clearly establishes the exact of region of the specimen associated with spectral data.

Options to be included in proposal as separately priced option line items that NIST can select to purchase:

1. Upgrade of benchtop IR system to include a second, high sensitivity, liquid nitrogen cooled detector, such as a mercury-cadmium-telluride (MCT) detector capable of detecting the wavenumber range between

(4000 cm-1 and 650 cm-1).

2. Computer workstation and at least 27 inch LCD monitor for operating the FTIR system, with at least 1

TB hard drive and 16 GB of RAM.

INSTALLATION

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, set-up and hook-up of the system, demonstration of all specifications, and removal of trash. Onsite installation and demonstration shall be done at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, MD.

TRAINING

The Contractor shall conduct one (1) training session for up to six (6) users at NIST. The training shall provide a thorough demonstration of all system/solution functions, maintenance, data administration, and basic troubleshooting. The training may be completed at NIST immediately after demonstrating that no damage or misalignment issues arose during transportation and installation but shall be completed no later than 30 days after acceptance.

D. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

On-site Acceptance Test: The Contractor shall demonstrate that the equipment meets all required specifications prior to acceptance. Spectra of a known transparent sample will be taken. Spectra of a known opaque sample will be taken. These samples will be supplied by the government.

E. WARRANTY

The Contractor shall warrant the entire system, including ALL third-party components, for a period of at least one year. The Contractor shall guarantee the full system performance of the instrument, including third-party accessories. All costs including parts, labor, travel, and other expenses necessary to repair the system shall 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.

F. DELIVERABLES AND DELIVERABLE DUE DATES

The Contractor shall provide:

1. Delivery of one (1) FTIR no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after award.

2. On-site installation and demonstration of the FTIR shall be conducted within 30 calendar days of delivery to NIST.

3. Training on the FTIR shall be completed at NIST no later than 30 days after installation.

4. Documentation.

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

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

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

-One copy of a manual describing the operation of the data acquisition and analysis software shall be delivered with the equipment.

Delivery, installation and training shall be completed not later than 180 days after award.

COVID-19.

The Contractor shall review and adhere to NIST protocols for mitigating COVID-19 exposure on NIST campuses. Reference the www.NIST.gov website. It is noted that this information is subject to change and must be monitored by the Contractor via the NIST website: https://www.nist.gov.

Contractor personnel performing work in NIST workspaces, must provide all required information, in advance of and throughout the period of performance, as required, over the life of the contract. While working on the

NIST campus, the Contracting Officer's Representative and/or Technical Point of Contact will ensure that

Contractor personnel comply with the COVID-19 requirements.

https://www.nist.gov/