L -- TWO CRYOCOOLER CRYOSTATS

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with High Precision Devices, Inc. (HPD) for two pulse tube cooled adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators for cooling scientific samples to below 50 mK. This system is referred to as Dewar integration. Based on market research, High Precision Devices, Inc. is the only vendor who can meet the requirements of this procurement. During the project period, NIST anticipates site visits, consultations, and project reviews up to three times per week. The integration and assembly of Dewar components is a developmental effort and close interaction with NIST staff is required. The following tasks and specifications are required to meet NIST’s needs:1. A full review of the vacuum jacket design to ensure structural integrity and compatibility with vendor supplied internal components. 2. Assemble Dewars and internal components listed in item 3 below. 3. Vendor shall supply the following: a. 50K thermal stage consisting of Ni plated Al. The 50K stage shall have a cutout for future experimental wiring. i. Three blank flanges to fill the cutout, also made from Ni plated Al. b. 50K radiation shield shall be made from Ni plated Al. The 50K shield shall have 3 parts: an upper half, a lower half, and a bottom. c. 4K thermal stage consisting of Au plated OFHC Cu. The 4K stage shall have a cutout for future experimental wiring. i. Three blank flanges to fill the cutout, also made from Au plated OFHC Cu. 4K stage to have a grid of tapped 4-40 screw holes. d. A vertical 4K plate consisting of Au plated OFHC Cu for mounting electronics components. Vertical plate shall have a grid of tapped 4-40 screw holes. e. 4K radiation shield made from Ni plated Al with an IR-blackened interior. f. Four G10 tubes to connect the top of the 300K vacuum jacket with the 50K thermal stage. Tubes shall have Al mounting hardware at each end. Tube design shall minimize thermal transport while still being strong enough for Dewar to lie on its side. g. A single G10 tube to connect the 50K thermal stage with the 4K stage. Tube shall have mounting hardware at each end. Tube design must minimize thermal transport while still being strong enough for the Dewar to lie on its side. h. A radiation shield for the ADR insert made of Au plated OFHC Cu. Radiation shield shall also accelerate thermal transport along the ADR insert. Radiation shield to bolt to 4K thermal stage. i. Low profile clamps to hold the radiation shield to the ADR insert. j. Flexible thermal connection between 50K stage of pulsetube and 50K stage of Dewar. Connection shall be made from annealed OFHC Cu wire as per NIST design. k. Flexible thermal connection between 4K stage of pulsetube and 4K stage of Dewar. Connection shall be made from annealed OFHC Cu wire as per NIST design. l. Travel limits for the spring-loaded bellows mount of the pulsetube. m. A NW16-NW25/40 reducer shall mate to a NW16 tube welded to the top of the vacuum jacket. Vendor shall mount NIST-supplied hermetic electrical connectors into blank flanges for the reducer. i. Metal o-rings for the NW connections. n. Heat sinking for a diagnostic harness of approximately 50 wires. Heat sinking shall include thermal clamps at 77K and 1K made of Au plated OFHC Cu. Heat sinking shall include mounts for microD connectors at 4K. o. Mechanical and electrical mounting hardware for NIST-supplied HiTc leads shall carry the ADR magnet current from 50K to 4K. Mounting hardware to consist of G10 struts and Au-plated OFHC Cu blocks as per NIST design. p. 2 light-tight pumpout fixtures for the 4K space. q. A block to clamp to the 50mK ADR stage that shall house a NIST-supplied thermometer and resistive heater. Block shall be made from Au plated OFHC Cu. r. A heater for the 4K stage to accelerate warm-up of the Dewar. s. A heater for the 50K stage of the pulsetube to optimize pulsetube performance. t. Three protective covers for the exposed Kevlar support pucks. u. A large area charcoal-style sorption pump shall be mounted on the 4K stage. v. A support tower to help manipulate the Dewar with the following specifications: i. Wheels or castors. ii. Legs or the ability to lock the wheels or castors. iii. Shall be able to hold the Dewar from mounting points located on the top of the 300K vacuum jacket. iv. Ability to hold the remote valve for the pulsetube. v. A weighted sleeve or other device to damp vibrations in the gas line between the remote valve and the pulsetube. vi. Shall have a limited range of vertical motion so that the Dewar can be lifted off or lowered onto a tabletop. 4. Test and verify vacuum integrity of Dewar. The following components will be supplied by NIST: 1. 300K vacuum jacket 2. Pulse tube cryocooler, compressor, and spring-loaded isolation flange. 3. Adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator including 4K baseplate. 4. Vacuum hermetic electrical connectors. 5. Internal microD electrical connectors. 6. HiTc superconducting tape. 7. Heat switch components. 8. Fabrication of diagnostic wiring harness. 9. 50 mK thermometer and heater. 10. Diagnostic thermometers for 4K and 50K. 11. Annealing of thermal connection cable provided parts can fit in NIST’s furnace. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (NTE $100K). This synopsis is issued for information only. No competitive solicitation is planned. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government's best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. Any questions regarding this notice shall be submitted in writing to Ms. Rima (e-mail preferred). Anticipated award date is June 30, 2005.