Added: Aug 26, 2008 8:46 am
SUBJECT: DSC DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETERThis is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in
accordance with the format in FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisitions, as
supplemented with additional information included in this notice. QUOTES
ARE
BEING REQUESTED. Responses shall reference Request for Quotations No.
DE-RQ26-08NT000904 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy
Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, intends to purchase the
following:
1. DSC Differential Scanning Calorimeter (1 each). This system consist of
the
following bult-in parts
2. DSC Differential Scanning Calorimeter with autosampler and flow mass
control (1 each).
3. Refrigerated Cooling System (RCS40-120V). (1 each).
4. Pressure Regulator. (1 each),
5. RCS gas dryer. (1 each).
6. Kit Ethernet Switch. (1 each).
7. Tzero Press Die. (1 each).
8. Installation. (1 job).
DSC specifications:
Temperature range: -180 to 725aC (Total)
-40 to 400 C with RCS-40
Temperature Accuracy: 0.1XC
Temperature Precision: 0.05aC
Calorimetric Precision (based on metal standards): 0.1%
Maximum Calorimetric Sensitivity: 0.2 W
Sensitivity/Resolution: > 30 mW/XC
Baseline Curvature (-50X to 300XC): 10 W
Baseline Reproducibility: 10 W
Baseline Noise (max. peak to peak):
Dynamic Range: +/- 500 mWInstrument Features
1. DSC instrumentation is of the Heat Flux design whereby the sample and
reference are measured in the same furnace, on separate stages.
1. The DSC should employ area temperature detectors directly beneath the
sample
and reference positions, not platinum resistance thermometers or
thermopiles.
2. The DSC furnace shall be constructed of silver, with platinel heater
windings. The benefit of this design is in the uniform thermal
environment,
and long furnace lifetime.
3. Purge gas is pre-heated prior to entering the sample chamber and sweeps
across sample for optimal purge interaction with sample. By design, all
oxygen
is purged from "dead spaces" of cell; reliance on diffusion of purge gas is
avoided.
4. DSC must accommodate Modulated DSC, defined and compliant as described
in
section below.
5. DSC must come equipped with a robotic autosampler as described below.
6. DSC must include touch screen for easy controller access and monitoring.
7. DSC must communicate with computer/controller through Ethernet BUS.
8. DSC must include dual digital mass flow control. These mass-flow
controllers must be incorporated into the instrument (i.e. shall not be a
separate unit). Flow rate must be programmable within operating software,
and
deliverable as a saved signal in the data file. Mass flow controllers must
also allow for automated gas switching during an experiment.
9. Data files contain measured sample temperature, not calculated
temperature.
This allows the user to know what temperature the sample is actually at
during
different heating rate experiments and makes for accurate and precise
transition temperatures.
10. Must have up to five points for temperature calibration.
Software
1. The DSC must include operating software, which allows for the
instrument to
be fully calibrated and verified automatically, without the need for
operator
presence (when equipped with an autosampler). Calibrations must include
baseline, cell constant, and temperature. Scheduling capabilities must be
present, such that these calibrations and/or verifications can be
programmed to
perform during normal quiescent periods, such as overnight or on weekends.
The
software must also be capable of sending automatic communications as to the
status of these calibration/verification experiments, either by email or
instant messaging, so that the operator is fully apprised of their status.
2. In addition, the instrument software must be capable of performing a
series
of auto-diagnostic tests, either manually or through the scheduling
component.
These tests should verify the performance of various instrument components
such
as autosampler/autolid motors, electronic boards, mass flow controllers,
etc.
The results of these tests should be logged and the option to automatically
report the result via email or instant messaging should be included.
3. The operating software should also be capable of periodically and
automatically checking for updates via an Internet connection, and
downloading/installing those updates if desired.
4. The data analysis software should be unkeyed, to allow for unlimited
installations within one site. The data file format should easily allow
sharing/transfer of data files as individual electronic documents, which
are
readable by the same data analysis package. The data analysis program
should
also include a .pdf generator, for the efficient export of analyzed plots.
