Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Integrating Sphere and Components

This is a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) from industry to help determine the availability and capability of small business and other than small businesses that are capable of providing any or all of the products and services required by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST is conducting market research to identify potential sources that can provide an FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) Integrating Sphere and components system that meets all technical specifications, inclusive of FOB Destination delivery

requirements, and installation and onsite training, identified in this notice. This notice is strictly to request information for market research purposes to help NIST determine the appropriate acquisition strategy for this requirement. This notice shall not be construed as a solicitation, an obligation, or commitment by NIST. The Flammability Reduction Group in the Fire Research Division (FRD) at the NIST Engineering Laboratory (EL) provides measurement data and material property information generated in fire and thermal analysis experiments using a suite of thermal and analytical tools to measure how materials and products interact with thermal radiation from fires and fire-like environments. The EL seeks to obtain a FTIR [Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy] including an Integrating Sphere, light source, and external detector for making reflectivity and transmission measurements and related sample and sphere mounting accessories. The vendor shall also provide a computer and software to run experiments, analyze measurement data, and identify polymers/materials based on recorded spectral signal, as well as provide installation and onsite training for NIST personnel. Optional

requirements exist as three additional one-year performance periods for the vendor to provide a US-based technician for telephone and repair service on the FTIR system and an annual onsite preventative maintenance (PM) visit. OVERVIEW The Flammability Reduction Group uses a suite of thermal and analytical tools to measure how materials and products interact with thermal radiation from fires and fire-like environments. The data from these tools is essential for fire modeling and understanding material and product flammability behavior. This data is used for many research projects within NIST that are focused on reducing the fire hazard of building contents and constructions materials in the Fire Risk Reduction in Buildings and Communities program. A critical instrument in this suite of tools is an FTIR Integrating Sphere. This instrument consists of an infrared radiation (IR) source and detector compatible with an Integrating Sphere. Such an apparatus is used to measure the total and wavelength-dependent transmittance and reflectance of individual materials and components. These properties directly control the heating of a material when exposed to infrared radiation produced in a fire environment (e.g., from nearby flames or the hot smoke/gases that accumulate in a compartment fire). The Contractor shall provide a FTIR Integrating Sphere and components, quantity one (1), in accordance with meeting the following minimum specifications: Line Item 0001: Description: FTIR, to include Integrating Sphere, light source, and detector for reflectivity / transmission measurements.

A. Technical Specifications: 1. Gold plated Integrating Sphere a. Range: 400cm-1 to 14,000 cm-1 b. Purgeable (i.e., filled/purged with controlled gas atmosphere) 2. Mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), Detector a. Range: 600 cm-1 to 10,000 cm-1 3. FTIR Source a. Minimum Range: 350 cm-1 to 8,000 cm-1 4. Near IR Source extension a. Minimum Range: 500cm-1 to 15,000 cm-1 5. Sample Holder a. Sample Size

Requirements: i. Max area/diameter: At least 40 mm by 40 mm ii. Max Thickness: >/= 7mm (transmittance measurements) b. General: i. Ability to support samples in downward configuration (below sphere) to allow for testing of charring/brittle samples such that residue would fall safely downward away from sphere.

B. Additional Required Products: 1. Computer and software to run experiments, analyze measurement data, and identify polymers/materials based on recorded spectral signal. a. Data processing features are to include: i. Automated atmospheric correction (water vapor and CO2) in Mid IR ii. Normalization, baseline correction, derivative calculation and spectra subtraction iii. The ability to interface with python scripts to define methods to programmatically save, prepare, parse, and analyze measurement data. iv. The power outlet compatibility of the FTIR Integrating Sphere and components shall be 120 VAC. Optional