SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT ON NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING AND EVALUATION OF SENSORS FOR ENTOMBED STRUCTURES
- Notice Date
- 5/28/2003
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Administration, Division of Contracts, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 20852-2738
- ZIP Code
- 20852-2738
- Solicitation Number
- RS-RES-03-063
- Response Due
- 7/28/2003
- Archive Date
- 8/12/2003
- Point of Contact
- Paulette Smith, Contract Specialist, Phone (301) 415-6594, Fax (301) 415-8157,
- E-Mail Address
-
pds2@nrc.gov
- Description
- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is seeking innovative ideas in the areas of Nondestructive Evaluations (NDE) of concrete structures and instrumentation to monitor the performance of these structures for various properties. NRC is interested in the types of available approaches and their range of applicability. Research proposals are solicited in the following areas: (1) NDE testing to identify and detect very small (micrometers) cracks and other flaws in concrete; and (2) reliable monitoring techniques, e.g., embedded and surface mounted sensors or other instrumentation to monitor parameters essential to verify the performance of an entombed structure as predicted by performance assessment modeling. Entombment is a method of decommissioning in which radioactive contaminants are encased in a structurally long-lived material such as concrete. The entombment structure may need to be appropriately monitored until the radioactivity decays to a level permitting decommissioning and ultimate unrestricted release of the property on which the entombed structure resides. One of the first steps in the entombment procedure is to assess the existing condition of the structure to be entombed. A high concrete permeability could allow the transport of radionuclides through the structure to the environment. The greatest single factor affecting the permeability of such a structure is likely to be the existence of cracks within the concrete. The size, distribution, and connectivity associated with such cracks determine the bulk permeability of the structure and thus the rate at which water can move through it to transport radionuclides from the contents of the structure to the environment. Cracks, particularly micro-cracks which are not detectable by visual inspection, can form extensive networks that will allow significant movement of water through the entombed structure. The NDE must both detect and characterize (spacing, width and depth) the cracks in order to be of value in formulating the necessary input to concrete degradation and flow codes that will be used in the performance assessment of the entombed structure. Further, the NDE technique must be robust enough to be applicable to non-accessible parts of the structure, e.g., parts of the structure below ground or where only one side of the structure is accessible. Continued surveillance and monitoring may be necessary until the radionuclides decay sufficiently so that they no longer pose a hazard to the public. Since the entombed structure may need to function for a period exceeding 100 years, monitoring techniques and strategies may be needed that will be able to confirm predicted performance. Research proposals are requested to address the issues listed above. Specifically, individuals or organizations with specific expertise or capability with regard to NDE techniques for assessing networks of micro-fractures or strategies and instrumentation for monitoring the performance of the structure, particularly for parameters such as formation and growth of surface-opening cracks, distribution of deleterious ionic species such as chlorides, depth of carbonation, and corrosion activity of embedded steel in the structure, will be considered. Proposals shall include a breakdown of estimated costs and describe the approach to the issues described above and what different alternatives, if any, will be considered. In addition, a capability statement, and resumes showing the proposer's capability to perform the work in the areas listed above should be included. This synopsis constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) per FAR 6.102(d)(2)(i); there will be no formal request for proposals (RFP) or other solicitation in regard to this announcement. Written proposals may be submitted by all concerns - small businesses, large businesses and universities, etc. and will be accepted until 3:30 pm local time on July 28, 2003. Multiple contract awards are anticipated. Offerors shall submit separate proposals for both areas of interest for which they wish to be considered. The Government reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. The estimated budget range for a contract will be $415K to $425K for the NDE testing and $130K to $140K for the sensor study. Offerors shall submit their written technical proposals (four copies) and written cost proposals (four copies) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Division of Contracts, Mailstop: T-7-I-2, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. Proposals shall contain a cover page including proposal title, technical and administrative points of contact with telephone and facsimile numbers and E-mail address and be followed by a letter signed by an authorized official specifying the proposal validity period (at least 90 days). Offerors shall submit technical proposals with the following minimum information: (1) A resume for the principal investigator outlining his relevant education, experience, and publications; (2) a narrative setting forth the proposed statement of work and describing the proposed methodology for accomplishing the work, what criteria will be used to determine the success of the research, and what different alternatives were considered or are available; (3) a narrative describing the proposed organization's experience in performing the type of research described; (4) a description of the research facilities which the offeror is proposing to use including the offeror=s degree of access to these facilities. Offerors shall submit a cost proposal with appropriate cost breakdown per FAR Table15-2 for each technical proposal submitted. Proposals will be evaluated and selected for award based on the following factors in descending order of importance. Evaluations will be conducted using the following evaluation criteria. (1) 50 points - Overall technical merits of the proposal and qualifications of the principal investigator with particular emphasis on his/her past research and practical experience in the area of research; (2) 50 points - The plan of execution and access to facilities and equipment to conduct the research; (3) (not to be scored) - availability of funds and (4) (not to be scored) - reasonableness and realism of the proposed cost.
- Record
- SN00333731-W 20030530/030528213700 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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