Sources Sought - Zero Boiloff Cryostat

Requirements / Specification Document TITLE: Zero Boiloff Cryostat Requesting Laboratory / Division / Group: Communications Technology Laboratory RF Technology Division Superconductive Electronics Group, 672.06 General Statement of Need: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), along with the Superconductive Electronics Group (672.06), requires a zero boiloff cryostat system for testing superconducting chips at 4 K in liquid helium. Because of the increasing difficulty and expense in acquiring liquid helium, we require a zero-boiloff recondensing cryostat system where a small volume of liquid helium (<10 L) is initially condensed from helium gas cylinders. We also require that this cryostat system is compatible with our existing liquid helium dip probes using a load-lock to introduce the probe to the cryostat and that the system captures and re-condenses the helium gas that is boiled off while cooling down the probe. Item Specifications and Quantities: Item 1: Zero Boiloff Cryostat Quantity: 1 EACH Specifications: 1 The cryostat shall have at least 200 mm depth of liquid helium over a diameter greater than 35 mm in the reservoir to cover our experimental space. 2 The cryostat shall have between 5 L and 10 L of liquid helium in the reservoir in steady state with a 200 mW heat dissipation load from the NIST probe. 3 The cryostat system shall have a heater and temperature controller to maintain steady state operation. 4 The cryostat shall have a liquid helium level gauge in the reservoir. 5 The cryostat system shall recover to steady state from having 1 L of liquid helium boil-off while cooling down the probe in less than 1.5 hours. 6.1 The cryostat shall have at least one >NW40 access port on the top of the reservoir with an air lock and a gate valve for the NIST probe; the NIST probe has a diameter that is a little less than 35 mm and a length of 200 mm. The top of the airlock shall have a standard 3” sanitary (tri- clover) flange to mate with the seal on the NIST probe. The airlock should provide temperature regulation to keep it near room temperature during probe removal. Draft -- 1 of 7 -- Requirements / Specification Document 6.2 The cryostat system shall include a small vacuum pump and valves for evacuating and venting the airlock. 6.3 The cryostat shall have a distance from the top of the airlock to the bottom of the liquid helium reservoir that is less than 1100 mm. 6.4 The cryostat system does not need any additional customer wiring; all of the electrical wiring/coax needed by NIST is contained within the sealed probe. 6.5 The cryostat tail shall have sufficient thermal conductivity to ensure that the helium bath remains isothermal with temperature regulation on this stage being the primary sensor. 7 The cryostat system shall have an integrated helium gas storage (dump) that is compatible with capturing and recondensing at least the 1 L of liquid helium that is boiled-off while cooling down the probe. 8 The cryostat system shall include an overpressure relief valve which can be connected to a recovery system and an emergency overpressure relief valve to atmosphere. 9 The cryostat shall be electrically isolated from the compressor (though we do not care about vibration). 10 The cryostat system shall include an integrated cold trap that is compatible with using 99% pure He gas to cool down and top off the system. 11 There will be a plan for cryocooler maintenance. 12 The cryostat system must be an established commercial product with at least one cryogenic unit of comparable complexity operating successfully in the field. Experimental items are not acceptable. 13 The cryostat system shall be a new (not refurbished or reconditioned) item covered by the original manufacturer’s full warranty. The use of “gray market” components not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the proposer is not acceptable. Procurement Support Information and Ancillary Services: Section Requirements/Specifications Planning Considerations ☒ N/A ☐ List any visits required to allow potential vendors to see site specific constraints. [Explain Requirements.] ☐ US citizen required on-site (foreign nationals require pre- registration 30 days prior to visit.) ☐ Vendor Representative On-Site more than three (3) days. ☐ Other Considerations: [List other considerations to ensure an accurate quote.] Shipping & Delivery Shipping Address: ☒ NIST-BoulderDraft -- 2 of 7 -- Requirements / Specification Document ☐ N/A ATTN: Paul Dresselhaus Mail Stop: 672.06 325 Broadway Boulder, CO 80305 ☐ NIST-Gaithersburg ATTN: Mail Stop: 100 Bureau Dr Gaithersburg MD 20899 ☐ [Alternate Shipping Address] Shipping Criteria: ☐ Partial Delivery Acceptable ☐ [Enter Shipping and Delivery information by item.] ☐ Direct Delivery to OU Building Required [Explain Need for Requirement] Building /Room Number: [Enter Building/Room Number] ☐ Building has Loading Dock Containerization Preference: [Enter Container Type] Other Requirements: [List Any Other Requirement] Delivery Date Criteria: ☒ Delivery Shall Be Competed No Later Than: 6 Months After Release of Order ☐ Delivery Shall Be Made No Earlier Than: Click or tap to enter a date. ☐ Scheduled Deliveries: Item Number Due Date ☐ Other: Electronic Media ☐ N/A [Enter Electronic Media Requirements by Item.] ☒ Software ☒ Electronic Manuals ☐ License Key ☐ Other: Draft -- 3 of 7 -- Requirements / Specification Document [List Any Other Electronic Media Requirements] ☒ US Government Email Address for Software Delivery: paul.dresselhaus@nist.gov Installation ☐ N/A [Enter Installation Requirements by Item] ☒ Vendor Technician on Site ☐ Rigging ☐ Uncrating / Unpackaging ☐ Removal of Packaging Material ☒ Equipment Set Up ☒ Start-Up Services ☐ Turnkey Installation ☐ Other: [Enter Details] NOTE: TPOC shall be the coordination POC. Facility / Utility Considerations ☒ N/A [List Site Specific Utility Considerations by Item] ☐ OFPM Work Order Numbe…