C04a_Attachment 1_PWS_12444326Q0075.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Performance Work Statement

NTDP – Wildland Fire Chemical Systems

International Organization for Standards(ISO) 17025 Accreditation

Contents Project Title

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

2.0 Definitions

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Deliverable / Schedule

5.0 Work Location

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards

11.0 Performance Requirement Measures

Project Title International Organization for Standards (ISO) 17025 Accreditation

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

The US Forest Service (USFS), National Technology & Development Program (NTDP), Wildland Fire Chemical System (WFCS) Laboratory is in the process of completing a revision update of the specifications for Qualified Product List (QPL).

These specifications include a variety of tests and evaluation of the different product’s physical characteristics. Through this acquisition the Wildland Fire Chemical System laboratory will work with the vendor in the review, evaluation and audit of fifteen (15) to Seventeen (17) of the Standard Test Plans (STP) performed as part of the specification testing done for 5100-304d (soon to be 5100-304e) for long-term fire retardant, 5100-307b for class A foams, and 5100-306b for water enhancers/gel for ISO accreditation. The ISO accreditation of these standard test plans will mean they meet the international industry standards for first article and chemical testing laboratories.

This accreditation will be a great addition to the WFCS laboratory’s long history of testing and qualifying new novel chemistries for use in the aerial and ground suppression and control of wildland fires. The standard test plan that the WFCS laboratory is seeking ISO 17025 accreditation for are common to all three wildland fire chemical categories and specifications.

2.0 Definitions

QPL – Qualified Product List NTDP – National Technology and Development Program STP – Standard Test Plan USFS – United States Forest Service WFCS – Wildland Fire Chemical Systems

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

3.1 For ISO 17025 Accreditation

• Collaborate and consult with the vendor regarding the number of Standard Test Plans (STP’s) that can receive accreditation. (See table of proposed STP’s in Section 4.0)

• Maximize the number of laboratory staff that are assessed during the visit and audit of the laboratory and the Qualified Product List tests, evaluation, processes and procedures.

• To provide the vendor with the zip-file of STP’s the WFCS lab is seeking accreditation for initial technical review.

• To provide a review, evaluation and audit of the WFCS labs processes, procedures and documentation processes.

• To conduct an on-site review and audit of the WFCS lab and the quality control and quality assurance process.

• To provide a final evaluation report regarding the 17025 accreditations of the WFCS lab.

4.0 Deliverable / Schedule

The period of performance for this project will be 18 months from date of award. The schedule will be driven by the timing of contract award and the initial coordination of the standard test plan information and documentation.

Coordination and collaboration on the review schedule and WFCS lab responses to inquiries and other documentation on procedures and processes will determine the actual deliverable schedule. A zip file of the standard test plans that the Wildland Fire Chemical Systems Program is requesting/seeking accreditation for will be provided to interested vendors upon request. The evaluation and determination of ISO accreditation for the seventeen (17) standard test plans listed in the table below and the audit and assessment of the WFCS lab and staff are the primary deliverable leading to the lab certification under ISO 17025.

• The vendor will review the STP’s list and provide an estimated schedule of time and cost associated with each STP evaluation and of the expected duration of completion taking into consideration the ISO standard practices and evaluation criteria. If the timeline for completion or the cost of the evaluation of all 17 STP’s exceeds the 18-month duration and/or the available funds for the contract award the WFCS lab will coordinate with the vendor on the number and specific STP’s that can be successfully completed under the contract provisions and period of performance and will seek to complete the remaining STP’s under an option year for this contract.

• The vendor will review the list of STP’s and the information in the zip files provided and determine if any of the requested STP’s are not eligible for ISO 17025 accreditation. The vendor will provide an itemized schedule of the required audit actions, evaluations, duration and cost for the STP’s that are eligible for ISO 17025. The vendors cost estimate should include any associated travel and per diem to perform the on-site audits and evaluations of the lab and staff to meet the standard requirement for the accreditation and certification of the WFCS lab staff and STP’s.

• Timely coordination and communication of preview document submission, and of deliverables is essential to successfully complete this requirement.

