What this opportunity is
The Department of Energy is seeking polarizing and non-polarizing neutron mirrors and wafers coated with neutron absorbers for use in nested mirror optics at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This opportunity is open to all businesses, as there is no set-aside for small businesses. Interested vendors should note that this is a solicitation notice, indicating that they can submit bids rather than just track the opportunity. The work will take place in Tennessee, specifically at the Spallation Neutron Source and the High Flux Isotope Reactor facilities.
Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.
Description
Polarizing and Non-polarizing Neutron Mirrors and Wafers Coated with Neutron Absorbers for Nested Mirror Optics
The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) managed by UT-Battelle, LLC (the Company) is developing nested mirror optics (NMOs) to act as corrective lenses for neutron scattering instruments at both pulsed and reactor neutron sources. Nested mirror optics deliver a full optics system in a device the size of a shoebox, which means they can be easily exchanged based on the current need of an instrument. This will greatly improve the signal-to-background ratios for neutron scattering, especially for experiments involving new materials or biological samples that can only be prepared in small quantities and where samples are in constrained environments such as pressure cells or high magnetic fields. The nested mirror optics consist of several individual, neutron mirror segments mounted in a frame that holds each mirror in a specific orientation. Polarizing supermirrors will be used in same manner to reflect one neutron spin state but transmit the other spin state as well as creating focusing neutron spin filters. Silicon wafers substrates with a neutron absorbing coating are used in a frame to provide collimation of the neutron beam downstream of the NMO.
This specification establishes the requirements for Seller materials of construction, fabrication, inspection, testing, delivery, and final Company acceptance of the neutron mirrors and substrates. The neutron mirrors and substrates shall be manufactured for use at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) facilities at ORNL in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA.
Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.