RFP N00173-21-R-ZL05.pdf

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until 11:00 AM local time 29 Jun 2021

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80 - 91 X H 92 - 95 zun.lin@nrl.navy.mil

RATING PAGE OF PAGES

7. ISSUED BY

(Date)

IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

Previous Edition is Unusable 33-134 STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 9-97)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

DO-C9 1 95

(If other than Item 7)

15A. NAME 16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO

AND

ADDRESS

SIGN OFFER (Type or print)

OF

OFFEROR

AMENDMENT NO. DATE

15B. TELEPHONE NO (Include area code) 17. SIGNATURE15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

18. OFFER DATE

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

2. CONTRACT NO.

N00173 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO

See Item 7

9. Sealed offers in original and 1 copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. FOR INFORMATION

CALL:

A. NAME (NO COLLECT CALLS)

LIN ZUN (202)767-3003

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

SOLICITATION/ CONTRACT FORM

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/ COSTS

1 - 2 3 - 13

X I CONTRACT CLAUSES

DESCRIPTION/ SPECS./ WORK STATEMENT X

PACKAGING AND MARKING

14 - 26

J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

29 - 30

X K

REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 31 - 35 X

SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror) 36 - 40 X M

L INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See Section I, Clause No. 52.232-8)

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments

AMENDMENT NO. DATE

to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

FACILITY

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period

SOLICITATION, OFFER AND AWARD

X

(X) SEC. DESCRIPTION (X) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. AWARD DATE

EMAIL:TEL: (Signature of Contracting Officer)

CODE CODE

B. TELEPHONE (Include area code) C. E-MAIL ADDRESS

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c)( ) (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN ITEM

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) CODE 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

41 - 71

PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY

4555 OVERLOOK AVE SW

WASHINGTON DC 20375

FAX:

TEL:

FAX:

TEL:

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SOLICITATION

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NO.5. DATE ISSUED

13 May 2021

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

[ X ]

3. SOLICITATION NO.

N0017321RZL05

Section A - Solicitation/Contract Form

A 1 Introduction

(a) This Request for Proposal (RFP) is for solicitation Research & Development (R&D) Support for chemical/materials R&D and Sensors/Systems Development. The objective of this contract is to support advancement of the frontiers of physical, chemical, biological and material science through research and development, development of definitive solutions to Navy needs in areas of critical deficiencies, and the transition of that work to the field.

(b) This solicitation is a 100% Small Business Set Aside for competition among small business concerns in accordance with FAR 52.219-6.

(c) The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715. The Small Business Size Standard for NAICS 541715 is 1000 Employees.

(d) The Product and Service Code (PSC) for this acquisition is AJ-13: General Science and Technology R&D Services: General Science and Technology; Experimental Development.

(e) The Government anticipates awarding a single Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Term Form contract. The anticipated Period of Performance for the resultant contract will be a base period of 12 months from the date of award, plus four (4) twelve (12) month option periods. Additionally, this contract will include FAR clause 52.217-8, which provides the Government the option to extend the services support by six (6) months. Please note FAR 52.217-8 option can be exercised by the Government after any performance period of the contract.

(f) The anticipated award of this contract is December 2021.

(g) The award of this contract is subject to the receipt of adequate and proper funding.

(h) This RFP is not an authorization to start work. The Government reserves the right to cancel this requirement for any reasons. Bid and proposal costs are not allowable and will not be paid under this solicitation and contract.

Section B - Supplies or Services and Prices

ITEM NO SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

Research and Development Effort

CPFF

The Contractor shall furnish all labor required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C.

FOB: Destination

PSC CD: AJ13

ESTIMATED COST

FIXED FEE

TOTAL EST COST + FEE

Materials

COST

The Contractor shall furnish all materials, equipment and supplies required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C. Materials are in support of efforts under CLIN 0001.

NOTE: The requirements in DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, are applicable for this line item. The contractor shall provide DoD unique identification or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent.

Travel

COST

The Contractor shall furnish all travel support required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C. Travel is in support of efforts under CLIN 0001

Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL)

COST

The Contractor shall prepare and deliver data item(s) set forth in Exhibit A, DD Form 1423, CDRLs and section C, Statement of Work

Not Separately Priced

See Exhibit A

CAP Delivery CLIN

COST

Contractor-Acquired Property (CAP) Delivery CLIN

This NSP CLIN is for delivery of CAP Items under this contract. Once delivered and accepted by the Government, the Government assumes title and the items become GFP. All items meeting the IUID criteria of DFARS 211.274-2 shall be marked and reported in the IUID registry upon delivery IAW DFARS 252.211- 7003.

