NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

A -- DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF CRYOSTAT AND ELECTRONICS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE ANTIMATTER TRAP (HI-PAT) SOL 8-1-8-PP-B9288 DUE 060898 POC Glynda H. Meeks, Contract Specialist, Phone (205) 544-0422, Fax (205) 544-4400, Email glynda.meeks@msfc.nasa.gov -- Valerie N. Holmes, Contracting Officer, Phone (205)544-0314, Fax (205)544-4400, Email valerie.holmes@msfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/MSFC/date.html#8-1-8-PP-B9288. E-MAIL: Glynda H. Meeks, glynda.meeks@msfc.nasa.gov. NASA/MSFC plans to issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF CRYOSTAT AND ELECTRONICS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE ANTIMATTER TRAP (HI-PAT). The purpose of this effort is to (1) design and fabricate a cryostat with interface components and vacuum, and (2) design and fabricate test sensors, diagnostic apparatus (induction and pickup circuitry) and a containment system electrode structure with related hardware for use in the MSFC HiPAT research experiment. The cryostat shall be a double dewar which employs a combination of liquid nitrogen and liquid helium or liquid neon and liquid helium to obtain the low temperature and vacuum required at the center of the trap. Each of these dewars shall be thermal protected from the ambient with multi-layer insulation blankets. The cryostat shall include all component provisions for support, filling, draining and interfacing to an evacuation system. The cryostat shall be an integral part of the total device and shall be designed to contain magnetic and electric systems required to control trapped antiprotons. The electronics assemblies shall consist of systems used to confine the antiprotons and components to monitor and diagnose the system operation and performance capabilities. Many of these systems shall be built into the cryostat assembly (such as induction and pickup circuitry) requiring feed-throughs for both high and low voltage. Approximate cryostat and electronic system properties include: cryostat/trap envelope (cm) ~ 48 x 28 x 28; dry weight (kg) ~ 35; wet weight (kg) ~ 40; multi-layer insulation ~ 60 layers; cryostat MEOP (kpa) ~ 250; duration (days) ~ 10; internal vacuum (torr) ~ 10-14; cryogenic cooling liquids: liquid nitrogen, liquid helium and liquid neon; electrode confinement (kv/cm) ~ 6; test sensors: temperature, pressure, magnetic field, electrical field; diagnostic apparatus: inductive pickups with wave form analyzer; any additional items: interfaces for mechanic, turbo and ion pumps. The cryostat components and electronic parts shall be designed in detail and approved by MSFC. The cryostat components and electronic parts shall be fabricated and assembled according to detail design and assembly drawings. The cryostat components and assembly shall be functionally tested (as a completed unit) which will include: -- Basic operation of vacuum system including verification of vacuum tightness of reservoirs and vacuum shell. -- Basic operation of the cryostat reservoirs by verifying that they can be filled with appropriate cryogens. -- Basic operation of all electronic components. Deliverables shall be: Copies of all documents, sizing and performance calculations, and schematics (design assembly) for cryostat, vacuum shell and electronic components for the MSFC HiPAT. Cryostat system, vacuum sheel and electronic components with cryogenic and vacuum interface connections (lines/valves) and all internal component parts (such as heat sinks/cold fingers) fabricated during this effort. Estimated period of performance: 8 months This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). NASA/MSFC intends to purchase this fabrication from Pennsylvania State University under the University Research Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA)Program. This sole source action is pursuant to FAR 13.106 and is based on the University's domain expertise in the area of antiproton storage traps. Interested firms have 15 days from the publication of this synopsis to submit in writing to the identified point of contact, their qualifications/capabilities. Such qualifications/capabilities will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Responses received after the 15 days or without the required information will be considered nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed effort on a full and open competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". (0143)

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