B-2 RFQ attachment - SON.docx

Statement of Need / Required Specifications Upgrade to 300BTE Load Frame Background The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Engineering Laboratory (EL) Materials and Structural Systems Division (MSSD) studies the durability and service life of infrastructure materials (polymer, concrete, engineered composites) for resilience infrastructure applications. One of the key research focuses is to understand mechanical properties of materials of various compositions, multi-components, multi-layers systems under a range of mechanical deformations (bending, tension, shear and compression).

The MSSD operates a 300BTE load frame with a maximum force capacity of 300 kips (300,000 lbf). The current control system, comprised of a hydraulic pump, servo control electronics, data acquisition, and signal conditioning hardware, is outdated and no longer operational. A retrofit upgrade to the controls system is required to return the load frame to full operation.

The MSSD will benefit from the use of a 300BTE load frame for various infrastructure materials (polymer, cement, concrete and composites) in the “Engineered Materials for Resilient Infrastructure” program and for FRP composite assemblies in “Earthquake Risk Reduction in Buildings and Infrastructure” program. The “Additive Manufacturing with Cement-based Materials” project will utilize this piece of equipment to evaluate materials for 3-D printing processes.

Purpose The purpose of this acquisition is to procure one retrofit upgrade unit for the MSSD’s 300BTE Load Frame. The 300BTE Load Frame was previously purchased from and is manufactured by Instron, A Division of Illinois Tool Works, located at 825 University Ave, Norwood, Massachusetts 02062-2643, model Vertex 300BTE, serial number 44756. The controls system is branded SATEC, the brand name for Instron’s hydraulically powered universal testing machines.

The retrofit upgrade shall return the 300BTE load frame to full operation. The retrofit upgrade shall cover all hardware and software required to operate the 300BTE load frame through the full range of its rated capacity (300 kips).

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

The retrofit upgrade shall include, at a minimum, new hydraulic power supply, servo control electronics, data acquisition electronics, signal conditioning electronics, operation software, and training for up to six individuals. Specifically, the contractor shall provide one retrofit upgrade to the 300BTE load frame which meets or exceeds the following requirements:

Hardware

· The retrofit upgrade shall replace existing controls hardware, comprised of a hydraulic pump, servo control electronics, data acquisition, and signal conditioning, and control software while retaining the existing load frame.

Operational Requirements

· The upgraded load frame shall be able to run compression tests complying with ASTM C109 and ASTM C39.

· The maximum force in compression of the load frame shall remain 300 kips

· The upgrade must include a fine positioning actuator jog button to allow for fine movements when setting up compression tests.

· The electronics of the machine must have a “specimen protect” feature where you cannot overload a specimen during test set up mode. The software must continuously monitor the applied load and prevent excessive loading during test setup.

Safety

· Load limits based off the transducers that are integrated into the system must be automatically set by the software. The transducers must have serial IDs and autorecognition by the testing machine’s software.

· Definable end of test criteria to stop all load frame functions automatically must be included in the software.

· The retrofit upgrade must come with a new emergency stop (E-stop) button which is hardwired into the control electronics of the machine.

· This E-stop button must be within reach when in front of the machine’s test space

Software

· The software must work with Windows 10 64-bit operating systems

· The software shall have an unlimited number of unique user profiles with different levels of permission. Each user account must be configurable to allow for permissions to test specimens, change a tested specimen, delete a specimen, exclude a tested specimen, change workspace properties, override file locations, discard a sample, overwrite a sample, analyze samples, edit test methods, configure the system, and configure security.

· User profiles must be able to be set up based off the software log-in, Windows log-in, or Active Directory.

· The software must be capable of running at multiple stress rates/displacement rates during a single test run.

· The software must have an intuitive graphical user interface operated from the control panel of the retrofit upgrade.

· The software must come with pre-loaded ASTM C109 and ASTM C39 test methods to streamline test method development.

· The users must be able to program their own test methods without assistance from the OEM.

· The software shall allow for exporting raw and filtered data collected during the test in a machine-readable format (csv, tab delimited, etc.).

Electronics

· The Contractor shall verify to the TPOC that the new electronics package will be fully compatible and functional with the machine upon arrival. NIST will supply the contractor with the original manual of the testing machine and current machine electronics (software is on 3.5” floppy disk) after award and prior to performing the retrofit upgrade.

