Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF AUGUST 02, 2008 FBO #2441
SOLICITATION NOTICE

R -- Testing of Cement Candidate Materials for SRM Certification

Notice Date

7/31/2008
 

Notice Type

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
 

NAICS

541690 — Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
 

Contracting Office

Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899-1640
 

ZIP Code

20899-1640
 

Solicitation Number

NB839010-8-05405
 

Archive Date

8/23/2008
 

Point of Contact

Monique Speights,, Phone: (301) 975-8855, Mario A. Checchia,, Phone: 301-975-8407
 

E-Mail Address

monique.speights@nist.gov, mario.checchia@nist.gov
 

Small Business Set-Aside

Total Small Business
 

Description

Description: This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Parts 12 and 13. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation, quotes are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS is 541380). This is a small business set-aside. THIS REQUIREMENT IS RESTRICTED AND ONLY SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTORS MAY SUBMIT A QUOTE. The NIST Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory has a requirement for comprehensive testing services for elemental analysis and chemical properties of portland cement and blended portland cement in accordance with the following Performance Work Statement (PWS): --BEGINNING OF THE PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT----------- Performance Work Statement Testing of Cement Candidate Materials for SRM Certification 1.Background The Analytical Chemistry Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology develops, critically evaluates, and applies techniques for the identification and measurement of inorganic species using several analytical methods. This mission includes development and continued certification of standard reference materials (SRMs), which are used by many government agencies and private and industrial companies. 2.Applicable Documents ASTM C 114-05, “Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement” 3.Scope of Work The Contractor shall provide comprehensive testing services for elemental analysis and chemical properties of Portland cement and blended Portland cement in accordance with ASTM C 114-05. NIST requires that all work listed in section four of this performance work statement (PWS) be completed by a single facility because the successful completion of some tests depends on the successful completion of other tests in the same laboratory with all specimens for all test methods coming from the same unit of material. 4.Specific Tasks and Associated Performance Standards (maybe part of the Scope of Work) The Contractor shall perform the following services on materials supplied by NIST in accordance with ASTM C 114-05. All tests shall be performed on duplicate specimens from each six (6) vials of SRM 1880b candidate cement and one (1) vial of cement designated as a quality assurance material 1. Total Ca as CaO, ASTM C 114 gravimetric method 2. Total Si as SiO2, ASTM C 114 gravimetric method 3. Total S as SO3, ASTM C 114 gravimetric method 4. Total P as P2O5, ASTM C 114 UV/Vis method 5. Total Na, Mg, Al, K, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, Sr by atomic absorption spectrometry 6. Cl as chloride, ASTM C 114 method 7. Free lime, ASTM C 114 method 8. X-ray fluorescence analysis (meeting C 114 qualification for rapid methods) with borate fusion sample preparation for Total Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn. 9. Insoluble Residue, ASTM C 114 method 10. F as fluoride by ion selective electrode method 11. Sulfide sulfur, ASTM C 114 method or equivalent 12. Loss on ignition at 950 C, ASTM C 114 method 5.Deliverables and Reports, and Associated Due Dates Each of the twelve tests in section 3 of this contract shall be documented in a complete report of analysis. The report shall include estimates of uncertainty due to measurement repeatability. The report shall be completed within 90 days of receipt of samples by the laboratory. An extension of time will be available, but only if requested by the laboratory at least two weeks prior to the expiration of the 90-day period or if NIST chooses to request work on a subsequent cement SRM during the 90-day period. The minimum requirements for reports of analysis for cement SRM analyses are as follows: a.Complete identification of organization running laboratory including name, location, shipping address, laboratory manager(s) responsible for personnel performing testing. b.Unique project identifier code. c.Dates samples received and notation of any damage or suspicious circumstances. d.Dates during which analyses and data evaluation were performed. e.Summary sheet itemizing mean results for each constituent and property determined by all test methods employed. f.Individual sheets for each test method listing all individual test results, preferably in the order measurements were made. Sheet will also include 1)Identification of analyst(s) for every result and approving/reviewing official. 2)Each individual result will be identified by the container code number assigned by NIST plus an index letter or number. 3)Quantity of specimen used for each measurement. 4)Individual result values given with at least three significant digits, if possible. Results having just one digit are not acceptable. 5)Mean and standard deviation of all replicate results for each constituent. Optimally, the uncertainty will be expressed with two significant digits and the individual results will be reported to the same number of decimal places. 6)Reference to quality system identification of test method. 7)Indication of standard test method, if any, to which the test method conforms (ASTM C 114 in most cases). 8)Individual results for quality assurance samples will be included on each of these sheets. 9)As an option, these report sheets may also include key intermediate quantities/values obtained in the process of sample preparation and analysis, if the analyst deems them of potential value as quality indicators. Solution volumes and densities are good examples because they impact the uncertainty budget. g.Brief descriptions of all test methods with key operating conditions. Examples include borate fusion conditions, reagents, and identification of instrumentation used including brand and model number. h.For relative test methods, calibration standards shall be listed including the producing organization and that organization’s catalog number. For balances, the laboratory shall identify their standard weights set(s). 6.Options NIST may award up to ten options to repeat the work specified in section three of this performance work statement (PWS) for a new cement SRM. 7.Period of Performance and Location Work is to be performed One year from award of this contract plus up to four additional years for options. All work shall be performed at the Contractor’s facility. 8.Government-Furnished Property, Data, and Information NIST will provide the Contractor with all SRM and quality assurance materials within 30 days from the award of the contract or an option. 