Argonne National Laboratory Statement of Work Custom-Engineered In-Situ Liquid/Electrochemistry and Heating/Biasing/Gas Sample-Environment Systems for the APS 26-ID X-Ray Nanoprobe July 30, 2026

ANL PI: Rui Liu

1.0 Background

The Advanced Photon Source 26-ID Hard X-ray Nanoprobe provides nanoscale X-ray imaging, diffraction, spectroscopy, and related measurement capabilities for investigating functional, quantum, energy, and structural materials.

APS 26-ID presently has MEMS-based capabilities for in-situ heating and electrical-biasing experiments. This procurement will extend the available sample environments to include controlled liquid flow, electrochemistry, reactive or inert gas exposure, high-temperature heating, and electrical biasing under vacuum and other controlled environmental conditions.

The acquired systems will support operando studies of dynamic phase transitions, electrochemical reactions, catalytic and gas–solid processes, strain evolution, defect kinetics, ionic and electronic transport, and field-driven switching phenomena.

The equipment shall be designed as fully functional, custom-engineered scientific instrumentation for direct integration with the APS 26-ID X-ray Nanoprobe. The equipment shall not be treated solely as an experimental prototype and shall be subject to the design reviews, factory acceptance tests, site acceptance tests, and performance requirements defined in this Statement of Work.

2.0 Scope

This Statement of Work defines the design, fabrication, assembly, testing, delivery, installation, commissioning, documentation, and training requirements for the following integrated equipment package:

Project A

One custom-engineered in-situ liquid and electrochemistry holder system for the APS 26-ID X-ray Nanoprobe, including:

· liquid/electrochemistry holder;

· replaceable cartridge system;

· pneumatic liquid-flow system;

· potentiostat;

· fluidic and electrical feedthroughs;

· internal and external tubing and cabling;

· MEMS liquid/electrochemistry chips;

· vacuum leak-testing and assembly/loading station;

· computer control system;

· Python API/SDK and EPICS integration.

Project B1

One custom-engineered heating or electrical-biasing plus gas holder system for the APS 26-ID X-ray Nanoprobe, including:

· heating/biasing plus gas holder;

· heating and electrical-biasing controller system;

· gas-handling system;

· control computer and software;

· vacuum, gas, and electrical feedthroughs;

· low-noise cabling;

· MEMS heating, biasing, and gas-environment chips;

· ambient testing and loading station;

· Python API/SDK and EPICS integration.

Project B2

One custom-engineered removable-tip heating or electrical-biasing holder compatible with:

· the APS 26-ID X-ray Nanoprobe; and

· a JEOL 2100F transmission electron microscope having a 4.1 mm pole-piece gap.

The same contractor shall supply Projects A, B1, and B2 as one complete and integrated procurement. Partial bids for only one project or subsystem shall not be accepted.

The Contractor shall be responsible for system design, interface development, fabrication, assembly, quality control, factory testing, delivery, installation, site testing, commissioning, documentation, and training.

3.0 Overall Objectives

The objective of this procurement is to install and commission a complete in-situ environmental platform capable of supporting liquid, electrochemical, gas, heating, and electrical-biasing experiments at the APS 26-ID X-ray Nanoprobe.

The system shall provide:

· compatibility with the APS 26-ID nanoprobe stage and kinematic mounting configuration;

· compatibility with the HXN short-working-distance geometry;

· mechanical access allowing HXN optical components to approach within 3 mm of the sample surface;

· vacuum compatibility to (1\times10^{-6}) Torr or better under specified static operating conditions;

· stable operation suitable for nanoscale X-ray measurements;

· computer-controlled liquid flow, gas flow, heating, electrical biasing, and electrochemical operation;

· Python API/SDK access for automation and integration;

· compatibility with EPICS-based beamline controls;

· technical support for Argonne-developed AI-driven experiment control and autonomous operation;

· replaceable and user-serviceable sample-cartridge or chip-loading components;

· complete documentation, installation, commissioning, and training.

