Statement_of_work_2023-05-17_8550_PR_no2_0001.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Title: BIL Funding – Capacity Expansion of Geotechnical Laboratory Requestor:

1.0 Background

The Geotechnical Laboratory and Field Support group (GLFS) of the Technical Service Center (TSC) supports Reclamation’s mission by characterizing earth materials that are used in the design and construction of dams, levees, and canals. To perform these tasks, the GLFS group works with Reclamation’s drill crews to drill for and collect samples of soil and rock from within and around infrastructure that is under investigation. Soil and rock samples are shipped to the GLFS group in Denver, CO for characterization of physical and engineering properties in a controlled laboratory environment.

GLFS will load the soil or rock samples into laboratory equipment and perform various tests to better understand their behavior during loading scenarios anticipated at the site.

Laboratory tests commonly performed by GLFS will give parameters for soil or rock strength, swell potential, consolidation, compressibility, and many other characteristics of the material of interest. The equipment currently owned by GLFS to determine these characteristics are soil direct shear machines to determine the shear strength of a soil, incremental consolidation machines to determine the swell potential, compressibility, and consolidation behavior of soils and rock, and constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation machines to determine consolidation and hydraulic conductivity of soils.

GLFS requires equipment add-ons to its existing inventory to meet client requests and increased workload. This statement of work seeks to fund several new pieces of equipment to expand the number of machines that we currently own, thereby increasing the capacity of GLSF’s current capabilities. These equipment purchases will be in line with our current capability without adoption of new testing capability.

2.0 Scope

The scope of this work is to acquire sets of commercially available systems capable of performing:

• Automated Direct Shear testing of soils

• Automated constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation testing of soils

• Automated long-term incremental consolidation/swell testing of soils and “transitional materials” such as shale with load capacity to 2,000 lbf.

• Automated long-term incremental consolidation/swell testing of soils and “transitional materials” such as shales with load capacity to 10,000 lbf.

TSC’s GLFS group requires additional soil testing equipment to accompany its current inventory of test equipment to include:

• Automated Small Direct Shear Testing Systems (Figure 1)

• Automated CRS Consolidation with Axial Load and Electromechanical Flow Pump Systems

(Figure 2)

• Automated Incremental Consolidation/Swell with 2-kip Capacity Load Frame Systems (Figure 3)

• Automated Incremental Consolidation/Swell with Sigma-1 10-kip Capacity Load Frame Systems

(Figure 4)

Figure 1: Automated Small Direct Shear Testing Systems

Figure 2: CRS Consolidation with GeoJacs and DigiFlow

Pumps Systems

Figure 3: Automated Incremental Consolidation/Swell with 2-kip Capacity Load Frame Systems (system on far right in image)

Figure 4: Automated Incremental Consolidation/Swell with 10-kip Capacity Load Frame Systems (system on far right in image)

Figure 5: current CRS consolidation set of equipment in need of expansion.

Figure 6: current incremental swell/consolidation set of equipment in need of expansion.

3.0 Objectives

The goal of this contracting effort is to increase the number of systems shown in Section 2.0 Scope which will complete the existing sets of machines and have them delivered to Reclamation’s Technical Service Center (TSC) in Denver, Colorado. The systems should arrive with all required equipment and accessories to run the testing “out of the box” and essentially be “plug and play” with the current GeoTac systems already in use. The systems will immediately be used to address current soil testing needs required by ongoing Reclamation projects.

4.0 Tasks

The Tasks include specifications to fulfil the PR intent. Any purchases shall meet all specifications included below.

1. The Automated Small Direct Shear systems must meet the following specifications to be compatible with Reclamation’s existing GeoTAC systems.

Systems shall include the following:

⇒ Loading device for applying vertical and horizontal stress:

• 2,000-pound vertical load capacity

• 2,000-pound horizontal load capacity

• 1.5-inch horizontal travel

• 1.5-inch vertical travel

• 1 in./min to 0.00001 in./min speed range – does not require gear changes

• travel over range protection

• load over range protection

• accommodate shear boxes for up to 3-inch diameter specimens

• supplied with shear box and accessories for 2.5-inch diameter specimens

• computer controlled – both vertical and horizontal actuators can be operated in deformation or load control mode – closed loop

• system includes smooth movement (DC servo motors) as opposed to pulse movement (e.g. stepper motors)

⇒ Sensors

Sensors provided with the system:

⇒ Signal Conditioning

The signal conditioning system for sensors includes the following:

• Precision external power supply for providing 10 VDC and 5 VDC excitation for sensors

• provide 4 channels of 22 bit analog to digital conversion (preference will be given to A/D conversion modules that are external to the system controller and operate over a serial network)

• capable of taking 50 readings per second (minimum)

• includes capability to add additional channels (up to 256 total)

⇒ Software – Software for performing direct shear tests is provided.

