Attachment 1 - Statement of Work.pdf

Statement of Work

Title: X‐ray Diffraction Consultation and Sample Analysis

Period of performance of this contract is: May 1 (est.), 2024 to October 31 2026 Base Period: Date of Award to October 31, 2024

Option Period One: November 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025 Option Period Two: May 1, 2025 to October 31, 2025

Option Period Three: November 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026

Option Period Four: May 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026

SECTION 1 – BACKGROUND

Mine workers may be exposed to high levels of respirable particulates, including but not limited to crystalline silica (RCS) with the potential to cause debilitating diseases, yet to date there is no instrument available to measure exposure to RCS in real‐time. Developing such a real‐time monitor for RCS would allow operators to take immediate action when measurements indicate that workers are being overexposed, and thus has the potential to reduce exposures and prevent adverse health effects in workers. The current methods are also incapable of elucidating rapid spatial and temporal variability of the RCS content in mine dust. Such real‐time and spatially granular measurements would enable health and safety professionals to better understand the sources of exposures and would enable workers to take adequate measures to safeguard against high levels of RCS in real‐time.

A primary aim of our research is to evaluate different quartz quantifying technologies that will enable informed development of a real‐time monitor for RCS. Emphasis will also be placed on how quartz quantifying techniques address the issue of interferences arising due the presence of quartz‐like minerals. The use of the multiple quantification techniques will allow interfering minerals to be identified.

SECTION 2 – PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE

The primary purpose of this contract is to provide technical research assistance for research conducted within the Safety and Health Branches of the Spokane Mining Research Division (SMRD) of NIOSH.

Activities will relate to focused support of all phases of a new research project entitled, “Evaluation of methods to inform development of a real‐time monitor for measuring and reducing RCS exposures in non‐coal mines”.

SECTION 3 – SCOPE OF WORK

Analysis of respirable dust samples by way of NIOSH methods 600 and 7500 will be provided to NIOSH Program Officer (Centers for Disease Control). Additionally Consulting services will be provided to NIOSH Program Officer, with respect to powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) data collection, analysis and interpretation. Time is expected to be on the order of 3 to 5 hours per month, with flexibility provided from month to month.

SECTION 4 – TASKS TO BE PERFORMED

Task 1: Assistance obtaining x‐ray diffractometer instrument parameters

1. Refinement of standard reference material diffraction patterns

a. Obtain acceptable refinement if possible thereby allowing a determination of the instrument parameters for NIOSH’s x‐ray diffractometer.

b. If refinement is not possible aide NIOSH in troubleshooting the x‐ray diffractometer

Task 2: Assistance refining mine dust/ore samples with phase identification and quantification

1. Refinement of mine site dust (14 sites are currently available, more will be in the future)

a. Specify data acquisition settings

b. Aide in interpreting x‐ray diffraction pattern

Task 3: Analysis of filter samples by way of NIOSH methods 600 and 7500

SECTION 5 – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

None

SECTION 6 – PLACE OF PERFORMANCE AND CONTRACT SUPPORT HOURS

SUBSECTION A – PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Entirely off site

SUBSECTION B – CONTRACT SUPPORT HOURS

Flexible

SECTION 7 – TRAVEL

SECTION 8 – DELIVERABLES/REPORTING SCHEDULE

Detailed email communications, and formal reports if necessary, will be prepared as required to communicate results to the client. Responses to consulting inquires are expected within one business week. Analyses by 600 and 7500 results are expected within 3 business weeks.

SUBSECTION A – PERFORMANCE MATRIX

SECTION 9 – REFERENCE MATERIALS

SECTION 10 – MINIMUM VENDOR QUALIFICATIONS

The contracted lab must be American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accredited to perform both

NIOSH methods 600 and 7500.

The contracted lab staff must have formal training in mineralogy or geology ideally from an accredited university.

SECTION 11 – ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Information Security and Privacy Secure Data Transfer Language

Files Transmission There are two (2) options for electronic submission of documents/deliverables; CDC SFTP Site or Secure Access Management Services (SAMS) are the two (2) approved methods of transmission.

Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) site is used for downloading and uploading files from or to the CDC network.

SAMS is the CDC’s electronic authentication (E‐Auth) provider to support access for external partners. E‐Auth systems protect CDC by authenticating a user and authorizing that person to use specific IT resources.

COVID‐19 Language HHS reserves the right to exercise priorities and allocations authority with respect to this contract, to include rating this order in accordance with 45 CFR Part 101, Subpart A—Health Resources Priorities and Allocations System.

Human Subjects Protections in Research DOES NOT INVOLVE Live Vertebrate Animal

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

PRA does not apply.

Section 508 Compliance

Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility

(a) Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board Electronic and Information (EIT) Accessibility Standards (36 CFR part 1194), require that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. Section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.

(b) Accordingly, any offeror responding to this solicitation must comply with established HHS EIT accessibility standards. Information about Section 508 is available at http://www.hhs.gov/web/508 . The complete text of the Section 508 Final Provisions can be accessed at https://www.access‐board.gov/ict/

(c) The Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this contract are: 1194.

205 WCAG 2.0 Level A & AA Success Criteria 302 Functional Performance Criteria 502 Inoperability with Assistive Technology 504 Authoring Tools 602 Support Documentation 603 Support Services

In order to facilitate the Government's determination whether proposed EIT supplies meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must submit an HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template, in accordance with its completion instructions. The purpose of the template is to assist HHS acquisition and program officials in determining whether proposed EIT supplies conform to applicable Section 508 accessibility standards. The template allows offerors or developers to self‐evaluate their supplies and documentation detail ‐ whether they conform to a specific Section 508 accessibility standard, and any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues. Instructions for preparing the HHS Section 508 Evaluation Template are available under Section 508 policy on the HHS Web site http://hhs.gov/web/508. Offerors may alternatively provide a Section 508 Accessibility conformance report (ACR) as described at www.section508.gov.

In order to facilitate the Government's determination whether proposed EIT services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must provide enough information to assist the Government in determining that the EIT services conform to Section 508 accessibility standards, including any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues.

(d) Respondents to this solicitation must identify any exception to Section 508 requirements. If a offeror claims its supplies or services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and it is later determined by the Government, i.e., after award of a contract or order, that supplies or services delivered do not conform to the accessibility standards, remediation of the supplies or services to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its expense.

(e) Electronic content must be accessible to HHS acceptance criteria. Checklist for various formats are available at http://508.hhs.gov/ or from the Section 508 Coordinator listed at https://www.hhs.gov/web/section‐508/additional‐resources/index.html. Materials that are final items for delivery should be accompanied by the appropriate checklist, except upon approval of the Contracting Officer or Representative.

(End of verbiage)

Printing

SECTION 12 – TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

Technical Approach and Understanding of the Requirements

This contract requires the analysis of respirable dust samples by way of the National Institute for

Occupational Safety and health (NIOSH) methods 600 and 7500. The samples for analysis by the contracted lab will be sent to the contractor as dust collected on the standard GLA‐5000 PVC filters, as specified in the method 7500. The results must be returned within 15 business days. Consultation on performing NIOSH 7500 is also needed, including calibration procedures and practices.

The contracted lab must be American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accredited to perform both NIOSH methods 600 and 7500.

The contracted lab must have the ability to perform and provide consultation on performing quantitative mineral analysis using either relative intensity ratio, Rietveld refinement or whole profile pattern fitting. The results must be returned within 15 business days.

Personnel and Management Plan

The contracted lab staff must demonstrate a strong background in mineralogy having staff with formal training in mineralogy or geology. The staff must have experience analyzing bulk mineral samples by x‐ ray diffraction.

Facilities

The contracted lab must have an X‐ray diffractometer.

The contracted lab must have a low temperature plasma asher.

The contracted must have a calibrated 6 place (micro‐gram) or better balance.