· The system must have capability of outputting filtered data to reduce noise on each measurement channel.

· The system must have an unfiltered data sampling rate of 40 kHz to allow for precise control of the instrument.

· The data acquisition system must be expandable to allow for up to 10 strain measurement devices. These measurement channels must be controllable, i.e., they can be used to control the operation of the machine.

· The force measurement of the system must be verified to 1/100th of the maximum capacity of the transducer to an accuracy of +/- 0.5 % of output reading.

· The position resolution of the system must be 6.35 µm or lower.

· The system must have the capability to have a Digital I/O card with 4 logic lines

· The system must have the capability to have an analog output board added to the system electronics.

Pumping Unit

· The pumping unit must operate at 3000 psi or less.

· The pump and controller hardware have a footprint that fits within a 60 in by 60 in box.

Optional Accessories The supplier shall provide an option to purchase linear variable displacement transducers (LVDT) compatible with the retrofit upgrade. One LVDT with a total displacement of +/- 0.5 mm, +/- 2.5 mm and +/- 15 mm is required as an option. Optional accessories may or may not be purchased at the Government’s discretion in accordance with FAR 52.217-7.

Additional Contractor Responsibilities

The Contractor shall be responsible for performing on-site calibrations and installation by a certified technician with access to appropriate parts and supplies. The service organization shall be accredited through the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) and ISO 17025 accredited. There must be local service available to Gaithersburg, MD.

The installation shall include up to 8 hours of application specific training that is conducted on-site and in front of the machine. Training shall be performed on day of installation, or at a time mutually agreed upon by the contactor and the TPOC. The contractor shall leave written instructions, manuals or training presentation notes summarizing the application specific training with the TPOC after the training has been conducted.

Warranty Requirements The Contractor shall provide, at a minimum, a one-year warranty for the equipment. The warranty shall cover all parts, labor, and travel. The warranty shall commence upon successful completion of delivery, installation, and training and acceptance.

Delivery Requirements Delivery shall be made F.O.B. Destination within 120 days after Contractor receipt of order to the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the address identified below.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 100 Bureau Drive Building 301 Shipping & Receiving Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001

FOB Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery.

Note: The NIST Gaithersburg, MD campus is a controlled-access facility and is also under limited access restrictions due to COVID-19. Deliveries are only accepted when arranged in advance. The Contractor shall request approval of delivery time with the NIST Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) in advance of shipment.

Contractor failure to confirm delivery method and procedures and to receive TPOC approval prior to shipment shall release the Government of any liability and may result in payment being withheld until the campus access restrictions have been lifted and the item can be received and physically inspected.

Installation Requirements The supplier shall provide installation for the retrofit upgrade to be scheduled on a mutually agreed upon time with the TPOC within 14 days after receipt and acceptance of delivery. Installation shall include, at a minimum, uncrating/unpacking of all equipment, set-up and hook-up of all equipment, start-up, demonstration of specifications, and removal of all trash.

Supplier access to the NIST campus shall be scheduled in advance with the TPOC and shall adhere to the COVID-19 mitigation guidelines that will be provided prior to arrival. The place of installation shall be: NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 226/A164, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

Inspection & Acceptance NIST will inspect delivered products within seven (7) business days after delivery, installation, and training to ensure conformance with the requirements identified in this Statement of Need. Acceptance of the retrofit upgrade shall be contingent on a successful demonstration of an ASTM C109 test with NIST-supplied specimens. The retrofitted upgrade must be fully compatible and functional with the BTE300 Load Frame upon arrival. The Contractor has the right, at its expense, to be present during the inspection.

Security The contractor shall require access to the NIST, Gaithersburg, MD campus. The contractor will be escorted by a NIST employee at all times.

COVID 19 Precautions: Contractor personnel shall follow NIST Visitor and Contractor Protocols for Mitigating COVID-19 Exposure on NIST Campuses as identified at this link: https://www.nist.gov/about-nist/visit/nist-visitor-and-contractor-protocols-mitigating-covid-19-exposure-nist-campuses

It is the Contractor’s responsibility to be familiar with this site and any updates made to it during the course of the requirement. If Contractor personnel are unable to meet all requirements for campus access identified at the link, services will need to be rescheduled and shall be rescheduled at the Contractor’s expense with consideration to the Government for any delays suffered.