693JJ324R000007.pdf

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

1. THIS CONTRACT IS NOT A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

RATING PAGE OF PAGES

1 | 99

2. CONTRACT NUMBER 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

693JJ324R000007

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

SEALED BID (IFB)

X NEGOTIATED (RFP)

5. DATE ISSUED

03/28/2024

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NO.

HRDI01240006PR

7. ISSUED BY CODE HCFA-22 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

Federal Highway Administration

Office of Acquisition Management

1200 New Jersey Ave. S.E. Rm E62-204

Washington, DC 20590

ATTN: Tamiko Aikens

Email: Tamiko.Aikens@dot.gov and HCFA-22SRI@dot.gov

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations “offer” and “offeror” mean “bid” and “bidder”

SOLICITATION

9. Offers for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8 until May 13, 2024 ET, 12:00 pm.

CAUTION LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation. THIS PROCUREMENT IS ISSUED AS A COMPETITIVE SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE.

THIS IS A FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION REQUIREMENT

10. FOR A. NAME B. TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT CALLS) C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

INFORMATION

CALL:

Primary Contact: Tamiko Aikens

Secondary Contact: Robert Brown

AREA CODE

NUMBER

366-3092

366-9298

EXT. Tamiko.Aikens@dot.gov.

Robert.P.Brown@dot.gov.

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

() SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) () SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

X A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM 1 X I CONTRACT CLAUSES 67

X B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COST 2 PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

X C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK STATEMENT 3 X J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 75

X D PACKAGING AND MARKING 35 PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

X E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 37 X K REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS 76

X F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 39 AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

X G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 41 X L INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS 85

X H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 55 X M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 95

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror) NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within 120 calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232-8)

10 CALENDAR DAYS

20 CALENDAR DAYS

30 CALENDAR DAYS

CALENDAR DAYS

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the

SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

15A. NAME CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN

AND OFFER (Type or print)

ADDRESS

OF

OFFEROR

15B. TELEPHONE NUMBER 15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE 17. SIGNATURE 18. OFFER DATE

AREA CODE NUMBER EXT. ADDRESS IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE -

ENTER SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c) ( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c)( )

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN

IN (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

ITEM

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) CODE 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

28. AWARD DATE

IMPORTANT – Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

mailto:Tamiko.Aikens@dot.gov mailto:Robin.Hobbs@dot.gov

693JJ324R000007

SECTION B - Supplies or Services and Prices

B.1 IDIQ MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM CONTRACT AMOUNTS

The period of performance of this Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract (for the purpose of placing orders) is 60 months from the date of award. This is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) Contract in accordance with FAR 16.500.

During the term of the contract, the Government shall place orders totaling a minimum of $100,000.00. The maximum amount of all task orders issued against all contracts awarded as a result of this acquisition shall not exceed a ceiling of $65,000,000.00.

The task orders placed under the contract will be Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) or Cost-Plus-Fixed- Fee, or a combination of these types, based on a determination by the Contracting Officer (CO) at the task order level.

B.2 SCHEDULE OF RATES

All Task Orders (TO) issued on an FFP/CPFF basis will be subject to the pricing set forth in Exhibit J.1, Labor Rate Schedule. Labor categories shall conform to Exhibit J.1. The hourly labor rates (unit of issue) are the maximum rates allowable for FFP/CPFF TOs. The Contractor may elect to propose lower hourly rates on a TO basis. The rates that are proposed and accepted at the time of TO award shall remain in effect with the TO award unless modified by mutual agreement.

At any time after award and throughout the life of the contract, at the request of either the Contractor or the Government, the Contractor may propose additional labor categories, rates, and descriptions in addition to the Government labor categories. These additional labor categories, rates, and descriptions will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

Travel and materials shall be reimbursed at cost. Inclusion of indirect burden amounts or fee on material costs, including travel expenses, is not allowable.

(End of Section B)

SECTION C - Description/Specifications/Statement of Work

BACKGROUND

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Infrastructure Research & Development (HRDI) conducts and oversees research and development programs and projects that address critical highway infrastructure needs and priorities of national importance. Studies focus on the design, materials, construction, operation, and preservation of highway pavements, bridges, culverts, tunnels, and other structures. In addition, HRDI provides expert technical assistance to other FHWA offices, other Federal agencies, State and local transportation organizations, industry, and academia.

Through an integrated and interdisciplinary research approach, HRDI provides state-of-the-art knowledge and tools with the goal of improving the safety, performance, sustainability, resilience, and cost effectiveness of the Nation’s highway infrastructure, while minimizing the impacts that highway construction, operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation may have on road users, the environment, and local community. Across the highway infrastructure spectrum, the contributions of stakeholders in the development and execution of multiple-year research and development plans and roadmaps are key to the success of the office.

