This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action under FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This notice is for information only; a solicitation will not be issued. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516 with a size standard of 1,000 employees.


AFRL/RITE, a Cryogenic Dilution Refrigerator, with installation, to support ion trapping experiments.

The Government intends to negotiate a sole-source contract with: BlueFors Cryogenics Oy Ltd., Arinatie 10, 00370 Helsinki, Finland.


The Government has determined that other companies' products and services do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet the Government's needs. Under the contemplated contract, BlueFors Cryogenics Oy will provide a Cryogenic Dilution Refrigerator & installation.

Model BF-LD400 cryogen-free dilution refrigerator system includes the following basic specifications:
Base temperature < 10 mK (8 mK typical)
Cooling Power > 14 µW at 20 mK (> 16 µW typical)
Cooling Power > 400 µW at 100 mK (> 500 µW typical)
Cooling Power > 575 µW at 120 mK ( > 650 µW typical)
Includes edge-welded bellow assembly for mounting pulse tube for reduced vibration amplitudes
Pulse tube upgrade to PT420-RM pulse tube cryo-refrigerator PTR Voltage: 440/480V 3Ph 60Hz
PTR options: Linear Drive, Control unit standalone with 610X645 mm table size
2 section vacuum can, standard sample space 235 mm from MXC flange to the Still Shield
MXC shield: Sn plated
Mu-metal shield
Optical access: 10 of 3 inches "bossed" optical port with blind flanges for a bottom and 9 horizontal configuration
Basic vibration isolation package with an upgrade to active dumpling frame between the cryostat and the frame
Resistance bridge for temperature monitoring with 3716 scanner and Labview interface, all required thermometers and cables included.
Extra turbo pump for evacuating the vacuum can and/or service manifold
4K heater kit for fast warmup
Long life cold trap - additional internal cold trap for BF-DL series cryogen-free DR systems for extended long-run operation time to be installed in KF40 port
Lab layout design + commissioning
Wiring for DC,RF and Attocube positioners and scanners
Attocube positioner xyz

BlueFors is the only manufacturer whose Cryogenic Dilution Refrigerators include the Government's required sample size, cooling power, location of the cooling system and flexibility for optical access for the cryogenic system, in order to accommodate the installation of a full cryogenic trapped ion setup. Additionally, this is the only known system that is customizable to accommodate optical access without compromising cooling power and vacuum capabilities.

This is a notice of proposed contract action and NOT a request for competitive proposals. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement or proposal, which shall be considered by the agency. All inquiries should be sent by email to [email protected]. Responses to this notice must be submitted by the date/time listed on the notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government in future procurements.

Responses received will be evaluated; however a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government anticipates an award date on or before 30 September 2018.

A Sole Source Justification will be attached to the subsequent Notice of Award in accordance with applicable regulation.

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate
26 Electronic Parkway
Rome, New York 13441
United States

 

Bid Protests Not Available