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Statement of Services

Procurement of a SWIR Hyperspectral Imaging System for Materials and Corrosion Research

1. Scope of Procurement

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon intends to procure a hyperspectral imaging system for the spatially resolved chemical and physicochemical characterization of metallic materials, corrosion products, protective coatings and related surface degradation phenomena. The system shall enable the acquisition of hyperspectral images in the visible to short- wave infrared (SWIR) spectral range and shall provide spatially resolved spectral information for the identification and differentiation of corrosion-related phases and surface materials. The system will primarily be used for research on atmospheric corrosion and degradation of metallic materials, including aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium, iron/steel and zinc, as well as corrosion products, oxides, hydroxides, oxyhydroxides and organic protective coatings. The procurement includes delivery, installation, commissioning, system integration, software, user training, documentation and warranty/service support.

2. Required System Configuration

The supplier shall provide a complete, ready-to-use SWIR hyperspectral imaging system comprising, as a minimum:  hyperspectral imaging camera/detector;  imaging spectrograph or equivalent spectral separation unit;  imaging optics suitable for laboratory-scale material characterization;  motorized scanning system (scanner) for spatially resolved hyperspectral imaging;  illumination system suitable for the specified spectral range;  sample stage or scanning platform;  camera control and data acquisition computer/interface, where required;  hyperspectral imaging and data-processing software;  necessary cables, power supplies, mechanical interfaces and accessories;  calibration equipment or calibration references required for routine operation;  system documentation and operating manuals. The scanner shall be fully integrated with the hyperspectral imaging system and shall permit reproducible spatial scanning of material specimens. The system should be supplied as an integrated measurement solution. All components required for normal hyperspectral imaging operation, including the scanner, shall be included in the tender offer.

3. Minimum Technical Requirements

3.1 Spectral range

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The system shall provide spectral coverage extending into the SWIR region. Minimum required spectral range: approximately 400–2500 nm, or a technically justified equivalent configuration covering the visible/NIR and SWIR ranges relevant to corrosion and coating characterization. If the proposed system consists of multiple detectors or spectral modules, the supplier shall clearly specify the spectral coverage and overlap of each module.

3.2 Spectral resolution

The system shall provide sufficient spectral resolution to distinguish spectrally different corrosion products and surface constituents. The required spectral resolution shall be:  ≤10 nm, preferably over the principal SWIR measurement range;  the supplier shall state the spectral resolution as a function of wavelength;  Spectral sampling and actual optical resolution shall be clearly distinguished in the technical documentation.

3.3 Spatial resolution

The system shall provide spatially resolved hyperspectral imaging suitable for laboratory samples with characteristic dimensions from approximately millimeters to several centimeters. The system shall provide:  adjustable working distance or imaging geometry;  spatial resolution sufficient to resolve corrosion features and heterogeneous surface regions;  a field of view appropriate for laboratory material specimens;  stable spatial registration between spectral channels. The supplier shall specify pixel size/spatial resolution at representative working distances.

3.4 Detector and sensitivity

The detector technology shall be suitable for hyperspectral imaging in the visible/NIR/SWIR spectral range. The system should provide sufficient sensitivity for measurements of naturally formed and laboratory-generated corrosion products under laboratory illumination conditions. The supplier shall provide quantitative information, where available, on:  detector type;  spectral response;  signal-to-noise ratio;  dynamic range;  integration time;  maximum acquisition rate;  detector cooling, if applicable.

3.5 Hyperspectral data acquisition

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The system shall acquire a full hyperspectral data cube containing spatial and spectral information. The acquisition system shall support:  raw data export;  radiometric calibration;  dark-current correction;  white-reference correction;  spectral calibration;  image correction and preprocessing;  export to commonly used scientific data formats. The system shall allow the user to access the individual spectral signatures of selected pixels or spatial regions.