The research work of HRDI is carried out by highly qualified researchers, including but not limited to, engineers, scientists, chemists, geologists, lab managers, interns, post-doctoral associates, visiting researchers, consultants, and technicians. The laboratory research conducted by HRDI is supported by ten state-of-the-art laboratories. Four of these laboratories (Geotechnical Laboratory, Hydraulics Laboratory, Nondestructive Evaluation Laboratory, and Structures Laboratory) help support the research performed under the Geotechnical, Hydraulics, Nondestructive Evaluation, and Structures programs.

Geotechnical Laboratory

The Geotechnical Laboratory (GEO Lab) enables advancements in the field of soils, engineered fills, and soil-structure interactions. The GEO Lab investigates the performance of geotechnical features, whether natural or man-made, as they intersect with and influence the performance of the highway infrastructure including bridge foundations and retaining wall systems. The lab studies the interaction with both the environment (e.g., scour, temperature, moisture) and structural elements (e.g., steel, concrete, geosynthetics). The purpose of the GEO Lab is to develop and deliver innovative technologies, design guidance, and provide expert technical assistance. The lab also conducts:

• extensive laboratory testing to characterize the engineering properties of soils, conventional and alternative structural backfills, and unbound and chemically treated materials.

• both small-scale and full-scale testing of bridge foundations, earth retaining systems, and other geotechnical assets related to highway engineering to determine their performance under various limit state conditions and to advance design and construction practices.

• research to assess and advance the geo-structural aspects of the pavement foundations.

This work on both the structures and pavement sides of geotechnical engineering forms the basis for developing test standards, design methodologies, and construction specifications that can improve the cost and time effectiveness of highway structures while still ensuring adequate performance and safety. Current research focus areas in the GEO Lab are innovative geotechnical design and construction methods, advanced site and laboratory characterization, geotechnics of scour, geotechnical aspects of pavements, and geotechnical asset and performance management. For more information about the GEO Lab see:

https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/geotechnical-laboratory/geotechnical-laboratory-overview.

J. Sterling Jones Hydraulics Laboratory

The Hydraulics Research Program is a part of the FHWA National Hydraulics Program and coordinates its research with the National Hydraulics Team. The J. Sterling Jones Hydraulics Laboratory (HYD Lab) has conducted research on bridge scour and other highway hydraulics phenomena for more than 40 years. The HYD Lab is a state-of-the-art research facility, with instrumentation, robotics, testing apparatuses, flumes, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)/Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM) capabilities that has improved significantly over the past several years. CFD/CSM experiments superseded physical testing by a large number in the past couple of years and this trend will continue. The HYD Lab’s vision is to automate zones of the laboratory using mobile robotics to improve the testing efficiency. In the past, the lab has been used to conduct research related to the six National Hydraulics Program functional areas: Hydrology, Culverts, Highway Drainage, Bridge Hydraulics, Scour, and Coastal Highways.

The HYD Lab continues to provide the means and the experience to conduct physical and CFD/CSM experiments on a variety of issues involving water flow at or near the nation’s highway infrastructure. CFD modeling is conducted through collaboration with the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory Transportation Research and Analysis Computing Center. This collaboration allows access to high-performance cluster computing. Access to these clusters enables the HYD Lab to solve highway hydraulics research problems more efficiently.

For more information about the HYD Lab see:

https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/hydraulics-research-laboratory/j-sterling-jones-hydraulics-research-laboratory-overview.

Nondestructive Evaluation Laboratory

The Nondestructive Evaluation Laboratory (NDE Lab) develops new NDE technologies, as well as evaluate and improve existing NDE technologies for highway infrastructure applications through experimental testing, finite element modeling, and numerical simulation. The NDE Lab was established in 1996 to centralize and better coordinate research related to nondestructive testing. The goal of the NDE Lab is to improve the state of the practice for the condition assessment of highway infrastructure. As such, research conducted at the NDE Lab is focused on the applied science of nondestructive evaluation of highway infrastructure, which includes https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/geotechnical-laboratory/geotechnical-laboratory-overview https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/geotechnical-laboratory/geotechnical-laboratory-overview https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/hydraulics-research-laboratory/j-sterling-jones-hydraulics-research-laboratory-overview https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/hydraulics-research-laboratory/j-sterling-jones-hydraulics-research-laboratory-overview bridges, tunnels, pavements, and ancillary features such as sign posts and high-mast lighting.

This research requires a multidisciplinary approach including access to experts in, but not limited to, the fields of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, material sciences, physics, computer science, and geophysical science. The primary customers for the NDE Lab’s products are the State Departments of Transportation, and the laboratory works closely with these departments to address difficult inspection challenges and identify areas where research efforts are needed. The NDE Lab also provides the technical focal point within the FHWA for NDE, and therefore provides technical support to all facets of the FHWA program that require expertise in this area. For more information about the NDE Lab see:

https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/nondestructive-evaluation-laboratory/nondestructive-evaluation-laboratory-overview.

