Loren Data Corp.

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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF APRIL 14,1995 PSA#1325

DOT,FED HWY ADMN, Contracts and Procurement, 400 7th ST, SW, Room 4410, Washington, DC 20590

A -- DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF A PROTO-TYPE PORTABLE ACOUSTIC EMISSION (AE) MONITORING SYSTEM.'' SOL DTFH61-95-X-00026 DUE 060195 POC Contact Jean Maxwell, HCP-40F, (202) 366-5745 The FHWA announces that it will accept applications to enter into a cost-sharing, cooperative agreement entitled ''Design and Fabrication of a Proto-type Portable Acoustic Emission (AE) Monitoring System.'' The objective of the cooperative agreement is to use existing AE Technology to fabricate a portable AE system to be used for the non-destructive inspection and evaluation of steel bridge superstructures. The FHWA anticipates that one (1) award will be made at a funding level not to exceed $220,000. MINIMAL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANT: The FHWA intends that award will be made to any organization with the capability to demonstrate: (1) current progress in the design, development and/or fabrication of an AE system(s), (2) advanced-level knowledge of AE system capabilities and application of these principles to the non- destructive inspection and evaluation of highway bridges, and (3) access to all necessary resources for the design, development and fabrication of a working proto-type. MINIMAL PROTO-TYPE REQUIREMENTS: The proto-type AE system should capitalize on existing AE Technologies for Acquisition and Analysis of data, where possible, and meet the following requirements: (1) easily and quickly installed at bridge sites, (2) environmentally hardened for weather conditions typical of bridge sites, (3) capable on being left operating on site, unattended, for a minimum of one week, (4) efficient detection, measuring, evaluation and monitoring of fatigue cracks in bridge steel with AE, (5) capable of producing test results that can be downloaded to a personal computer, (6) capable of utilizing state-of-the-art AE data collection and evaluation techniques, (7) capability to automatically collect, process and store AE and concomitant strain gauge data, (8) capability to collect data to determine the effective stress range and state of stress in the area of testing, (9) capable of using concomitant strain gauge data to gate AE data processing and storage, and (10) be powered by a local power source capable of maintaining unattended system operations for a minimum of one week. APPLICATION CONTENTS - TECHNICAL: The technical application should not exceed 40 pages and should include: (A) A project statement. (B) A technical discussion of the anticipated research, design, fabrication and testing process, including: (a) a discussion on the state-of-the-art of: (1) detection and location of cracks with AE, (2) measurement of crack growth with AE, (3) monitoring and evaluation of fatigue crack growth under high cycle fatigue loading, and (4) specific problems associated with the monitoring of cracks in bridge steel members. (b) a detailed plan for the development of the AE system, including a discussion of: (1) the planned approach and anticipated results, (2) the anticipated hardware and software to be developed, (3) waveform discrimination, counting, and graphical presentations techniques, and (4) a plan for recording the step-by-step development/ fabrication process (e.g. slides, videotape, etc.). (c) a plan for testing and demonstrating the capabilities of the finished proto- type, including possible sites, type of test(s), the length of the demonstration and the anticipated audience. (d) A plan for the development of a user's manual describing the functional aspects, use, design, and methods for troubleshooting the system. (e) A plan for FHWA involvement throughout the period of performance. (f) A plan for the preparation of the final report. It is anticipated that the final report would be approximately 150 pages and would include: (1) a discussion on the technologies used in the system, and, how they were selected and implemented, (2) a discussion of the system capabilities, and it's limitations, (3) a full cost analysis of the prototype and an estimate of the cost of reproducing that system for sale on the commercial market, and (4) other issues identified by the recipient. (C) A plan for including the working proto-type in the ''FHWA Technology Transfer Program (TT).'' The TT program is designed to accelerate the implementation of the research by providing product marketing assistance at regional/national seminars and conferences, professional gatherings and field demonstrations. The plan should address the availability of videotapes, brochures, and other promotional items. The plan should identify who would conduct on- site demonstration and testing of the proto-type (e.g., recipient employees or FHWA personnel). Also, for what period of time the proto-type would be available for use by the TT Program. NOTE: The FHWA anticipates a need to incorporate the working proto-type in the TT program on a long-term, relatively permanent basis, but will consider any alternate schedule. (D) Other technical matter deemed relevant by the applicant. APPLICATION CONTENTS - STAFFING The staffing application should include the qualifications and experience of key personnel anticipated to participate in the work. APPLICATION CONTENTS - ADMINISTRATIVE (A) A schedule for the anticipated work. NOTE: The FHWA anticipates a working proto-type within 18 months after award, but will consider all alternate schedules. The FHWA also anticipates a need to incorporate the working proto-type in the TT program on a long-term, relatively permanent basis, and will consider all alternate schedules. (B) A plan for meeting the monthly progress reporting needs of the FHWA. This may include written reports and/or oral presentations. (C) A plan for preparing a research paper suitable for publication in a national magazine. (D) The required certifications regarding ''Drug Free Workplace'', ''Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters,'' and ''Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF- LLL).'' APPLICATION CONTENTS - BUDGET:(A) A completed SF-424, ''Application for Federal Assistance,'' SF-424A, ''Budget Information- Non Construction,'' and SF-424B, ''Assurances-Non Construction Program,'' (B) An anticipated billing schedule. APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS AND CRITERIA: Initially, all applicants will be reviewed for eligibility and conformance with the Application Contents section of this notice. Acceptable applications will be evaluated based upon the following technical evaluation criteria: (1) Potential for implementation of the AE system by bridge owners for the effective management and inspection of bridges, (2) Knowledge of current highway technology, practice, procedures, and organization relating to the inspection of highway bridges. (3) The recognition of potential problems with implementation of an AE system and the appropriateness of methods anticipated to overcome them, and (4) The integration into the work plan of innovative ideas and new approaches, including use of strain gauge and AE data, data management, environmental hardening, power system and power management, and the application of AE techniques into the monitoring of highway bridges. TERMS AND CONDITION OF AWARD: The recipient shall produce a research paper suitable for publication in a national journal. Upon invitation, the paper will be presented orally by the principal investigator at the FHWA offices in the Washington, D.C., area and/or at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board held each January in Washington, D.C. The date and location of any oral presentation would be coordinated by FHWA with the recipient. Authority: P.L. 102-240, Title 6, Part A, Section 6001(a)(2)(B). APPLICATION PROCEDURES - Applications must be submitted to the Office of Contracts and Procurement (HCP-40F), Federal Highway Administration, Room 4410, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590, Attention: Jean Maxwell. Applications must reference Solicitation No. DTFH61-95-X- 00026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean Maxwell, Office of Contracts and Procurement, at (202) 366-5745. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except legal Federal holidays. This announcement represents the total solicitation. There is no printed document available from the issuing office. Note 25. (0102)

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