JOFOC_Post CHF Heat Transfer_Final_Approved 04-20-2020.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (JOFOC)

Date: April 14, 2020

MEMORANDUM TO: Jennifer Dudek, Contracting Officer

Operations Branch B Acquisition Management Division

FROM: Andrew Ireland

Contracting Officer Representative, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES)

SUBJECT: ☐ LIMITED SOURCES JUSTIFICATION (LSJ)

☒ JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN

COMPETITION (JOFOC)

REFERENCE: Post-Critical Heat Flux Heat Transfer Instrumentation and

Experimentation

“Source Selection Information – see FAR 2.101 and 3.104”

1. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

a. Acquisition purpose and objectives.

The purpose and objective of this acquisition is to continue the fabrication and assembly of an advanced two-phase flow instrumentation system with the capability to be used to aid in the development of constitutive models for the TRAC RELAP Advanced Computational Engine (TRACE) code and to provide the experimental database necessary for the improvement of the TRACE models for inverted annular through dispersed flow film boiling regimes, which was identified as a high priority near-term development need in the U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC), Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES) Thermal-Hydraulic Code Development Plan.

Under this acquisition, the contractor shall continue to acquire the requisite components and assemble the advanced two-phase flow instrumentation system, as well as conduct validation testing. This capability will be used in experimental programs that target models for the Inverted Annular Film Boiling (IAFB) through Dispersed Flow Film Boiling (DFFB) regimes but will continue to be useful for other future experimental programs. Specifically, this advanced instrumentation will provide the first quantitative insights into the flow topology and subchannel-averaged void fractions for these post-Critical Heat Flux (CHF) regimes.

A further objective of this acquisition is the performance of steady-state low-quality film boiling experiments in a tubular test section. A major component of this experimental program is the utilization of the X-ray radiography system that has already been nearly completed in the instrumentation portion of the effort. This advanced two-phase instrumentation system will provide not only for the accurate measurement of the void fraction during post-CHF conditions but also provide information on the flow topology such as the size and shape of the liquid slugs in the Inverted Slug Film Boiling (ISFB) regime.

b. Project background.

The NRC’s TRACE code is NRC's flagship thermal-hydraulics analysis tool. TRACE is a modernized thermal-hydraulics code designed to perform large and small break loss of coolant accident and system transient analyses for a wide range of nuclear plants. This code is being used as an audit tool to analyze transient and accident analyses submitted by NRC vendors and licensees. Improvement of the constitutive models in the TRACE code has been identified as a high priority. The experimental effort to be conducted under this acquisition shall provide the data and reports necessary to inform the required improvements of the constitutive models in the TRACE code.

Three post-CHF flow regimes, inverted annular, inverted slug, and dispersed flow film boiling, are the focus of this acquisition. In particular, the work under this acquisition will address these post-CHF regimes in a tubular test section with a stabilized quench front to allow for steady-state conditions and thereby facilitate model development. Additionally, a goal of this acquisition is the completion of fabrication and testing of an advanced two-phase instrumentation system to provide data necessary for this model improvement activity. The advanced two-phase instrumentation will provide for accurate and non-intrusive measurement of the vapor volume fraction for rod bundle geometries and provide information on the flow topology for tubular test sections. This capability will be useful for a wide range of future experimental programs; however, the immediate objective is the improvement of the constitutive models for the post-CHF regimes of ISFB and IAFB.

Under two previous NRC task orders (Contract No. NRC-HQ-13-C-04-0022, Task Order Nos. NRC-HQ-60-14-T-0001 and NRC-HQ-60-15-T-0001), a large part of the objectives had been completed, but the experimental program needed to be prematurely ended due to budget and period of performance constraints. The current project will consolidate the remaining work into a single contract intended to complete the objectives.

a. Name and address of the proposed contractor(s).

University of Michigan Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences 2355 Bonisteel Blvd.

Ann Arbor, MI 48109

2. Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

a. Project title.

Post-CHF Heat Transfer Instrumentation and Experimentation

b. Project description.

The contractor shall complete the fabrication and assembly of an advanced instrumentation system, complete validation testing of the system, and complete assembly, testing, and experimental data collection using a high-pressure post-CHF tube test section. In addition, the contractor shall develop training materials for the instrumentation package and oversee delivery of the system to a location designated by the NRC.

The work to be completed follows the work already performed under two NRC task orders (Contract No. NRC-HQ-13-C-04-0022, Task Order Nos. NRC-HQ-60-14-T-0001 and NRC- HQ-60-15-T-0001) and represents a culmination of that effort.

c. Acquisition Information.

• Requirement type.

☐ Research & development (R&D) ☒ R&D support services ☐ Support services (non-R&D) ☐ Supplies/equipment ☐ Information Technology (IT) or Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) ☐ Construction ☐ Architect-engineer (A-E) services ☐ Design-build ☐ Other (specify): ____________________

• Type of action.

☐ New requirement ☒ Follow-on ☐ Other (specify): ______________________

• Proposed contract/order type.