4.0 Common Mechanical and Integration Requirements

4.1 APS 26-ID compatibility

The Project A and Project B1 holders shall be designed specifically for installation in the APS 26-ID X-ray Nanoprobe.

The Contractor shall work directly with Argonne HXN beamline scientists and engineers after contract award to develop and approve all mechanical, electrical, vacuum, fluidic, gas, and software interfaces.

Detailed HXN mechanical drawings and interface-control information will not be distributed during the competitive bid process. The selected Contractor shall receive the required controlled interface information after award and shall remain responsible for achieving complete compatibility with the HXN instrument.

4.2 Mechanical envelope

Unless otherwise approved in writing by Argonne during the design review:

· maximum holder diameter shall be 14 mm;

· maximum holder height shall be 75 mm;

· maximum complete installed holder mass shall be 100 g.

The stated mass shall include all holder components carried by the nanoprobe positioning stage, excluding stationary external controllers, pumps, and support equipment.

4.3 Short-working-distance requirement

The Project A and Project B1 holders shall permit HXN optical components to approach to within 3 mm of the sample surface.

This requirement shall be met without:

· mechanical interference;

· collision with the holder, tubing, cabling, connectors, or feedthrough components;

· obstruction of the incident or scattered X-ray paths;

· reduction of the required reflection or transmission angular ranges.

4.4 Angular access

The Project A liquid/electrochemistry holder shall provide angular access of at least ±45° around the primary rotation axis.

The Project B1 heating/biasing plus gas holder shall provide:

at least ±80° angular access in reflection or front geometry; and at least ±70° angular access in transmission geometry.

The stated angular ranges shall be achievable after installation in the HXN configuration, including installed cabling, tubing, fluidic lines, gas lines, and connectors.

4.5 Stability

The holders shall be designed for stable nanoprobe operation.

The Contractor shall work with HXN beamline scientists during the design review to establish representative stability-test conditions for vacuum, liquid-flow, gas-flow, heating, and electrical-biasing operation.

The design target shall be sample-position drift of no more than 100 nm/h under representative steady-state HXN experimental conditions.

The agreed stability test conditions and measurement procedures shall be documented in the design-review record and included in factory or site acceptance testing, as applicable.

5.0 Project A — Liquid and Electrochemistry Holder System

5.1 Functional requirements

The Contractor shall design, fabricate, and deliver one custom-engineered liquid/electrochemistry holder suitable for use in the APS 26-ID X-ray Nanoprobe.

The holder shall:

· support both liquid-flow and electrochemical experiments;

· operate under vacuum and in appropriate ambient conditions;

· support both reflection and transmission X-ray geometries;

· use paired MEMS base and capping chips;

· confine liquid flow to the sealed region between the paired chips;

· prevent uncontrolled flooding of the surrounding chip chamber;

· accommodate a differential pressure of 1 bar;

· support standard liquid and electrochemical media over pH 1–14;

· include four independently addressable on-chip electrode contacts;

· include at least one bulk electrode;

· allow users to replace chips, cartridges, tubing, connectors, seals, and other designated consumable components after training.

All components exposed to liquid shall be made from chemically compatible and vacuum-compatible materials.

5.2 Replaceable cartridge system

A removable and replaceable cartridge or equivalent user-serviceable chip-loading system shall be included in the base system.

The cartridge system shall allow trained Argonne users to:

· load and unload paired MEMS chips;

· replace sealing components;

· replace liquid tubing and connectors;

· prepare cells outside the HXN chamber;

· transfer assembled cells to the HXN holder.

The cartridge system shall not be treated as an optional upgrade.

5.3 Liquid-flow system

The system shall include one computer-controllable pneumatic or functionally equivalent liquid pumping system.

The liquid-flow system shall include:

· liquid inlet and outlet control;

· tubing;

· connectors;

· valves;

· pressure-control components;

· vacuum-compatible feedthroughs;

· all cables and accessories required for operation;

· computer-control software;

· Python API/SDK access.

The pumping system shall support controlled liquid delivery through the closed MEMS cell without leakage or flooding of the external chip chamber.

