66 -- Controller upgrade and grips

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information in this notice and in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR Part 13 (not to exceed $100,000). This announcement replaces solicitation NB853000-6-05629DT which was posted as a sole source notice. Quotations are being requested and a separate solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses in the Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-09. Award will be made based on price, provided that the quoted equipment meets all the requirements of this RFQ. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has a requirement to replace an existing controller and fatigue rated hydraulic grips on an MTS fatigue machine. This machine is a high rate fatigue machine capable of high strain rate testing at very high rates. It requires a unique three stage servo controller as well as software to control the testing and software to acquire the data. In addition, all hydraulic interlocks and controls must be configured through the existing system. 1. General 1.1. The system test components shall be new. No used or demo equipment is acceptable. 1.2. The components of the system shall be of proven design with a history of satisfactory performance. 1.3. Each vendor shall provide a written line by line response to this specification. 1.4. Responding vendors shall include descriptive literature with their response to allow the buyer to make a complete evaluation and appraisal of the offering with respect to the requirements set forth in this document. 1.5. Bidders shall include a list of site preparation requirements with the response. 2. Controller Requirements 2.1. Controller shall be equipped with 4 transducer conditioners (load, displacement, 2 extensometers). 2.2. Controller shall be equipped with 13 channels of data acquisition not including the installed conditioners in the unit. With the 4 installed conditioners, the total requirement is 17 channels. 2.3. Control loop rate needs to be at least 6 kHz for high speed test control with the 3-stage valve 2.4. Data acquisition rates of at least 49kHz are required to capture high speed test events. 2.5. Data acquisition shall be at least 16 bit resolution, simultaneous sample and hold on all channels. 2.6. Controller must support tabletop or rack-mount installation. 2.7. It must be possible to upgrade the controller to a 2-channel version, providing ability to independently control two separate actuators with separate feedback channels for a future test requirement. 2.8. Controller shall have separate OFF/LOW/HIGH contacts for HSM (hydraulic service manifold) and for HPU (hydraulic power unit), to enable multiple controllers to share one HPU. 2.9. A valve driver card to interface to a 3 stage servovalve 2.10. New cables shall be provided with the system including load cell, LVDT, extensometer (2), hydraulic service manifold, hydraulic power supply, ground, servovalve, and lift/lock control cables. 2.11. The system (including HSM, HPU and lifts and locks) has a mixture of 24V and 115V components. 3. Controller Features 3.1. Controller needs to support operation with and without computer supervision. 3.2. Controller, with and without computer supervision, must provide ability for user to define and run block-cycle tests consisting of up to unique 4 blocks. For each block, user can specify wave shape, amplitude, mean, frequency, and cycle count. User can also specify number of passes for the block-cycle group. 3.3. Controller, with and without computer supervision, must support sine-sweep function generation. Must be capable of user selectable lower frequency, upper frequency, amplitude, sweep rate, type of sweep (linear or log), and continuous- or single-sweep. 3.4. Controller, with and without computer supervision, must support dual-mode control, such as load/stroke to effectively control compliant specimen with load commands. 3.5. Controller, with and without computer supervision, must support Channel-limited-channel to protect specimens while they are being installed or removed from the test frame. 3.6. Controller must interface directly with existing hydraulic service manifold, hydraulic power supply, hydraulic lift, and hydraulic lock functions on the load frame in a fully integrated manner. 4. Stand-Alone User Interface 4.1. Controller must have a user interface with display and keypad to support stand-alone operation. 4.2. Controller must have a built-in multi-color scope so that signal traces can be displayed in different colors, so it is easy for the user to distinguish signals. 4.3. The meter display must provide ability to select large or small digits. 4.4. Each meter shall support the user's choice of signal (such as timed, peak/valley, amplitude/mean or min/max levels of feedback for any channel), and provides calibrated readings in the users choice of engineering units or in volts. 5. Operation with PC 5.1. A PC with a monitor shall be included with the controller. 5.2. The controller shall include a message log where controller status information and status changes are automatically written and logged. 5.3. A software program must be provided that includes data acquisition (timed, peak/valley, level crossing, max/min, and cyclic/logarithmic). Function generation on all channels. Sine, square, triangle, ramp, hold, processes, and ability to play digitized profiles. Limit sensing, sequencing triggers, and interface to 32 digital I/O channels. 5.4. When supervised by a computer, the user shall have the ability to enter messages into the log, to delete messages, and to determine the severity of status changes that automatically get entered into the log. 6. Compensation Techniques 6.1. Controller, with and without computer supervision, shall provide Null Pacing compensation, which can ensure desired end-levels are reached on the first cycle without over-programming. 6.2. Controller, with and without computer supervision, shall provide Peak Valley Control compensation, to ensure peaks and valleys are achieved for cyclic waveforms of any shape. 7. Hydraulic Grips 7.1. A set of hydraulic grips shall be provided. The grips must to be rated at 1000kN for fatigue and 1200kN for static applications. 7.2. All hardware to attach to the existing MTS load frame shall be provided. The attachment hardware needs to preload the connection to allow for through zero loading with no data anomalies. 7.3. A grip pressure supply with hoses to the grips shall be provided. The grip pressure supply shall not require any external electrical power or air pressure. The grip pressure supply must be fully integrated with the hydraulic system in the existing load frame. 7.4. Grip pressure supply must be adjustable in 100 psi or better increments across the full operating pressure range. 7.5. The grips shall be side loading and open on both sides to allow wide specimens to be clamped by the grips. 7.6. The grips should be able to grip up to 36 wide specimens along the centerline. 7.7. The grips should be able to accommodate specimens from 0 to 45mm in thickness. 8. System Services 8.1. Installation shall be provided including controller integration and mounting the grips in the load unit. 8.2. Calibration for 4 transducers shall be provided. Transducers include the load cell (500kN), actuator LVDT, and two extensometers. 8.3. Vendor is to supply all adapter hardware required in order to calibrate existing transducers. 8.4. Complete operator training in controller use and maintenance shall be provided after the installation and calibration are completed 8.5. Vendor to demonstrate low and high speed control modes using the 3 stage valve at the time of installation. 8.6. A set of operation and service manuals will be provided. 8.7. The controller and grips should include a 12 month warranty 8.8. Software updates should be provided for a period of 1 year. 8.9. Free technical support shall be available from 8:00am to 5:00pm MST for the life of the equipment. Technical questions must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer by fax or by e-mail. You may submit your proposal by e-mail or by fax. Proposals must be received on or before close of business May 15, 2006. Please include delivery time, your business size, your Dun & Bradstreet number and your payment terms. Vendors must be registered with the Central Contract Registry (CCR) at www.ccr.gov. The following provisions and clauses shall apply to this solicitation: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial, applies to this acquisition and there is no addenda to this provision; FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation --Commercial Items --The government will award a fixed price purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer will represent the best value to the government, price and other factors considered; FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications --Commercial Items -- Offerors must include a completed copy of Offeror Representations and Certifications along with the offer; FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions --Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and there are no addenda to this provision; FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders --Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following additional FAR clauses are applicable to this acquisition: 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35 Affirmative Action for Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.225-3 Buy American Act--Supplies. Terms and conditions in full text, including FAR 52.212-3 (Representations and Certifications) can accessed at http://www.arnet.gov/far.