A -- MICROFABRICATION PROCESS MONITORING

Notice Date

August 7, 2001

Contracting Office

DOC; Mountain Administrative Support Center; Acquisition Management Division; 325 Broadway, MC3; Boulder, CO 80305

ZIP Code

80305

Solicitation Number

NB816020104109DT

Response Due

August 27, 2001

Point of Contact

Doris Turner, Purchasing Agent, 303-497-3872 or FAX:303-497-3163

E-Mail Address

NOAA; MASC Acquisition Management (Doris.P.Turner@noaa.gov)

Description

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Magnetic Technology Division, requires a contractor for performing electromechanical measurements of the effect of axial and transverse stress on the critical current of high-Tc and low-Tc superconductors. The goal is to determine the stress sensitivity of new experimental coated conductors as well as to obtain data for the characterization of high-field Nb3Sn superconductors for high-energy-physics-accelerator magnets. Another major project will be to attempt to obtain data for a definitive test of the deviatoric strain model. The measurements are to be performed at NIST using cryostats specifically designed to handle the brittle oxide superconductors. The contractor must have a combination of skills and past experience in cryogenic probe design, handling or cryogenic fluids, and operation of stable higher current supplies. Knowledge of the Strain Scaling Law, deviatoric strain model, and superconductor pinning mechanism is essential. Specific work tasks include optimization and design of apparatus for measuring the effect of axial strain and transverse stress on the critical-current of brittle superconducting materials. Apparatus must also be designed or obtained for the measurement of stress-strain characteristics of small cross-sectional-area coated-conductor substrates at temperatures up to 800oC. Analysis of the data in terms of the Strain Scaling Law and deviatoric strain models will be performed. The contract period is September 1, 2001 through February 28, 2002. In the absence of other qualified sources, it is the intent of the Government to negotiate a sole source contract under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with the University of Colorado Dept. of Physics, Boulder, CO 80309 as this source is considered to be the only responsible source and no other source will satisfy agency requirements. Interested sources proposing to supply the specified services must submit a written qualification statement clearly establishing the capability to meet the above requirements within 15 days from the date of this synopsis. The qualification statements will be used to determine the need for competitive bids. Responses are due via mail or FAX by August 27, 2001. No RFQ package is available. This procurement is being conducted per Simplified Acquisition Procedures FAR Part 13 (NTE $100,000). FAR Clauses in full text are at http://www.ARNET.gov/far Terms and conditions and agency level protest procedures are referenced at http://www.doc.gov/oam/conops/#reference

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010809/ASOL025.HTM (D-219 SN50U2X0)