National Institute of Standards and Technology, Acquisition and Assistance Division, Building 301, Room B117, Gaithersburg, MD

66 -- X-RAY FOCUSING MONOLITHIC POLY CAPILLARY LENS SOL 51SBNB6C9260 DUE 082896 POC Keith Kennedy (301) 975-6325/Contracting Officer, Sandra L. Febach (301) 975-6326 The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) requires one (1) X-ray focusing monolithic poly capillary lens meeting the following specifications: the ''lens'' also known as a ''Kumakhov Lens,'' operates by means of the total internal reflection of x-rays within a hollow polycapillary bundle which is monolithic (fused together). The capillaries should be made of glass. The purpose of the lens is to collect x-rays from a diverging x-ray source in the energy range of 8-17 kilo-electron volts (keV) and to refocus them down to a spot for the purpose of x-ray fluorescence microanalysis. The source of the radiation shall be a microfocus x-ray source with a spot size of 40 micrometers, but the lens shall give useful gains when used with conventional sources with larger diameters as well. The front of the bundle shall be tapered in such a way that the individual capillaries are optimized to collect x-rays from a point source at a distance of at least 60 mm and less than 80 mm from the front of the polycapillary bundle. The rear of the bundle should be tapered in such a way that the x-rays transmitted should converge and be focused at a distance of not less than 5 mm and not more than 25 mm behind the rear of the polycapillary bundle. The spot size should approach 90% of the radiation within a 40 micrometer diameter, and in any case should exceed 90% of the radiation within a 60 micrometer diameter. The gain of the lens, as defined by the ratio of the total flux from a 0.2mm x 0.2mm source into the above spot, relative to the total flux on a spot at 60 mm from the source without the lens should be at least 50 at 8 keV and 20 at 17 keV. The lens may be enclosed, and the front and rear surfaces protected by x-ray windows which transmit over 90% of the radiation in the energy source above specified. The lens should collect x-rays from the source over a solid angle of a least 2 millistearadians. The overall length of the monolithic capillary bundle shall be less than 80 mm. This is a combined synopsis and solicitation for a commercial item prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; NIST invites bids but shall not issue a written solicitation. The solicitation is issued as an invitation to bid (IFB). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 39. All responsible businesses may bid. NIST requires delivery FOB destination 90 calendar days after contract award to: National Institute of Standards & Technology, Bldg 222/Room A113, Gaithersburg, MD 20899. The following FAR provisions and addenda apply: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors--Commercial; NIST shall evaluate bids submitted in response to this invitation without discussions and will award a contract to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming to the solicitation, will be most advantageous to NIST, considering only price and price-related factors. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items, with their offer. 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. 52.212-5 --Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders, plus the following additional clauses apply: 52.233-3, Protest After Award; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (E.O 11246); 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.225-3, Buy American Act-Supplies; 52.225-18, European Union Sanction for End Products; 52.225-21, Buy American Act-North American Free Trade Agreeemnt Implementation Act-Balance of Payments Program. NIST shall not accept FAXed bids. NIST must receive all bids no later than 3:00 on the date above specified. (0226)

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