SOLICITATION NOTICE
66 -- Integrating Sphere
- Notice Date
- 7/25/2012
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899-1640, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20899-1640
- Solicitation Number
- 12-04078
- Archive Date
- 8/22/2012
- Point of Contact
- Carol A. Wood, Phone: 301-975-8172, Carol A. Wood, Phone: 301-975-8172
- E-Mail Address
-
carol.wood@nist.gov, carol.wood@nist.gov
(carol.wood@nist.gov, carol.wood@nist.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology/Acquisition Management Division, (NIST/AMD) on behalf of the NIST, Engineering Laboratory (EL), Polymeric Materials Group intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with PerkinElmer of Shelton, CT, for an integrating sphere assembly. This requirement will be fulfilled using simplified acquisition procedures under the authority of FAR Parts 12 and 13. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Engineering Laboratory (EL), Polymeric Materials Group develops and implements methodologies and metrologies for determining the scientific origins of materials degradation required for predicting the service life of polymeric materials, components, and systems exposed in their intended or accelerated exposure environments. The group provides: (1) Measurements at the molecular and nanometer scales of chemical, physical, mechanical, optical, and morphology property changes in polymeric materials as they degrade; (2) Develops instrumentation and sensors for automating the formulation, material property characterization, and accelerated aging of polymeric materials; (3) Conducts analytical, laboratory, and field research on the performance of polymeric materials such as coatings, sealants, adhesives, composites, and roofing materials; (4) Provides technical bases for improved criteria and standards for evaluation, selection, and use of these materials; and (5) Supports the scientific information needs of federal agencies in formulating national policies related to building and infrastructure applications. Current standardized test methods used for qualifying PV polymers are not scientifically-based, and are only useful for detecting premature failures, not for predicting service life or ensuring long-term reliability of products. The new technical idea is to produce and transfer measurement standards and tools to industry for evaluating the lifetime of polymeric materials in PV systems, which include encapsulants, front sheets, backsheets, edge seals and junction box adhesives. This project will develop: (1) Fabrication of the state-of-the-art accelerated laboratory weathering device with multiple applied environmental stresses (UV radiation, temperature, and moisture) for testing PV polymers, components, and mini-modules, (2) Analytical tools capable of discerning degradation mechanisms and failure modes of PV materials, components and modules; (3) Mathematical models for linking field imd laboratory exposure results.and predicting service lives of PV polymeric materials using a reliability-based methodology; and (4) Draft qualification and test standards for polymers used in photovoltaic applications. Work under this procurement will deliver an attachment for the existing Perkin Elmer Lambda 900 spectrometer. The attachment is a 150mm Integrating Sphere Assembly. This attachment will be utilized to measure both transmittance and reflectance of materials and polymers used in photovoltaic assembly as well as surface measurements of photovoltaic modules. Spectrometer manufacturers uniquely configure accessories/attachments for their spectrometer sample compartments. The Polymeric Materials Group currently owns a Perkin Elmer Lambda 900 UV/Vis/NIR spectrometer. Perkin Elmer is the only manufacturer/supplier of attachments/accessories for this spectrometer. Perkin Elmer contracts with a company named Labsphere to design and manufacture all of the attachments for Perkin-Elmer UV/Vis/NIR spectrometers. Perkin Elmer allows only Labsphere propriety knowledge to make these attachments "plug and play" and be 100% compatible with the Perkin Elmer spectrometer. When the attachment is installed, the spectrometer recognizes it and configures itself for the attachment. This attachment is commercially available only from Perkin Elmer and is not available from any other instrument manufacturer. Perkin Elmer has no authorized resellers. Therefore, Perkin Elmer is the only source for this software. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, and the size standard is 500 employees. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, responses received by August 7, 2012, will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NIST/AcAsD/12-04078/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899, United States
- Zip Code: 20899
- Zip Code: 20899
- Record
- SN02814804-W 20120727/120725235807-81ea32fdbdbee4ca8b1bd1c3e68f1596 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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