This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist Combat Capabilities Development Command-Soldier Center (CCDC-Soldier Center) to identify potential sources to provide a chemisorption/ physisorption/ chemical vapor sorption instrument. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and molly.n.richards2.civ@mail.mil by May 25, 2019 by 5pm EST. Background: The Government (CCDC Soldier Center) is in need of an instrument capable of measuring physisorption, chemisorption, and vapor sorption of microporous materials. Present specifications require a total of 3 ports: 2 ports for mesopore/BET analysis with 1000 Torr transducers, and 1 port with 10 and 0.1 Torr transducers for micropore analysis. Analysis gases and chemical vapors compatible with the instrument must include nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, butane, hydrogen sulfide, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), and dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP). Materials used with the instrument must be compatible with these chemicals such that corrosion, absorption, degradation over time, and leaks are not an issue. Description: The following specifications are required: - The system detailed must have at total of 3 analysis ports/stations and at least 3 degassing stations. The analysis stations must include at least one port capable of physisorption, at least one port capable of chemisorption, and at least 1 port capable of vapor sorption. It is acceptable if a single port is capable of both chemisorption and vapor sorption. - At least one port should have a transducer for micropore analysis, and ports not enabled for micropore analysis must be enabled for mesopore analysis. - The system will include a TCD option for temperature programmed reactions. Temperature range will reach 1100 C in the manifold. Low temperature ranges will also be achievable using cryogenic cooling, with the ability to refill the cryogen dewar without interrupting ongoing experiments. - The system must be able to analyze gasses including: ammonia, hydrogen sulfide. The system must be able to analyze vapors generated from several chemical warfare simulants, including: dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP), 2-ethyl ethyl chloride (2-CEES). This requires the system to have adequate safety mechanisms in place to work with such chemicals. Materials used within the instrument must ensure no corrosion, absorption, degradation, and/or leaks into the atmosphere. Preferred features include, but not limited, chemical resistant coatings, o-rings, connections, and metal-to-metal seals in the manifold to prevent sorption or reaction with the compounds used. The vapor source must be from the gas inlets, and have an isolation valve. - The system must also be able to operate inside a fume hood, or be vented to a fume hood to allow any harmful vapors and gasses to vent properly. - Everything connected to the system must be independent from laboratory facilities and not plumbed into any standing facilities. This includes air needs (such as air compressors, vacuum pumps) and temperature regulation (such as recirculating water baths, chillers, cryogen jacket). - Training for new users must take place with installation. Deliverables: 1. Chemisorption/physisorption/chemical vapor sorption instrument: - Physisorption - 1 port capable micropore analysis (10 torr and 0.1 torr transducers), 2 ports capable standard mesopore/BET analysis (1000 torr transducers) - chemisorption (1 station capable); vapor sorption (1 station capable) - TCD for temperature programmed reactions - high precision, programmable mass flow controllers - furnace up to 1100 degrees Celsius; - Stainless steel gas inlets, chemical resistant fittings and manifold - Cryogen controlled by isothermal jacket 2. Vacuum preparation station: For degassing multiple samples 3. Software and licensing: Windows 10 compatible 4. Chemisorption operating supplies: 6 months supply 5. Chemisorption O-ring kit / supplies / reference materials 6. Chemisorption quartz sample tubes: Minimum of 2 7. TCD Operating supplies: 6 months supply 8. Physisorption sample tube kit / supplies / reference materials 9. Physisorption O-ring and seal kit / supplies / reference materials 10. Vapor source option: With heating mantle and isolation valve 11. Pressure regulator assemblies: CGA fitting (N2, He, Ar, Kr) 12. Pressure regulator assemblies: CGA fitting (H2, CO) 13. Computer system: Dell laptop, Windows 10 machine, TPM 2.0 14. Identify Shipping, Handling, and Delivery costs 15. Install and User Familiarization: Installation and training on instrument for multiple users (up to 4 users) 16. Provide Warranty for 1 year 17. Facility needs: As required by instrument to replace facility requirements: Vacuum pump system, air compressor, recirculating chiller, etc. Delivery Date: The Government anticipates 20 weeks lead time for this item. Please identify timeframe required for delivery. Government Furnished Property (Equipment/Materials/Information/Computer Utilization): N/A Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject. RESPONSES: Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to the CCDC Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and molly.n.richards2.civ@mail.mil no later than May 25, 2019 by 5:00 p.m. EST. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party. Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number. QUESTIONS: Any questions for clarification may be emailed to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and molly.n.richards2.civ@mail.mil no later than May 20, 2019 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement.