Structures Laboratory

The Structures Laboratory (STR Lab) focuses on the execution of applied engineering research relying on the full-scale testing of bridges, components of bridges, and components of other highway-related structures. This may include physical experiments in hydraulically operated test frames, design and fabrication of testing equipment and specimens, field testing, analysis of laboratory and field data, and computational structural mechanics (CSM) modeling. The reports generated from these projects have served as references that justify changes to the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Bridge Design Specifications, AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, AASHTO LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards and procedures, and publications of the Research Council of Structural Connections. For more information about the STR Lab see:

https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/structures-laboratory/structures-laboratory-overview.

C. 2 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this requirement is to provide a Non-Personal Technical Support Services Contract for the Infrastructure Engineering Laboratories at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC).

C.3 SCOPE

The Contractor shall provide the overall management and operation of a specific laboratory or laboratories. The Geotechnical Laboratory (GEO Lab), Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE Lab), Hydraulics Laboratory (HYD Lab), and/or Structures Laboratory (STR Lab) may be covered by this statement of work. The requirement shall include, but is not limited to:

• Overall management and operation of the requirements listed below;

• Daily operation and maintenance of the laboratory and test equipment;

• Specimen preparation and logging;

• Materials testing and evaluation;

• Instrumentation and modeling;

https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/nondestructive-evaluation-laboratory/nondestructive-evaluation-laboratory-overview https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/nondestructive-evaluation-laboratory/nondestructive-evaluation-laboratory-overview https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/structures-laboratory/structures-laboratory-overview https://highways.dot.gov/research/laboratories/structures-laboratory/structures-laboratory-overview

• Data acquisition;

• Data validation;

• Data analysis;

• Documentation including reporting and presentation of means and methods, findings, analysis, and recommendations; and

• Administration of the safety program for the laboratory.

If the Contractor is operating multiple laboratories under the scope of this statement of work, then the Contractor shall provide personnel that can be shared between these multiple laboratories and technical support tasks on an as needed basis. The work for any specific laboratory or research program area may be performed, as directed by the relevant Federal Lab Manager, within any of the facilities at TFHRC.

Note: The Contractor may be required to make accommodations to other personnel who may need to use GEO Lab, HYD Lab, NDE Lab, and STR Lab facilities, equipment, and materials.

The Contractor is responsible for providing the Government with written documentation regarding any impact on work, scope, schedule, and budget before the accommodation of additional personnel is initiated. The Government will attempt to provide at least two weeks’ notice to the Contractor and shall provide oversight of the additional personnel while they are working in the laboratories.

C.4 DETAILED REQUIREMENT

The Contractor shall provide Non-Personal Technical Support Services for the Infrastructure Engineering Laboratories. At a minimum, these services include laboratory support that provides all the necessary engineers, technicians, laborers, and other related staff to complete the requirements for one or more of the engineering laboratories. The requirements are listed below as general lab support (common to multiple labs), and as individual or specific requirements of the work that may be conducted in each engineering laboratory. Research may require collaboration between laboratories. All work shall be defined under task orders awarded under the ID/IQ contract(s).

C.4.1 General Lab Support (All Engineering Laboratories)

General lab support for all four engineering laboratories shall cover three areas: Laboratory Management and Service; Communication and Outreach; and Information Management.

Laboratory Management and Service

The work to be performed may include, but is not limited to the following:

• Provide on-site contractor employee oversight to ensure their work practices comply with all applicable occupational safety and health standards (OSHA) and contract terms and conditions. This includes following TFHRC procedures for fire drills and facility safety procedures. The contract Lab Manager (LM), or a designated contract staff member directly associated with the day-to-day operations of the laboratory, shall have completed OSHA trainings relevant to the potential hazards in the laboratory.

• Maintain a safe working environment. This includes preparing an annual laboratory safety plan and job hazard analysis and preforming any required safety training. The laboratory safety plan will have provisions for employee training on operation of all equipment and machinery required to conduct research.

• Develop and execute laboratory improvement plans as directed for the required laboratories.

• Develop experimental program work plans based on requested research. The general plan will include background research, test setup(s), types and number of tests, instrumentation, test methods, duration of testing, time schedule, and level of effort for each labor category. The plan will also include data collection procedures and an outline of reporting.

• Execute and manage approved work plans.

• Develop project management and tracking plans.

• Develop lab staff utilization plans for workload optimization.

• Organize regular research project status meetings.

• Ensure the delivery of high-quality research reports and papers.

• Provide laboratory experimental testing and analysis services.

• Provide field experimental testing and analysis services.

• Provide forensic investigation to State DOTs and other transportation agencies.

• Perform software and hardware maintenance on laboratory test equipment.

• Perform software maintenance on design and analysis computer programs.

• Maintain, repair, or replace all laboratory equipment as needed. Some equipment may require service or warranty agreements.

• Coordinate with other internal and external service groups for repairs, modification, and fabrication of laboratory facilities and equipment.

• Calibrate mechanical testing equipment and instruments. Test devices shall be calibrated following procedure requirements for certification and manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Maintain and advance the in-laboratory Information Technology (IT) infrastructure including laboratory network and computers.