5.4 Potentiostat

Project A shall include one new, commercially available potentiostat compatible with the supplied liquid/electrochemistry holder and MEMS chip configuration.

The Contractor shall propose a potentiostat suitable for the delivered electrochemistry system and shall identify its available measurement functions and performance specifications in the technical proposal.

The potentiostat shall include:

· operating software;

· required electrical cabling and connectors;

· remote computer-control capability;

· a documented Python API/SDK;

· support for EPICS integration;

· technical support for Argonne-developed automated and AI-driven experiment control.

5.5 Project A MEMS chip package

The Contractor shall deliver, at minimum:

· 40 electrochemistry electrode base chips;

· 40 liquid-cell base chips;

· 80 electrochemistry/liquid-cell capping chips.

The final chip designs shall be approved by Argonne during the design-review process.

The supplied chips shall meet the following minimum guidelines:

· electrode materials: Au and/or Pt with a suitable adhesion layer;

· standard electrode-layout critical dimension: 2 µm;

· one liquid inlet port;

· one liquid outlet port;

· maximum nominal chip separation: 100 µm;

· minimum membrane thickness: 50 nm;

· compatibility with the supplied holder and replaceable cartridge system.

Equivalent or improved chip designs may be proposed, subject to written approval by Argonne.

6.0 Project A Test Vacuum System and Assembly Station

The Contractor shall provide one test vacuum system and assembly/loading station for Project A.

The station shall support:

· ex-situ loading and assembly of the liquid/electrochemistry holder;

· cartridge and MEMS-chip installation;

· liquid-cell preparation;

· electrical continuity checks;

· fluidic connection checks;

· vacuum leak testing;

· pressure testing of the assembled cell;

· preparation of the holder before transfer to APS 26-ID.

The test station shall include:

· vacuum pump;

· vacuum measurement instrumentation;

· required hoses and fittings;

· appropriate electrical and fluidic interfaces;

· fixtures and tools required for chip and cartridge assembly;

· safety and operating documentation.

7.0 Project B1 — Heating or Biasing Plus Gas Holder System

7.1 Holder requirements

The Contractor shall design, fabricate, and deliver one custom-engineered metallic holder capable of:

· MEMS heating;

· electrical biasing;

· heating in a gas environment;

· electrical biasing in a gas environment.

The holder shall:

· be vacuum compatible;

· fit the APS 26-ID kinematic mounting system;

· include four electrical contacts;

· operate with the supplied MEMS devices;

· accommodate a maximum differential pressure of 1 bar;

· include all required vacuum-compatible gas and electrical connections.

7.2 Heating requirements

The heating system and compatible MEMS chips shall support:

· operation to at least 1000 °C under a differential pressure of 1 bar, where applicable;

· operation to at least 1300 °C under vacuum, where applicable.

Because the source quotation does not define temperature accuracy, temperature stability, ramp rate, temperature uniformity, or maximum continuous operating duration, the Contractor shall state and guarantee these parameters in its technical proposal.

The Contractor shall provide:

· temperature calibration procedures;

· calibration data or certificates;

· temperature-control software;

· over-temperature protection;

· electrical fault protection;

· safe shutdown capability.

Final temperature-control performance and acceptance-test conditions shall be approved during the design review.

7.3 Electrical controller requirements

The heating and electrical-biasing controller system shall provide:

· maximum output of at least 40 V DC;

· current operating range of at least 0–10 mA;

· current measurement resolution of 1 nA or better in the required high-sensitivity, low-voltage configuration;

· high-sensitivity operation at applied voltages up to at least 2 V;

· support for 2-wire and 4-wire measurements;

· remote triggering and computer control;

· TCP/IP or equivalent network communication;

· Python API/SDK access;

· EPICS integration.

The Contractor may provide one or more controller units, provided the combined system satisfies all required functions.

The Contractor shall state:

· measurement accuracy;

· noise floor;

· integration time;

· measurement bandwidth;

· calibration procedure;

· channel configuration.

