Container_replacement_specs_for_RFI_20260505.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) 949660 Technical Requirements for construction of shipping container-based mobile laboratories

ARM intends to replace five of their moveable laboratories that are a part of its atmospheric observatory capability. The mobile laboratories are constructed from standard 20-foot ISO shipping containers that are modified with power, lights, climate control, and infrastructure to support various instruments.

ARM is soliciting interest from companies for constructing of five mobile laboratories. These are the general requirements for the purpose of this RFI:

Standards

● Mobile laboratories will be made from a standard ISO twenty-foot shipping container with double doors on both ends (nominally 8ft wide by 20ft long)

● All container modifications shall accord with the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for freight containers, and shall comply with the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC)/Title 46 of United States Code (U.S.C.) Chapter 805 requirements

● Modified containers shall be recertified and issued a current CSC inspection certificate

● Electrical equipment, wiring, and components shall all be UL listed and in accordance with NFPA 70: National Electrical Code (NEC)

Construction Requirements

● Wall and ceiling lining: Inside walls and ceilings shall be furred out with welded 1-½” square tubing every 4-feet, the cavity shall be filled with closed-cell foam insulation. Line walls with FRP laminated plywood and trim all corners and joints with aluminum in high-traffic areas and PVC trim.

● End walls and entry doors: Containers will have at least one end-wall with an entry door and vestibule, and possibly a 2nd wall on the opposite end.

○ End walls shall be constructed with minimum 4” 16ga c-purlin welded (no mechanical fasteners) to walls and ceiling and at each point of intersection.

Walls shall be covered with minimum 14ga steel welded to purlins and painted with 2-part epoxy-based paint; cavity shall be filled with closed-cell insulation.

○ Marine type aluminum weatherproof entry door shall be installed in one end wall.

Door shall have a minimum 12” shatter-resistant window.

● Fixtures: Some containers may have specified fixtures, such as cabinets/shelving, work desk, and/or channel strut installed in them.

○ Provide and install the designated fixture in each container

○ Mount the fixture securely so that it cannot move during transport

○ Install channel strut in designated locations, attached to metal tubing in walls or lag bolt into floor

○ Repair any interior damage from installing fixture.

○ Details of fixtures will be provided during the full solicitation

● Penetrations: All five containers will have penetrations in their side walls and/or roofs.

These penetrations shall be framed by 2” - 3”, ¼” thick angle steel, fully welded to the container with welded in bracing and supports where necessary.

○ Plates inside of framed penetration will be 3/16” steel, fully welded to the container, with custom cut-out patterns provided by contractor. Removable shipping cover plates will be 3/16” steel.

○ Details of penetrations will be provided during the full solicitation

● Container bottom:

○ Insulate floor cavity with closed cell foam.

● Finishing:

○ Seal, prime and paint entire container using marine grade, 2-part primer, followed by 2-part top coat.

○ Paint interior floors with 2-part commercial grade floor epoxy.

○ Prime all unexposed steel with 2-part primer

● As-built drawing:

○ Each shelter shall have a set of as-built drawings, detailing the penetrations, fixtures, lights, outlets, and the electrical circuits and equipment.

Electrical Requirements

All containers will have an electrical system to power lights, climate control, and electrical outlets. All interior circuits should be run on the outside of the walls in EMT conduit with no circuits within the walls. Each container will have a specific electrical configuration detailed in the full solicitation. These are general requirements for all shelters:

● Install a 600V, 100A single phase safety switch on an end-wall of the containers.

● Install a 25kVA single phase transformer with load side 240/120V with multiple line-side taps to accommodate input voltages of 208 to 480V

● Install a 100A, single phase 240/120V load center with a minimum of 40 spaces with a surge suppressor installed in panel and a watt node power measurement device in panel

● Run all designated circuits in EMT, conforming to the NEC and using NRTL listed components. Generally, twenty 120V 20-amp receptacle circuits, two 240V 20A and two 30A circuits, outdoor receptacles on end-walls as designated, plus circuits for indoor and outdoor lighting as well as other circuits specified in the statement of work

● Install minimum of four linear LED lights 48” long for interior lighting

● Install front vestibule LED light

● Install smoke detector

Climate control

All containers will have mini-split heat pump systems installed for climate control

● Install designated mini-split system, a model LG KSSAE181A or other, prescribed unit.

● Assume two mini-split systems per container

● Mount condensers vestibule on a rack such that the container doors can close for transport; and in accordance with spacing requirements of the manufacturer

● All line sets shall be insulated condensate shall be drained outside of the container.

Guardrail system

Containers shall have removable guardrails that can be deployed on top of the container to provide a safe work platform on top of the container

● Handrails shall be constructed from 1-½” aluminum tubing and ‘speed rail’ type clamps.

● They should be interchangeable among the containers and attached by mounting through-bolts in top rail of container. Through-bolt channels shall be waterproof and constructed of stainless steel.

● They should meet the height and midrail requirements of OSHA 1910.29 - Fall protection systems and falling object protection: Guardrails section (b)

● They should accommodate aluminum or steel grating sections that will be used for a high-traction platform within the guardrail system

● Provide an aluminum stairwell that is attached to the guardrail system to allow access to the top of the shelter.

Feedback Battelle is looking for through this Request for Information:

• Apart from the details on the location of ports and other amenities (which will be provided with the Request for Proposals, is there anything that is unclear?

• Approximately what delivery time is expected following the finalization of a contract?

• Can you provide an estimated cost for these shelters?