• Procure material, equipment, and services at a fair and reasonable price. (Pre-written authorization from the COR or TOCOR is required.)

• Operate and maintain government-owned vehicles and provide annual vehicle level data reporting and monthly vehicle log.

• Maintain, clean, and organize the required laboratory facilities. This includes keeping each of the laboratories free of debris, dust, and dirt, including bench tops, lab equipment, sinks, and floors. All laboratories must maintain a status that is presentable and professional.

Communication and Outreach

The work to be performed may include, but is not limited to the following:

• Communicate with Federal staff about operation and development of the laboratories and research programs.

• Generate and update content for research laboratory outreach media (e.g., websites, social media platforms).

• Write research reports, documenting experimental results, and research activities.

Reports will follow FHWA publication guidelines as required.

• Prepare other reports, journal papers, and other publications.

• Develop materials (e.g., reports, papers, minutes, presentations, webinar announcements) for external audiences and provide adequate time for FHWA’s editorial review and approval process of such materials.

• Prepare and present research briefing materials (e.g., PowerPoint Slides) for meetings, conferences, newsletters, and other presentations.

• Attend workshops/conferences/training (pre-written authorization from the COR or TOCOR is required).

• Maintain required FHWA IT security and other mandatory training for on-site contract staff.

• Prepare and provide laboratory tours, training, and demonstration of equipment.

• Facilitate ad-hoc collaborative research efforts.

• Organize, set up, and staff exhibits at conferences and similar events.

• Assist with the organization of webinars, conferences, workshops, and working groups.

• Participate in conference calls as needed.

• Plan, organize, and manage technical meetings as needed.

• Process emails, initiating and responding as needed.

Information Management

The work to be performed may include, but is not limited to the following:

• Manage, organize, and maintain laboratory and field test results with associated background information, metadata, and records that can be transferred to FHWA’s InfoHighway™ web portal. All data shall be stored on a TFHRC network drive accessible to the appropriate laboratory Contractor and Federal staff. All data will be backed up in at least two secure locations following a back-up file protocol.

• Develop and maintain an inventory and catalog of all test materials.

• Maintain a FHWA Accountable Property list for each of the designated laboratories. This includes working with the FHWA Accountable Property Officer to conduct audits, add Government property to the inventory, or remove surplus property from the inventory.

• Maintain and collect frequently used ASTM and AASHTO test methods in a booklet file.

• Maintain a laboratory safety plan as outlined above under Laboratory Management and Service section.

https://infohighway.fhwa.dot.gov/

In addition to providing support in these general areas, the Contractor shall also provide specific technical support services to one or more of the labs as described in the following sections (C.4.2 to C.4.5).

C.4.2 Geotechnical Laboratory (GEO Lab)

Work to be performed may include, but is not limited to:

• Conduct experiments in the indoor laboratories, the outside test pits (Foundation Testing Facility), outdoor geotechnical strong floor, or in any of the laboratories.

• Conduct standardized and specialty geotechnical material testing experiments on soils, aggregates, recycled materials, geosynthetics, tremie concrete, and other types of geomaterials.

• Develop research test programs based on needs.

• Draft computer-aided designs for experimental plans, set-ups, and other related sketches.

• Design, fabricate, or procure experimental test equipment as needed.

• Excavate and refill the pits at the Foundation Testing Facility.

• Construct and test large- and full-scale foundations, retaining walls, or other related features.

• Construct and conduct scaled or full-scale model geotechnical experiments.

• Collect, catalog, and test soil and other geomaterial samples.

• Reduce and analyze data.

• Design, program, install, operate, and manage automated data collection systems.

• Load structures using either jacks or calibrated vehicles.

• Install instrumentation to evaluate the performance of bridge foundations and other geotechnical structures.

• Provide technical support to stakeholders if required.

• Perform numerical modelling of geotechnical structures using finite element, finite difference, discrete element methods, and/or computational fluid dynamics.

• Perform other related activities to facilitate and conduct the Geotechnical

Engineering Research Program.

Research Focus Areas (GEO Lab)

• Innovative geotechnical design and construction methods

• Soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering

• Shallow and deep foundations

• Earth retaining structures

• Reinforced soil technologies

• Bridge approach transitions

• Slopes and embankments

• In-service performance evaluation

• Durability of geotechnical materials

• Performance metrics

• Geotechnical asset and performance management

• Remote automated data collection systems

• Material characterization

• Geotechnics of scour

• Soil erosion

• Geotechnical aspects of pavements

• Site characterization

• Recycled and lightweight aggregates

• Bio- and chemically treated soils

• Foundation reuse

• Corrosion of buried metallic elements

• Geotechnical data management

• Limit state design

• Geotechnical transformations through direct and indirect measurements

• Development and standardization of geotechnical test devices and methods

• Soil-structure interaction

• Advanced geotechnical modelling

• Baseline soil constitutive models

• Behavior of geotechnical features

• Geohazards

• Other emerging topics related to the geotechnical engineering research program

Staff Competencies/Capabilities (GEO Lab)

• Manage research tasks and projects

• Perform laboratory tests per standard ASTM, AASHTO, and other relevant test standards, including, but not limited to ASTM C136/C117, AASHTO T 99, AASHTO T 180, VTM-40, AASHTO T 134, AASHTO T 84/85, ASTM D854, ASTM D4318, AASTHO T 381, AASHTO T 307, AASHTO T 193, ASTM

D3080, ASTM D7181, ASTM 4595, AASHTO T 327, and AASHTO T 215.