7.4 Project B1 MEMS chips

The Contractor shall deliver, at minimum:

· 20 gas-compatible heating chips;

· 20 gas-compatible biasing chips;

· 40 compatible top or sealing chips.

Heating chips shall support operation to:

· at least 1000 °C under 1 bar differential pressure; and

· at least 1300 °C in vacuum, where applicable.

Biasing chips shall include:

· silicon nitride membranes;

· four gold electrical contacts;

· electrode separation between 3 µm and 15 µm;

· maximum nominal power of 10 mW per chip design;

· support for 2-wire and 4-wire measurements.

Top or sealing chips shall include:

· SiNₓ or functionally equivalent membranes;

· spacer thickness options within approximately 1–100 µm, as finalized during design review.

8.0 Gas-Handling System

The Contractor shall provide one gas-handling system integrated with the Project B1 holder.

The system shall:

· supply gas to the holder at a maximum differential pressure of 1 bar;

· support at least one selected gas from the following list:

· Air

· dilute O₂;

· dilute H₂;

· dilute CO₂;

· N₂;

· Ar;

· be compatible with the selected gas and approved by Argonne safety personnel;

· provide computer-controlled gas delivery;

· interface with the holder and controller software;

· include required pressure measurement and control components;

· include a vacuum pump;

· include pump hoses;

· include gas tubing from the gas-handling system to the holder;

· include vacuum-compatible gas and electrical feedthroughs;

· include cables, connectors, and accessories;

· include one ambient testing and loading station.

The selected gas and final gas-system configuration shall be determined during the post-award design review.

Gas mixing, humidification, RGA integration, and mass-spectrometer integration are not required unless specifically added by written contract modification.

Argonne will provide:

· gas cylinders;

· gas cabinets, where required;

· facility gas-distribution components;

· gas lines from the cylinder or gas cabinet to the Contractor-supplied gas-handling system;

· exhaust piping downstream of the Contractor-supplied vacuum pump;

· required site safety reviews and facility approvals.

9.0 Project B2 — TEM/Nanoprobe-Compatible Heating or Biasing Holder

The Contractor shall design, fabricate, and deliver one removable-tip heating or electrical-biasing holder compatible with:

· the APS 26-ID X-ray Nanoprobe; and

· the JEOL 2100F TEM with a 4.1 mm pole-piece gap.

The holder shall:

· be vacuum compatible;

· use a removable sample-holder tip;

· allow the same removable tip to be transferred between the TEM holder rod and the APS nanoprobe mounting assembly;

· support MEMS heating chips;

· support MEMS electrical-biasing chips;

· provide four electrical contacts;

· operate with the controller system supplied under Project B1;

· provide transmission-mode alpha tilt of at least ±70° in the TEM-compatible configuration, subject to the mechanical limits of the specified TEM.

The Contractor shall deliver, at minimum:

· 20 vacuum-compatible heating chips;

· 20 vacuum-compatible biasing chips.

The heating chips shall support operation to at least 1300 °C in vacuum.

The biasing chips shall support both 2-wire and 4-wire electrical measurements.

10.0 Control Software, API, and EPICS Integration

The Contractor shall supply all software required for operation of:

· the liquid pumping system;

· the potentiostat;

· the heating controller;

· the electrical-biasing controller;

· the gas-handling system.

The operating system may be Windows, Linux, or another suitable platform.

The proposed computer and operating system shall:

· support all required control software;

· support TCP/IP or equivalent remote communication;

· support Python-based control;

· support EPICS integration;

· satisfy applicable Argonne cybersecurity and network-access requirements.

The Contractor shall provide a documented Python API/SDK for:

· setting and reading liquid-flow parameters;

· controlling and reading potentiostat functions supported by the supplied instrument;

· setting and reading gas-system parameters;

· setting and reading temperature;

· setting and reading electrical-bias parameters;

· triggering operations;

· retrieving status and fault conditions;

· logging relevant experimental parameters.