NOTE: The requirements in DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, are applicable for this line item. The contractor shall provide DoD unique identification or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent.

OPTION Research and Development Effort

CPFF

The Contractor shall furnish all labor required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C.

OPTION Materials

COST

The Contractor shall furnish all materials, equipment and supplies required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C. Materials are in support of efforts under CLIN 1001.

NOTE: The requirements in DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, are applicable for this line item. The contractor shall provide DoD unique identification or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent.

OPTION Travel

COST

The Contractor shall furnish all travel support required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C. Travel is in support of efforts under CLIN 1001

OPTION Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL)

COST

The Contractor shall prepare and deliver data item(s) set forth in Exhibit B, DD

See Exhibit B

OPTION CAP Delivery CLIN

COST

Contractor-Acquired Property (CAP) Delivery CLIN

This NSP CLIN is for delivery of CAP Items under this contract. Once delivered and accepted by the Government, the Government assumes title and the items become GFP. All items meeting the IUID criteria of DFARS 211.274-2 shall be marked and reported in the IUID registry upon delivery IAW DFARS 252.211- 7003.

NOTE: The requirements in DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, are applicable for this line item. The contractor shall provide DoD unique identification or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent.

OPTION Research and Development Effort

CPFF

The Contractor shall furnish all labor required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C.

OPTION Materials

COST

The Contractor shall furnish all materials, equipment and supplies required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C. Materials are in support of efforts under CLIN 2001.

NOTE: The requirements in DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, are applicable for this line item. The contractor shall provide DoD unique identification or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent.

OPTION Travel

COST

The Contractor shall furnish all travel support required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C. Travel is in support of efforts under CLIN 2001

OPTION Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL)

COST

The Contractor shall prepare and deliver data item(s) set forth in Exhibit C, DD

See Exhibit C

OPTION CAP Delivery CLIN

COST

Contractor-Acquired Property (CAP) Delivery CLIN

This NSP CLIN is for delivery of CAP Items under this contract. Once delivered and accepted by the Government, the Government assumes title and the items become GFP. All items meeting the IUID criteria of DFARS 211.274-2 shall be marked and reported in the IUID registry upon delivery IAW DFARS 252.211- 7003.

NOTE: The requirements in DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, are applicable for this line item. The contractor shall provide DoD unique identification or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent.

OPTION Research and Development Effort

CPFF

The Contractor shall furnish all labor required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C.

OPTION Materials

COST

The Contractor shall furnish all materials, equipment and supplies required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C. Materials are in support of efforts under CLIN 3001.

NOTE: The requirements in DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, are applicable for this line item. The contractor shall provide DoD unique identification or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent.

OPTION Travel

COST

The Contractor shall furnish all travel support required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C. Travel is in support of efforts under CLIN 3001

OPTION Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL)

COST

The Contractor shall prepare and deliver data item(s) set forth in Exhibit D, DD

See Exhibit D

OPTION CAP Delivery CLIN

COST

Contractor-Acquired Property (CAP) Delivery CLIN

This NSP CLIN is for delivery of CAP Items under this contract. Once delivered and accepted by the Government, the Government assumes title and the items become GFP. All items meeting the IUID criteria of DFARS 211.274-2 shall be marked and reported in the IUID registry upon delivery IAW DFARS 252.211- 7003.

NOTE: The requirements in DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, are applicable for this line item. The contractor shall provide DoD unique identification or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent.

OPTION Research and Development Effort

CPFF

The Contractor shall furnish all labor required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C.

OPTION Materials

COST

The Contractor shall furnish all materials, equipment and supplies required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C. Materials are in support of efforts under CLIN 4001.

NOTE: The requirements in DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, are applicable for this line item. The contractor shall provide DoD unique identification or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent.

OPTION Travel

COST

The Contractor shall furnish all travel support required to accomplish the requirements contained in the Statement of Work (SOW) at Section C. Travel is in support of efforts under CLIN 4001

OPTION Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL)

COST

The Contractor shall prepare and deliver data item(s) set forth in Exhibit E, DD

See Exhibit E

OPTION CAP Delivery CLIN

COST

Contractor-Acquired Property (CAP) Delivery CLIN

This NSP CLIN is for delivery of CAP Items under this contract. Once delivered and accepted by the Government, the Government assumes title and the items become GFP. All items meeting the IUID criteria of DFARS 211.274-2 shall be marked and reported in the IUID registry upon delivery IAW DFARS 252.211- 7003.

NOTE: The requirements in DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, are applicable for this line item. The contractor shall provide DoD unique identification or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent.

Section C - Descriptions and Specifications

Statement of Work

Research & Development (R&D) Support for Chemical/Materials R&D and Sensors/Systems Development

C 1 Introduction

C 1.1 Vision Statement

The objective of this contract is to support advancement of the frontiers of physical, chemical, biological and material science through research and development, development of definitive solutions to Navy needs in areas of critical deficiencies, and the transition of that work to the field.

C 1.2 Mission

The United States (US) Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Chemistry Division (CD) conducts basic research, applied research, and development studies in the broad fields of diagnostics, dynamics, synthesis, materials, surface/interfaces, environment, combustion, and fuels. Specialized programs currently within these fields include the synthesis and characterization of organic and inorganic materials, coatings, composites; nondestructive evaluation; surface/interface modification and characterization; nanometer structure science/technology; chemical vapor processing, tribology, solution, and electrochemistry; mechanisms and kinetics of chemical processes;

analytical chemistry; theoretical chemistry; decoy materials; radar-absorbing materials/radar-absorbing structures (RAM/RAS) technology; chemical/biological warfare defense; atmosphere analysis and control; environmental remediation and protection; personnel protection; and safety and survivability.

In areas relevant to this contract, the Division has a mission to advance the frontiers of synthetic biology and chemistry, power and energy science, and materials science and to provide definitive solutions to Navy needs in areas of critical deficiencies including sensor and system development. In addition, the Division provides direct support of current/future fleet concerns and provides long-term engineering solutions and evaluation of materials for improved performance, cost savings, and life-cycle management. Support includes expertise in areas of damage control, personnel safety, mobility fuels, surface chemistry, electrochemistry, combustion science, theoretical methods, biological studies, energetic/power sources, biofouling mitigation/antifouling coatings, and material exposure testing/evaluation/certification. This work is applied to both (1) short-range Navy problems— issues of both Department of Defense (DoD) and national concern—and the (2) long-range development of scientific expertise and knowledge relevant to future Navy and DoD missions.

C 1.3 Background

The NRL is responsible for a wide range of research efforts that involve both basic and applied research in the physical, chemical, and biological sciences, as well as in materials and engineering. Recent efforts also include a number of multidisciplinary research programs in chemical/biological materials and sensing and nanoscience/nanotechnology. An increasing number of research initiatives within the Navy and DoD have program elements that require the successful integration of numerous technologies. Accordingly, the Navy seeks to use an interdisciplinary approach to developing state-of-the-art analytical diagnostic techniques and instrumentation, as well as the characterization of the hardware and materials associated with their use. These studies include the application and development of computational modeling tools for analytical analysis and predictive tools for chemically and/or biologically derived materials and engineering studies. Environmental issues also form a large component of NRL R&D efforts. Active areas include the development of environmental monitoring methodologies and instrumentation, site characterization, and advanced technology demonstrations. The surface science research tasks have related components, i.e., applications to marine surface corrosion, development of fuel cell component concepts, and biological sensors for screening microbiological contamination of materials and for defending against biological warfare agents.

C 1.4 Scope

The scope of this contract is to provide support for Chemical/Materials R&D and Sensors/Systems Development.

The Contractor shall provide all necessary personnel, services, materials, equipment and travel to perform the work specified in this Statement of Work (SOW). The general scope includes performance of basic and applied research and development to characterize materials and biological systems; design, synthesize, process, and test materials;

and to design, fabricate, and test sensors and systems in the laboratory and field.

These research efforts require the expertise of skilled scientists and engineers with high technical qualifications to carry out the work. The range of skills required include analytical diagnostics in chemistry and biology; molecular biology and immunological methods; surface chemistry and the characterization of surface phenomena;

development of materials for device applications; physics and materials engineering; optical spectroscopies; detailed knowledge of energetic materials, explosives and propellant chemistry; modern computational graphics and modeling; information technology; electronics and instrumentation prototyping; and software development capabilities. Contractor personnel are required to possess the following skills: biochemistry, biophysics, molecular and cell biology, analytical and physical chemistry, surface chemistry and physics, materials science and engineering, nanoscience and nanotechnology, computer science and information technology, and sensor technology.

Specific labor categories of personnel to perform work will consist of those direct labor classifications proposed by the contractor that are included in the resulting contract. The required personnel qualifications and level of clearances to perform individual tasks are defined with each task description.

This SOW defines the tasks, deliverables, and general goals for the R&D support for chemical/materials R&D and sensor/systems development for the NRL in Washington, DC, (NRL-DC) in the areas described below:

(a) Conducting Basic and Applied Research and Development

(b) Characterization of Materials and Biological Systems

(c) Design, Synthesis, Processing, and Testing of Materials

(d) Design, Fabrication, and Testing of Sensors and Systems in the Laboratory and/or Field

Efforts in support of the tasks delineated in Section 3, Requirements, below will be conducted in coordination with Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) led research teams that may include Government Scientists and Engineers, and other NRL support Contractors.

C 2 General Requirements

This section describes the general requirements for this effort. The following subsections provide details of various considerations on this effort.

The place of performance of work will be at NRL and at various contractor, subcontractor, and Government facilities (mainly in the continental United States). The contractor shall comply with the Requirements for On-Site Contractors at Section J, Attachment 03.

C 2.1 Business Relations

The Contractor shall successfully integrate and coordinate all activity needed to execute the requirement.

The Contractor shall manage the timeliness, completeness, and quality of problem identification.

The Contractor shall provide corrective action plans, proposal submittals, timely identification of issues, and effective management of subcontractors.

The Contractor shall seek to ensure customer satisfaction and professional and ethical behavior of all contractor personnel.

C 2.2 Contract Administration and Management

The following subsections specify requirements for contract, management, and personnel administration.

C 2.2.1 Contract Management

The Contractor shall establish clear organizational lines of authority and responsibility to ensure effective management of the resources assigned to the requirement.

The Contractor shall maintain continuity between the support operations at NRL and the contractor's corporate offices.

C 2.2.2 Contract Administration

The Contractor shall establish processes and assign appropriate resources to effectively administer the requirement.

The Contractor shall respond to Government requests for contractual actions in a timely fashion.

The Contractor shall have a single point of contact between the Government and contractor personnel assigned to support this contract.

The Contractor shall assign work effort and maintaining proper and accurate time keeping records of personnel assigned to work on the requirement.

C 2.2.3 Personnel Administration

The Contractor shall provide the following management and support as required:

(a) The Contractor shall provide for employees during designated Government non-work days or other periods where Government offices are closed due to weather or security conditions.

(b) The Contractor shall maintain the currency of their employees by providing initial and refresher training as required to meet the SOW requirements.

(c) The Contractor shall make necessary travel arrangements for employees.

(d) The Contractor shall provide necessary infrastructure to support contract tasks at NRL or during technology demonstrations in the field.

(e) The Contractor shall provide administrative support to employees in a timely fashion (e.g., time keeping, leave processing, pay, emergency needs).

C 2.3 Subcontract Management

The Contractor shall be responsible for any subcontract management necessary to integrate work performed on this requirement.

The Contractor shall be responsible and accountable for subcontractor performance on this requirement.

The prime contractor will manage work distribution to ensure there are no organizational conflict of interest (OCI) considerations. The Contractor must seek the Contracting Officer’s consent prior to adding subcontractors to their team. Consent to subcontract shall be in accordance with procedures established under FAR clause 52.244-2, Subcontracts. The Government reserves the right to permit or not permit cross teaming.

C 2.4 Contractor Personnel, Disciplines, and Specialties

The Contractor shall accomplish the assigned work by employing and using qualified personnel with appropriate combinations of education, training, and experience.

The Contractor shall match personnel skills to the work or task.

The Contractor shall provide the necessary resources and infrastructure to manage, perform, and administer the contract.

Given the technical nature and varied scope of the contract, the contract provides provisions for program management.

C 2.5 Location and Hours of Work

Accomplishment of the results contained in this SOW requires work at NRL-DC and at various contractor, subcontractor, and Government facilities (mainly in the continental United States). If work is on-site at NRL, the Contractor must adhere to the work schedule specified below:

Normal workdays are Monday through Friday except US federal holidays. Workers typically work eight (8) hours per day, 40 hours per week. Flextime workers start not earlier than 0530, but not later than 1000, and finish no later than 2000. Core hours of work are from 1000 to 1100 and 1300 to 1400 daily. All employees are expected to be available during core hours. In the advent of severe weather conditions, the contractor should refer to the top banner of the NRL website (www.nrl.navy.mil) for the NRL-DC operating status or refer to the Office of Personnel Management website (www.opm.gov) for the operating status of the U.S. Government offices in Washington, DC, area and for additional information. In the event that the government facility where the contractor normally works is closed, the contractor should not report to work until the facility reopens.

C 2.6 Travel / Temporary Duty (TDY)

Travel to other government facilities or other contractor facilities may be required during the period of performance of this contract.

All travel shall be coordinated with the COR prior to execution. The Contractor shall submit all travel requirements (including plans, agenda, itinerary, and dates) for preapproval to the Government and is on a strictly cost-reimbursable basis. The Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR), while not wholly applicable to contractors, shall provide the basis for the determination as to reasonable and allowable. Maximum use is to be made of the lowest available customary standard coach or equivalent airfare accommodations available during normal business hours.

The Contractor shall bill costs for travel in accordance with the regulatory implementation of Public Law 99-234 and FAR 31.205-46, Travel Costs.

C 2.7 Quality Assurance

C 2.7.1 Quality Control Plan

The Contractor shall develop and implement a Quality Control Plan (QCP) to ensure satisfactory contract performance. The plan shall identify the methods and procedures for quality assurance, and to ensure the terms of the contract are met. The QCP shall be submitted to the COR and the Contracting Officer for review and agreement within 60 calendar days after Contract award.

C 2.8 Government Surveillance

The Government has the right to perform inspections and performance evaluation at any time. The Government will utilize the methodology and procedures established in the Government's Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) to monitor performance under this contract. The QASP is subject to change and may be updated by the Government on a regular basis.

C 3 Technical Performance Requirements

The following section specifies the performance objectives and performance elements for the contract. The Contractor shall provide all necessary qualified personnel, facilities, materials, and other resources necessary to support the tasking areas listed below.

C 3.1 Conducting Basic and Applied Research and Development

C 3.1.1 The Contractor shall conduct basic and applied research and development in biology, physics, chemistry, materials, sensors, and systems.

The areas of study shall include personal safety and survivability. The research and development includes Lithium battery safety, fire detection and suppression, combustion and modeling, and hazardous chemical/biological detection. Research includes evaluations of lithium batteries under thermal stress and overcharging. The analysis includes a variety of characterization tools including gas analyzers, high-speed and high-resolution cameras, and infrared spectroscopy. Experience with data acquisition systems is required. Research is also focused on the understanding of combustion and fire suppression. Within this area of research, environmental protection is a concern. Studies include the development of new environmentally friendly surfactants for fire-fighting foams and improved methods for in-situ burning of crude oil for remediation and environmental protection. The research requires development of test protocols, integration of sensors with specialized test equipment including various burner designs, testing using optical diagnostics, and data analysis. The analysis will include a variety of characterization tools including laser diagnostics, high-speed and high-resolution cameras, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy as well as the use software such as ANSYS CFX, FLUENT, multi-physics COMSOL.

C 3.1.2 The Contractor shall conduct experimental and theoretical studies in controlled combustion, deflagration, and detonation processes.

The Contractor shall support basic and applied research focusing on the development and application of new materials and devices for DoD applications. The Contractor shall support basic and applied research in combustion and detonation of explosives, fuels, propellants, pyrophorics, and energetic materials. One area of research is the understanding chemical reactions responsible for material decomposition at extreme temperatures to model the chemical energy release in explosives. This includes quantum-mechanical simulations of reaction dynamics in energetic materials and prediction of dominant reaction pathways of the explosive decomposition at extreme temperatures relevant to detonation.

C 3.1.3 The Contractor shall perform fundamental research on non-energetic materials.

The fundamental research includes performance of theoretical studies and experiments to study chemical/materials synthesis of new bulk and thin film materials, studies of electron, ion and proton beam modification of materials, characterization of defects in films and materials, and establishment of materials composition/structure/property relationships.

C 3.1.4 The Contractor shall perform research on fuels chemistry.

The Contractor shall conduct basic and applied research and provide science and technology support for a wide range of Navy fleet fuel issues. This includes basic and applied research in the reaction mechanisms of fuels; metal catalyzed autoxidation mechanisms; high-energy fuel additives; fuel microbiological contamination; additive detection; biofuel characterization; synthetic fuel feed stocks from the sea; sensors and modeling technologies;

lubricity of alternative fuels and blends with petroleum fuels; long-term materials compatibility/durability;

applicability of current test specifications for synthetic fuels and blends; impact of metal contamination (copper, synthesis catalyst carryover); new additive technologies for alternative fuels; design and evaluation of chemical systems for hydrogenation of CO and CO2 to hydrocarbons; and thermochemical processes to produce hydrogen using different solvent media. The Contractor shall conduct research and studies that will lead to the development of new and basic understanding of chemical reactions and data analysis methods as applied to fuel properties and stability. Research thrusts encompass chemical sensing, mobility fuel utilization, and synthesis.

C 3.1.5 The Contractor shall conduct fundamental structure/chemical research on presolar materials.

Presolar grains, which are the oldest solids in our solar system, actually predating its formation. These evaluations will be conducted on materials purported to have formed in circumstellar environments, either in the atmospheres of giant branch stars or from supernovae.

C 3.1.6 The Contractor shall research alternative fuels, efficient energy and power conversion, energy storage, and portable power.

The Contractor shall conduct highly innovative, interdisciplinary research and development in the field of energy sciences with emphasis on providing alternative energy solutions for a variety of naval platforms and missions that include a highly expeditionary, mobile fighting force. NRL’s research programs provide the Navy and DoD with scientific leadership in this critical area and identifies opportunities for advances in future defense energy technology.

C 3.1.7 The Contractor shall conduct experimental and theoretical studies in 2D or van der Waals materials.

The Contractor shall conduct highly innovative, interdisciplinary research and development in the field of two dimensional (2D) materials and van der Waals heterostructures. This research involves synthesis of 2D materials by various techniques, fabrication of device heterostructures based on 2D materials such as topological insulators or transition metal dichalcogenides using various microfabrication and lithographic techniques, and characterization of the optical, structural and electrical properties of the base materials and device structures. Optical measurements include temperature-dependent Raman and photoluminescence micro-spectroscopy. Structural measurements include atomic force microscopy. Electrical characterization includes temperature-dependent magneto-transport

C 3.2 Characterization of Materials and Biological Systems

C 3.2.1 The Contractor shall characterize biological processes in the dark marine biosphere.

This research will identify deep marine biosphere microbial consortia and/or individual unique organisms that are capable of fixing inorganic carbon via unique (non-photosynthetic) or known pathways. This work will focus upon organisms that fix carbon dioxide via pathways, which do not require light in high pressure, high temperature extremes.

C 3.2.2 The Contractor shall use characterization tools for materials surface analysis, growth, and micro/nanofabrication.

The Contractor shall employ a variety of characterization tools including gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), two-dimensional gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCxGC/MS), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR), enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA), calorimetry, electroanalytical methods (voltammetry, potentiometer, amperometry, impedance), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and secondary ion mass spectrometry, various optical and electron microscopes, UV-vis spectroscopy, N2-sorption porosimetry, chemisorption and thermal analysis, scanning probe microscopy, micro/nanofabrication and lithography equipment, micro/nanofluidics systems, mechanical test equipment, etching and deposition equipment, and other equipment.

C 3.2.3 The Contractor shall conduct studies of fundamentally new approaches for characterization and analysis of material structures and surfaces.

The Contract shall support research of material structures and surfaces that involves new particle scattering geometries, new detection schemes, new electronics advances for improved energy, spatial and temporal resolution, new compact instrument designs, and enhancements in detection sensitivity and selectivity.

C 3.2.4 The Contractor shall characterize materials for DoD applications

These materials may include pyrotechnic materials, fuels, propellants, explosives, metals, organics, polymers, biomaterials, inorganics, ceramics, ionic liquids, superconductors, semiconductors, nanoparticles, nanomaterials, and other functional materials for a variety of DoD applications including energetic materials, catalysts, batteries, capacitors, fuel cells, and other energy generation/storage/conversion devices, electronic and optical materials, sensors, coatings, composites, armor, and structural materials.

C 3.2.4.1 The Contractor shall characterize mobility fuels.

This characterization involves analytical method development to apply state-of-the-art instrumentation to resolve fuel compositions and to develop new methods for detection and characterization of strategically important trace constituents. The characterization includes conducting research to characterize compositional changes that accompany thermal degradation of aviation fuels and diesel fuels during long-term storage and development of improved laboratory test methods to assess both thermal and storage stability of Navy mobility fuels.

C 3.2.4.2 The Contractor shall characterize the headspace of explosives, narcotics and training aids for explosives and narcotics.

This evaluation is to characterize the materials to develop a scent profile. The characterization includes the headspace analysis of the explosive materials, narcotics, and training aids for explosives and narcotics, particularly homemade explosives (HMEs) such as Ammonium nitrate/Fuel Oil (ANFO), hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD), and triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and opioids. This involves evaluating the scent profile available to canines. The analysis includes an apparatus for delivery of odorants using a variety of characterization tools including high resolution mass spectrometry HRMS with a gentle ionization method, gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC/MS), gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC/ECD), ion chromatography (IC) and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (LC/MS). This effort will also include design and testing of instrumentation for the generation of both vapor and particulate-containing sample streams, specifically for the purpose of evaluation of novel sensors and devices. It may include development of test protocols for new detection methods.

C 3.2.5 The Contractor shall employ state-of-the-art methods in immunology and molecular biology to develop biological systems and sensors for DoD applications.

The Contractor shall characterize biological systems to understand fundamental processes for future Naval applications. This research will utilize techniques from microbiology and molecular biology to identify and characterize biological processes that are fundamental to biological systems. This research will provide fundamental understanding of biological processes, pathways, and outcomes. The Contractor will also apply the fundamental understanding of biological process to develop sensing mechanisms and sensor systems. The contractor will integrate the biotic and abiotic components to assure compatibility and biologic function.

C 3.3 Design, Synthesis, Processing, and Testing of Materials

C 3.3.1 The Contractor shall design, synthesize, and test materials for DoD applications.

These materials may include pyrotechnic materials, fuels, propellants, explosives, metals, organics, polymers, biomaterials, inorganics, ceramics, ionic liquids, superconductors, semiconductors, nanoparticles, nanomaterials, and other functional materials for a variety of DoD applications including energetic materials, catalysts, batteries, capacitors, fuel cells, and other energy generation/storage/conversion devices, electronic and optical materials, sensors, coatings, composites, armor, surfactants and structural materials.

C 3.3.2 The Contractor shall conduct research of non-lithographic techniques to fabricate 2-D and 3-D structures comprised of metal, dielectrics, polymers, and/or biomolecules for use in micro/nanoelectronic systems. The Contractor shall build and test proof of concept micro/nanoelectronic components and devices fabricated with non-lithographic techniques.

The Contractor shall support fundamental and applied research in new materials and methods for the micro/nanofabrication of structures and devices not feasible through present lithographic techniques. Application areas where non-lithographic processes will play a key role include tissue engineering, soil engineering, flexible electronics, embedded power sources, conformal antennas, radio-frequency transponders, development of materials and novel geometries for low observable treatments, and rapid prototyping of embedded micro/nanoelectronics for distributed autonomous systems.

C 3.3.3 The Contractor shall provide research and engineering support to design, engineer, characterize and test biomaterials and mammalian cell systems created via 3D bioprinting approaches.

This support includes development of culture methods for both 2D (microfluidic) and 3D (tissue bioreactor) mammalian cell culture. The support also includes development of methods to print living cells and biomaterials useful for the applications described above. This support involves utilizing additive manufacturing technologies and materials development to create living tissue layer-by-layer, incorporating and mimicking the heterogeneity of natural tissue including barrier interfaces, cell-cell interfaces and biomolecular components. The support includes characterizing the biomaterials and mammalian cell systems through immunocytochemical staining, fluorescent 3D confocal microscopy, tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and live/dead staining.

C 3.3.4 The Contractor shall develop and test new fuels suitable for use by the US Navy's ships and aircraft.

Activities include defining fit for purpose criteria for synthetic fuels; combustion characterization and model development; fuel identification and shipboard quality surveillance; fuel storage and thermal stability assessment;

design, test, and evaluate technologies to extract carbon dioxide from seawater; formulation of novel chemometric algorithms to enable sensing technologies to perform automated fuel quality diagnostics and prognostics; and development of novel analytical methods for alternative fuel certification.