• Design, set up, and perform specialized laboratory testing, scaled model tests, full scale experiments, and/or load tests.

• Perform soil erosion testing

• Manufacture engineered soil samples.

• Develop instrumentation plans

• Design, program, calibrate, install, and maintain instruments and data collection systems

• Perform data reduction and data analysis

• Structure and manage data

• Perform data interpretation and reporting

• Operate universal testing machines and servo-hydraulic test equipment

• Program and operate Campbell Scientific data loggers and National Instruments

LabVIEW Software for data collection

• Engineer technician skills including electronics, sensors (mechanical, electrical, wireless), and automation

• Perform numerical and constitutive modeling

• Communicate effectively

• Draft publication-ready research reports suitable for the target audience

• Develop and deliver effective presentations

• Perform and synthesize literature reviews

• Forklift operation certification

• Nuclear density certification

C.4.3 Hydraulics Laboratory (HYD Lab)

Work to be performed may include, but is not limited to:

• Develop maintenance, safety, inventory, and innovation plans for all lab zones.

• Execute, maintain, and recurrently update maintenance, safety, inventory, and innovation plans for all lab zones.

• Operate all lab zones including associated equipment, testing apparatuses, flumes, structural elements (ITEM), instrumentation, pumps, robotics, 3D printers, control and data acquisition software, hardware CFD/CSM software and flow visualization.

• Maintenance shall include all computers, mechatronic components, structural elements (ITEM), control and acquisition software, hardware, robotics, 3D printers, instrumentation, pumps, sediments, CFD/CSM software and flow visualization associated with all lab zones

• Innovation plans shall include improvements of all facilities and possible automation of lab zones (e.g., soil testing automation for zone 4).

• Improve centralized control and automation software/hardware connecting all lab zones.

• Operate special software such as LabVIEW, Matlab, SoildWorks, HEC-RAS 1D and 2D, SRH-2D, Starr CCM+, LS-DYNA, Beckhoff, Blender

• Operate KUKA and ABB robots including special software.

• Design, fabricate and assemble experimental set-ups and special test apparatuses as needed.

• Design control/automation and data acquisition software for experimental set-ups and special test apparatuses as needed.

• Design, fabricating, and assembling models for experiments as needed.

• Conduct CFD/CSM experiments.

• Conduct quick turn-around CFD/CSM/physical experiments and data analysis to provide technical support to our customers and to determine the need for more detailed experiments.

• Provide technical assistance to our customers on highway hydraulics related issues.

• Provide mechatronic support to other labs at TFHRC and agencies.

• Perform other activities related to facilitation and conduct of the Hydraulics

Research Program.

Research Focus Areas (HYD Lab)

• Hydrology and Extreme Events

- Investigate impacts of extreme weather on stream stability

- Study the integration of distributed rainfall-runoff modeling

- Incorporate future changes in precipitation patterns into the highway design process

- Research Hydrologic Forcing Functions

- Research the sensitivity of riverine and coastal infrastructure to climate and extreme events

• Highway Drainage

- Research and develop models and information concerning the behavior of urban, roadside, barriers, and bridge deck drainage systems.

- Develop Computational Fluid Dynamics models to rapidly assess highway drainage issues such as curb-opening inlets, hydroplaning and develop new design guide recommendations.

• Culvert Hydraulics

- Research Hydraulically Large Culvert Analysis

- Implement 2-dimensional Hydraulically Modeling for Complex Culverts

- Improve Culvert Hydraulics Software

- Improve the Aquatic Organism Passage Implementation Guide

- Conduct Stream Simulation Research:

o Light Detection and Ranging Survey and Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Aquatic Organism Passage versus. Streambed o Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling Bankfull and Bedforms for Aquatic Organism Passage o Modeling Effects of Constructed Elements for Aquatic Organism Passage

• Bridge Hydraulics

- Develop Computational Fluid Dynamics models to support and to improve 2-dimensional Hydraulic modeling for analysis and design of bridge crossings

- Research blocked obstruction drag coefficients

- Research bridge low chord Manning’s numbers

- Research blocked obstructions shear amplifications

• Scour, Stream Stability, and Countermeasures

- Develop the next generation of bridge scour design based on hydraulic loading and soil resistance (NextScour)

- Conduct bridge scour reliability research: Develop probabilistic scour design methods

- Maintain and improve scour design methodologies in Hydraulic Engineering

Circular-18 “Evaluating Scour at Bridges”

- Maintain and improve scour countermeasure design methodologies in

Hydraulic Engineering Circular -23 “Bridge Scour and Stream Instability Countermeasures Experience, Selection, and Design Guidance Third Edition, Volume 1 and Volume 2”

• Coastal Highways

- Research the impacts of extreme events

- Research coastal compound flooding (coastal riverine coupled modeling)

- Develop Computational Fluid Dynamics models to develop new design guidelines for scour/erosion protection for coastal highways

• Multi-hazard mitigation research for combined hazards from floods, seismic and wind events

- Develop Computational Fluid Dynamics / Computational Structural

Mechanics models to explore and demonstrate the combined hazards from flood, seismic, and wind events.

