Sources Sought for High speed Quenching and Deformation Dilatometer

Objective:

To find sources that are qualified to meet the supplies/services as listed in section 11B. Note that the specific requirements in section C are subject to change prior to the release of any solicitation.

B. Quenching Dilatometer Salient Characteristics

The Government requires one (1) Quenching Dilatometer that shall meet the following characteristics:

[Note: all temperature and rate ranges are minimum requirements.]

1. Deformation mode dilatometry
   • Temperature range: 25 to 1600 degrees Celsius (°C)
   • Heating rate: 0.01 to 100 degree Celsius per second (°C/s)
   • Deformation rate: 0.01 to 125 millimeter per second (mm/s)
   • Strain rate: 0.001 to 20 per second (s-1)
   • True strain rate: 0.05 to 1.2 per second (s-1)
   • Load: 25 kilonewton (kN)
   • Sample Length: 10 millimeter (mm)
   • Sample Diameter: 5 millimeter (mm)
   • Deformation Range: +/- 5 millimeter (mm)
   • Deformation Resolution: 40 nanometer (nm)
   • Compression and tension mode operation (including sample adapter for tension operation)
2. Quenching dilatometric operation
   • Temperature range: -150 to 1600 degree Celsius (°C)
   • Heating rate: 0.001 to 4000 degree Celsius per second (°C/s)
   • Cooling rate: 0.001 to 2500 degree Celsius per second (°C/s)
   • Sample length: 10 millimeter (mm)
   • Sample diameter: up to 5 millimeter (mm)
   • Deformation Range: +/- 1.2 millimeter (mm)
   • Deformation Resolution: 10 nanometer (nm)
3. Differential scanning calorimetry
   • Temperature range: 25 to 1000 degree Celsius (°C)
   • Heating rate: 500 degree Celsius per minute (°C/min)
4. Optical displacement sensor to provide lateral expansion/contraction measurements during dilatometric operation
   • Measuring Area Range:
     • Minimum: 2.0 millimeter (mm) x 2.0 millimeter (mm)
     • Maximum: 11.0 millimeter (mm) x 11.0 millimeter (mm)
   • Resolution: 1024 pixels x 1024 pixels
   • Measuring Frequency:  50 frames per second (fps)
5. Additional hardware
   • Susceptor for non-metallic samples
   • All chillers, vacuum pumps, tubes, cables, and wires
   • Spare sample holder and push rod for high temperature deformation operation
   • Spare sample holder and push rod for quenching operation
6. Built-in thermocouple spot-welder
7. Instrument control:
   • All of the equipment control parameters shall be able to be specified by the user
   • Automated or programmable controls for water and gas
   • Programmable experiments with multiple stages including
     • Heating / cooling and isothermal segments
     • Deformation rates and displacements
     • Cyclical loading
   • Fully computerized operation
   • Temperature control to within ± 0.1 degree Celsius (°C)
8. Safety
   • Automatic safety protocols put in place if thermocouple fracture or excessive temperatures are detected
9. Software and Data analysis:
   • time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagrams
   • continuous-cooling/heating-transformation (CCT/CHT) diagrams
   • DTTT/DCCT diagrams for TTT or CCT after deformation
   • coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) measurements
   • Export of raw data, graphical images, graphical data, and tabulated to ASCII and/or MS Excel
   • Live data visualization of experiment in-progress
   • Data analysis of a completed experiment while a different experiment is running
10. Contained with a single operational unit
11. Installation, training, and a minimum of 1 year of maintenance

C. Responses:

All interested parties should notify this office in writing, mail, fax, or e-mail within the posted date.  Responses shall include:

1. To what extent each of the specifications can be met.
    
2.  Include your type of business (i.e. commercial, academia), whether your organization is classified as a large or small business based on the 1,000 employees standard that accompanies NAICS code 334516.  If a small business, you must also list any small disadvantaged status you hold [HUBZone, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), etc.].
    
3. Past experience/ performance through the description of completed projects.

(12) Responses to this sources sought are due no later than 11:59 AM eastern standard time 13 July 2020. Submissions should be emailed to Nicole Hernandez, Nicole.g.hernandez2.civ@mail.mil. Questions concerning this sources sought may be directed to Nicole Hernandez at niole.g.hernandez2.civ@mail.mil or 575-678-4979.  Please be advised that .zip and .exe files cannot be accepted.

 (13) Place of Contract Performance: TBD

(14) Estimated Delivery Timeframe or Period of Performance:  6 weeks