High-purity germanium gamma-RAY detectors (UW-MAD) [20-0034]

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, located in Dane County, is seeking to procure two high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray detectors through a competitive Request for Bid (RFB) process for the Department of Engineering Physics. The procurement supports thin-layer activation analysis research examining corrosion effects on 316 stainless steel tubing in molten chloride salt loops, with one detector designated as stationary for measuring gamma activity of pre-irradiated material and the second designed as a mobile unit to detect transport and re-deposition of dissolved activated elements. Bidders must be original manufacturers, authorized distributors, or manufacturer-authorized dealers with a minimum of five years of experience in nuclear detection equipment and must provide comprehensive service and repair capabilities. The detectors must have specific technical capabilities, including energy detection ranges from 80 keV to 2.4 MeV, count rates between 10³-10⁸ Hz, and software for continuum and peak fitting, radionuclide quantification, and user-created calibration files. Key procurement dates include written questions due by October 7, 2019, and final bids due by October 15, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time, with bids to be submitted in two hard copies or via email/fax.

The University strongly encourages participation from minority-owned business enterprises (MBE), woman-owned businesses (WBE), and disabled veteran-owned businesses (DVB), with specific subcontracting goals of 5% for MBE and 1% for DVB purchases. Contractors must maintain appropriate insurance with the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System listed as an additional insured and provide unlimited call-back maintenance service during normal business hours. The University will ensure access to replacement parts within five days and will be responsible for all U.S. customs charges and fees for imported items. Bid prices must be submitted as net unit prices in US dollars, inclusive of packing, freight, insurance charges, and installation/operation manuals on an F.O.B. Destination basis. The award will be made to the lowest extended net total bid deemed in the best interest of the University, with bidders required to maintain firm pricing for sixty days from the bid opening date. The University reserves the right to conduct oral presentations, product demonstrations, and site visits prior to award, and payment will be processed on a Net 30 days basis following acceptance testing and verification of specifications and performance requirements.