Staff Competencies/Capabilities (HYD Lab)

• General Hydraulic Engineering

• Fluid Mechanics/Dynamics

• Sediment Transport

• Hydrology and Floodplains

• Culvert Hydraulics

• Highway Drainage

• Bridge Hydraulics

• Scour, Stream Stability and Countermeasures

• Coastal Highways/Engineering

• 1D and 2D Hydraulic Modeling

• CFD/CSM Modeling

• Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)

• Probabilistic Design Concepts

• Experimental Fluid Mechanics/Dynamics

• Experimental Hydraulics

• Erosion Testing of Sediments

• Mechatronics Engineering

• Electrical Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Computer Science/Artificial Intelligence

• Physics Science

• Robotics (Mobile Robotics)

• 3D Printing

• Laboratory Management (Advanced Project Tracking)

• Marketing

C.4.4 Nondestructive Evaluation Laboratory (NDE Lab)

Work to be performed may include, but is not limited to:

• Provide technical assistance to our customers on highway NDE-related issues

• Provide technical assistance to the Long-Term Bridge Program (LTBP)

• Develop instrumentation and methods from concept to implementation

• Develop/improve NDE software and hardware systems to detect and track defects, identify characteristics, or measure responses

• Improve NDE data interpretation

• Incorporate NDE methods within asset management

• Fabricate instruments, equipment, and specimens

• Sensor design and construction for structure health monitoring

• Analytical modeling and numerical modeling of the structure

• Numerical simulation of NDE methods

• Improve data collection capabilities of the automated data collection platforms

(robotic arm and xy scanner), and data collection software for laboratory testing

• Develop of NDE test protocols following the format of the LTBP program

• Validate of automated data collected by the LTBP program

• Other emerging topics related to the NDE research program

Research Focus Areas (NDE Lab)

• Improve NDE Data Visualization and Interpretation

• NDE data fusion, analysis, visualization

• Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)

• Bridge WIM

• Assess dead load stresses for steel bridge members non-destructively with vibration response

• Remaining service life estimation using NDE

• NDE protocols

• Develop protocols for treated bridge decks

• Baseline defect protocols for reinforced concrete specimens

• NDE reliability

• Identify fatigue cracks under coatings

• NDE InfoTechnology

• Air-coupled acoustic array

• Corrosion in Post-Tensioned tendons in anchorage zones

• Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) of structural steel welds

• Corrosion in pre-stressed concrete girders

• Robotics, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

• Other emerging topics related to the NDE research program

Staff Competencies/Capabilities (NDE Lab)

• Operate and maintain common NDE tools and technologies

• Use of NDE data collection and data analysis software

• Analytical modeling and numerical finite element (FE) simulation using FE software

• Collect, analyze, visualize, and interpret NDE data on bridges, pavements, and tunnels using various NDE tools and technologies

• Setup and maintain National Instruments data acquisition systems

• Program and operate National Instruments LabVIEW Software for data collection

• Use image processing techniques including, but not limited to, photogrammetry and digital image correlation

• Mechatronics engineering technician skillsets including electronics, sensors, and robotics

• OSHA qualified and certified operator in accordance with 29 CFR Subpart CC

• Trained forklift operator in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.178

• Running ASTM and/or AASHTO standards for nondestructive evaluation of steel, concrete, and asphalt materials, and bridge and pavement systems

• Safe operation and improvement of data collection capabilities of the automated data collection platforms (KUKA robotic arm and xy scanner), and data collection software for laboratory testing.

C.4.5 Structures Laboratory (STR Lab)

Work to be performed may include, but is not limited to:

• Perform standardized material tests of metals, concrete, fiber-reinforced composites, and other relevant highway infrastructure materials.

• Design, fabricate, and assemble experimental load frames and apparatuses as needed.

• Connect, operate, and maintain Enerpac, MTS, Instron, and potentially other hydraulic test systems.

• Develop instrumentation plans to monitor behavior of test specimens. Execute the plan through installation and setup of sensors, cameras, and data acquisition systems.

• Design, fabricate, and/or procure experimental test specimens as needed. This may include participating in the fabrication of test specimens at off-site facilities such as steel component fabricators, prestressed concrete component fabricators, etc.

• Conduct computational modeling as needed to support laboratory and research activities.

• Coordinate and conduct field tests as needed.

• Collect data (e.g., laboratory, field, computational) and reduce it into an understandable and presentable form.