• The contractor is required to provide monthly written progress reports of the status and reviews to achieve the next step of the process and what defines success and meets the requirement for staff proficiency and laboratory processes and procures. The progress report shall cover all work completed during the month and shall present the work to be accomplished during the upcoming month. This report shall identify any problems that arose and a statement explaining how the problem can be resolved or was resolved. This report shall also identify any problems that have arisen but have not been completely resolved and provide an explanation.

List of the Wildland Fire Chemical Systems, Standard Test Plans - website (Product Evaluation Link)

FIELDS OF

TESTING

MATERIAL/

MATRIX

DETERMINANT(S)/

ANALYTE(S)

METHOD

REFERENCE

Chemical Retardant Combustion Retarding Effectiveness

STP-2.1

Chemical Retardant, Water Enhancer, Foam

Mixing Product Preparation STP-3.1-3

Chemical Retardant, Water Enhancer, Foam

Density STP-4.3

Chemical Retardant, Water Enhancer, Foam pH STP-4.4, ASTM D1293-18

Chemical Retardant, Water Enhancer, Foam

Viscosity STP-4.5, ASTM D2196-20

Chemical Retardant Marsh Funnel STP-4.6

Chemical Retardant Compatibility STP-4.7

Chemical Retardant, Water Enhancer, Foam

Uniform Corrosion STP-5.1

Chemical Retardant, Water Enhancer, Foam

Effect on Non-Metallic Materials (durometer)

STP-5.3

Chemical Retardant, Water Enhancer, Foam

Galvanic Corrosion STP-5.5

Chemical Retardant, Water Enhancer, Foam

Crevice Corrosion STP-5.6

Chemical Retardant, Water Enhancer, Foam

Digital Microscope Analysis STP-5.7

Chemical Foam, Water Enhancer Lateral Ignition and Flame Spread STP-2.2, ASTM E1321-18

Chemical Foam Wetting Ability STP-8.2, ASTM D2281-68(2005)

Chemical Foam Foaming Ability STP-8.3

Chemical Foam Expansion and Drainage STP-8.4

Chemical Foam Miscibility STP-8.5 https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/fire/wfcs/product_eval.php

5.0 Work Location

The work within this contract will be performed at both the vendor’s office facilities and at the NTDP WFCS laboratory in Missoula, MT., during the on-site field evaluation and audit.

6.0 Travel

Travel will be required for the vendor review and audit staff team to come to the NTDP WFCS laboratory in Missoula MT.

Costs for transportation, lodging, meals and incidental expenses are allowable subject to the limitations contained in the Federal Travel Regulation and FAR 31.205-46 – Travel Costs. All travel must be approved in writing by the COR prior to the incurrent of any travel expenses. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that travel time is kept to a minimum and verifying expenses incurred are for official Government travel only. All travel will be invoiced on a strictly Cost Reimbursable basis with no handling rate/overhead applied.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

N/A

8.0 Security Requirements

N/A

9.0 Data Rights

NTDP will have unlimited rights to all documents and materials produced under this contract. All documents and materials, including review and audit findings and results shall be NTDP owned with all rights and privileges of ownership regarding this accreditation process and outcome.

10.0 Section 508 - Electronic and Information Technology Standards N/A

11.0 Performance Requirement Measures

Quality assurance will be performed by the Government during the period of performance at regular intervals. Methods may include visual survey and/or agency comments. Incomplete or unsatisfactory work may include rework to achieve the acceptable outputs and/or deliverable.

The government-furnished support, data, property, and/or facilities available to the vendor will be federal staff supervised; and only that required to evaluate the STP’s and the audit of the WFCS lab and evaluation of lab staff proficiency in executing the processes and procedures of the STP’s for the qualified product specification testing. The support will be in the coordination with the vendor on the review and evaluation of the STP’s information. The data is what will be provided for review in the zip files and on the public facing website. The facilities access will be only when the vendor conducts the on-site evaluation and audit of processes, procedures and practices of lab staff conducting the testing in accordance with the specification and the STP’s.