The API shall be suitable for integration into Argonne-developed:

· EPICS controls;

· Bluesky or equivalent experiment-control environments;

· automated workflows;

· AI-driven decision and control systems.

The Contractor shall provide reasonable technical support for Argonne’s post-delivery API development and AI-driven automation activities.

11.0 Design and Fabrication Tasks

The Contractor shall perform the following tasks:

11.1 Project kickoff

Conduct a project-kickoff meeting with Argonne technical, beamline, engineering, procurement, and safety personnel.

11.2 Interface definition

Work with Argonne to confirm:

· HXN kinematic-mount interfaces;

· mechanical envelope;

· sample position;

· sample-to-optic distance;

· angular access;

· vacuum interfaces;

· electrical feedthroughs;

· fluidic feedthroughs;

· gas feedthroughs;

· TEM interfaces;

· software interfaces;

· safety requirements.

11.3 Design reviews

Provide preliminary and final design packages for Argonne review and approval.

The design packages shall include, as applicable:

· CAD models;

· mechanical drawings;

· interface-control drawings;

· holder dimensions and mass;

· material lists;

· vacuum-compatible material identification;

· fluidic schematics;

· gas piping and instrumentation diagrams;

· electrical wiring diagrams;

· controller specifications;

· software architecture;

· MEMS chip drawings;

· safety features;

· test plans.

11.4 Physical fit-check replicas

Before final fabrication, the Contractor shall deliver two physical 3D fit-check replicas:

1. one Project A liquid/electrochemistry holder replica;

2. one Project B1 heating/biasing plus gas holder replica.

The replicas shall reproduce the relevant external dimensions, mounting interfaces, sample position, connector locations, tubing paths, and angular-clearance features needed for HXN fit verification.

Argonne shall use the replicas to evaluate:

· kinematic mounting;

· sample position;

· 3 mm sample-to-optic distance;

· angular range;

· mechanical collisions;

· tubing and cable routing;

· detector and optical clearances.

Final fabrication shall not begin until Argonne provides written approval of the fit-check results and final design.

A physical replica is not required for Project B2 unless subsequently requested through written contract modification.

11.5 Fabrication

Following design approval, the Contractor shall fabricate:

· holders;

· removable cartridges;

· MEMS chips;

· adaptors;

· assembly tools;

· electrical components;

· fluidic components;

· gas components;

· controllers;

· feedthroughs;

· cabling;

· test and loading stations.

11.6 Quality control

The Contractor shall perform documented quality-control inspections before shipment.

These shall include:

· dimensional inspection;

· material verification;

· cleanliness inspection;

· electrical continuity checks;

· vacuum-compatibility checks;

· liquid-flow checks;

· gas-flow checks;

· controller-function checks;

· software-function checks.

12.0 Factory Acceptance Testing

Before shipment, the Contractor shall conduct a documented Factory Acceptance Test.

The FAT shall verify, to the extent possible at the Contractor’s facility:

· delivered quantities;

· mechanical dimensions;

· holder mass;

· fit to approved interface replicas or fixtures;

· liquid flow;

· liquid-cell sealing;

· pressure capability;

· electrical continuity;

· independent electrode operation;

· gas delivery;

· heating operation;

· biasing operation;

· controller functions;

· potentiostat operation;

· API functions;

· computer and software operation;

· safety interlocks;

· documentation completeness.

The Contractor shall provide Argonne with the FAT procedure for approval before testing.

A written FAT report shall be submitted and approved before shipment.

13.0 Delivery, Installation, and Site Acceptance Testing

13.1 Delivery

The Contractor shall package and deliver all systems and accessories in a manner suitable for precision scientific equipment.

13.2 On-site installation

The Contractor shall provide on-site installation and commissioning at APS 26-ID.

Installation shall include:

· holder installation;

· controller installation;

· computer and software installation;

· fluidic-system installation;

· potentiostat installation;

· gas-handling-system installation;

· feedthrough installation support;

· communication and API verification;

· functional testing.

13.3 Site Acceptance Test

The Contractor and Argonne shall conduct a Site Acceptance Test after installation.