Heat Flow Measurement
1. Instrument must employ advanced techniques for the accurate measurement
of
heat flow. These techniques are to include the existence of a temperature
sensor located midway between the sample and reference sensor. This
provides
for independently measure sample and reference heat flow, and also acts as
a
control sensor for optimal heating rate regulation.Autosampler Performance
1. Instrument must come equipped with a robotic autosampler.
2. Autosampler must be able to load no less than 50 sample pans and no
less
than 5 reference pans in one tray.
3. Autosampler shall accommodate a variety of DSC pan types, including but
not
limited to: standard, hermetic, open, and high-volume.
4. Autosampler must employ auto-lid device, which removes all coverings
from
the DSC sensor with a mechanism independent of the sample loading
mechanism.
5. Maximum time to unload existing sample and load new sample shall not
exceed
70 seconds.
6. Autosampler shall employ mechanical finger-style gripper, not a suction
device.
7. Autosampler shall incorporate redundant optical and electrical pan
sensing
for maximum reliability.
8. Autosampler shall include optical sensors for automatic calibration
9. Autosampler shall employ automated position calibration routine that
requires minimal input from the user. Full auto-calibration should be
performed in less than 5 minutes.
10. Autosampler shall be controllable through a touch-screen display, or
by
some other means independent of the controlling computer.
11. Autosampler shall not require regular lubrication.
Modulated DSC
Modulated DSC must be supplied with the following criteria:
Ability to apply sinusoidal temperature wave to sample: Amplitude of
sine
wave 0.01 to 3aC; frequency period from 10 to 200 seconds.
Must include the ability to perform quasi-isothermal experiments, i.e.
holding isothermal with a small temperature modulation.
The temperature modulation should be strictly periodic to ensure
continuous
steady-state control and exact experiment reproducibility, random
temperature
perturbations are not acceptable.
In order to view the signals real-time, deconvolution of the signals must
be
done real-time, on board the module using a discrete Fourier
Transformation,
not after the scan.
All of the signals above must be collected during one single experiment
and
stored in one single data file.
Must be able to view the following signals in real-time during the
experiment: Total Heat Flow, Total Heat Capacity, Reversing Heat Capacity,
Reversing Heat Flow, Non-Reversing (Kinetic) Heat Flow, Modulated
Temperature,
Modulated Heat Flow, Heat Flow Phase, Reference Sine Angle, Temperature
Amplitude, Heat Flow Amplitude.
The heat capacity measurements must not require a prior baseline scan
that
has to be subtracted from the sample scan for quantitative data.
Must include the ability to measure thermal conductivity of insulators
with
no hardware modifications to DSC.
DELIVERY: FOB Destination is required (all freight included). The
provisions
at 52.212-2 Evaluation V Commercial Items (JAN 1999) does not apply to this
acquisition. Instead, the following information will be used for
evaluation of
offerors: An award shall be made to the responsible offeror submitting a
technically acceptable quote and offering the best value evaluated price.
Evaluation is based on best value including cost and ability to meet stated
requirements above. Offerors shall submit descriptive literature and
drawings
detailing features, technical capabilities and warranty data. Technical
acceptability will be determined solely on the content and merit of the
information submitted response to this provision as it compares to the
minimum
characteristics provided above. Therefore, it is essential that offerors
provide sufficient technical literature, documentation, etc., in order for
the
Government evaluation team to make an adequate technical assessment of the
quote as meeting technical acceptability. Best value to the government
cost
shall be the deciding factor among technically acceptable quotes. The
North
American Industry Classification (NIAC) is 334516. ALL INTERESTED PARTIES
SHALL SUBMIT OFFERS WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Federal Tax
Identification
(TIN); Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS); and remit to address if different. A
Firm Fixed Priced Purchase Order shall be issued using the Simplified
Acquisition Procedures FAR Part 13. All offers are due no later than 5:30
p.m.
Eastern Time Zone on September 12, 2008. All quotes must be E-mailed to
both
Robert.Mohn@netl.doe.gov and Phuoc.Tran@netl.doe.gov. or and if faxing the
fax
must be sent to both Robert Mohn at 412-386-5770 and Phuoc Tran at
412-386-4604. All technical questions should be directed to the Technical
Representatives Mr. Phouc Tran at 412-386-6024.