Software for controlling the system provides the capability to perform direct shear, residual shear, and incremental consolidation tests. The system can perform all test stages (seating, consolidation, and shear) automatically with minimal operator intervention. Software provides the flexibility to control the system in a manual mode that allows for operating the load system as well as collecting data at user specified time intervals. The system can maintain loads, pressures, or rates of movement in the manual mode. Shearing can be performed in constant vertical stress, constant vertical height, or constant normal stiffness modes

Software is Windows based true 32 bit program that incorporates the Windows standard graphical user interface. Preference will be given to software that provides a status panel (simple, graphical presentation of the system hardware along with sensor readings), a step by step set of instructions to guide the user through the various test stages, and real time plots of test data. In addition, a sensor management routine is provided for calibrating and storing sensor calibration data. Convenient means for storing reading schedules is provided.

Test data is be stored in a test file that can be easily imported to a spreadsheet program for post-test processing.

Real time plots include:

• During consolidation:

Vertical deformation versus time Vertical strain versus vertical stress

• During shear:

Vertical deformation versus horizontal deformation Vertical load versus horizontal deformation Horizontal load versus time Shear Stress versus deformation

• Plot properties (auto scale, fixed scale, log scale, etc.) are user selectable and changeable at any time.

Other program features required:

• Test termination occurs automatically based on user specified parameters such as load, deformation, or over ranging of any sensor.

• It is possible to stop a test in progress, change test parameters, and restart the test.

A restart feature for restarting a test that has been interrupted incorporated and requires minimal operator intervention.

⇒ Accessories all cables, connectors, tubing, and fittings necessary to operate the system shall be provided

⇒ Expandability system must have provision for expansion to include additional load frames that can be automatically controlled in unison with the load frames listed above.

⇒ Compatibility

System must be able to operate in conjunction with GeoTAC TestNet data acquisition system.

2. The Automated CRS Consolidation systems must meet the following specifications to be compatible with Reclamation’s existing GeoTAC – Geotechnical Testing Equipment systems.

⇒Systems shall include the following:

System shall be an automated loading system for performing incremental consolidation /swell testing. It is a complete system incorporating a microcomputer controlled linear actuator driven by a DC servomotor, four channels of 22-bit analog data acquisition, all necessary sensors, and software necessary to completely automate an incremental consolidation test. It is capable of closed loop control of vertical deformations as well as loads. Specimens can be loaded in a variety of modes, including constant rate of deformation, constant rate of loading, or a series of step loads.

⇒ Controlled Rate of Strain Consolidation Cell:

The controlled rate of strain consolidation cell shall be capable of loading to an axial force of 10,000-pounds.

⇒ Loading device for applying vertical stress shall include:

• 2,000-pound vertical load capacity

• 1.5-inch vertical travel

• 1 in./min to 0.00001 in./min speed range – does not require gear changes

• travel over range protection

• load over range protection

• computer controlled – both vertical and horizontal actuators can be operated in deformation or load control mode – closed loop

⇒ Signal Conditioning system for the sensors shall include:

• Precision external power supply for providing 10 VDC and 5 VDC excitation for sensors

• provide 4 channels of 22 bit analog to digital conversion (preference will be given to A/D conversion modules that are external to the system controller and operate over a serial network)

⇒ System software shall include:

• Windows true 32-bit program

• Simple, intuitive graphical interface

• Stores user specified load and reading schedules that are easily recalled when starting a test

• Up to 50 load-unload steps

• Automated measurement and storage of machine deflections for each load schedule

• Automated seating

• Seating options include maintaining seating load and measuring swell deformation or maintaining height and measuring swell pressure

• Real-time plots of settlement versus square root and log of time, strain versus log-p

• Capability to edit load schedule (add or remove loads) during a test

• Automatic load step advancement based on user specified time or a time equal to t100 times a user specified factor (if t100 can be determined)

• Data stored on hard disk in a tab delimited text-based file

⇒Flow Pumps for Controlling Cell Pressure and Specimen Head and Tail Pressure

Six pumps with the following shall be provided:

• minimum 80 ml volume change capacity minimum

• 300 psi pressure capacity minimum

• provided with no-volume change ball valves

• 0.05 psi pressure control accuracy, .01 psi resolution

• 2x10-5 ml volume measurement accuracy

• flow range of 25 ml/min to 2x10-5 ml/min

• provided with a convenient means for filling, draining, and saturating

• cylinder and piston must be constructed of 316 stainless steel

• cylinder endcaps must be transparent and located such that it is convenient to inspect for trapped air in pump cylinder

• motion control provided via DC servo motors, not stepper motors

The following sensors must be provided with the system:

Sensor Type

Use Range Units Resol.

load cell external 0 - 2000 lb. .02 load cell external 0 - 500 lb. .02 deformation vertical 0 - 3 In. .001

⇒ Expandability system must have provision for expansion to include additional flow pumps and load frames that can be automatically controlled in unison with the pumps listed above.

