High-Temperature Multi-Angle Light Scattering Detector (HT-MALS)

The Materials Measurement Laboratory, Materials Science and Engineering Division (MSED) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) requires a high temperature multi-angle light scattering detector to determine absolute weight average molar mass measurements and determination of polymer conformation plots for NIST standards and other appropriate polymers.

The goal is to 1) improve the detection capability of large macromolecules with complex branching distributions (long and short chain) along with 2) replacing legacy equipment, where parts and service will soon become unavailable from the vendor due to the age of the instrument (12+ years). The new detector must be compatible with MML’s existing Wyatt HT-GPC instrument to ensure continuity with past measurements, particularly of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) within the division.

Compatibility with the existing Wyatt high-temperature Gel Permeation Chromatography instrument (HP-GPC) will allow synchronization with existing systems to ensure continuity with past measurements, particularly of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) within the division. Based on NIST’s recent market research, NIST has only identified one detector that is compatible with MSED’s existing HTC instrument: The DAWNâ-UHT (NEON), a product of Waters Technologies Corporation (Unique Entity ID: JFT8BGF7FKV6).

NIST has documentation from Waters Technology Corporation that it does not allow other sources to provide the required detector in the United States. Based on the foregoing, the contracting officer intends to noncompetitively solicit, negotiate and award a purchase order to Waters Technology Corporation to purchase a DAWNâ-UHT (NEON). The authority for this action is FAR 13.106-1(b). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516.