032-1 RFQ Amendment SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Invasive Testing and Evaluation of Concrete Quality via Petrographic Analysis for Champlain Tower South Investigation

1. Background The National Construction Safety Team Act (“Act”), Pub. L. 107-231, codified at 15 U.S.C. 7301 et seq., was enacted to provide for the establishment of investigative teams (“Teams”) to assess building performance and emergency response and evacuation procedures in the wake of any building failure that has resulted in substantial loss of life or that posed significant potential of substantial loss of life.

The purpose of investigations by Teams is to improve the safety and structural integrity of buildings in the United States. As stated in the statute, a Team shall (1) establish the likely technical cause or causes of the building failure; (2) evaluate the technical aspects of evacuation and emergency response procedures; (3) recommend, as necessary, specific improvements to building standards, codes, and practices based on the findings made pursuant to (1) and (2); and (4) recommend any research and other appropriate actions needed to improve the structural safety of buildings, and improve evacuation and emergency response procedures, based on the findings of the investigation.

On June 24th, 2021, the Champlain Tower South Condominium in Surfside, FL suffered a partial collapse. NIST sent a preliminary reconnaissance team to collect information and data related to the collapse. Based on the recommendations of the preliminary reconnaissance team and evaluation of the criteria listed in the regulations implementing the Act, specifically in 15 CFR § 270.102, on June 30, 2021, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), United States Department of Commerce, established a Team to study the collapse of the Champlain Towers South Condominium. The Team may include members who are Federal employees and members who are not Federal employees. Team members who are Federal employees are governed by the Federal conflict of interest laws. Team members who are not Federal employees will be Federal government contractors.

2.0. Scope and Objectives

NIST requires expertise in petrographic examination of hardened concrete elements to assist with establishing the technical cause or causes of the Champlain Towers South Collapse. The Contractor shall provide consultation to NIST regarding the technical mechanisms of potential modes of concrete degradation, fully characterize concrete materials supplied by NIST, collect necessary data and information to conduct condition observations of the microstructure of cores extracted from structural elements, and provide NIST with written reports documenting progress.

The objectives of this contract are to examine the concrete materials to determine what deleterious reactions, if any, contributed to the building’s collapse, assess the current state of the concrete condition in reference to the original construction outlined in mix design, engineering documents, and regional standards for the industry when built. This contract seeks to achieve the following objectives:

Objective 1 Concrete Assessment – Construction Quality: Assess the concrete condition relative to likely original construction condition in reference to the specifications outlined in engineering documents and standards for the industry during the year of construction.

Objective 2 Concrete Assessment – Durability: Assess the concrete to determine material condition and what degradation mechanisms, if any, could have contributed to material alterations, and subsequently, structural failure.

3.0. General Requirements

The Contractor shall provide all services detailed in this Statement of Work, including providing expert consultation of concrete materials, petrographic examination to include analysis of concrete durability, construction quality, potential failure modes through use of microscopy and other petrographic tools.

The cores shall be extracted from the Primary Evidence Facility (PEF) located in Miami, FL and will be selected by NIST based on an invasive testing plan conceived by NIST.

NIST will provide the selected cores to the contractor upon extraction and the contractor shall complete the analysis requirements within one monthtwo months after receipt of the cores from NIST.

This is a hybrid firm fixed price (FFP) and labor hour (LH)Fixed Unit Price with Ceiling requirement.

Equipment and Personnel The contractor shall provide all equipment and personnel required to complete the tasks, identified in this Statement of Work except for what is specified in the Government-Furnished Property section of this document.

4.0. Scope of Work

Task 1: Petrographic Analysis of Concrete Quality (CLIN 0001 - FFP) This task involves Petrographic Analysis of 20 core samples that NIST will extract from the PEF and provide to the Contractor.

1.1: Characterization of Concrete Constituents and Microstructure

The Contractor shall analyze received cores to characterize the concrete samples. The Contractor shall conduct petrographic analysis and laboratory characterization of 20 concrete cores, identified by NIST, that have been extracted from slabs, columns, beams, and walls at the PEF in Miami, FL. NIST estimates that this task will take 110 hours to complete (averaging 5.5 hours per specimen). The Contractor shall use techniques limited to standard examination of hardened concrete through use of polished sections, thin sections, and petrographic microscope following ASTM C856.

NIST expects to deliver the entire set of 20 cores at the same time.

