A06_SOW_DNWS_NWM_Design_Modernization_DRAFT_2.pdf

DTRA DNWS NWIM Modernization Scope of Work Date: 05/28/2026

Franz Leitner, DTRA AL-ELQ Staff Architect

Location: B20602, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque NM 87117

Architectural and Engineering Design Services for Museum Renovation and Modernization

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Scope of Work (SOW) is to outline the requirements for architectural and engineering (A/E) design services to renovate and modernize the Defense Nuclear Weapons School (DNWS) Nuclear Weapons Instructional Museum (NWIM), a government-owned facility operated by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). The project aims to improve visitor experience by modernizing the facility infrastructure supporting exhibit displays such as exhibit lighting, acoustic treatment, electrical outlets, paint, carpet, and seating, while meeting all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

2. Mission and Vision

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) seeks Architecture and Engineering (A/E) firms with experience in curated museum/gallery type design and construction, demonstrating completed projects with industry specialists in experience and instructional design for the modernization of the DNWS Nuclear Weapons Instructional Museum (NWIM).

Located at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, the NWIM is a 12,800 square foot facility and an irreplaceable repository that traces the history and development of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile from its inception to the present.

The NWIM contains displays of U.S. nuclear weapons, their associated components, delivery systems, and related training aids, serving as a critical educational resource for DNWS students and visitors, including military personnel, government officials, and civilian trainees. In addition to DTRA, the DNWS NWIM mission stakeholders include Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Sandia National Laboratory (SNL), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC). The exhibits provide uniquely physical and tactile experiences that directly correlate to mission-critical in-person DNWS instruction for warfighters, scientists, engineers, and military weapons specialists.

In its current condition, the NWIM learning experience is degraded by poor lighting, distracting acoustics, uninspired display space utilization, worn carpet, uncoordinated paint, and a lack of

DRAFT

seating. The goal of this project is to design an aesthetically modernized environment optimized for learning experience centered on the existing displays. The design will incorporate infrastructure for new video projection, increased comfort for visitors, improved acoustics, and directional lighting to feature specific exhibits. The museum, interior to B20602, measures approximately 12,800 square feet. To maximize design options for narrative flow and display, any non-loadbearing walls must be identified so that they may be removed and/or replaced as part of the design.

The atmosphere should be modern and evoke a mix of educational, cutting-edge, and yet serious atmosphere given the existential weight of the nuclear mission.

3. Scope of Work

The Contractor shall provide comprehensive A/E design services, including but not limited to the following tasks:

3.1. Project Initiation and Planning

• Conduct an onsite kickoff/charrette meeting with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and stakeholders, including representatives from DTRA, LANL, SNL, LLNL, and AFNWC, to tour the facility, confirm project objectives, scope, and schedule.

• Review existing as-built drawings, condition assessments, and historical documentation.

• Perform a site survey to assess current conditions, including structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. A hazardous materials report will be provided by KAFB

CE.

• Identify applicable codes, standards, and regulations, including but not limited to:

o International Building Code (IBC) o All applicable Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC’s)

• The A/E firm shall request and obtain existing fire safety reports and plans from the Kirtland AFB Fire Department.

• The A/E firm shall provide a detailed code compliance matrix showing verification that design meets all applicable codes and standards, and identification of deficiencies to be addressed.

3.2. Concept Design (10% Design Phase)

• Develop conceptual design alternatives that address:

o Preservation of existing artifact/gadget displays.

o Modernized exhibit spaces.

o Lighting characteristics; adjustability of light brightness and focus, including examples of fixtures that utilize non-proprietary lamps.

o Cushioned seating with backrests where feasible, including example cutsheets.

o Structural assessment for removal of non-loadbearing walls to maximize exhibit and contextual content display areas.

o Structural assessment for hanging displays (e.g., delivery systems, weapons, parachutes).

o Consideration for utilization of vertical space above 6 feet for customer printed graphics (e.g., archival technical drawings, timelines), projected video (e.g., contextual cultural/political/testing footage).

o A painting scheme that coordinates with the overall narrative of the exhibits and the exhibits themselves, with the ceiling and overhead infrastructure painted matte black to minimize visual distraction and enhance focus on the displays.

• Prepare preliminary sketches, renderings, outline specifications, and preliminary color and materials boards with accompanying cut-sheets for proposed materials and lighting fixtures/systems.

• Assessment of fire protection and life safety systems compliance with NFPA standards.

• Provide rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimates for three design options.

• Present concepts to stakeholders for feedback and selection of a preferred option.