The SAT shall verify:

· HXN mechanical compatibility;

· kinematic mounting;

· holder mass and envelope;

· 3 mm sample-to-optic access;

· required angular access;

· vacuum performance;

· liquid-flow operation;

· electrochemical operation;

· gas-flow operation;

· heating operation;

· biasing operation;

· TEM compatibility of Project B2;

· controller performance;

· Python API operation;

· EPICS communication;

· system stability under representative operating conditions.

13.4 Vacuum acceptance

With the assembled holder installed and all supplied vacuum-side cabling, tubing, connectors, and feedthroughs connected, the HXN vacuum chamber shall achieve:

1*10-6 Torr or better under static, non-flow operating conditions.

Final test procedures shall be agreed upon during the design review.

14.0 Training

The Contractor shall provide two full consecutive working days of on-site training at Argonne.

Training shall cover:

· holder installation and removal;

· MEMS-chip handling;

· cartridge assembly and replacement;

· liquid-cell assembly;

· leak testing;

· liquid-flow operation;

· potentiostat operation;

· heating operation;

· electrical-biasing operation;

· gas-system operation;

· TEM/nanoprobe tip transfer;

· software operation;

· Python API use;

· EPICS integration;

· cleaning;

· routine maintenance;

· troubleshooting;

· safe shutdown and emergency procedures.

The number of Argonne participants does not need to be contractually limited.

15.0 Deliverables

The Contractor shall deliver the following.

15.1 Project A

· one liquid/electrochemistry HXN holder;

· one mandatory replaceable cartridge system;

· one liquid pneumatic pumping system;

· one potentiostat;

· one test vacuum and assembly/loading station;

· one bulk electrode;

· four independently addressable on-chip electrode contacts;

· required fluidic and electrical feedthroughs;

· all tubing, cabling, connectors, adaptors, tools, and accessories;

· 40 electrochemistry electrode base chips;

· 40 liquid-cell base chips;

· 80 electrochemistry/liquid-cell capping chips;

· control software;

· Python API/SDK;

· EPICS integration support.

15.2 Project B1

· one heating/biasing plus gas HXN holder;

· one heating and biasing controller system;

· one gas-handling system;

· one ambient testing/loading station;

· one control computer and software system;

· required vacuum, gas, and electrical feedthroughs;

· low-noise cabling;

· gas tubing and connectors;

· 20 gas-compatible heating chips;

· 20 gas-compatible biasing chips;

· 40 top or sealing chips;

· Python API/SDK;

· EPICS integration support.

15.3 Project B2

· one removable-tip TEM/nanoprobe-compatible heating or biasing holder;

· one JEOL 2100F-compatible holder rod or adaptor;

· one APS 26-ID-compatible holder adaptor;

· 20 vacuum-compatible heating chips;

· 20 vacuum-compatible biasing chips;

· all required cabling, connectors, adaptors, and accessories.

15.4 Fit-check items

· one physical Project A fit-check replica;

· one physical Project B1 fit-check replica.

15.5 Documentation

· user manuals;

· installation instructions;

· operating procedures;

· visual SOPs;

· cleaning procedures;

· chip-loading procedures;

· cartridge-replacement procedures;

· maintenance procedures;

· troubleshooting guides;

· mechanical drawings;

· electrical wiring diagrams;

· fluidic diagrams;

· gas-system P&ID;

· parts and consumables list;

· calibration documentation;

· API/SDK documentation;

· FAT procedure and report;

· SAT procedure and report;

· training materials.

16.0 Government-Furnished Property and Argonne Responsibilities

Argonne will provide:

· laboratory space at APS 26-ID;

· access to the HXN instrument;

· HXN technical and beamline-scientist support;

· controlled mechanical and interface information after contract award;

· available facility vacuum infrastructure;

· electrical power;

· network access subject to cybersecurity approval;

· gas cylinders;

· gas cabinets where required;

· facility gas-distribution components;

· cylinder-to-system gas tubing;

· pump-exhaust piping;

· required Argonne safety reviews and work-control approvals.