☐ Firm-fixed-price ☐ Other fixed-price (specify, e.g., fixed-price award-fee, fixed-price incentive-fee):

☐ Cost-plus-fixed-fee ☒ Other cost reimbursement (specify, e.g., cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee): Cost (no fee) ☐ Time and materials ☐ Labor Hours ☐ Indefinite delivery (specify whether indefinite quantity, definite quantity, or requirements): ___________

• Statement of Work Type ☒ Completion ☐ Level of Effort ☐ Performance Based

• Requisition number.

RES-20-0043

• Total estimated dollar value and performance/delivery period.

The total estimated value is $753,812.00. The performance period is two years.

3. Identification of the justification rationale.

☐ This acquisition is conducted under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405-6.

☐ Urgent and compelling need exists ☐ Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services

(i.e., peculiar item, brand name item) ☐ Logical follow-on

☐ This acquisition is conducted under FAR 13.106-1(b).

☒ This acquisition is conducted under FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

☐ This acquisition is conducted using Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items pursuant to FAR 13.500.

☐ This acquisition is conducted using Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items pursuant to FAR 13.500(c).

4. Description of the proposed contractor(s) unique qualifications to provide the required supply or service.

The proposed contractor has been developing particular and unique instrumentation and facilities under two NRC contract/task orders for the past several years, and this acquisition represents a continuation and culmination of that unique effort. The X-ray radiography and gamma densitometry instrumentation have been designed to NRC specification and requirements to perform specific experimental data collection tasks. Specifically, the sample rate, accuracy, application, and software requirements were specified by the NRC to meet special requirements. The instrumentation packages designed and nearly completed under the previous task orders exist nowhere else and would require a substantial re-investment of approximately $651,000 to reproduce.

Similarly, the high-pressure post-CHF tube test section and facility was designed and nearly fully fabricated under NRC supervision. The contractor’s facility, which will be used to examine post-CHF heat transfer, is a totally unique facility, that employs a distinctive “hot patch” technique under prototypic light-water reactor (LWR) conditions. The test facility was designed to work in tandem with the X-ray radiography system developed under the advanced instrumentation portion of the previous contract/task orders and would require considerable additional funding of approximately $858,000 to reproduce elsewhere.

Finally, the personnel under the proposed contractor have the required experience unique to the instrumentation and facilities developed under the prior contract/task order.

Therefore, there would be unacceptable cost increase, and delay in the required work to have another contractor develop the unique instrumentation, facilities, and gain the required experience to perform the requirements of this acquisition.

5. Description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable. Indicate whether a FedBizOpps notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

No other known contractors exist that meet NRC’s requirements for the specific advanced instrumentation, post-CHF test facilities, and contractor experience. A notice of intent was posted on the betaSAM.gov website on January 21, 2020 for 15 calendar days in accordance with FAR 5.203. No responses were received.

6. Description of the efforts made by the Contracting Officer (CO) to determine that the cost/price of the contract/order is fair and reasonable consistent with FAR 8.404(d) or 15.406-2.

In order to determine the proposed price is fair and reasonable, the CO compared the price proposed to the prices paid for services under Contract No. NRC-HQ-13-C-04-0022, Task Order Nos. NRC-HQ-60-14-T-0001 and NRC-HQ-60-15-T-0001. The CO also performed a price analysis comparing the proposed costs to historical data for similar services and the costs have been deemed fair and reasonable. The contractor’s cost proposal is also in line with the Independent Government Cost Estimate.

7. Description of the market research conducted (see FAR Part 10) and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Market research was conducted by consultation with NRC subject-matter experts who confirmed that existing facilities that meet NRC specifications and are capable of the fulfilling the requirements of this acquisition do not currently exist in the industry. The facilities and instrumentation developed under prior contract with this contractor were designed to specific NRC requirements and alternative facilities and instrumentation would need considerable modification to conform to the requirements, at significant expense far exceeding the cost of the proposed contract.

8. Other factors supporting the justification, if any.

This work is a logical follow-on to Contract No. NRC-HQ-13-C-04-0022, Task Order Nos. NRC- HQ-60-14-T-0001 and NRC-HQ-60-15-T-0001. Fulfilment of this work requires use of specialized instrumentation and facilities that are only available at the University of Michigan.

https://beta.sam.gov/ https://beta.sam.gov/

9. List sources, if any, that have expressed an interest in the acquisition.

No other sources have expressed an interest in the proposed acquisition.

10. If applicable, describe the actions the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers that led to the restricted consideration before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services is made.

N/A

11. Certifications

By signing below, the COR certifies that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Representative

Andrew Ireland, Reactor Systems Engineer Date Code and Reactor Analysis Branch Division of Systems Analysis Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

This is to certify that the justification for the proposed acquisition has been reviewed and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the information and/or data provided to support the rationale and recommendation for approval is accurate and complete.

Contracting Officer

Jennifer Dudek, Contracting Officer Date Operations Branch B Acquisition Management Division Office of Administration

CONCUR:

Competition Advocate

Nicole Stevenson, Acting Director Date Acquisition Management Division Office of Administration

CA Approval Date: 4/20/20