The contractor shall:

Conduct characterization on the aggregate portion of concrete cores. Specific focus shall be given to coarse aggregate lithology, mineralogy of the coarse and fine aggregate, aggregate bond, and other features related to aggregate durability.

Conduct characterization on the hardened cement paste of concrete cores.

Specific focus shall be given to cement paste condition, mineralogy, evidence of any supplementary cementitious materials, carbonation, entrapped and entrained air, color and color variation, water/cement ratio estimation, paste friability, and other features related to hardened cement paste condition.

Conduct characterization on microstructure of concrete cores. Specific focus shall be given to coarse aggregate, cement paste homogeneity, microcracking, crack width and propagation pathways, presence and mineralogy of precipitates, and other features related to crack presence within the concrete cores.

Conduct characterization on reinforcing bar if present within the cores, including bond to paste and alteration that may have affected durability.

1.2: Estimation of original mix design for concrete(s)

The contractor shall use petrographic tools and specific knowledge of Florida conventional construction methods to estimate the original mix design’s water to cement ratio to the nearest 0.05, that was implemented during original construction of the Champlain Towers South.

The Contractor shall provide the following:

Estimation of the water to cement ratio.

Estimation of the phase proportions of aggregate including both coarse and fine aggregate. Furthermore, description of the fine aggregate mineralogy is required.

Identification of the presence of supplementary cementitious materials including but not limited to fly ash, slag, and other additives.

Phase fraction analysis to conclude original concrete mix including coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, voids (entrapped and entrained), paste content and other phases that may be present. The analysis method of the paste content shall be performed qualitatively via ASTM C856.

1.3: Determination of potential deterioration mechanisms

The contractor shall use petrographic tools to analyze received cores and specific knowledge of Florida concrete practices and exposure conditions to determine what deterioration mechanisms may have affected Champlain Towers South concrete and/or concrete elements, including the following:

Examination of the depth of carbonation and other carbonation related features for each concrete core.

Examination of the corrosion of rebar if rebar exists within the sample.

Examination of the state of hardened cement paste carbonation in regions adjacent to rebar and document evidence of corrosion products permeating the hardened cement paste.

Examination for features related to alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) to determine if it was affecting the concrete. This includes alkali-silica and alkali-carbonate reactions.

Examination for features related to sulfate attack to determine if it was affecting the concrete.

Examination for features related to delayed ettringite formation to determine if it was affecting the concrete.

Examination of features related to leaching, such as the presence of efflorescence and identify the mineralogical characteristics of the efflorescence to determine if it was affecting the concrete.

1.4 Draft and Final Task 1 Reporting

The contractor shall provide all raw data and catalogued image sets with SI measurements. The contractor shall compile all data collected into a dataset which shall contain information describing the analysis of the concrete cores provided to the contractor and conclusions drawn from analysis.

Task 2: Additional Core Analysis, Inclusive of Alternative Analysis Methods (CLIN 0002 – LHFixed Unit Price with Ceiling)

As directed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), the Contractor shall perform petrography analysis (subtask 2.A) on up to 50 additional cores (i.e., 50 cores is the maximum). Some or all the methods identified in subtasks 2.B – 2.D below shall also be performed on up to half of the 50 additional cores, not to exceed 25 analyses, using subtasks 2.B – 2.D as directed by the NIST COR. The Contractor may also perform methods in 2.B, 2.C, or 2.D, on up to 10 of the base 20 cores from Task 1 as directed by the COR. The following table provides summary:

Number of Cores that "Petrographic Analysis" (as described under task

1) shall be performed.

Number of Cores, from which “Petrographic

Analysis” is performed, on which any of the additional methods in task 2.B ‐ 2.D shall be performed

Task 1 (base) 20 10

Task 2.A * 50 25

* Numbers for Task 2.A are the “maximum” quantities of analysis.

Number of Cores that "Petrographic Analysis" (as described under task 1) shall be performed.

Number of Cores, on which “Petrographic Analysis” is performed, on which any methods in task 2.B ‐ 2.D shall be performed Total Analyses

Task 1 20 N/A 20

Task 2* 50

10 cores * 3 potential methods = 30 plus

25 cores * 3 potential methods = 75 155

*Task 2 numbers are the “maximum” quantities of analysis.

2.A Petrography as described in Task 1. As directed by the COR, the contractor shall perform Task 1 analyses on additional cores. This task shall be performed on additional sets of cores, up to 50, provided for Petrography analysis.

