LF Thermal Diffusivity Measurement System

Added: Jul 22, 2015 8:20 am FEDBIZOPPS.GOV ANNOUNCEMENT: SPECIAL NOTICE

CLASSIFICATION CODE: 66 - Instruments and Laboratory Equipment

SUBJECT: Sole Source Justification, LF Thermal Diffusivity Measurement System

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SB1341-15-RQ-0631

CONTACT POINTS: RICHARD KIM, Contract Specialist (301) 975-6219;
KEITH BUBAR, Contracting Officer (301) 975-8329

DESCRIPTION:
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division, on behalf of the Engineering Laboratory's (EL) Production Systems Group (PSG), intends to negotiate directly with TA Instruments - Waters LLC, on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 6.301-1 "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements," for a laser flash (LF) thermal diffusivity measurement system to measure thermal properties (diffusivity, conductivity, and specific heat) of metal samples. The requirement supports all of NIST's additive manufacturing (AM) projects dealing with metal powders and solids.

The LF thermal diffusivity system consists of a laser flash source module and a temperature-controlled environmental module with incorporated infrared (IR) detector and vacuum system as well as a system controller. The disc shaped samples of materials to be measured are held in the environmental module while laser from the source module is used to provide a very short pulse of energy to the material sample onto the top side to raise its temperature while the IR temperature measurements are read from the bottom of the sample.

One (1) laser flash thermal diffusivity measurement system and three (3) reference material samples as well as a graphite spray for specimen preparation will be purchased.

***** Sole Source Justification is based on the following: Three specifications of the LF system are of particular importance: maximum temperature, number of samples, and sample orientation. The maximum temperature range (>1500°C) is required to equate to the high temperatures encountered during the laser-based powder-bed fusion process (PBF). The specification for multiple samples (>4 samples) is required to enable simultaneous measurement of thermal heat capacity by the comparative method, which requires maintaining a reference sample at the same temperature of the measured sample. The specification for sample orientation (laser pulse accessing the sample from above rather than below) is required. If the laser impinges from below, the interface between a transparent sample holder and powder material may change the laser absorptivity and subsequently skew the measurement Laser pulse from above is necessary to heat a loose, uncontacted powder surface. The TA Instruments DLF-2 system is the only known system that meets all three criteria

An LF system that does not meet the technical specifications will not provide measurements results with sufficient reliability. Therefore, PSG will not meet critical project milestones that specifically require reliable measurement results, causing all industrial and academic stakeholders significant delays in their development of process models and improved AM equipment for the market.

*****The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.

Any prospective contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be eligible for award. Information concerning SAM registered requirements may be viewed via the Internet at http://sam.gov.

Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Richard Kim at Richard.kim@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted so that they are received at Richard.kim@nist.gov no later than July 31, 2015 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.