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This announcement is to provide notice that the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command-Soldie... This announcement is to provide notice that the U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command-Soldier Center- Soldier Protection and Survivability Directorate is seeking companies capable of providing an Electromagnet System with a Biopolar Field Control Platform in accordance with market research procedures under FAR Part 10. The salient performance characteristics of the Electromagnet System with a Biopolar Field Control Platform are as follows: Operating Mode : The electromagnet system should provide magnetic field density ( strength) above ±1 Tesla in the positive and negative direction Pole Gap : The Pole gap must be adjustable from 0 to at least 70mm Pole Caps: Pole caps must be removable Pole Diameter: The pole face diameter should be 20mm or less. Ideally, a pole face diameter of 10 mm would be better Probe Mount: The probe mount should be made of non-magnetic materials and 4-way adjustable Weight : The electromagnet system (including coils weight) must be light and has a mass of less than 34kg Cooling Method: Cooling method of the electromagnet must be via air and provide excellent field stability and uniformity. We ideally want the cooling method to be easily upgradable to water cooling method if needed in the future Yoke Structure: C-frame, no H-frame Main Purpose: We are looking to measure, in magnetic materials, hysteresis loops of the polar and longitudinal components of the magnetization Mp and Ml versus applied magnetic field H, where the magnetization’s orientation is, respectively 1) parallel to the plane of the incidence and normal to the sample surface (initially along z in Figure 1) and 2) parallel to both the plane of the incidence and the sample surface (initially along x in Figure 1), respectively. Therefore, the angle of incidence in both polar and longitudinal geometries are crucial, which requires the Offeror, responding to this Solicitation, to carefully designate dimensions and angles available in his or her offered electromagnet system and bipolar field control platform. Note that in the discussion below, the angle of incidence is assumed equal to the angle of reflection; e.g. specular reflection. Polar MOKE Geometry: In polar mode, where we measure the polar component of the magnetization along z, and the magnetic field from the electromagnet pulls the magnetization along the normal to the sample surface, we preferably desire the full angle (2qP) between the light source and the detector to be approximately 96 degrees however it must be less than 110° - see Figure 1. Longitudinal MOKE Geometry: In longitudinal mode, where we measure the longitudinal component of the magnetization that is initially along x, ideally both of the following criteria must be satisfied. The magnet must be rotatable around the axis perpendicular to the sample plane to switch from measuring the polar to longitudinal components of the magnetization. For the purposes of this Solicitation, as long as the magnet offered in response to this Solicitation can freely rotate about its center (center of the Pole gap) on a commercial plate(n) by 90°, the magnet is acceptable in terms of rotational ability. This option has the advantage of not disrupting the optics. For example, a commercial right-angle bracket/plate or a rotating breadboard could be used to rotate the magnet. The commercial plate(n) is not required and doesn't have to be a part of the sale. The vendor should, however, justify the magnet’s weight and ability to rotate by referencing, at least roughly, a commercial rotating platen that could potentially rotate the weight. The sample will rotate by 90°, so that its normal direction now lies along the x-axis, with the unrotated magnetic field still along the z-axis. The detector must therefore be moved by 180° around the light source. This requires that the full angle (2qL) between the light source and the detector should be around 84° or ideally even larger for the longitudinal mode. In this configuration, the (fixed-axis) magnetic field from the electromagnet will now pull the magnetization parallel to the sample surface, thus measuring the longitudinal component of the magnetization, since the rotated sample’s normal now lies along x and perpendicular to the magnetic field. Operating Temperature Safety: The electromagnet system must have an overtemperature interlock Power Supply: The electromagnet and the bipolar’s power supplies must be US compatible with high stability (< 0.05%) over a long period of time and continuous operation ( at least 6 to 8 hours) While this notice is not a request for competitive proposals, parties purporting to have the requisite credentials and capabilities to produce the required items must furnish, in writing, factual information, which clearly supports and demonstrates their ability to sufficiently provide these systems. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516. Inquiries and responses may be sent to Maryanne Peck, Contract Specialist, via email at maryanne.e.peck.civ@mail.mil no later than 16 October 2020 @ 12:00PM EST. Any questions regarding this notice must be in writing only; no telephonic replies will be accepted. The Contracting Officer for this action is Mr. Shawn Haubner.