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Ultra-Low Temp He3 Dilution Refrigerator System The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks information on commercial vendors that are capable of providing an ultra-low temperature... Ultra-Low Temp He3 Dilution Refrigerator System The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks information on commercial vendors that are capable of providing an ultra-low temperature Helium 3 Dilution Refrigerator system that can meet the capabilities listed below. Physical The main dilution refrigerator system including the cryostat, support frame, and gas handling system shall fit within a volume smaller than 5000 mm long by 3200 mm wide by 3700 mm high. The pulse tube compressor shall be able to be remotely located in an adjacent room at a distance exceeding 8000 mm. The government will provide all wall penetrations for this remote location. The cryostat shall have a volume available for samples which exceeds 120 mm diameter by 200 mm tall. The cryostat vacuum jacket and radiation shields shall be able to be installed or removed by one person. This can be achieved either through lightweight jacket and shields or with a provided counterweight or hoist system. The dilution refrigerator system shall be of the cryogen-free type that does not utilize liquid helium. A liquid nitrogen trap is acceptable. Helium The required quantity of Helium-4 gas shall be provided. The government will provide the required quantity of Helium-3 gas. Cryogenic Performance The dilution refrigerator shall be able to achieve a base temperature of 35 mK or lower. The dilution refrigerator shall have a cooling power which exceeds 200 micro-Watts at a temperature of 100 mK. The duration required to cool-down to base temperature shall not exceed 14 hours for the as delivered system. The duration required to warm up to room temperature shall not exceed 14 hours for the as delivered system. This requirement can be achieved through intrinsic properties or with the assistance of a controlled heater system. Temperature Controller and Thermometry A multi-channel resistive temperature controller shall be provided. The number of channels shall be sufficient to measure the temperature of all physical stages of the cryostat. Suitable resistive thermometers shall be provided for each stage. The temperature controller shall have the ability apply power in manual mode. The temperature controller shall have the ability apply power in closed loop PID mode. The temperature controller shall be able to be interfaced to a computer. Gas Handling System A gas handling system shall be provided. The gas handling system shall control the condensation and circulation of Helium-3. The gas handling system shall be able to be operated manually or by computer control. The gas handling shall include the capability to evacuate the vacuum jacket to a level sufficient for cooldown. The capability can be accomplished either with valves or with an additional provided vacuum pump. Automation The dilution refrigerator system shall have the ability to be controlled with automated recipes. Automated recipes for cool-down, and warm-up shall be provided. Coaxial Wiring Quantity four coaxial cables shall be provided. The coaxial cables shall be of the semi-rigid type, 0.86 mm, copper-nickel. The coaxial cables shall be installed from room temperature to the mixing chamber stage. Available Port There shall be at a minimum one available port available for government provided twisted pair wiring for SQUID control interfacing. The available port(s) shall be KF-40 or larger. NIST is seeking responses from all responsible sources, including large, foreign, and small businesses. Companies that manufacture capable Dilution Refrigerator systems are requested to email a detailed report describing their abilities to forest.crumpler @nist.gov no later than the response date for this sources sought notice. The report should include achievable specifications and any other information relevant to your product or capabilities. Also, the following information is requested to be provided as part of the response to this sources sought notice: 1. Name of the company that manufactures the system components for which specifications are provided. 2. Name of company(s) that are authorized to sell the system components, their addresses, and a point of contact for the company (name, phone number, fax number and email address). 3. Indication of number of days, after receipt of order that is typical for delivery of such systems. 4. Indication of whether each instrument for which specifications are sent to forest.crumpler@nist.gov are currently on one or more GSA Federal Supply Schedule contracts and, if so, the GSA FSS contract number(s). 5. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in developing its minimum specifications and finalizing its market research.