National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Div., Bldg. 301, Rm B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

66 -- TUNABLE DIODE LASER SYSTEM SOL 53SBNB7C1119 DUE 052797 POC Julie Liu (301) 975-6727, Fax (301) 963-7732 WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@nist.gov. This announcement modifies the original announcement published April 14, 1997, and numbered 061587. REFERENCE TO NUMBERED Note 26 IS HEREBY DELETED. THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR PART 12.6, AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS MODIFIED ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTES ARE BEING REQUESTED, AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a requirement for a fiber-optic coupled, near-infrared tunable diode laser absorption system to measure quantitative carbon monoxide (CO) concentration and temperature simultaneously in combustion product streams at temperatures between 300 and 1200 K. The system shall be used to detect desired values of CO absorbance between 50 ppm meter and 5000 ppm meter. Temperature shall be determined using two-line CO thermometry. The system shall consist of a Near-infrared Indium Gallium Arsenide Phosphide (InGaAsP) distributed feedback (DFB) tunable diode laser, fiber optics, a detection system, and a data acquisition & control system. SPECIFICATIONS -- Laser Source: laser shall be capable of operation near 1.55 microns (6450 wave numbers); supplier shall select an appropriate wavelength between 1.49 and 1.58 microns to minimize water and carbon dioxide interference with the measurement and maximize the line strengths of two supplier-selected CO measurement rotational lines; source shall include thermoelectric temperature controller and current controller; supplier shall measure and provide frequency calibration curves for specific laser selected. Fiber Optics: laser output shall be single-mode silica fiber-optic coupled with appropriate optical isolators to minimize optical feedback; a 10-m long single-mode fiber shall be provided with a gradient index (GRIN) lens at output for delivery of laser beam to measurement location; laser power emerging from delivery fiber shall be at least 5 mW; two options for collecting the attenuated laser beam on the opposite side of an open absorption path shall be provided -- (1) use of a 10-m long multi-mode silica fiber with collecting lens for delivery of attenuated signal to detector, and (2) placement of detector on opposite side of open absorption path; end-user of system shall be able to select desired light collection scheme with a simple switching procedure. Detection System: system shall be equipped for operation with two detection schemes -- (1) direct absorption with electronic balancing circuit of the type described in Ref. [1] below, and (2) wavelength modulation via a function generator with second harmonic (2f) detection using a digital lock-in amplifier (e.g., see Ref. [2]); end-user of system shall be able to select desired detection scheme with a simple switching procedure; at least one scheme shall be capable of measuring a minimum CO absorbance of 10E-5 with a signal-to-noise ratio of unity, with an averaging time of no more than 1 second; capability to account for baseline corrections in environments obscured by soot and/or water mist is required. Data Acquisition & Control System: device shall include an 80586 computer capable of controlling and scanning the laser input current via standard interface; computer shall include a data acquisition system for data collection and storage; supplier shall include software for control and data collection; during balanced detection mode operation, software shall graphically display transmittance as a function of wavelength at the end of each signal averaging interval; during 2f detection mode, the averaged 2f output shall be displayed as a function of wavelength at the end of each averaging interval; software shall be capable of storing real-time data as well as averaged data for post-processing by user. Supplier shall provide user manuals and warranty information for individual system components, and shall recommend optimum calibration procedures for the two detection schemes. Capability of system components to mount in a standard instrument rack is desirable. Pricing information is also solicited for the following optional system features: A) LabView program for system control and user interface that provides real-time data display, averaged results display, and user ability to change operating parameters via computer keyboard and mouse, and B) pre-aligned metal bracket with 10 cm measurement path to hold a separately provided set of laser delivery and signal receiving fibers in rigid alignment. Solicitation 53SBNB7C1119 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 90-45. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code is 3674 and the small business size standard is 500 employees. FOB Point is Destination, Gaithersburg, MD. Delivery is desired within 60 days after contract award, required within 90 days after award. A 30-day inspection period shall be allowed by theContractor for NIST to check equipment for adherence to established specifications. (Measurement methods: Wavelength of the laser shall be verified using a wavemeter with 0.01 wave number resolution. The HITEMP database and experiments using pure CO in a room temperature absorption cell shall be used to verify the accessibility of two CO lines and to check the minimum measurable absorbance of the system. A laser power meter shall be used to measure the laser delivery fiber optic output.) All responsible offerors may submit a quote which shall be considered by the Agency. All offerors are to include with their quotes a completed copy of provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items (available at www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm). The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Evaluation criteria to be included in paragraph (a) of provision 52.212-2 are as follows: i)technical capability, ii)demonstrated past performance (via submission of contact information on at least two customers who have purchased diode laser absorption products), and iii)price. Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price. The following FAR clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, and 52.212-5(a), Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items. The following additional FAR clauses, which are cited in clauses 52.212-5(b) are applicable to this acquisition: 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.225-3, Buy American Act -- Supplies; 52.225-21, Buy American Act, North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act -- Balance of Payments Program. The Contracting Officer will furnish full text for the above listed clauses upon request. All quotes should be sent to the National Insitute of Standards and Technology, Acquisition and Assistance Division, Building 301, Room B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001, or faxed to (301) 963-7732. All responsible firms may submit a quote by 3 PM EST on May 27, 1997. REFERENCES: [1] Houser, Glenn D., and Garmire, Elsa, "Balanced detection technique to measure small changes in transmission," Applied Optics 33, pp. 1059-1062 (1994). [2] Reid, J., and Labrie, D., "Second-Harmonic Detection with Tunable Diode Lasers -- Comparison of Experiment and Theory," Applied Phys. B 26, pp. 203-210 (1981). Full text of listed references may be requested by calling (301) 975-6727. (0125)

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