SSTF Emergency Cooling Capacity - Helium Refrigeration System

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This sources sought does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals, nor a Request for Quotations, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the government to issue a contract or otherwise pay for the information solicited. The purpose of this sources sought synopsis is to identify potential businesses having the capability to provide and commission a nominal 900 W at 20? K helium gas refrigeration system to supplement the existing helium refrigeration system that supports tests in the space chambers at Arnold Engineering and Development Complex (AEDC), Arnold AFB, TN. BACKGROUND: The Air Force Space Systems Test Facility (SSTF) here at AEDC includes two test cells that are used to perform infrared sensor calibration. These two cells are high-vacuum, cryogenic-temperature chambers. They are cooled using a closed-loop gaseous helium (GHe) refrigeration system that provides GHe at temperatures below 20 Kelvin. The GHe refrigeration system is composed of multiple compressor skids feeding two liquid-nitrogen (LN2) pre-cooled refrigerators, with a total cooling capacity of 4 kW, utilizing piston expanders. The Air Force is contemplating in adding an additional GHe compressor skid and an additional refrigerator to the existing GHe refrigeration system, to provide additional cooling capacity, and to provide redundancy. A new compressor and refrigerator must be compatible with the existing infrastructure and meet all requirements of the Salient Features listed below. The two units would be delivered to the Space Systems Test Facility (SSTF) and installed by SSTF personnel, with assistance and guidance from the vendor/manufacture. Salient Features: - System must be able to use Industrial/Technical Grade Helium (99.995% pure) as a working gas. - Compressor inlet pressure/ refrigerator return pressure is 19 mmHg (gage pressure). - Compressor inlet temperature / refrigerator return temperature is 275 K. - Compressor skid discharge pressure / refrigerator inlet pressure is 250 psig. - Compressor skid discharge temperature / refrigerator inlet temperature is 300 K. - Compressor skid is cooled by industrial water at 75 F. - Refrigerator is cooled by liquid Nitrogen at atmospheric pressure. - Refrigerator minimum cooling capacity is 900 W at 20K load return temperature. - Compressor skid capacity is matched to the refrigerator capacity. All interested parties who believe that they can meet the requirements are invited to submit in writing the complete information describing their capability, qualifications, and answers to the survey questions below to provide the aforementioned support services. - What style/type of expander does the refrigerator employ (piston, turbine, other?) - What is the cleanliness/purity requirement for the system at the refrigerator inlet? - What is the space envelope (x, y, z dimensions) which is occupied by the refrigerator, the expander? - Will the new compressor skid work simultaneously in parallel with existing compressor skids employing Linde RS compressors? - Does the supplier have the necessary facilities to operate the system while simulating a calibrated heat load to match the operating conditions and capacity for purposes of validation at a runoff? - What is the length of uninterrupted operation the system can achieve before shut off for recommended maintenance? - Does the supplier offer field support for commissioning the system? - How many employees does the supplier maintain? - Is the contractor certified as a small business with SBA? If so, what type? - Where are the parts/components manufactured? - What is the lead time for the equipment? Please include your company name, point of contact, address, telephone number, Duns& Bradstreet Unique Numbering System (DUNS) number, Central Contractor Registration (CCR), and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code and your firms' small business status and category (i.e. Small Business, Woman Owned Small Business, HubZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, 8(a), etc.). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this work is 333415. The small business size standard is 750 or less employees. Potential offerors must be registered in SAM to be eligible for payment from any Department of Defense activity. Information on registration and annual confirmation requirements may be obtained at www.SAM.gov. All respondents that can provide any of the requested information should reply in writing (electronic responses) no later than 30 days from the date this publication to the Contracting Officer, Robert A. Greene at Robert.Greene@arnold.af.mil. Please note that the Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this announcement.