032 RFQ Attachment - Specifications.docx

Specifications

Test Fixtures for an existing MTS Universal Testing Machine

Background The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Engineering Laboratory (EL) Materials and Structural Systems Division (MSSD) studies the durability and service life of infrastructure materials (polymer, concrete, engineered composites) for resilience infrastructure applications. One of the key research focuses is to evaluate mechanical properties of these materials either as a qualification of achieved strengths or the degradation of properties due to some external influence. The core parameters are generally flexure, tensile, and compressive in nature. Nearly every ongoing program in this division have the need to investigate these properties at one point or another.

As part of MSSD, the Infrastructure Materials Group (IMG) currently owns an MTS Criterion (Model 45) 100kN capacity screw operated universal testing machine. The existing UTM located is located on the NIST Gaithersburg, MD campus in Building 226 B337 and has largely been used for testing programs with relatively low load requirements. In addition to the existing UTM and low load limited fixtures, NIST currently has a 100kN load cell for use with the UTM but no fixtures having the connectivity or increased load capacity to fully capture the equipment’s capabilities and associated use of the 100kN load cell with the UTM. Therefore, in response to an increased number of ongoing critical investigations, there is an evident need to make use of the equipment’s full capacity and take advantage of the extended range of testing capabilities of the existing UTM and 100kN load cell.

Purpose The purpose of this acquisition is to procure a new set of wedge style grips and compression platens for increased load capacities of up to 100kN, in accordance with the minimum specifications described below. The new grips will extend the current capabilities of the existing UTM system and complement the existing lower capacity accessories. The existing UTM is manufactured and previously purchased by MTS Systems Corporation.

The fixtures must be compliant with MTS connections and be compatible with the existing UTM and within the MTS Criterion (Model 45) UTM capabilities. The new grips must have the ability to test a wide variety of materials and sizes including widths of up to 5/8” (for materials such as FRP and some metals, sizes greater than this will likely exceed the capacity of the machine).

Description of Required Products The contractor shall provide new wedge grips and compression platens which meets the following minimum technical requirements and specifications:

LINE ITEM 0001:

DESCRIPTION: Test Fixtures for an existing MTS Universal Testing Machine

Technical Specifications:

1) Wedge grips:

1. High performing grips having a static force capacity of 100 kN or greater

2. Grip wedge inserts to accommodate a range of material thicknesses up to 5/8” (16 mm)

3. Grip width with capacity of at least 2” (50 mm)

4. Ability to connect to current platform

5. Must include any adapters required to match the performance of the existing UTM and fixture requirements

2) Compression platens

1. Platens made of high strength case-hardened alloy steel

2. Must have etched concentric rings for ease of centering specimens

3. Must be 6” (150 mm) in diameter

4. A pair of platens is required: One fixed and one spherical seated.

5. Ability to connect through a mechanical joint that is compatible to current platform

6. Must include any adapters required to match the performance of the existing UTM and fixture requirement Maintenance Options Not applicable

Warranty Requirements The Contractor shall provide, at a minimum, a one-year warranty for the equipment. The warranty shall cover all parts, labor, and travel. The warranty shall commence upon successful completion of delivery.

Delivery Requirements Delivery shall be made F.O.B. Destination within 30 days after Contractor receipt of order to the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the address identified below.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 100 Bureau Drive Building 301 Shipping & Receiving Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001

FOB Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery.

Note: The NIST Gaithersburg, MD campus is a controlled-access facility and is also under limited access restrictions due to COVID-19. Deliveries are only accepted when arranged in advance. The Contractor shall request approval of delivery time with the NIST Subject Matter Expert (SME) in advance of shipment.

Contractor failure to confirm delivery method and procedures and to receive SME approval prior to shipment shall release the Government of any liability and may result in payment being withheld until the campus access restrictions have been lifted and the item can be received and physically inspected.

Installation Requirements Not applicable

Training Requirements Not applicable

Inspection & Acceptance

NIST will inspect delivered products within ten (10) business days after delivery to ensure that they conform to the requirements identified in this Specifications document. The Government reserves the right to conduct quality assurance testing to confirm that a given instrument(s) meets the manufacturer’s and/or the Government’s performance specifications. NIST will inspect the Testing Fixtures to ensure conformance with the requirements identified in this Specifications document. The Testing Fixtures must operate in accordance with the specifications listed herein. If all other requirements are met, the product shall be accepted.

Payment Schedule The Contractor shall be paid, in accordance with Net 30-day payment terms, upon receipt and acceptance of a proper invoice, in accordance with the following schedule:

NOTE: Partial shipments and partial invoices will not be accepted, unless otherwise requested and accepted by the Contracting Officer prior to award offer. Proposed payment schedules shall be submitted with vendor’s response to the RFQ for consideration.