UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO - NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SINGLE SOURCE CONTRACT: 19-109
Surface energy analyzer for powder characterization
The University of Waterloo (UW) intends to award a single source contract to Surface Measurement Systems, of Allentown, PA, USA, for the purchase of an IGC-Surface Energy Analyzer, for characterization of feedstock powders and parts produced using advanced manufacturing processes required by our Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) Laboratory. The budget for this entire package is approximately $160,000 CAD, not including HST.
This is an Advanced Notice indicating to the supplier community that UW intends to award a contract for this equipment to a pre-identified supplier. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date of this notice, a statement of specifications that satisfies the stated requirements set out in this Notice, the competitive requirements of the University are considered to have been met. Following notification to any suppliers not successful in demonstrating that their statement of specifications meets the requirements set out in this Notice, the contract may then be awarded to the pre-identified supplier.
If other potential suppliers submit statements of specifications during the fifteen calendar day posting period, and meet the requirements set out in this Notice, UW will proceed to a Request for Proposal process, in order to award the contract.
Process - Suppliers who can provide equivalent equipment with proven functionality required for the research, within budget, may submit a statement of specifications, in writing, to the contact person identified in this Notice on or before the closing date of this Notice. The statement of specifications must unequivocally demonstrate how the supplier meets these advertised requirements within budget.
SPECIFICATIONS -
The iGC-Surface Energy Analyzer includes the following options:
- MFCs calibrated for Nitrogen; control precision ±0.1 sccm or better
- Standard column oven with 0.1°C stability and 0.1°C accuracy or better
- Capability to conduct IGC tests on small quantity of material (less than 10g)
- Automated vapour phase injection system for up to twelve solvents
- Solvent reservoir temperature control ± 0.1°C or better
- Background humidity controller allowing use of water as a probe solvent
- Control computer monitor and keyboard included
- Input/Output cards installed and configured
- Software includes standard SEA with additional features
- Capability to measure dispersive and acid base surface energy
- Capability to measure the specific surface area
- Capability to map surface heterogeneity
SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION
This particular equipment from Surface Measurement Systems (SMS) will be used for powder characterization. To our knowledge SMS is the only existing supplier of fully integrated systems. Other known options involve modifying an existing gas chromatography system for IGC operation, which is more complex to operate and maintain The University is not aware of alternate single suppliers who can provide a complete system for powder characterization as described above.
The MSAM Laboratory is collaborating with the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada on this research project – the University of Waterloo has provided a schedule for the acquisition of the MSAM equipment installations that meets NRC’s timelines. Delivery lead times for this equipment anticipate commissioning on or before March 15th, 2020.
Date of issue: Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Closing Date: Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. EST
Contact:
Christine Wagner, CPPB, CSCP – Research Coordinator and Senior Buyer
Procurement and Contract Services
University of Waterloo
Ph: 519-888-4567 ext. 32074
Email – cpwagner@uwaterloo.ca, or, procure@uwaterloo.ca
