NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 215, Greenbelt, MD 20771

66 -- PURCHASE OF 3HE CRYOGENIC REFRIGERATOR SOL 553-32617-920 DUE 101299 POC Mary E. McKaig, Contract Specialist for Simplified Acquisition, Phone (301) 286-4240, Fax (301) 286-1720, Email Mary.E.McKaig.1@gsfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/GSFC/date.html#553-32617-920. E-MAIL: Mary E. McKaig, Mary.E.McKaig.1@gsfc.nasa.gov. NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the purchase of a 3HE Cryogenic Refrigerator. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). NASA/GSFC intends to purchase the items from Oxford Instruments, Concord, MA. The product is a 3he cryogenic refrigerator, which will be used as a quick turnaround test instrument for cryogenic detectors such as single electron transistors, superconducting tunnel junctions, and transition edge sensors. The particular features that are needed include: a) Compatibility with existing test refrigeration system at Yale University; b) Low-base temperature (<0.26k) for extended operating time (>60hrs); c) High cooling power (<0.30k) for extended operating time (>6 hrs, 40 ohmw heat load); d) Standard 4he storage system; e) High level of automation; f) Large working volume; g) temperature stability: below 1.2k:< +/- 3mk, above 1.2k; +/-0.1k; h) Temperature sensors and controller; i) 24 input connections; j.delivery by March 2000. One of the goals of NASA/Goddard for this cryogenic detector project on which we are collaborating with Yale University is to duplicate the custom test set-up that currently exists at Yale. NASA/Goddard has sent a scientist to Yale to help design and configure the Oxford Instruments 3he refrigeration system for the particular set of experiments that are required for this project. Much time and money has already been invested in configuring this particular cryogenic refrigerator for testing. It would be in the best interest of the Government to use that experience to build a duplicate refrigerator for use at NASA/Goddard. Purchasing an exact duplicate from Oxford will reduce the engineering cost by the vendor since a new, custom refrigerator does not have to be designed. The refrigerator from Oxford Instruments is also unique from the other suggested vendors in that it is the only vendor which has the features listed above. The government will benefit from procuring only from Oxford Instruments since the cost, delivery time, and work required to configure a duplicate refrigerator will be greatly reduced. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested firms have 15 days from the publication of this synopsis to submit in writing to the identified point of contact, their qualifications/capabilities with respect to being able to provide the item mentioned above with the required specifications. 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". Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html Posted 09/21/99 (D-SN382537). (0264)

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