• Perform other activities related to facilitation and conduct of the Structures

Research Program.

Research Focus Areas (STR Lab)

• General Structural Engineering

• Bridge Engineering (steel, concrete, and other emerging construction materials)

• Monotonic, Cyclic, and Transient Servo-Hydraulic Load Testing

• Forensic Investigations and Field Studies

• Structural Failure Investigations

• Field Testing of Bridges and other Infrastructure Structural Systems

• Fatigue, Fracture, and Crack Propagation

• Stability and Bracing

• Mechanical Fastening Technologies

• Welding Technologies

• Performance of Weathering, High-Strength, and Stainless Steels

• Corrosion Mitigation, Protection, Rehabilitation, and Repair

• Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES)

• Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC)

• Lightweight Concrete (LWC)

• Structural Performance of Alternative Cementitious Materials (ACM)

• Construction Quality Research

• Ancillary Sign Structures

• Automated Construction Engineering

• Additive Manufacturing for Structural Component and Bridge Fabrication

• Virtual and Augmented Reality for Bridge Fabrication

• Low-Carbon or Alternative Binder Systems

• Internally Cured Concrete

• Other emerging topics related to the structures research program

Staff Competencies/Capabilities (STR Lab)

• Safe operation of MTS servo-hydraulic test equipment, including ensuring there is no bodily harm to operator, mechanical damage to machine, or research specimens

• Maintenance of MTS servo-hydraulic test equipment

• Use of MTS FlexTest software

• Use of MTS TestSuite Software

• Setup and maintenance of various data acquisition systems including National

Instruments and DEWESoft

• Program and operate NI LabView and DEWESoft software for data collection

• Operate and maintain digital image correlation systems for uniaxial, planar, and

3D applications

• Operate and maintain laser tracking systems for generating Cartesian point cloud meshes

• Operate and maintain Additive Manufacturing equipment

• Operate and maintain metallographic equipment and microscopes

• Prepare (sectioning/mounting/grinding/polishing/etching) metallographic mounts

• Interpret crystalline phase properties and fracture surface morphologies

• Properly handle and store chemicals, oils, and fluids

• Use of digital image processing and 3D modeling software

• Welding and thermal cutting steel

• Proper tensioning of high-strength bolts and rod

• Mechatronics and controls engineering technician skillsets including signals, sensors, and robotics

• Trained, evaluated, and certified crane operator in accordance with 29 CFR 1926

Subpart CC

• Trained, evaluated, and certified powered industrial truck (i.e., forklift) operator in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.178

• Execute standard tests for steel, including but not limited to ASTM E8, ASTM E18, ASTM E23, and ASTM F606

• Execute standard tests for concretes, including but not limited to ASTM C143, ASTM C39, ASTM C469, ASTM C1437, ASTM C1856, and AASHTO T 397

C.5 STAFFING

To fulfill the requirement, sufficiently knowledgeable staff is required. The skillsets required for the labor categories are:

1. Program Manager (PM): The PM shall be responsible for oversight of all work under this contract. The PM shall assure that the requirements of the contract are met and shall be responsible for all aspects of contract performance. The PM shall be responsible for determining staffing needs, providing, and supervising personnel, and determining man-hour and hard cost requirements under this contract. The PM shall serve as the primary point of contact for the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and shall be responsible for responding to any technical directives and for the submission of progress reports. The PM shall be responsive to the government’s need for excellent communication and quality customer service. The PM shall also be responsible for the preparation of all high-quality reports, papers, and presentations produced under this contract.

Ultimately, the PM appointed by the Contractor shall be responsible for all contractor personnel issues including ensuring appropriate staffing levels and effort, performance appraisals, time and attendance, disciplinary actions, and quality of work. Depending on the nature of the assigned work and staff experience, the PM’s responsibilities for day-to-day management of on-site personnel may be delegated to a Laboratory Manager (LM), subject to approval by the FHWA’s COR. The PM shall have at least 10 years of direct experience in Government contracting specifically managing support services, research, and engineering projects of the type and complexity as described herein. The PM can be off-site with scheduled routine visits to TFHRC, including at minimum once quarterly.

2. Laboratory Manager (LM): The LM shall be responsible for the on-site oversight of the individual laboratory facility of their responsibility (Geotech, Hydraulics, NDE, or Structures). The LM shall be responsible for the overall scheduling of laboratory resources and day-to-day logistics. The LM shall be responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality research papers and reports. The LM shall also be responsible for ensuring all equipment is in a state of good repair, equipment calibrations and/or annual maintenance requirements are upheld, the individual laboratory safety plan is up-to-date, and on-site contractor employees comply with established safety procedures and relevant OSHA standards.

The LM shall have experience working in a research laboratory environment with at least 5 years of laboratory management experience in the area of their responsibility (Geotech, Hydraulics, NDE, or Structures).

The LM may serve dual roles such as a research engineer. The LM shall be located on-site.

