Microfocus X-ray generator

BACKGROUND

NIST is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a commercial item solution that meets or exceeds the following draft minimum specifications:

The neutron imaging program requires an X-ray generator for INFER to produce X-ray images.  The X-ray generator will enable acquisition of high resolution, well-sampled 3D images of samples to improve the 3D reconstruction of our dark field imaging effort.  This builds on the imaging program’s use of an X-ray generator at the BT2 facility.

Scope

Microfocus X-ray generator: Quantity (1)

The Contractor shall deliver an X-ray generator including all required control electronics and cabling, inclusive of FOB Destination delivery, installation, warranty and training, and option line items.   

Minimum Requirements

Description:  Brand NameHamamatsu L12161-07 or equal Microfocus X-ray Source (MFX) Source

Quantity:  1

1. Technical Specifications

   1. The X-ray generator must use a Tungsten anode to produce a bremsstrahlung spectrum of X-rays characteristic of Tungsten
   2. Tunable electron beam energy, with a minimum no higher than 40 kV (lower is better) and a maximum energy of greater than or equal to 90 kV (higher is better)
   3. Minimum achievable spot size of less than 7 micrometers (smaller is better)
   4. Variable electron beam power from a minimum of less than or equal to 5 W (lower is better) and a maximum of greater than or equal to 70 W (higher is better)
   5. X-ray generator has built-in cooling to maintain temperature
   6. X-ray exit cone angle of less than 50 degrees
   7. X-ray control unit that accepts 120 V, 60 Hz electrical power.
   8. Controller has a local mode to adjust electron beam energy and current (can be labeled as voltage and power)
   9. Controller has a remote RS-232 communication and control interface
   10. Cable between the controller and the X-ray generator is a minimum of 15 m in length
   11. Controller accepts external interlock signal
   12. Controller provides an output to use as a signal for a warning light

In responding to this notice, please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORRMATION. Please include only the following information, readable in either Microsoft Word 365, Microsoft Excel 365, or .pdf format, in the response:  Submit the response by email to the Primary Point of Contact and, if specified, to the Secondary Point of Contact specialist listed at the bottom of this notice as soon as possible, and preferably before the closing date and time of this notice.

• Provide the complete name of your company, address, name of contact for follow-up questions, their email, their phone number and, if your company has an active registration in https://sam.gov, your company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI).

• Identify any aspects of the description of the requirements in the BACKGROUND section above that could be viewed as unduly restrictive or create unnecessary barriers that adversely affect your firm’s ability to fully participate in a procurement for such services and explain why.  Please offer suggestions for how the requirements could be organized or structured to encourage the participation of small businesses.

• State if your company is the manufacturer of the identified equipment or is a retailer or wholesaler that normally sells the identified equipment.  If the latter, indicate whether the manufacturer authorized in writing for your company to sell the identified equipment on behalf of the manufacturer.

• Describe performance capabilities and relevant or beneficial physical and functional features for any equipment you identified to satisfy the NIST-identified minimum specifications described in this notice.

• Discuss whether the equipment that your company sells and which you describe in your response to this notice may be customized to specifications and indicate any limits to customization.

• For the NAICS code listed in this notice:

• • Indicate whether your company is (a) a small business or (b) other than small business.  See the Table of Small Business Size Standards and the associated .pdf download file for small business size standards and additional information.

• • If you believe the NAICS code listed in this notice is not the best NAICS code for the type of product addressed in this notice, identify an alternative NAICS code that you believe would be more appropriate for the planned procurement. 

• Describe services that are available with the purchase of the aforementioned equipment from your company such as installation, training, and equipment maintenance.

• Describe standard terms and conditions of sale offered by your company for the aforementioned equipment such as: delivery time after your company accepts the order; FOB shipping terms: manufacturer warranty (including details regarding nature and duration); if available, description(s) of available extended warranty; equipment setup and test; operator and service instruction manual(s); cleanup after installation; and if applicable, other offered services.  Provide a copy of manufacturer standard terms and conditions that typically relate to the sale of the specified equipment, if available.

• State published price, discount or rebate arrangements for aforementioned equipment and/or provide link to access company’s published prices for equipment and services. 

• State whether the aforementioned equipment is manufactured in the United States and, if not, state the name of the country where the equipment is manufactured.

• Identify any plans/possibilities for changes in manufacturing location of the aforementioned equipment and provide relevant details.

• If the aforementioned equipment and related services are available for purchase on any existing Federal Supply Schedule contract(s) or other contracts against which NIST may be able place orders, identify the contract number(s) and other relevant information.

• Identify any customers in the public or private sectors in which you provided the aforementioned or similar equipment.  Include customer(s) information: company name, phone number, point of contact, email address.

• Provide any other information that you believe would be valuable for NIST to know as part of its market research for this requirement.

• State if you require NIST to provide additional information to improve your understanding of the government’s requirement and/or would like to meet with NIST representatives to discuss the requirement and the capabilities of the identified equipment.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICE

Questions regarding this notice may be submitted via email to the Primary Point of Contact and the Secondary Point of Contact listed in this notice.  Questions should be submitted so that they are received by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on December 15, 2023.  Questions will be anonymized and answered via sources sought notice amendment following the question submission deadline.

IMPORTANT NOTES

The information received in response to this notice will be reviewed and considered so that NIST may appropriately solicit for its requirements in the near future. 

This notice should not be construed as a commitment by NIST to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. 

Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotations.

No award will be made as a result of this notice. 

NIST is not responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.

NIST reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and appropriate.

Thank you for taking the time to submit a response to this request!