• Collaborate with experienced exhibit design firms that have completed relevant projects, ideally in the region and that can be visited to experience firsthand.

• Inventory and assessment of all existing exhibit characteristics, i.e. dimensions and lighting requirements.

3.3. Schematic Design (30% Design Phase)

• Refine the selected concept into a schematic design, including:

o Floor plans, elevations, and sections incorporating:

The full history of archive drawings of the facility and a digital floor plan will be provided to the designers to begin with, but all dimensions and structural loading will need to be field verified.

Cushioned flooring (replacing existing carpet) to reduce fatigue for long standing times, especially for instructors.

Acoustic treatments (e.g., hanging clouds, wall treatments) to isolate instruction groups and reduce reverberation.

Non-proprietary, positional spotlighting to feature exhibits, and dimmable LED lighting, zoned for control within each exhibit area.

Vertical display areas above 6 feet to accommodate customer-printed graphics, projected video, and hanging displays.

Locations for additional cushioned seating, some with backrests.

Accessible water fountain(s) with filtered automatic bottle filler. Location to be approved by DTRA RSO/HP.

Emergency response station and space to store wheelchair(s) to be a small closet within the museum space, ideally close to the entrance of the museum.

Identify location of new IT closet.

A designated group photo area for commemorative photos of tour groups.

A painting scheme with wall colors that complement the narrative and aesthetic of the exhibits, with the ceiling and overhead infrastructure painted matte black.

o Preliminary structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) system layouts.

The mechanical system will be renovated in a separate project, so no need to include existing systems in this design, other than painting the support structure, ductwork, and registers matte black.

The existing plumbing system will need to be tied into for the water fountain water supply, drain, and venting. Existing condition and distances/slopes to drains will need to be field-verified by the designers.

The electrical system will need to be assessed and designed to accommodate increased loads, providing adequate power to each exhibit as well as separated lighting zones and controls for each space.

o Updated color and materials boards and cut sheets.

• Identify potential constructability challenges.

• Update cost estimate based on schematic design details.

3.4. Design Development (60% Design Phase)

• Develop detailed design documents, including:

o Detailed architectural drawings and specifications reflecting all specified requirements (e.g., preserved displays, tour layout, cushioned flooring, acoustic treatments, lighting, open plan, hanging displays, water fountain(s), storage, photo area, and painting scheme).

o Structural calculations and drawings. The structural engineer must verify the existing structure's capacity to support the specific anticipated loads from the hanging displays and new exhibit components.

o Finalized color and materials boards with cut-sheets for all proposed materials and finishes, including paint selections for walls (coordinated with exhibit narrative) and matte black paint for ceiling and overhead infrastructure.

• Provide an updated cost estimate and preliminary construction schedule.

• The design shall include a closet dedicated to secure and power IT equipment in at least one rack, from which unclassified and classified data cabling will be run to exhibit projectors/displays that require networked data feeds.

o maintain a minimum 6” separation between networks of differing classification levels.

o Provide a detailed network diagram showing the physical and logical separation of the unclassified and classified networks, as well as a design solution (such as cable trays with physical separators, or conduit) that will maintain 6” separation of networks.

3.5. Construction Documents (100% Design Phase)

• Prepare final construction documents, including:

o Complete architectural and engineering drawings incorporating all specified requirements.

o Detailed specifications in CSI MasterFormat.

o Final structural, MEP, and fire protection designs.

o Final color and materials boards with cut-sheets for all selected materials and finishes.

• Provide a final cost estimate and draft construction schedule.

4. Deliverables

The Contractor shall submit the following deliverables in both electronic and hard copy formats.

Electronic formats must be readable and editable by approved government computer software, e.g.

MS Office suite, Adobe PDF, and AutoCAD formats. Hard copies of drawings or large-format documents for review at each phase: 2x half-size sets, 1x full-size set.

• 4.1 Project Initiation Phase:

o Site survey report o Kickoff/charrette meeting minutes o Code compliance summary o Existing fire safety reports and plans obtained from Kirtland AFB Fire Department

• 4.2 Concept Design Phase (10%):

o Conceptual sketches o Renderings o Outline specifications o Preliminary color and materials boards with cut-sheets o Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate o Inventory and assessment of existing exhibits, identifying historic/irreplaceable portions

• 4.3 Schematic Design Phase (30%):

o Floor plans o Elevations o Sections o Preliminary MEP layouts o Updated color and materials boards with cut-sheets (including paint selections) o Updated cost estimate o Updated construction schedule. All schedules to be submitted in Gantt chart format.