3. Document Processor (DP): DPs assist FHWA staff or laboratory Research Engineers (REs) in ensuring reports are generated in conformance to TFHRC’s Communication Reference Guide (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/general/15058/15058.pd f). Requirements of position include a mastery of the English language, especially through the written word, in addition to computer skills with a mastery of word processing and spreadsheets. Knowledge of graphics design is also desired. The DP shall be tasked with ensuring reports are written with a consistent voice and compliant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, ensuring graphs are consistently formatted (which may include manipulation of the source files in a spreadsheet), and developing simple graphics to illustrate concepts.

4. Administrative Assistant (AA): The AA provides support for technical report preparation; meeting planning; typing correspondence, reports, and memos using a word processor; maintaining computer based and paper files; answering and screening calls; and opening and distributing mail for a department or unit. The AA shall be experienced in providing administrative support to technically focused teams, program development, site selection, and other aspects of planning a successful meeting. The AA shall possess as a minimum, a HS diploma (or equivalent), and approximately 4 to 6 years of related experience.

5. Data Analyst (DA): The DA is responsible for acquiring, managing, analyzing, visualizing, and interpreting the acquired data. The DA shall be experienced in data analysis software like R, python, or MATLAB and shall be experienced in statistical analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The DA shall also be familiar with different data visualization schemes, and 4D representation of data. The DA shall demonstrate proven working experience as a data analyst or business data analyst; shall have technical expertise regarding data models, database design development, data mining and segmentation techniques; shall have strong knowledge of and experience with reporting packages (Business Objects etc.), databases (SQL etc.), programming (Python, XML, JavaScript, or ETL frameworks); shall have knowledge of statistics and experience using statistical packages for analyzing datasets (Excel, SPSS, SAS etc.); shall have strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy; shall adept at queries, report writing and presenting findings. The DA requires a BS in Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Information Management, or Statistics or have at least 5 years of demonstrated experience serving as a data analyst.

6. General Labor (GL): The GL shall have at a minimum a high school degree with the ability to work with their hands and lift 50 pounds.

Level 1 (GL-1) shall be a starting level with no experience for a consultant demonstrating potential in the field.

Level 2 (GL-2) builds upon the experience of GL-1 with an additional two years of demonstrated hands-on experience.

Level 3 (GL-3) builds upon the experience of GL-2 with an additional two years of demonstrated hands-on experience.

7. Machinist (M): The M shall assist in the fabrication, assembly, or modification of model components, test fixtures, and associated hardware.

Depending on the nature of the work and availability of equipment, the machinist may be required to perform these duties either on-site in the FHWA machine shop or off-site in another shop. The M shall be provided at two different levels as follows:

Level 1 (M-1) may be required to perform these duties on-site in the FHWA machine shop. The M-1 shall have a minimum of five years of shop experience and be familiar with fabrication and assembly of small parts for models and fixtures as well as frame structures for laboratory hardware.

Level 2 (M-2) may be required to perform these duties off-site in another shop. The M-2 shall have a minimum of eight years of shop experience and be familiar with fabrication and assembly of small parts for models and fixtures as well as frame structures for laboratory hardware.

8. Concrete Research Engineer (CRE): The CRE is directly responsible for the planning, conducting, and reporting of projects performed under the contract. The Contractor may be asked to provide CREs at any of the ten levels shown in Table 1 below. Proposed CREs will be judged based on education and demonstrated laboratory research-related experience pertaining to “concrete” as relevant to the structural design, construction, rehabilitation, and rating of bridges.

Education requirements are defined as a Bachelor of Science or Engineering degree, Master of Science, or Doctorate in Mechanical or Civil Engineering with a concentration in Structures or Bridge Engineering from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) accredited institution or international equivalent. Basic research experience, i.e., research assistant in a laboratory, intern experience in a laboratory, or equivalent thereof, in parallel or in pursuit of the educational degree must be demonstrated.

Laboratory research-related experience is defined as hands-on experience planning, conducting, and reporting research-related activities beyond those required for the educational degree and includes familiarity with data acquisition systems, sensor selection and wiring (strain gauges, accelerometers, tiltmeters, potentiometers, linear variable differential transducers, extensometers, and load cells), setup and operation of closed-loop servovalve controlled hydraulic systems, design of loading and reaction structures, and common concrete property characterization tests (e.g., ASTM C39, ASTM C78, ASTM C469, ASTM C496, ASTM C512, ASTM C1856, ASTM C157, ASTM C666, and AASHTO T397). CREs at all levels shall have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to write publication-ready research reports as well as participate and present during demonstration projects, seminars, committee meetings, and workshops.

CRE levels are based on education and demonstrated experience according to Table 1. In addition to the years of experience listed in the table, the requirements for CRE Levels 6 through 10 include the demonstration of a track record of recognized research projects, high-caliber publications, and public facing notable engagements.

Table 1 provides general guidance on the classification levels and the general experience associated with each. Offerors shall utilize this table as guidance when proposing staff and labor rates.

Table 1: Years of experience per education…