SAM #AMD-SSN-26-00858

NIST Seeks Portable X-Ray Diffraction System for Multiaxial Stress Measurement

NIST is seeking information from industry on the availability of a portable X-ray diffraction (XRD) system for advanced material stress analysis. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - Products/Services Requested: - Field deployable X-ray diffraction system for multiaxial stress measurements in steel and iron - Must include calibration standards, radiation shielding, emergency stop, hardware indicators, powered translation and rotational stages, and a one-year manufacturer's warranty - Optional components: - X-ray tube for aluminum stress measurement - Liquid cooling system for X-ray tube - Automated translation stages for spatial stress mapping - Services: - Onsite installation, set-up, calibration, and demonstration - Onsite training for up to five users - Unique Requirements: - System must be portable and capable of field deployment - Delivery, installation, and training to occur at NIST Gaithersburg, MD - Respondents must provide information on company capabilities, manufacturing origin, and contract vehicles - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in the notice. - Delivery required within 120 days of order; installation and training to follow promptly.

Description

BACKGROUND This is a notice to Request Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice (SSN) from industry to help determine the availability and capability of small business and other than small businesses that are capable of providing any or all of the products and services required by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST is conducting market research to identify potential sources that can provide an X-Ray Diffraction System that meets or exceeds all technical specifications, including delivery, installation, and training requirements identified in this notice.

This notice is strictly to request information for market research purposes to help NIST determine the appropriate acquisition strategy for this requirement. This notice shall not be construed as a solicitation, an obligation, or commitment by NIST.

OVERVIEW NIST has a potential requirement for a Contractor to provide a portable x-ray diffraction system meeting, or exceeding, the technical specifications below. The system is expected to be used in both laboratory and outdoor settings on meter-scale structural members, with the physical and software components required for multiaxial stress measurements of steel.

The Contractor shall provide an XRD system that meets or exceeds all technical specifications identified below for Line Item 0001 and Optional Line Items 0002, 0003, and 0004.

Minimum Specifications: Line Item 0001 (Required) Description: Field Deployable X-Ray Diffraction system Quantity: One (1) Technical Specifications The system shall be capable of measuring and computing axial (1-1), shear (1-2), and transverse (2-2) stress components in iron and steel materials. Able to export raw intensity vs. two-theta (or similar) peak profile data. Must be portable indoors and outdoors via protective pack-out boxes or similar. Must include means of securing to horizontal and vertical surfaces. Must include a form of enclosure or radiation shielding. Must include any necessary alignment fixtures / guides for proper system setup and measurement. Must include zero-stress and low/high-stress standards for calibration and alignment verification. Must include means for emergency stop of x-ray generation. Must include a visible hardware indicator showing when the x-ray tube is active or the shutter is open. Must include at least one powered translation stage for fine (0.1 mm or less) positioning of diffracting volume. Must include powered rotational stage that enables automated multidirectional stress measurements. Must be able to operate using standard single phase, 115V or 120V electrical power. System is electrically wired (including plug termination) to be powered by an existing 120V receptacle. A one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Optional Requirements: The following units are optional items, that if exercised, shall be exercised in accordance with FAR 52.217-7 Option to Increase Quantity as a Separately Priced Line Item.

Line Item 0002 (Optional) Description: X-ray tube for stress measurement in Aluminum Quantity: 1 Technical Specifications: Able to measure and compute axial (1-1), shear (1-2), and transverse (2-2) stress components in aluminum. Zero-stress and low/high stress standards for verification of alignment / calibration with the x-ray tube stated under this optional CLIN.

Line Item 0003 (Optional) Description: Liquid cooling system for X-ray tube Quantity: 1 Technical Specifications: Liquid cooling loop for X-ray tube including all required hoses, connections, and chiller.

Line Item 0004 (Optional) Description: Translation stages for spatial stress mapping Quantity: 1 Technical Specifications: Powered translation stages that enable automated stress mapping of a region in one or two orthogonal directions.

ANTICIPATED DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS Delivery of the XRD system shall be F.O.B Destination and shall occur within 120 days After Receipt of an Order (ARO). Delivery shall be made to the NIST Shipping and Receiving address, located at 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001.

INSTALLATION The system shall be installed by the Contractor no later than 14 days after delivery at a mutually agreed time between the Contractor and the NIST Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Installation shall include setup, hook-up, and demonstration of all specifications. Onsite installation shall take place at the NIST Final Equipment Destination identified above. All installation requirements are as follows: System is electrically wired (including plug termination) to be powered by an existing 120V receptacle. System is appropriately aligned, calibrated, and leveled for multiaxial stress measurement in iron and steel.

TRAINING The contractor shall conduct one training session for up to five users at NIST. The training shall include a thorough demonstration of all system functions, maintenance, data administration, and basic troubleshooting. It shall be completed at NIST Monday – Friday during 9 AM – 5 PM immediately after installation or at a mutually agreed time, scheduled no later than five days after installation. The contractor shall also perform on-site measurements to demonstrate no damage or misalignment occurred during transportation and installation.

INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM INDUSTRY SOURCES: NIST invites industry sources to review this notice carefully and familiarize themselves with this Source Sought Notice. Subsequently, sources are encouraged to submit the following: Company Summary: Notice ID and its Title for this posting Your company’s name, address, website, and Unique Entity Identifier (if available) Company point of contact, phone number, and email address Your company’s size status related to NAICS 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. Refer to https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards for details. Indicate whether your company has an active registration for procurement purposes in sam.gov. Place of Manufacture/Origin: Please specify if the product is manufactured wholly or partly in the United States. If manufactured outside the U.S., specify the country of manufacture. Existing Contract Vehicles: Indicate if your company holds a GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract or other federal contract allowing NIST to place an order. Provide a copy if applicable, including contract number, contracting officer contact info, scope of work, terms, conditions, and prices. The Government reserves the right to follow up individually with respondents for additional information or clarifications.

IMPORTANT NOTES This is strictly market research. NIST will not respond to questions about the results of this research. Additional information requests will not be provided. Interested parties should submit responses by the closing date to hunter.tjugum@nist.gov and lauren.roller@nist.gov. Responses should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format, using 11 or 12-point font. Submission shall not exceed five pages, excluding cover page or standard pricing sections. Respondents should clearly and concisely state their capabilities and expertise, avoiding excessive marketing language.

Cover Page Requirements Include the following information: Sources Sought Notice number, title, and date of issuance Unique Entity ID Company Name Company Address Company website Point of Contact, phone, and email Validation of business status under NAICS 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. Refer to https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards for details. Indicate if your company has an active procurement registration in sam.gov.

Additional Information This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or obligation on the part of NIST. NIST does not intend to award a contract based on responses nor pay for the preparation of any submitted information. Following this notice, NIST may issue a Request for Quote (RFQ). There is no solicitation available at this time. If a requirement materializes, no claims against NIST will arise from responses or the use of submitted information.

Confidentiality Do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information in responses. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary information as deemed appropriate for establishing requirements.

Disclaimer This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or pay for information submitted. The Government may use the information for any necessary and lawful purpose. Respondents should ensure their responses are complete and detailed. Information may be used to assess alternatives and develop a solicitation. The Government is under no obligation to provide feedback. After reviewing responses, NIST may publish a solicitation on SAM.gov or GSA eBuy, depending on the acquisition strategy. Proposals submitted directly in response to this notice will not be considered for award. Responses received after the deadline may not be used for market research.

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