2.B Scanning Electron Microscopy / Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy

The use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) detector may be of use during the investigation due to its ability to view concrete microstructure at a low length-scale and assist in identification of crystalline minerals, carbonation profile, estimation of original water to cement ratio, and other microchemical and microstructural features that cannot be adequately assessed by optical microscopy.

As directed by the COR, the contractor shall conduct this work on cores per ASTM C1723-16 Standard Guide for Examination of Hardened Concrete Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and ASTM C856. Deliverables when using this method include photomicrographs, chemical data (if EDS is used), and written analysis including conclusions drawn using this technique.

2.C X-ray Diffraction The use of X-ray powder diffraction to characterize phases in concrete materials is common and may be of use during investigation. The technique can be used to identify aggregate mineralogy, hardened cement paste phases, and reaction products.

As directed by the COR, the contractor shall perform x-ray diffraction on cores.

Deliverables when using this method includes diffraction patterns of phases analyzed and written analysis including conclusions drawn using this technique.

2.D Chloride Analysis

Chloride presence is an important metric to investigate when examining reinforced concrete elements and may be needed to adequately characterize the amounts of chloride in the concrete for assessing potential for corrosion of rebar.

As directed by the COR, the Contractor shall conduct this work on cores per ASTM C1152-20 Standard Test Method for Acid-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and Concrete and/or ASTM C1218-20 Standard Test Method for Water-Soluble Chloride in Mortar and Concrete. Deliverables when using this method include calculations of chloride by mass of concrete or mortar and written analysis including conclusions drawn using this technique.

2.E Draft and Final Task 2 Reporting

The contractor shall provide raw data and catalogued image sets with SI measurements. The contractor shall compile all data collected into a draft report which shall contain information describing the analysis of the concrete cores provided to the Contractor and conclusions drawn from analyses.

Task 3: Weekly Status Meetings (CLIN 00013 - FFP)

The Contractor shall participate in status meetings on a weekly basis to occur via phone or a virtual meeting for one hour during the performance period of the contract to discuss results of the data collection. The meetings shall take place at a day and time mutually agreed upon between the Government and contractor each week. The status meetings shall include discussion of ongoing data collection and status of a written report, if applicable, as well as on the completion status of deliverables which shall include results of ongoing data collection and interpretation and report preparation details, activities accomplished, findings established, deliverables completed, outstanding deliverables, any delays, reasons for delays or other problems encountered and proposed resolutions, and recommendations. The contractor shall also report on provision of feedback both on petrography and durability as well as other technical areas that concern concrete.

The contractor shall be available by phone and email with NIST to discuss any follow up on the status meetings as required.

Up to one weekly status meeting may be required to be performed at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, MD. Please see travel requirements below for details.

Task 4: Summary Draft and Final Reporting (CLIN 0001- FFP)

The Contractor shall combine the final reports from Tasks 1 and 2 into a logical single final report. The contractor shall provide all raw data and catalogued image sets with SI measurements associated with analysis.

5.0 Deliverables

The Contractor shall submit the following deliverables to the NIST COR. in accordance with the following Deliverables Table. All materials shall be submitted via email unless otherwise specified in this document or approved in writing by the COR. The COR will evaluate deliverables for completeness and correctness. In the event revisions to deliverables are required, the COR will provide feedback and the Contractor shall make the revisions. NIST will review all documents intended for public release through the Washington Editorial Review Board (WERB) and may have comments on the technical content, editorial comments and requested revisions that the Contractor shall address.

The COR will provide notice when deliverables are accepted. Data rights for all deliverables shall be in accordance with FAR 52.227-17 Rights in Data-Special Works.

Number/ Reference Description Media Quantity Due Date

Task 1 Identification of deterioration mechanisms, conditions and/or concrete elements that may have affected the concrete of the Champlain Towers South buildings

Report (Word doc), including Data and supporting Documentation

1 At the completion of the concrete analysis (of the first 20 cores), to be completed within one two months after contractor receives cores.

Task 1.1 Characterization of concrete constituents and microstructure

Report (Word doc), including Data and supporting Documentation.

1 Weekly and at the completion of the concrete analysis

Task 1.2 Estimation of original mix design for concrete(s)

Report (Word doc), including Data and supporting Documentation

At the completion of the concrete analysis, within one two months after contractor receives cores.

Task 1.3 Determination of potential deterioration mechanisms

Report (Word doc), including Data and supporting Documentation

At the completion of the concrete analysis, within one two months after contractor receives cores.