3.6 Scanning System

The system shall include a motorized and computer-controlled scanner suitable for hyperspectral imaging of laboratory material specimens. The scanning system shall:  provide controlled two-dimensional spatial imaging of material surfaces;  enable reproducible scanning trajectories and acquisition conditions;  be synchronized with hyperspectral data acquisition;  provide stable and repeatable sample movement during image acquisition;  allow adjustment of scanning speed according to exposure time and measurement requirements;  support acquisition of hyperspectral image cubes over user-defined areas;  provide sufficient travel range for typical laboratory specimens;  minimize vibration and mechanical movement during acquisition;  allow reliable spatial registration of spectral data. The supplier shall specify:  scanner type and operating principle;  scanning range in the X and Y directions;  minimum spatial step/resolution;  positioning accuracy;  repeatability;  maximum and minimum scanning speed;  synchronization method between scanner and detector;  maximum recommended imaging area;  maximum sample dimensions;  mechanical load capacity;  software control and acquisition integration.

3.7 Scanning Performance

The scanner shall be capable of producing spatially resolved hyperspectral maps suitable for heterogeneous corrosion surfaces.

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The system shall support adjustable spatial sampling according to the specimen and application investigated. The supplier shall specify the achievable spatial resolution at representative working distances. For quantitative comparison of corrosion evolution, the system shall permit repeated measurements of the same specimen area with reproducible positioning and scanning parameters. Where technically feasible, the system should provide an automated scanning workflow in which the user can define the measurement area, spatial sampling interval, scanning speed and acquisition parameters through the system software.

4. Optical and Illumination Requirements

The system shall include an illumination solution appropriate for quantitative hyperspectral measurements. The illumination shall provide sufficient homogeneous illumination over the specified field of view and shall be suitable for measurements of metallic surfaces and corrosion products. The supplier shall specify:  illumination technology;  spectral output;  illumination geometry;  illumination uniformity;  expected operating lifetime;  thermal management;  safety requirements. The system shall allow measurements under reproducible and controlled illumination conditions.

5. Materials and Applications

The system shall be suitable for investigation of heterogeneous surfaces and materials including, but not limited to:  aluminum and aluminum alloys;  magnesium and magnesium alloys;  iron and steel;  zinc and zinc-coated materials;  metallic oxides;  hydroxides and oxyhydroxides;  mixed corrosion products;  organic protective coatings;  coating degradation products;  environmentally exposed material surfaces. The system should support the identification and mapping of spatially heterogeneous surface constituents based on their spectral characteristics. Consideration should be given to the ability to resolve differences between aluminum- containing corrosion products and other surface phases.

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6. Imaging Geometry, Scanner and Sample Handling

The system should be suitable for laboratory operation and allow measurements of flat and moderately irregular material specimens. The sample positioning/scanning arrangement shall:  provide stable and reproducible positioning of samples;  permit automated scanning of defined measurement areas;  accommodate representative laboratory corrosion specimens;  allow adjustment of the sample-to-camera distance and/or field of view;  provide sufficient mechanical stability for hyperspectral imaging;  enable repeat measurements of the same sample region. The scanner shall be integrated with the hyperspectral acquisition software such that spatial position and spectral information are automatically associated during image acquisition.

7. Software Requirements

The supplier shall provide all software required for system operation and hyperspectral data analysis. The software shall provide at least:  camera control;  acquisition parameter control;  real-time image display;  spectral data visualization;  pixel and region-of-interest spectral extraction;  image calibration;  spectral normalization;  image mosaicking or registration where applicable;  basic spectral classification or clustering;  export of hyperspectral data. The software shall support export of data for further analysis using external scientific computing environments, including Python and/or MATLAB. The supplier shall clearly specify the licensing model, including whether the software is provided with a perpetual license, subscription, or other licensing arrangement.

8. Calibration and Quality Assurance

The supplier shall provide all calibration procedures required for routine operation. The system shall support:  wavelength calibration;  radiometric/reflectance calibration;  dark-current correction;  white-reference correction. Suitable calibration standards or reference materials shall be included where required for normal operation. The supplier shall provide documented procedures for verification of:

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 wavelength accuracy;  spectral resolution;  spatial resolution;  radiometric stability;  signal-to-noise performance.

9. Installation and Commissioning

The supplier shall deliver, install and commission the complete system at the Hereon premises. Commissioning shall include:

1. mechanical and electrical installation;

2. software installation;

3. system configuration;

4. wavelength and radiometric calibration;

5. functional testing;

6. demonstration of hyperspectral data acquisition;

7. verification against the agreed technical specifications. The system shall be considered operational only after successful commissioning and acceptance testing.

