National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Div.,100 Bureau Drive Stop 3572, Bldg. 301, Rm B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-3572

60 -- STRUT METROLOGY SYSTEM SOL 53SBNB960104 DUE 070999 POC Angela Mills, Contract Specialist, (301) 975-8008 or Diane Loeb, Contracting Officer, (301) 975-6399 WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@nist.gov. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is 53SBNB960104 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-11. The standard industrial classification (SIC) Code is 3825, 500 employees. Note: A copy of the article as well as Figures 1 & 2 mentioned throughout this notice may be obtained by calling (301) 975-6727 or via email, contract@nist.gov. BACKGROUND FOR STRUT METROLOGY SYSTEM NIST is seeking to procure a strut metrology system for an experimental machine tool called the Octahedral Hexapod. The Hexapod has six individual motors arranged in an inverted Stewart platform configuration driving a spindle platform for machining. For a collection of images and a machine description see http://www.mel.nist.gov/amt/projects/hexapod/hexgal.htm. The attached Figures 1 and 2 show an individual strut and dimensions (must be requested). The design goal is to measure the distance A -- A' between the centers of the large and small spheres. In theory, the minimum distance is 2.15 meters and the maximum 3.583 meters, with a corresponding range of motion of 1.433 meters. In practice, the distance B -- B' (3.134 to 1.701 m) is shorter by 429 mm due to the physical constraints of the large sphere (329 mm) and the lower sphere mounting (120 mm). A strut metrology system for a single strut utilizing an externally mounted laser interferometer and measuring the distance B -- B' has been developed. See the attached article 'Application of Laser Feedback Metrology' for details (must be requested). The strut metrology system is expected to supply a NIST-supplied control system with six indi-vidual position readings in an A Quad B encoder format pre-compensated for changes in environ-mental conditions. Each reading shall be used to close a position loop on the machine controller. The individual position sensors can be either lasers, scales, or any other position sensing modality capable of the minimum mandatory requirements listed later. Each strut position sensor shall be mounted within the bounding volumes as shown in Figure 1. This is due to the possibility of collisions with the other paired strut or other components of the strut metrology system. The upper portion of the struts are within a 3 meter triangular area of one another. The mounting and measurement path for an externally mounted strut position sensor shall need to take in account Abbe offset and potential roll and bending of the strut. The roll and bending numbers shall be made available upon request. The laser system described in the attached article utilized an U configuration running parallel to the strut down to the spindleplatform; through a commercially available Lateral Transfer Hollow Retroreflector (LTHR); back up the strut to the retroreflector; and subsequent return to the laser head. The resultant measurement was read by the control system and divided by two before being used to close a servo position loop. A strut metrology system utilizing scales is anticipated to require two scales on either side of the strut, with the two measurements to be averaged before presenting them in an A Quad B output to the NIST-supplied control system. MINIMUM MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS: 1. The strut metrology system shall supply a NIST-supplied control system with six individual position readings in a differential A Quad B encoder format pre-compensated for changes in environmental conditions. 2. The strut metrology system shall have automatic temperature, humidity and pressure compensation. 3. All individual strut metrology position sensors shall have a minimum resolution of at least 0.6 micrometers with the position being output as a single differential A Quad B encoder signal. 4. The portion of the strut metrology system that can be separate from the strut shall be at least 2 meters distant and connected by flexible cable (s) to allow motion of the struts. 5. All individual strut metrology position sensors shall be capable of a slew rate of at least 0.5 meters/second. 6. The strut system shall be capable of at least a 2Khz (500 usec) position update on all six axes. 7. The individual strut metrology position sensors shall have protective covers to prevent the breakage of the laser beams or contamination of the scale surfaces. 8. The portion of the strut metrology system that is to be mounted on the strut can not exceed the bounding volumes depicted in FIG 1. This is due to the possibility of collisions with the other paired strut or its strut metrology system. 9. The configuration of the strut metrology system shall minimize Abbe offset and account for potential bending and roll of the inner and outer sleeves of the strut. A laser system shall employ Lateral Transverse Hollow Retroreflector optics (or similar) to minimize Abbe offset and to ensure the parallelism of the two beams in a U configuration. A scale-based system shall employ two scales on either side of each strut to minimize Abbe offset. The values of roll and bending between the inner and outer sleeves of the strut are available upon request for both laser-based and scale-based proposals. 10. The minimum distance and range of motion to be measured is a function of the sensing modality and configuration. The distance to be measured is labeled in Figure 1 as A -A'. Physical limitations restrict this ideal to the distance B -B'. A laser system employed in a U configuration shall be capable of a minimum distance of at least 6.2 meters and a range of motion of at least 2.8 meters. A scale-based system shall be capable of a minimum distance of at least 3.1 meters and a range of motion at least 1.4 meters. Requested delivery is 120 days after date of award. Delivery shall be FOB Destination, Gaithersburg, MD and include all manuals and documentation pertaining to the system. The provisions at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial, applies to this acquisition. FAR provision 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items applies with the following specific evaluation criteria: (i)technical performance (ii) price (iii) past performance. Evaluation of the specific evaluation criteria will be based on information submitted in response to this RFQ. It is recommended that information be included which demonstrates that the system to be provided meet all the requirements identified in this combined synopsis/solicitation. In addition, past performance will be evaluated (include contact points, telephone numbers, and a description of the items). Information which merely offers to furnish an item in accordance with the requirements of the Government or does not address a requirement contained herein will be evaluated based on this information or lack of information. All responsible vendorsmay submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Offerors are cautioned to submit quotes on the most favorable basis, since the Government may elect to make an award without further discussions or negotiations. Award is anticipated to be made within 30 days after receipt of quotes; and to the offeror submitting the best value to the government. The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. FAR clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and includes the following FAR clauses: FAR 52.222.26, Equal Opportunity; FAR 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans; FAR 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; FAR 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; FAR 52.225-3, Buy American Act-Supplies; and FAR 52.225-21, applies to this acquisition. Department of Commerce Agency-Level Protest Procedures Level above the Contracting Officer (DEC 1996) apply to this acquisition and may be read at http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/protest.htm. The offeror responding to this RFQ shall submit prices for all requested items, demonstrate the capability of providing the instrument required by NIST, past performance information, and a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items available at http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm), with their RFQ to NIST, Acquisition and Assistance Div., Bldg 301, Rm B117, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 3572 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-3572, ATTN: Angela Mills, Solicitation No.: 53SBNB967063. Quotes and information pertaining to this requirement shall be received by 4:00 p.m. EST July 9, 1999. For information regarding this solicitation contact Angela Mills, Contract Specialist, telephone number (301)975-8008 or FAX (301)963-7732, or email: angela.mills @nist.gov. Information may also be obtained by contacting Diane Loeb, Contracting Officer, telephone number (301) 975-6399 or FAX (301) 963-7732 or email: diane.loeb@nist.gov. Posted 06/25/99 (W-SN347339). (0176)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0308 19990629\60-0001.SOL)