Task 1.4 Draft and Final Task 1 Reporting

Report (Word doc), including Data and supporting Documentation

Draft report due two months after contractor completes cores with final report due two weeks after NIST returns with comments /requested edits.

Task 2 Results of additional methods of analyzing concrete samples

Report (Word doc), including Data and support ting Documentation

1 Two Four weeks from COR direction for Tasks 2.AB-2.D.

Two weeks to complete reporting associated with the draft report under Task 2.E and one additional week for the final report under Task 2.E after NIST feedback.

Task 3 Weekly Status Meetings Oral progress report provided during meeting with accompanying written status document or email.

1 Weekly

Task 4 Draft and Final Summary Report

Report (Word doc), including Data and supporting Documentation

1 Two weeks after completed analysis for the draft report with final report due one week after NIST review of the draft report.

7.0 Performance Requirements Summary

Desired Output Required Service

Performance Standard Frequency

Monitoring Method

Task 1: Data and Supporting Documentation of core analysis under this task.

Contractor shall examine and analyze concrete cores to evaluate the original construction quality, durability-related features, and potential modes of deterioration that may have affected

Concrete quality and durability are adequately assessed as described within the statement of work and conforming to

ASTM C856

Will be reviewed at weekly meetings, as applicable to the work being performed.

COR Review and discussion at weekly progress meetings

Champlain Towers South

Task 1.1: Data and Supporting Documentation of core analysis under this subtask.

Contractor shall characterize the concrete constituents and microstructure

Results shall be in accordance with ASTM C856

Will be reviewed at weekly meetings as applicable

COR Review

Task 1.2: Data and Supporting Documentation of core analysis under this subtask.

Contractor shall provide estimation of original mix design for concrete(s)

Results shall be in accordance with ASTM C856

Will be reviewed at weekly meetings as applicable

COR Review

Task 1.3: Data and Supporting Documentation of core analysis under this subtask.

Contractor shall determine potential deterioration mechanisms and provide supporting documentation

Results shall be complete and in accordance with

ASTM C856

Will be reviewed at weekly meetings as applicable

COR Review

Task 2A: Data and Supporting Documentation of core analysis on additional sets of cores.

Contractor shall examine and analyze concrete cores to evaluate them for their original construction quality, durability-related features, and potential modes of deterioration that may have affected

Concrete quality and durability are adequately assessed as described within this Statement of Work and conforming to

ASTM C856

Will be reviewed at weekly meetings as applicable

COR Review

Champlain Towers South

Task 2B – Data and Supporting Documentation of SEM/EDS analysis

Contractor shall analyze concrete samples using scanning electron microscopy / energy dispersive spectroscopy

Results shall be in accordance with ASTM C1723

Will be reviewed at weekly meetings as applicable

COR Review

Task 2C – Data and Supporting Documentation of X-ray diffraction analysis

Contractor shall analyze concrete phases using x-ray diffraction

Aggregate and hardened paste phases identified by XRD

Will be reviewed at weekly meetings as applicable

COR Review

Task 2D – Data and Supporting Documentation of Chloride Analysis

Contractor shall complete chloride analysis on concrete samples

Results shall be in accordance with ASTM C1152 and ASTM C1218

Will be reviewed at weekly meetings as applicable

COR Review

Task 2E – Draft and Final report including data from all activity performed under task 2A - 2D.

Contractor shall provide all raw data and images associated with analyses methods and compile into a report detailing conclusions drawn

Draft report submitted to NIST. Datasets reviewed for completeness.

Final report will be reviewed after any comments on the draft report have been adequately addressed.

1 draft report and 1 final report

Report is timely, complete, and accurate.

Task 3: Written or verbal summaries at status meetings of current progress and contract activity

Contractor shall participate at weekly status report meetings

Presentation and discussion of report is accurate and includes results of all applicable contract activity.

Weekly COR Review

Task 4: Draft and Final report of all contract activity.

Contractor shall write a draft report including findings from Task 1 and Task 2 in addition to datasets collected during analysis. The contractor shall edit and submit a final report based on NIST comments.

Reports and datasets will be reviewed for completeness, accuracy and coverage of all applicable contract activity.

1 draft and 1 final report

8. Government-Furnished Property, Material, Equipment, or Information (GFP, GFM, GFE, or GFI)

The Government will provide the contractor with all concrete core samples.

