UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO - NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SINGLE SOURCE CONTRACT: 17-053
Closed cycle helium cryostat with 14 Tesla magnet
The University of Waterloo (UW) intends to award a single source contract to Cryoindustries of America, Inc. of Manchester, NH, USA, for the purchase of one (1) closed cycle helium cryostat with 14 Tesla magnet.
This is an Advanced Notice indicating to the supplier community that UW intends to award a contract for these goods to a pre-identified supplier. If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date of this notice, a statement of specifications that, at a minimum, equals or exceeds 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.
SPECIFICATIONS:
The cryostat is a wide temperature range helium-4 cryostat with an integrated 14T superconducting magnet. A large 2’’ sample tube size allows versatile experimental access as well as quick and simple sample change. The system incorporates a recondensing dewar, which can operate with performance similar to that of a wet system with near zero helium loss and be used as a helium liquefier when the magnet is not in operation. It also includes a motorized rotator probe which allows the sample to be angled arbitrarily with respect to the field.
In particular, the system provides:
- 14 Tesla superconducting magnet integrated into a helium liquefier dewar.
- Variable temperature insert (2’’ I.D.) with operating range between 1.4K to 325K.
- Closed loop recirculation of helium gas to allow continuous operation without the use of extra-instrument liquid cryogens.
- Custom rotating sample probe (about the field axis) with stepper motor control and 20 electrical connections to sample.
- Temperature sensors and heaters on sample mount to verify and control sample temperature directly.
- Fully automated pump, cooldown, temperature stabilization and warmup.
- Water-cooled compressor for coldhead.
- 125 Amp, 4-quadrant, bi-polar power supply for superconducting magnet.
- Liquid helium level monitor and probe.
- Temperature controller with two PID control loops.
SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION:
The 14T, helium-4 cryostat system from Cryoindustries of America, Inc. has the following unique specifications:
It operates over a wide temperature range (1.5K to 325K) and is designed for easy experimental access and fast sample change. Since the superconducting magnet is incorporated into a liquefier dewar, there is near-zero helium loss and does not require external liquid helium fills. At the same time, the system maintains the advantages in versatility of a “wet” cryostat. Namely, a variety of probe rods may be designed to fit inside the sample tube and cooled by the evaporated, cold helium gas. If necessary, the entire variable temperature insert (VTI) may also be removed and replaced with other specialized inserts. This capability cannot be found in completely “dry” systems offered by other vendors where the VTI is permanently fixed to the dewar. Finally, if there is requirement for measurements in ultralow vibration conditions, the liquefier may be turned off and the dewar will operate as a regular “wet” system for an extended period of time. “Dry” systems cannot operate in this mode as there is no liquid helium reservoir. Cryoindustries is also designing a custom sample rotator probe with stepper motor control to be included in the purchase of the system. This will allow the sample to be oriented with arbitrary angle relative to the magnetic field.
Other closed cycle cryostats that we have evaluated are “dry” magnet dewars, which do not provide the advantages mentioned above. The budget for the base system together with a motorized rotator insert is up to $200,000 USD.
Process
Suppliers who consider their equipment fully compliant and available 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.
Date of issue: Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Closing Date: Thursday, July 20, 2017
Contact
Christine Wagner, CPPB – Research Coordinator and Senior Buyer
Procurement and Contract Services
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2L 5Z5
Ph: 519-888-4567 ext. 32074
Email – cpwagner@uwaterloo.ca, or, procure@uwaterloo.ca