Argonne will review and approve:

· interface designs;

· fit-check results;

· safety documentation;

· FAT procedures;

· SAT procedures;

· final installation configuration.

17.0 Security and Safety

The Contractor shall not require access to classified or sensitive scientific information.

All on-site personnel shall comply with:

· Argonne visitor-access requirements;

· safety orientation;

· work-planning and control requirements;

· electrical safety requirements;

· vacuum-system requirements;

· compressed-gas requirements;

· chemical-handling requirements;

· cybersecurity requirements.

All gas, liquid, heating, pressure, and electrical-biasing operations shall be subject to Argonne safety approval.

The Contractor shall provide sufficient technical documentation to support Argonne safety review.

18.0 Place of Performance

Design, fabrication, assembly, and factory testing may be performed at the Contractor’s facility.

Installation, commissioning, site acceptance testing, and training shall be performed on-site at:

APS 26-ID

Argonne National Laboratory 9700 South Cass Avenue Lemont, Illinois 60439

Project B2 TEM compatibility testing may additionally be performed at the Argonne location housing the JEOL 2100F TEM.

19.0 Period of Performance

The anticipated total period of performance is approximately six to seven months after receipt of order, subject to timely completion of design reviews and Argonne approvals.

The project shall include the following phases:

Phase 1 — Design and fit verification

· project kickoff;

· interface definition;

· preliminary and final design reviews;

· MEMS-chip design approval;

· delivery of Project A and Project B1 physical fit-check replicas;

· Argonne fit testing and written approval.

Target duration: approximately 2–4 weeks after receipt of order and receipt of required post-award interface information.

Phase 2 — Fabrication and factory acceptance

· fabrication;

· system assembly;

· software development;

· API development;

· quality control;

· factory acceptance testing;

· delivery preparation.

Target duration:

Project A: approximately 12–16 weeks after Phase 1 approval;

Projects B1 and B2: approximately 13–18 weeks after Phase 1 approval.

Phase 3 — Installation and commissioning

· delivery;

· on-site installation;

· site acceptance testing;

· two days of on-site training.

Installation and training shall be scheduled by mutual agreement following completion of Phase 2.

The Contractor shall provide a detailed integrated project schedule with its proposal.

20.0 Warranty

The Contractor shall provide a minimum one-year warranty beginning upon successful site acceptance.

The warranty shall cover defects in:

· design;

· materials;

· workmanship;

· holder assemblies;

· replaceable cartridges;

· controllers;

· potentiostat;

· pumping systems;

· gas-handling equipment;

· control computers supplied under the contract;

· software;

· supplied accessories.

The Contractor shall identify:

· consumable components;

· normal wear items;

· warranty exclusions;

· repair procedures;

· expected repair turnaround time;

· technical-support contact information.

Warranty exclusions shall not invalidate or negate any required acceptance performance, including:

· pressure capability;

· sealing performance;

· vacuum performance;

· heating performance;

· electrical performance;

· liquid-flow performance;

· gas-flow performance;

· mechanical fit;

· software and API operation.

Repairs may be performed at the Contractor’s facility or another authorized service location, provided the Contractor is responsible for meeting the warranty obligations.

21.0 Proposal Response Requirements

The Contractor shall submit a technical compliance matrix addressing every requirement in this Statement of Work.

For each requirement, the Contractor shall identify:

· Comply;

· Exception;

· Proposed Alternative;

· Supporting Evidence;

· Verification Method.

The proposal shall also include:

· integrated system description;

· preliminary mechanical concept;

· proposed holder dimensions and mass;

· proposed potentiostat;

· proposed controller specifications;

· proposed gas-system configuration;

· proposed MEMS-chip specifications;

· software and API description;

· EPICS-integration approach;

· FAT plan;

· SAT plan;

· project schedule;

· warranty;

· technical-support plan;

· list of exclusions and assumptions.

Failure to identify an exception shall be interpreted as full compliance with the requirement.