Equipment Purchase of quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) system
This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) to identify potential sources to provide a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) system.
The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and Kathleen.w.swana.civ@mail.mil by June 1, 2018 by 5pm EST.
Background: The Government (NSRDEC) is in need of a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) system for use in monitoring and characterizing adsorption, desorption, molecular interactions and structural properties of thin films on a surface in real-time and at controlled temperatures. The Government desires a system that supports a 4-channel system that can measure film mass, thickness, viscoelastic parameters, and adsorption rates. The Government requires a QCM-D instrument that can reliably analyze surface interactions and phenomena.
Description: The following general and specific specifications are required.
General Specifications:
• Instrument to measure frequency and dissipation changes in thin films on a sensor surface, which can be used to infer changes in mass and viscosity.
• Temperature control
• Number of sensors/simultaneous runs: 4 (allows for simultaneous control experiment)
Specific Specifications:
• Volume above each sensor: ~40 μL
• Minimum sample volume: ~200 μL
• Working temperature: 15-65°C
• Maximum mass sensitivity in liquid: ~0.5 ng/cm2
• Normal mass sensitivity in liquid: ~1.8 ng/cm2
• Normal dissipation sensitivity in liquid: ~0.1 x 106
Deliverables: Complete QCM-D (electronics unit, chamber platform, 4 flow modules, peristaltic pump), System accessories (5 gold sensor crystals, liquid handling set, installation set), UV/ozone chamber, computer, monitor, software, training, one-year warranty, service agreement
Delivery Date: The Government anticipates 8-10 weeks lead time for this commercial item. Please identify timeframe required for delivery.
Government Furnished Property (Equipment/Materials/Information/Computer Utilization): N/A
Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY
This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.
Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject.
RESPONSES:
Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to the NSRDEC via e-mail ONLY to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and Kathleen.w.swana.civ@mail.mil no later than June 1, 2018 by 5:00 p.m. EST. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party.
Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number.
QUESTIONS:
Any questions for clarification may be emailed to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and Kathleen.w.swana.civ@mail.mil not later than May 24, 2018 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement.
Mary Prebensen, Program Acquisition Specialist, Phone 508-233-5724, Email mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil - Kathleen Swana, Email kathleen.w.swana.civ@mail.mil