The contractor may be required to come to the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, MD to present findings. In the event of such a requirement, the contractor will only be required to present once, on one working day. The Government will not provide any equipment to the contractor. All equipment, including computing and telephone equipment, is the responsibility of the Contractor. The Government will not be responsible for cell phone charges associated with contract performance.

All property, data and information provided by the Government in the performance of this task remains the property of the Government and shall be surrendered to the Government upon completion or termination of this requirement. Likewise, all deliverables generated under this requirement remain the property of the Government.

9.0. Risk Levels

The work to be performed under this contract will be Non-IT No-Risk. There is no IT security risk applicable.

10. Travel

Travel may be required to Gaithersburg, Maryland for up to one presentation meeting at the NIST campus. Non-local travel, when approved in advance by the NIST COR, will be reimbursed in accordance with the GSA Federal Travel Regulations. Local travel will not be reimbursed. The Contractor shall be responsible for making all travel arrangements including but not limited to airline tickets, hotel, car rental reservations, etc. All proposed travel shall be submitted to the COR for advance approval in accordance with GSA Federal Travel Regulations. The Contractor shall make every effort to keep travel costs to a minimum and shall not exceed the travel budget assigned for all requirements within the SOW.

A travel Not-To-Exceed (NTE) CLIN for a total of $5,000 shall be applicable during the whole performance period of the contract.

11.0. Key Personnel Requirements

The contractor shall provide a minimum of one (1) lead petrographer as Key Personnel.

The Key Personnel shall meet the minimum requirements identified below. However, the labor category title identified in this Statement of Work is not mandatory; it is simply an example of a title suitable to the type of work to be performed by the key personnel position.

One (1) Concrete Petrographer

Minimum Education: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Geology, or in a field related to this Statement of Work.

Minimum Experience: 25 years in the evaluation of concrete and cementitious materials using petrographic analysis techniques.

Qualifications: The Key Personnel shall possess the following qualifications serving as a subject matter expert to advise on the data collection, analysis and interpretation of petrographic tests of concrete cores and concrete materials, and generate quality reports detailing findings and conclusions The contractor must demonstrate possessing the following qualifications, evidenced by documented experience in the following:

Applying technical knowledge and judgment in a scientific principles and practices as required for technically complex assignments.

Developing solutions to difficult problems. Uses scientific and petrographic concepts to integrate requirements and solve technical problems.

Utilizing tools, techniques, processes, and/or facilities, such as laboratories, and test facilities. Contributes to the technical planning.

Being proficient in report generation focused on scientific analysis of building materials and their performance.

Highly proficient in reflected and transmitted polarized-light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with x-ray spectroscopy, and other relevant forensic petrographic methods.

Implementing knowledge of southeastern construction practices in materials evaluations.

Utilizing specific knowledge of commercial Florida construction practices to develop conclusions.

12.0. Place of Performance

The primary place of performance is expected to be the Contractor’s facility, with up to one (1) trip to the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, MD.

SITE ACCESS AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

NIST is a federal facility and access is controlled at all entrances to the campus. Only Government employees may grant access to non-Government employees. All non- Government employees must be registered with security prior to site access. Non- Government employees, including those with Visitor Passes (Yellow Badges), must be escorted by Government employees at all times. The Contractor shall notify the COR a minimum of 48 hours prior to site access. Contractor shall provide COR with first and last names, country of citizenship, and whether the individual has a permanent resident card, (a.k.a. Green Card), of all personnel requiring site access. If any individuals are here on a work visa, they must complete a NIST 1260 form and return to the COR.

Please refer to the following web site for additional Visitor Information http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/visitor/

13.0. Period of Performance

The period of performance shall be three (3) years from date of award. The anticipated start date is June 1226, 2023.

14.0. Data Reporting and Sharing Requirements

All property, data and information provided by the Government in the performance of this requirement remains the property of the Government and shall be surrendered to the government upon completion or termination of this requirement. Likewise, all deliverables generated under this requirement remain the property of the Government.

Upon award of this requirement, the Government will provide the Contractor with raw data needed in the performance of this requirement. Specifically, all raw data provided, processed data collected during laboratory and field studies, and data reported to NIST, shall be retained by the contractor through the end of the performance period of the contract. The contractor shall make all raw and processed data available to members of the NCST investigation as approved by the NIST COR.

Raw data shall include, but is not limited to, data recorded, copied, or saved from instruments, laboratory notebooks, pictures, and simulation outputs. Processed data shall include, but is not limited to, data generated from raw data, including reports, figures, graphics, interpretations, and calculations.