8. Training

The supplier shall provide on-site or remote training for Hereon personnel, depending on the system’s requirement. The training shall cover, as a minimum:  system operation;  sample positioning;  acquisition parameter selection;  calibration procedures;  hyperspectral data acquisition;  data preprocessing;  spectral analysis;  data export;  routine maintenance and troubleshooting. Training shall be provided for at least 2–4 users and shall include practical measurements using representative material samples.

11. Documentation

The supplier shall provide complete technical documentation in English, including:  system specifications;  operating manual;  software documentation;  calibration procedures;  maintenance instructions;

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 safety information;  troubleshooting procedures;  recommended operating conditions;  warranty conditions. Electronic documentation shall be provided in commonly accessible formats.

12. Service, Maintenance and Warranty

The supplier shall provide a minimum warranty period of 12 months after successful acceptance of the system. The tenderer shall specify:  warranty coverage;  response time for technical support;  availability of spare parts;  expected service lifetime;  software support period;  software updates included in the purchase price;  options and costs for extended service agreements. For critical technical problems, remote technical support should be available.

13. Acceptance Testing – Scanner

Final acceptance shall additionally include verification of the scanner performance. The acceptance test shall include:

1. demonstration of motorized scanning;

2. verification of the specified scanning range;

3. verification of spatial sampling/resolution;

4. verification of positioning repeatability;

5. demonstration of synchronization between scanner movement and hyperspectral acquisition;

6. acquisition of a complete hyperspectral image cube over a defined sample area;

7. repeat scanning of the same area to demonstrate reproducible spatial registration;

8. verification that the scanner can be controlled through the software supplied. The supplier shall provide a written acceptance test protocol covering both the hyperspectral imaging system and the scanning system.

9. Deliverables

The procurement shall include the following deliverables:

1. Complete SWIR hyperspectral imaging system;
2. Imaging optics and illumination;
3. Computer/interface hardware required for operation;
4. Acquisition and analysis software;
5. Calibration standards/accessories;
6. Technical and operating documentation;
7. Installation and commissioning;

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8. User training;

9. Acceptance testing;

10. Warranty and technical support.

11. Tenderer Information

The tenderer shall provide a detailed technical description demonstrating compliance with each requirement. The offer shall clearly identify:  manufacturer and model of each major component;  spectral range;  spectral resolution;  spatial resolution;  detector technology;  sensitivity/SNR;  field of view;  working distance;  acquisition speed;  illumination characteristics;  calibration procedure;  software functionality;  data formats;  warranty conditions;  delivery time;  installation and training arrangements. For each requirement, the tenderer shall indicate whether the specification is: fully compliant / partially compliant / not compliant and shall provide quantitative specifications wherever possible.

16. Performance-Oriented Procurement Principle

The procurement is intended to obtain a high-performance hyperspectral imaging system rather than a specific commercial product. Equivalent technical solutions fulfilling or exceeding the stated functional and performance requirements shall therefore be considered. Where a requirement cannot be met exactly, the tenderer shall provide the closest technically equivalent solution and clearly describe the deviation, its scientific/technical implications and any additional costs.

The price offered should include, as a minimum:  hyperspectral imaging camera and detector system;  imaging spectrograph and associated optics;  illumination system;  sample positioning or mounting accessories required for normal operation;  acquisition and data-processing software;

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 required software licenses for normal system operation;  calibration standards and accessories;  computer/interface hardware required for system operation, where applicable;  cables, adapters and other necessary accessories;  delivery to Hereon;  installation and commissioning;  calibration and performance verification;  on-site user training;  documentation;  acceptance testing;  warranty and standard technical support during the warranty period. No additional costs shall be required for basic operation of the system under the specified operating conditions. Optional components, accessories or extended services that are not included in the basic system shall be listed separately and shall not be included in the evaluation of compliance with the maximum procurement value. The tenderer shall provide a transparent cost breakdown for the complete system, including:

1. main hyperspectral imaging system;
2. detector(s);
3. optics;
4. illumination;
5. sample stage/accessories;
6. software and licenses;
7. calibration equipment;
8. computer/interface hardware;
9. delivery;
10. installation and commissioning;
11. training;
12. warranty/service.