reviewed

Cryogenic mill

Waiver type - Procurement: Nonavailability

Agency: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (1341) • Product Service Code (PSC) : 6640 | Last Modified: 12/17/2024

Procurement Summary

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Materials Measurement Laboratory, Materials Measurement Science Division (MMSD) requires a cryogenic mill for grinding plastic materials. The mill must have cryogenic capability to freeze plastics below their glass transition temperature (Tg), making them brittle and suitable for milling into fine particles. MMSD aims to produce and recover submicron (≤ 1 μm) particles, which is achievable only through cryogenic ball milling. This method employs high-impact forces to fracture frozen materials, with liquid nitrogen often used to maintain sub-Tg temperatures and prevent heating during milling.

Waiver Rationale Summary

Based on the findings, it has been determined that a cryogenic mill meeting the MMSD’s requirements is neither mined, produced, nor manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and satisfactory quality. Consequently, the Retsch cryogenic mill will be treated as a domestic article for this procurement.

Did / Will the solicitation include one of the standard BAA provisions announcing the agency’s intention to provide a price preference for domestic end products and construction material?

Yes

Was a sources sought or Request for Information issued?

Yes

OMB Determination

Consistent with Policy

Product

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

NAICS

334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Date Submitted

12/16/2024

Procurement Instrument Identifier (PIID)

N/A

Solicitation ID

N/A

Procurement Stage

Pre-solicitation

Expected Maximum Duration of the Proposed Waiver

Instant Delivery Only

Waiver Coverage

Individual Waiver

Funding Agency

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY