Title: Research Equipment from the Stars
1Research Equipmentfrom the Stars
- National Radio Astronomy Observatory
- Michael Stogoski
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a
facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by
Associated Universities, Inc.
2Research Equipmentfrom the Stars
- Introduction
- Finding what equipment is needed
- Searching Secrets and acquisition process
- Some results
- Questions
3Introduction
- I screen under Federal/NSF.
- Type of equipment I acquire
- -Electronics equipment all types -O-Scopes
- -Environmental Chambers -Microscopes
- -Spectrum Analyzers -Power Supplies
- -Network Analyzers -Lab Equipment
- -Signal Generators
4Introduction
- Someone needed a power supply
- Prior experience I knew that property could be
transferred to other agencies from DRMOs,
thats all. - Called around to see if government excess
property could be transferred to us and found
that since NRAO is under NSFit was possible. - Asked boss to proceedhe said go for it.
5Introduction
- From here out, everything I learned was from
visiting sites in my area and from folks at NSF,
GSA, DOD, DRMO, RCP, DRMS, DCMA, NASA, and people
here at USA-FEPP sharing their knowledge and
experience with me. - I found that this is the nature of the entire
process of getting government excess property,
i.e. communications.
6Finding out what equipment is needed
- This is the most important step!
- I never found that power supply, but I did find a
brand new Vector Network Analyzer still in the
original box that one group was about to order
through purchasing.
7Finding out what is needed
- Good communications with the PI, Researcher,
Engineer, or person requesting the equipment is
absolutely necessary throughout the process. - This can help you catch good equipment that
otherwise would have been missed by not checking
back with the requesting person. - This also increases the chance of getting the
correct equipment, and helps prevent acquiring
equipment that will wind up on a shelf taking up
needed space.
8Finding out what is needed
- Getting the list of equipment needed from your
PI, researcher, etc. - Condition of equipment/using what you get
- Why becoming familiar with what general equipment
is used and needed is worth the effort
9Finding out what is needed
- Get the list of equipment needed, in BOTH
- Specific terms including nomenclature, make,
model number, manufacturers part number. - (Spectrum Analyzer, HP- 8560E, Option X)
- And
- General terms including nomenclature, and some
operating parameters, frequency range,
magnification, type, etc. - (Spectrum Analyzer, for signals around 20 GHz)
- (Stereo Microscope, magnification 30x-150x)
10Finding out what is needed
- Sometimes searching for specific items produces a
hit but this is more unlikely than searching
general terms. - Knowing the general equipment and some operating
parameters provides a wider field to choose from
and will produce more hits. - For example, the general searching method
produced a Rhode and Swartz spectrum analyzer
(65,000) that was better than the HP 8560E, and
would not have been found using the specific
method.
11Finding out what is needed
- Condition of equipment/Using what you get
- I strive to get equipment in the best condition
possible. - It is not always profitable to acquire equipment
specifically for parts. - 30 of what I receive doesnt work and is too
costly to repair (we use these for parts) - 70 is good equipment or equipment that can be
made operational by spending a fraction of the
items value to make the repairs.
12Finding out what is needed
- Visit the labs and become familiar with what
general equipment is used and needed. - Power Supplies
- Signal Generators
- O-Scopes
- Microscopes
- Tools
- Glassware
- Spectrum Analyzers
13Searching Secrets and acquisition process
- Pull up 4 screens
- WebFLIS http//www.dlis.dla.mil/webflis/
- DRMS Search Page
- https//www.drms.dla.mil/asset/govegeo.html
- Google
- GSAXcess http//gsaxcess.gov/
14Searching secrets and acquisition process
- I divided the process into two searches
- Specific Search and General Search.
- Starting here with Specific Search.
HP-8560E, Spectrum Analyzer
NSN found
Enter model into WebFLIS
No NSN
Use general search
Search in DRMS Search Form using NSN
Search in GSAXcess using NSN
15WebFLIS http//www.dlis.dla.mil/webflis/
16WebFLIS -Part/Model Number to NSN
http//www.dlis.dla.mil/webflis
2. Hit Go
1. Enter Part Number 8560E
17WebFLIS -Part/Model Number to NSN
http//www.dlis.dla.mil/webflis
Click on NSN
18WebFLIS - Part/Model Number to NSN
Picture
Year
Price
19Specific Search
- Since WebFLIS produced a NSN, you can now use
this to search in both GSAXcess and the DRMS
Search Form.
HP-8560E, Spectrum Analyzer
NSN found
Plug model into WebFLIS
No NSN
Use general search
Search in DRMS Search Form using NSN
Search in GSAXcess using NSN
Specific Search HP-8560E
20Specific Search DRMS Search Formhttps//www.drms
.dla.mil/asset/govegeo.html
6625-01-380-2177
Enter NSN
21Specific Search DRMS Search Form
https//www.drms.dla.mil/asset/govegeo.html
Click All
Click Search
22Specific Search DRMS Search Form
NSN found
Search in DRMS Search Form using NSN
Use general search
No Item
Part is listed under DOD
Find Item
Search in GSAXcess using NSN or DTID
-Find the date it will turnover to GSA (on search
form) -Give a call, see if it is still
available -Get prepared for the GSA search.
Part is listed under GSA
Wait for Turnover to GSA
Specific Search HP-8560E
23Specific Search DRMS Search Form
https//www.drms.dla.mil/asset/govegeo.html
NSN
Location
DTID
GSA or DOD
Days left
24Specific Search DRMS Search Form
NSN found
Search in DRMS Search Form using NSN
Use general search
No Item
Part is listed under DOD
Find Item
Search in GSAXcess using NSN or DTID
-Find the date it will turnover to GSA (on search
form) -Give a call, see if it is still
available -Copy down DTID -Get prepared for the
GSA search
Part is listed under GSA
Wait for Turnover to GSA
25Specific Search GSAXcess
NSN found
Search in DRMS Search Form using NSN
Use general search
No Item
Part is listed under DOD
Find Item
Search in GSAXcess using NSN or DTID
-Find the date it will turnover to GSA (on search
form) -Give a call, see if it is still
available -Copy down DTID -Get prepared for the
GSA search
Part is listed under GSA
Wait for Turnover to GSA
26Specific Search GSAXcesshttp//gsaxcess.gov/feds
web/fedsweb/
Login
27Specific Search GSAXcesshttp//gsaxcess.gov/feds
web/fedsweb/
Click Advanced Search
28Specific Search GSAXcesshttp//gsaxcess.gov/feds
web/fedsweb/
2. Hit Search
1. Enter NSN or DTID
29Specific Search GSAXcess
Search in DRMS Search Form using NSN
NSN found
-Call POC and Property Custodian -Part still
available? -Verify make and model -Any
information is valuable ! -Send a
picture? (Note Even if someone else puts in for
the item, if it is not taken, go ahead and submit
requisition.)
Search in GSAXcess using NSN or DTID
Find Item
No Item
Good Condition
Use General Search or call
Specific Search HP-8560E
Get Item
30Specific Search GSAXcesshttp//gsaxcess.gov/feds
web/fedsweb/
Click on item
31Specific Search GSAXcesshttp//gsaxcess.gov/feds
web/fedsweb/
Contact Information
Description sometimes
32Specific Search GSAXcess
Search in DRMS Search Form using NSN
NSN found
-Call POC and Property Custodian -Part still
available? -Verify make and model -Any
information is valuable! -Send a picture? (Note
Even if someone else puts in for the item, if it
is not taken, go ahead and submit requisition.)
Search in GSAXcess using NSN or DTID
Find Item
No Item
Good Condition
Use General Search or call
Get Item
33General Search DRMS Search Form
https//www.drms.dla.mil/asset/govegeo.html
Leave Blank
34General Search DRMS Search Form
https//www.drms.dla.mil/asset/govegeo.html
Enter Name Spectrum Analyzer
Click All
Click Search
35General Search DRMS Search Form
https//www.drms.dla.mil/asset/govegeo.html
36General Search DRMS Search Form
https//www.drms.dla.mil/asset/govegeo.html
37General Search DRMS Search Form
Search in DRMS Search Form using Nomenclature
-Narrow down list by cross-referencing NSN in
WebFLIS to obtain Model/Part Number, or -Try
calling to get info.
Find many items
Part is listed under GSA
Find item you want
No Item found
General Search GSAXcess
Part is listed under DOD
Search in GSAXcess using NSN or DTID
-Find the date it will turnover to GSA (on search
form) -Give a call, see if it is still
available -Copy down DTID -Get prepared for the
GSA search
Wait for Turnover to GSA
38WebFLIS -NSN to Part/Model Number
http//www.dlis.dla.mil/webflis
Enter NSN
Hit Go
39WebFLIS -NSN to Part/Model Number
http//www.dlis.dla.mil/webflis
Picture
NSN
Year
Part Number
40General Search DRMS Search Form
Search in DRMS Search Form using Nomenclature
-Narrow down list by cross-referencing NSN in
WebFLIS to obtain Model/Part Number, or -Try
calling to get info.
Find many items
Part is listed under GSA
Find item you want
No Item found
General Search GSAXcess
Part is listed under DOD
Search in GSAXcess using NSN or DTID
-Find the date it will turnover to GSA (on search
form) -Give a call, see if it is still
available -Copy down DTID -Get prepared for the
GSA search
Wait for Turnover to GSA
41General Search GSAXcesshttp//gsaxcess.gov/fedsw
eb/fedsweb/
2. Hit Search
1. Enter Nomenclature
42General Search GSAXcesshttp//gsaxcess.gov/fedsw
eb/fedsweb/
Click on item
43General Search GSAXcesshttp//gsaxcess.gov/fedsw
eb/fedsweb/
Contact Information
44General Search GSAXcess
Search in GSAXcess using Nomenclature
-Call POC and Property Custodian -Part still
available? -Verify make and model -Any
information is valuable! -Send a picture? (Note
Even if someone else puts in for the item, if it
is not taken, go ahead and submit requisition.)
Find Item
No Item
Use other search methods or call
Good Condition
Get Item
45General Search PCARSShttps//www.drms.dla.mil/rt
d03/pcarss.htm
- PCARSS Plant Clearance Automated
Reutilization Screening System - Government equipment located at contractor
facilities - Expert Marge Cunningham
- -I also use PCARSS to find equipment that may be
coming up for entry into GSAXcess, the date it
will be transferred, and contact information.
46General Search PCARSShttps//www.drms.dla.mil/rt
d03/pcarss.htm
Login
47General Search PCARSShttps//www.drms.dla.mil/rt
d03/pcarss.htm
Hit OK
-Enter NSN or -Item Description or -FSC -I like
FSC
48General Search PCARSShttps//www.drms.dla.mil/rt
d03/pcarss.htm
Click on item
Hit View Detail
49General Search PCARSShttps//www.drms.dla.mil/rt
d03/pcarss.htm
Lots of good info and contact information
50Searching secrets and acquisition process
- Tips when entering nomenclature
- (Especially in GSAXcess)
- For Spectrum Analyzer
- Enter -Spectrum Analyzer
- -Analyzer Spectrum
- -Analyzer, Spectrum
- -SpectrumAnalyzer
- -AnalyzerSpectrum
- -Etc.
51Searching secrets and acquisition process
- Tips when calling people with questions
concerning equipment that you are interested in
obtaining - Be nice, you might have to call back later.
- It is burning hot, freezing cold, humid, sticky,
or dirty in some of the warehouses. Keep this in
mind when asking folks to get pictures or
information about the equipment. - Many times you have to leave a call back number.
My experience is that you do get a return call or
e-mail. - Be persistent, stick-with-it, have patience, be
persistent. - If someone doesnt know the answer find out who
doesnicely. - The process does not always workso move on.
52Searching secrets and acquisition process
- Obvious shipping considerations, tips, and notes.
- Some werent so obvious to me at first.
- Pickup/packaging costs vs. equipment worth.
- (70-200 for electronics, gt50 lbs)
- Double-box electronics equipment
- Do the leg work (calling) to make sure the pickup
company has access to the base and equipment. - Coordinate the entire process providing both ends
with each others necessary contact information,
time of pickup, what will be picked up, etc. - If equipment is acquisitioned through Resource
Control Points (RCP), they will deliver the
equipment (at least to federal agencies, maybe
others).
53Some Results
Vector Network Analyzer RCP New Cumberland 65,000
Synthesized Sweeper RCP Warner Robins 98,500
Amplifier Test System
54Some Results
Work Station
Stereo Microscope Stand DRMO Norfolk 1,500
Multiplier Test Station
Power Supply DRMO Norfolk 3,500
55Some Results
Microwave Amplifier DRMO Ft. Meade 8,500
Signal Generator DRMO Ft. Hood 25,700
Power Supply DRMO Norfolk 1,000
Frequency Counter PCARSS 5,500
Spectrum Analyzer DRMO Norfolk 65,000
Equipment Rack PCARSS 3,500
Power Supplies x2 DRMO Norfolk 7,000
Phase Noise Test Set
56Some Results
Vector Network Analyzer
Probe Station
DRMO Ft. Meade, 30,000
PCARSS, 80,100
57Some Results
2 Signal Generators DRMO Richmond 11,000
Frequency Standard DRMO Oklahoma City 36,000
2 Measuring Receivers DRMO Norfolk 5,600
2 Power Supplies DRMO Norfolk DRMO San
Diego 6,500
2 Special Computers NASA Langley 10,000
58Some Results
Precision Array to Probe the Epoch of
Re-ionization (PAPER)
Environmental Chamber RCP Norfolk 36,500
Signal Generators -DRMO Richmond -DRMO
Norfolk 15,600 total
59Some Results
Mixer Test Set (ALMA)
Part of the Solar Radio Burst Spectrometer
-Frequency Standard RCP Tobyhanna 24,100
-Signal Generators -Digital Clock -Amplifier 8,60
0 total
2 O-Scopes Offutt and Eglin 2,000
60Some Results
- Total shown here about 551,200
- Total over 4 years 10 months
- (10 total time devoted to this)
- 3.7 million
- 2.8 million of useful equipment
61ALMA Antennas
ALMA Front End Receiver
62Thanksto the Stars!