9.Exhibits and Attachments None 10.Summary of Performance Requirements Required OutputRequired ServicePerformance StandardMonitoring Method Report of analysis of candidate SRM samples and quality assurance samplesAnalysis of cement SRMs and quality assurance samples in accordance with ASTM C 114-05Compliance with analytical method requirements in this PWS.The Technical Information Contact will review the Contractor’s reports, request raw data to verify calculations, and may request other records specified in the Contractor’s quality control system. 11.Contractor Qualifications The Contractor shall have at least five years experience with the analytical methods specified in section 3 of this contract. The Contractor shall also be ISO 17025 accredited for the methods in section 3 of this contract. 12.Evaluation Factors The Government may award a contract to the Contractor whose quotation is deemed to represent the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors will be used to evaluate quotations. Technical factors will be significantly more important than price. Technical ranking factors will be evaluated as good, satisfactory, or unsatisfactory. A. Personnel Qualifications of Proposed Key Personnel The Contractor’s proposal must show compliance with the requirements set forth in section ten of this PWS. Of particular importance is ISO 17025 accreditation for the methods listed in section three of this PWS. B. Technical Approach for Satisfying PWS Requirements The offeror shall provide a detailed written technical approach for how it would satisfy the requirements of each task in the PWS. The Contractor’s proposal shall include a detailed description of its quality control program and its ISO 17025 scope of accreditation for the methods listed in section three of this PWS. NIST requires that all work listed in item section three of this PWS be completed by a single facility because the successful completion of some tests depends on the successful completion of other tests in the same laboratory with all specimens for all test methods coming from the same unit of material. C. Past Performance Information The Government will evaluate the quality of work performed by the Offeror on similar contracts/orders. The Government will assess a neutral rating for lack or relevant past performance. D. Evaluated Cost Pricing for analyses will include all materials and labor required to complete the analyses as specified for a given cement SRM. If further information is required about the facilities, please refer to the NIST website, www.nist.gov. The Contracting Officer’s (COTR) is to be determined. Price Quote – The contractor shall submit the best potential fixed price for each CLIN. The resulting purchase order shall be a negotiated on a firm fixed price basis. The award shall be made on the contractor’s best technical factors. The best technical evaluation factors while relatively equal are listed in order of importance, include the following: 1) Technical Approach – The likelihood of the contractor being able to complete the service. 2) Past Performance – The relevance and quality of prior performance. 3) Price – The amount, realism and consistency of the evaluated price. The evaluation shall be based on use of the adjectival scheme as follows: Good (G) – Beneficial and worthwhile; sound and valid; Satisfactory (S) – Reasonable, sufficient and suitable. Unsatisfactory (U) – Not acceptable, not adequate to carry out. The solicitation document and incorporated clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular Number 2005-26. The provisions and clauses may be down- loaded at http://www.acqnet.gov.far. The following provisions and clauses shall apply to this solicitation: FAR 212.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, applies to this acquisition and there is no addenda to this provision; FAR 52.212-2- Evaluation-Commercial Items. The Government shall award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:(i.) technical approach, (ii) past performance, (iii) price; FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and there is no addenda to this provision; FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and there is no addenda to this provision; FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition; FAR 52.204-9, Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel; FAR 52.227-14, Rights in Data-General; 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term Of the Contract, FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services and other appropriate clauses as needed. All interested contractors must be actively registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at the CCR website www.ccr.gov and must provide a completed copy of the Offeror Representations and Certifications. Interested contractors are invited to review the above Performance Work Statement. “Comprehensive Testing Services for Elemental Analysis and Chemical Properties of Portland cement and blended portland cement etc.”. Please provide an electronic response addressed to Monique Speights, Purchasing Agent, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-1640, monique.speights@nist.gov. Contractors must submit a complete response. Responses that are not substantially complete will be returned. Offers of partial performance shall be rejected. A quote shall be submitted as in an electronic version in MS Word or Adobe Acrobat. The electronic version shall be in the form of an email with attachments. A one page letter shall transmit the quotation signed by an individual authorized to commit the organization. Each response shall be on 8 ½”-inch x 11-inch paper, in a commercially standard font, not smaller than a size 12 font. The response shall be secured by simple stapling and shall not contain elaborate binding. Each page in the response shall be separately numbered. A page of paper printed on both sides is considered two pages. The quote shall include the letter of transmittal, shall be limited to twenty (20) single sided pages. Submit quotes arranged I three sections as follows: Section I – Technical Approach, which includes identification and qualifications of of relevant personnel and technical management approach; Section II – Past Performance for relevant experience which describes at least (3) relevant projects performed in the last three years and quality of performance; Section III – Price, firm fixed price for the required technical consulting services. Each firm fixed price shall include sufficient data to allow the Government to determine the amount, realism and consistency of the fixed price. Award shall be made to the responsible contractor that offers the best value to the Government. The Government shall not be liable for any costs incurred in response to this request. The Government reserves the right to make a single award, multiple awards or no award as a result of this RFQ. It is the responsibility of the contractor to confirm NIST’s receipt of quote.
 

Web Link

FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=f04e0de1c38159403075e5e1c620456f&tab=core&_cview=1)
 

Place of Performance

Address: The National Institute of Standards & Technolgy, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899, United States

Zip Code: 20899
 

Record

SN01628579-W 20080802/080731225059-f04e0de1c38159403075e5e1c620456f (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

---

| FSG Index  |  This Issue's Index  |  Today's FBO Daily Index Page |