SOW_NOI.pdf

Upgrade to 1000 Prism Load Frame Statement of Need / Required Specifications

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 critical research focuses is to understand the mechanical properties of materials of various compositions, multi-components, multi-layers systems under a range of mechanical deformations (bending, tension, shear, and compression).

The MSSD operates a 1000 Prism load frame with a maximum force capacity of 1000 kips (1,000,000 lbf). The current control system, comprised of a hydraulic pump, servo control electronics, data acquisition, and signal conditioning hardware, is outdated and no longer operational. A retrofit upgrade to the controls system is required to return the load frame to full operation.

NIST’s on-going investigation into the partial collapse of Champlain Tower South building requires a high-stiffness load frame to obtain the descending branch of the concrete stress-strain curve.

The current control system is not adequate to conduct such a test and must be replaced with modern hardware and software.

The MSSD will benefit from the use of a 1000 Prism load frame for various infrastructure materials (polymer, cement, concrete, and composites) in the “Engineered Materials for Resilient Infrastructure” program and for FRP composite assemblies in “Earthquake Risk Reduction in Buildings and Infrastructure” program. The “Additive Manufacturing with Cement-based Materials” project will utilize this piece of equipment to evaluate materials for 3-D printing processes.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this acquisition is to procure one retrofit upgrade unit for the MSSD’s 1000 Prism load frame.

The retrofit upgrade shall return the 1000 Prism load frame to full operation. The retrofit upgrade shall apply cover all hardware and software required to operate the 1000 Prism load frame through the full range of its rated capacity (1000 kips). The retrofit upgrade shall include, at a minimum, new hydraulic power supply, servo control electronics, data acquisition electronics, signal conditioning electronics, operation software, and training for up to six individuals.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIRED PRODUCTS

The contractor shall provide one retrofit upgrade to the 1000 Prism load frame which meets or exceeds the following requirements:

The retrofit upgrade shall replace existing controls hardware, comprised of a hydraulic pump, servo control electronics, data acquisition, and signal conditioning, and control software while retaining the existing load frame.

Operational Requirements

• The upgraded load frame shall be able to run compression test complying with ASTM C109 and ASTM C39.

• The maximum force in compression of the load frame shall remain 1000 kips

• The upgrade must include a fine positioning actuator jog button to allow for fine movements when setting up compression tests.

• The electronics of the machine must have a “specimen protect” feature where you cannot overload a specimen during test set up mode. The software must continuously monitor the applied load and prevent excessive loading during test setup.

Safety

• The software must automatically set load limits based off of the transducers that are integrated into the system. The transducers must have serial IDs and autorecognition by the testing machine’s software.

• The software must have definable end of test criteria to stop all load frame functions automatically.

• The retrofit upgrade must come with a new emergency stop (E-stop) button which is hardwired into the control electronics of the machine.

• This E-stop button must be within reach when in front of the machine’s test space

Software

• The software must work with Windows 10 64-bit operating systems

• The software shall have an unlimited number of unique user profiles with different levels of permission. Each user account must be configurable to allow for permissions to test specimens, change a tested specimen, delete a specimen, exclude a tested specimen, change workspace properties, override file locations, discard a sample, overwrite a sample, analyze samples, edit test methods, configure the system, and configure security.

• User profiles must be able to be set up based off the software log-in, Windows log-in, or Active Directory.

• The software must be capable of running at multiple stress rates/displacement rates during a single test run.

• The software must have an intuitive graphical user interface operated from the control panel of the retrofit upgrade.

• The software must come with pre-loaded ASTM, ISO, DIN, etc.. test methods to streamline test method development.

• The users must be able to program their own test methods without assistance from the

OEM.

• The software shall allow for exporting raw and filtered data collected during the test in a machine-readable format (csv, tab delimited, etc.).

Electronics

• The retrofitting company shall have access to the original design documents of the testing machine and current machine electronics to ensure that the new electronics package will be fully compatible and functional with the machine upon arrival.

• The system must have capability of outputting filtered data at up to 2.500 points per second on each measurement channel.

• The system must have an unfiltered data sampling rate of 40 kHz to allow for precise control of the instrument.

• The data acquisition system must be expandable to allow for up to 10 strain measurement devices. These measurement channels must be controllable, i.e., they can be used to control the operation of the machine.

• The force measurement of the system must be verified to 1/100th of the maximum capacity of the transducer to an accuracy of +/- 0.5 % of output reading.

• The position resolution of the system must be 6.35 µm or lower.

• The system must have the capability to have a Digital I/O card with 4 logic lines

• The system must have the capability to have an analog output board added to the system electronics.

Pumping Unit

• The pumping unit must operate at 3000 psi or less.

• The pump shall operate off 208 V, 3 phase power that is already existing in the lab

• The dimension of the pump shall fit withing the existing space occupied by the load frame or fit within a volume with dimensions of 41 in by 55 in by 38 in.

Service

• On-site installation must be conducted by the supplier

• On-site calibrations must be provided by the supplier

• The service organization shall be NVLAP and ISO 17025 accredited

• There must be local service available to Gaithersburg.

• The installation shall include up to 8 hours of application specific training that is conducted on-site and in front of the machine. By the time the installer leaves, the lab staff shall be comfortable and confident using the machine.

ACCESSORIES

The supplier shall provide the following accessories. All hardware and software required to operate the accessories shall be included.

• Two linear variable displacement transducers (LVDT) with total displacement +/- 0.5 mm

• Two LVDTs with total displacement +/- 2.5 mm

• Two LVDTs with total displacement +/- 15 mm

• Two magnetic base LVDT holders for calibration

• One circumferential axial averaging extensometer with the following requirements o Compatible with cylinder diameters from 2 inches to 6 inches o A gauge length of 100 mm o Meet calibration requirements of ASTM E83 class B1, ISO 9513 class 0.5, and ISO

• One crack mouth opening gauge with the following requirements o Gauge Length: 10 mm o Travel: 4 mm o Meets ASTM E399-09

• One crack mouth opening gauge with the following requirements o Gauge Length: 5 mm o Travel: 2 mm o Meets ASTM E399-09

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, installation, and training.

DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

Delivery shall be made F.O.B. Destination within 120 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 Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) in advance of shipment.

Contractor failure to confirm delivery method and procedures and to receive TPOC 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

The supplier shall provide installation for the retrofit upgrade to be scheduled on a mutually agreed upon time with the TPOC within 14 days after receipt and acceptance of delivery.

Installation shall include, at a minimum, uncrating/unpacking of all equipment, set-up and hook-up of all equipment, start-up, demonstration of specifications, and removal of all trash.

Supplier access to the NIST campus shall be scheduled in advance with the COR and shall adhere to the COVID-19 mitigation guidelines that will be provided prior to arrival.

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

Acceptance of the retrofit upgrade shall be contingent on a successful demonstration of an ASTM C39 test with NIST-supplied specimens.