Oxygen Transmission Rate Test System

This is a competetive solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as allowable under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 13 - the Acquisition of Commercial Items. Award will be made to the lowest priced, technically acceptable offeror. (i) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-95 (19 JAN 2017). (ii) The applicable NAICS code for this effort is 334519 - Other Measuring and Controlling Manufacturing Instruments - and the small business size standard for this code is 500 employees. (iii) This effort competetive, is available for full and open competition, and has been publically posted to FedBizOpps. (iv) This effort includes the procurement of equipment (hardware and software if required); and includes delivery, installation and training. (v) The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial, applies to this acquisition. (vi) Contractor please include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, with your offer. (vii) The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (viii) The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (ix) Contracting Officer is Colleen Reittinger, contact@example.gov Procurement Information: Incorporating forest products into advanced packaging has the potential to improve the value of forest resources and aid rural economies. Testing of barrier properties is critical for packaging applications. Scientists at the USDA Forest Service's Forest Product Laboratory (FPL) want to expand into non-traditional forest products markets that have huge volumes such as barrier films for packaging. This process has begun through strategic collaborations and with that, FPL has been able to leverage these collaborations into support for equipment that allows us to make more uniform films. It is our desire to have FPL recognized as a leader in developing barrier films using cellulose nanomaterials. To do this, it is critical that FPL Scientists are able to test oxygen transmission rates through films in-house. This capability at FPL will give immediate feedback regarding the films manufactured here, and will also allow for more fundamental study of performance of barrier properties of films at different thicknesses and in different environmental conditions. Requirement: Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) needs equipment that is able to measure oxygen transmission rate (OTR) or the steady state transmission of oxygen gas permeation through films. The equipment must measure OTR in a dry environment according to ASTM D3985 and in a humidified environment according to ASTM F1927. Currently FPL plans to measure OTR through polymer films, cellulosic nanomaterial films, and cellulosic nanocomposite films to determine suitability in packaging applications. However, the system must be flexible and adaptable in order to allow FPL Scientists to meet future needs in other industries such as flexible films for electronics a and other high barrier systems. Specific Equipment must include: Equipment Requirements - A coulometric detector that does not require calibration and measures 100% of entering oxygen as described in the ASTM test standards (ASTM D3985 and ASTM F1927) - Fully automated RH and temperature control, and pressure and flow control - To be able to measure OTR at a range of relative humidities between 0-90% RH. - To be able to measure OTR at 100% RH - To be able to measure OTR at a range of temperatures between 10-40 - C. Sample Requirements - An ability to test two or more films at a time - An ability to test a sample size of approximately 50 cm2 which can be decreased with masking Specifications - To be able to measure OTR as low as 0.005 cm3/(m2'day) - To be able to measure OTR as high as 200 cm3/(m2'day) unmasked - The ability to use masking and/or change the oxygen concentration to measure OTR of samples as high as 10,000 cm3/(m2'day) - A resolution of at least 0.002 cm3/(m2'day) Finally, the equipment must not require a chamber to house the unit, i.e., the results are not affected by ambient conditions The equipment supplied must be proven capable in an R&D environment. This can be proven through either test samples (that the Government provides to the equipment manufacturer), or through a strong record of other researchers using the equipment in published research journals. This will allow FPL results to be compared with those of other researchers, and to be used in development for industry partners. To extend the applicability of this equipment to other research projects, the equipment must be capable of future upgrades and accessories, such as expanding the capacity to test packages except for flat films. Contractors proposals should include all items needed for installation and operation of this equipment including: - An instrument that meets the needs outlined above - Any computers/interfaces required to operate the equipment - Full on-site set-up and training - Calibration materials as needed - All supplies required to set-up and operate and set-up including regulator set for gas supply