• 4.4 Design Development Phase (60%):

o Detailed architectural drawings o Specifications o Structural calculations o Finalized color and materials boards with cut-sheets (including paint selections) o Updated cost estimate o Detailed network diagram showing the physical and logical separation of the unclassified and classified networks o Updated construction schedule. All schedules to be submitted in Gantt chart format.

• 4.5 Construction Documents Phase (100%):

o Final drawings o Specifications o Final color and materials boards with cut-sheets o Final cost estimate o Final construction schedule. All schedules to be submitted in Gantt chart format.

5. Performance Standards

• All work shall comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including but not limited to IBC, ADA, NHPA, Unified Facilities Criteria, the Whole Building Design Guide, and the Kirtland Air Force Base Installation Facilities Standards.

• Designs shall prioritize visual and acoustic visitor experience, educational information impact and clarity.

• Deliverables, including renderings, color and materials boards, cut-sheets, paint and other finishes, shall be submitted on time per the approved project schedule.

6. Period of Performance

The period of performance for the A/E design services shall be 9 months from the date of contract award, with the following milestones:

• Project Initiation: Complete kickoff/charrette, stakeholder alignment, and requirements gathering.

• Concept Design: Develop and finalize concepts with government feedback.

• Schematic Design: Produce preliminary drawings and plans of approved concept design.

• Design Development: Complete detailed designs, specifications, and calculations.

• Construction Documents: Finalize drawings, specifications, and cost estimates.

7. Government-Furnished Information/Property

• The government will provide existing as-built drawings, historical documentation, and recent condition assessment reports.

• Access to the museum facility will be coordinated with the COR and DTRA security.

8. Contractor Qualifications

The Contractor shall have:

• Demonstrated experience in A/E design for museum or cultural facilities.

• Demonstrated experience in curated museum/gallery type design and construction.

• Established industry ties with museum and exhibit design professionals, such as partnerships or subcontracts with exhibit designers, curators, or interpretive planners, evidenced by past project collaborations.

• Professional licensure for architects and engineers in the state of New Mexico.

• Security Clearance Preference:

o While an active Secret security clearance is not a mandatory requirement for contract award, it is highly desirable that the Architect/Engineer (A/E) firm and its key personnel possess one. Utilizing cleared personnel will significantly streamline the design process, reduce administrative delays, and facilitate easier access to the classified spaces within the facility.

o Uncleared Personnel Protocols:

In the event the selected A/E does not possess the requisite Secret clearance, the contractor must be willing and able to operate under standard facility security protocols. This includes, but is not limited to, working under continuous escort by cleared DoW personnel, adhering to restricted access schedules, and strictly complying with all local security procedures for uncleared individuals operating within classified or restricted areas.

9. Quality Control

The Contractor shall implement a quality control plan to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance of all deliverables. The plan shall include tracked discipline-specific comments/responses for reviews at each design phase.

10. Place of Performance

Work shall be performed at the Contractor’s facilities, with site visits and stakeholder meetings at the DTRA-West Admin facility located at 1990 Wyoming Blvd. SE, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, 87117. Key Personnel shall be physically present, and supporting personnel may participate virtually.

11. Security Requirements

• The Contractor shall comply with all KAFB and DTRA security protocols for accessing the government facility, including background checks for personnel as required.

• All personnel are required to be US persons.

• Base Passes will be coordinated through the DTRA PM, and will be retrievable at the KAFB Truman Gate Visitors Center.

• Electronic devices capable of transmitting or receiving radio frequency signals such as cell-phones or other WiFi capable equipment are prohibited within DTRA facilities. This also pertains to any equipment specified in the design, or to be utilized during construction.

• All sensitive project data shall be stored and transmitted securely in accordance with federal cybersecurity standards.

• Large file transfers can be transmitted using https://safe.apps.mil

12. Points of Contact

• Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): Richard Banker, richard.w.banker2.civ@mail.mil, (505) 382-5853

• Contractor’s Project Manager: To be provided upon contract award.

13. Acceptance Criteria

Deliverables will be accepted based on:

• Compliance with the SOW requirements and applicable codes/standards.

• Approval by the COR. The COR will obtain approval by relevant stakeholders (e.g., DTRA, LANL, SNL, LLNL, AFNWC).

• Accuracy, completeness, and quality of drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and color and materials boards with cut-sheets.

14. Assumptions

• The government will provide timely feedback on deliverables (within 15 business days).

• The museum will remain operational during design, with limited access for surveys during off-hours. The museum will be closed and all exhibits will be removed for the duration of construction.

15. Modifications

Any changes to the scope, schedule, or deliverables shall be documented via a contract modification issued by the Contracting Officer.