⇒ Compatibility

System must be able to operate in conjunction with ‘Trautwein’ pressure control panels and TestNet data acquisition system.

3. The Automated Incremental Consolidation systems (2 kip load frames) must meet the following specifications to be compatible with Reclamation’s existing GeoTAC – Geotechnical Testing Equipment systems.

⇒Systems shall include the following:

System shall be an automated loading system for performing incremental consolidation /swell testing. It is a complete system incorporating a microcomputer controlled linear actuator driven by a DC servomotor, four channels of 22-bit analog data acquisition, all necessary sensors, and software necessary to completely automate an incremental consolidation test. It is capable of closed loop control of vertical deformations as well as loads. Specimens can be loaded in a variety of modes, including constant rate of deformation, constant rate of loading, or a series of step loads.

⇒ Loading device for applying vertical stress shall include:

• 2,000-pound vertical load capacity

• 1.5-inch vertical travel

• 1 in./min to 0.00001 in./min speed range – does not require gear changes

• travel over range protection

• load over range protection

• computer controlled – both vertical and horizontal actuators can be operated in deformation or load control mode – closed loop

⇒ Signal Conditioning system for the sensors shall include:

• Precision external power supply for providing 10 VDC and 5 VDC excitation for sensors

• provide 4 channels of 22 bit analog to digital conversion (preference will be given to A/D conversion modules that are external to the system controller and operate over a serial network)

The following sensors must be provided with the system:

Sensor Type

Use Range Units Resol.

load cell external 0 - 2000 lb. .02

• Simple, intuitive graphical interface

• Stores user specified load and reading schedules that are easily recalled when starting a test

• Up to 50 load-unload steps

• Automated measurement and storage of machine deflections for each load schedule

• Automated seating

• Seating options include maintaining seating load and measuring swell deformation or maintaining height and measuring swell pressure

• Real-time plots of settlement versus square root and log of time, strain versus log-p

• Capability to edit load schedule (add or remove loads) during a test

• Automatic load step advancement based on user specified time or a time equal to

⇒ Expandability system must have provision for expansion to include additional load frames that can be automatically controlled in unison with the load frames listed above.

4. The Automated Incremental Consolidation systems (10 kip load frames) must meet the following specifications to be compatible with Reclamation’s existing GeoTAC – Geotechnical Testing Equipment systems.

System requirements include an automated loading system for performing incremental consolidation testing. It is a complete system incorporating a microcomputer controlled linear actuator driven by a DC servomotor, four channels of 22-bit analog data acquisition, all necessary sensors, and software necessary to completely automate an incremental consolidation test. It is capable of closed loop control of vertical deformations as well as loads. Specimens can be loaded in a variety of modes, including constant rate of deformation, constant rate of loading, or a series of step loads. Additional software and sensors are available for using the system for triaxial testing.

System hardware specifications are as follows:

• Simple, intuitive graphical interface

• Stores user specified load and reading schedules that are easily recalled when starting a test

• Up to 50 load-unload steps

• Automated measurement and storage of machine deflections for each load schedule

• Automated seating

• Seating options include maintaining seating load and measuring swell deformation or maintaining height and measuring swell pressure

• Real-time plots of settlement versus square root and log of time, strain versus log-p

• Capability to edit load schedule (add or remove loads) during a test

• Automatic load step advancement based on user specified time or a time equal to

The following sensors shall be provided with the system:

Sensor Type

Use Range Units Resol.

load cell external 0 - 10000

lb. .1 load cell external 0 - 2000 lb. .02

⇒ Signal Conditioning

The signal conditioning system for sensors shall include the following:

• Precision external power supply for providing 10 VDC and 5 VDC excitation for sensors

• provide 8 channels of 22 bit analog to digital conversion - A/D module shall reside outside the computer and connects to it via a USB port

• built in calibration routines and the ability to can channels at any time.

⇒ Expandability system must have provision for expansion to include additional load frames that can be automatically controlled in unison with the load frames listed above.

5.0 Delivery

The supplier is responsible for delivering the entire system, as detailed in the Tasks Section, to Reclamation’s laboratory in Denver, Colorado (the equipment shall be shipped “Delivered At Place”).

Multiple shipments may be necessary to ensure the timeliest delivery of the equipment. The supplier is responsible for ensuring the system is undamaged during the shipping process and comes equipped with all required parts.

6.0 Government Furnished Property

The Government is not furnishing any property as part of this acquisition.

7.0 Security

The supplier is responsible for ensuring the shipment passes all security requirements. The supplier will need to provide all necessary documentation to pass all security checks.

8.0 Place of Performance

The equipment is to be delivered to Building 56, Room 1600, on the Denver Federal Center campus, in Denver, Colorado. The supplier is responsible for any and all shipping related items.

9.0 Period of Performance

The system shall be delivered within 44 weeks of contract award.

1.0 Background