C 3.3.4.1 The Contractor shall conduct tests to determine the properties and stability of traditional Navy mobility fuels.

This task involves analytical method development to apply state-of-the-art instrumentation to resolve fuel and crude oil compositions and to develop new methods for detection and characterization of strategically important trace constituents.

C 3.3.4.2 The Contractor shall develop, test, and certify fuels produced from nonpetroleum sources.

This task includes alternative fuel certification, utilization analytics and synthesis; and chemometrics applied to trace analytical methods. To support the Navy alternative fuel program and the environmental protection efforts, the task also includes development of analytical methods to elucidate composition and to develop compositional profiles.

C 3.3.5 The Contractor shall provide research and engineering support to develop and field test materials to control anti-fouling, adhesion, friction, wear, and corrosion.

The Navy is working to improve the performance service life, affordability, maintainability, survivability, and safety of a wide variety of materials/systems while reducing life-cycle costs and manning requirements of naval platforms and the Contractor shall support these efforts.

C 3.3.6 The Contractor shall provide research and engineering support for laser materials processing.

The Contractor shall support the development and carry out research on light matter interaction to include: laser materials processing, materials characterization, and thin film device physics. To support this effort, the contractor shall employ microfabrication techniques such as laser micromachining, photolithography, thin film growth, as well as conventional fabrication methods. Additionally, the development of support electronics and data acquisition systems are required for this task. This task shall include the ability to characterize the electrical response from dc to RF and optical behavior from UV to IR of thin films and patterned structures.

C 3.4 Design, Fabrication, and Testing of Sensors and Systems in the Laboratory and/or Field

C 3.4.1 The Contractor shall design, fabricate and test chemical and biological sensors and systems (hardware and software) to detect, identify, and quantify single-component and/or mixtures of analytes in gas, liquid, or solid forms as applied to personnel safety, platform survivability and environmental protection, such as the detection of drugs of abuse, explosives, pollutants and other environmental contaminants, pathogenic organisms, chemical/biological warfare agents, toxins and other analytes.

These emerging technology investigations encompass a diverse technical spectrum within the physical, chemical, biological, and environmental arenas. Accordingly, specialized research and development support to evaluate emerging technologies in areas that include micro/molecular/cell biology; molecular recognition and identification;

chemical and biological sensors; environmental and biomedical devices. The object of these sensor studies is primarily the detection, identification, and quantification of trace chemical and biological species. Chemically based sensors include technologies based on chemical or electrochemical reactions that produce heat, light, or new products that can be detected by physical, chemical, optical, electrical, or electromagnetic means. Biological-based sensors and assays include technologies based on biomolecular recognition—such as antibodies, nucleic acid probes, enzymes, aptamers, cells, peptides, microphages and other biomolecules—that can be incorporated as the recognition element. Shipboard safety and survivability is also a major thrust.

C 3.4.1.1 The Contractor shall support the development of simulants and training aids based on chemical and biological sensors and systems.

This task includes simulants and training aids for instrumental and biological detectors.

C 3.4.1.2 The Contractor shall miniaturize analytical and bioanalytical tools to meet Navy requirements.

This task includes laboratory on a chip approaches to detection of a variety of chemical and biological species. It also includes novel methods to pre-concentrate and separate analytes to enhance analytical tools.

C 3.4.2 The Contractor shall support scientific computing activities.

This support includes providing the scientific computer support (e.g. MAC/PC/Server operating systems) for the research and development (R&D) as required by the programs. These areas of exploration target technologies and methods aligned to the mission areas of the Chemistry Division at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).

NRL has a long history of supporting third-party sensor development as well as in forming and leading teams to assemble and evaluate multisensor detection devices. Specific examples include the multicriteria fire detector developed under the Navy Future Naval Capabilities (FNC) Damage Control Automation for Reduced Manning (DC-ARM) program and the Volume Sensor component of the FNC Advanced Damage Countermeasures (ADC) program. Each of these programs involved (1) selecting component sensors, (2) evaluating individual sensor algorithms and working with subject matter experts to develop new algorithms as necessary, (3) development of a data fusion strategy and system architecture, (4) production of a hardware prototype, and (5) full-scale testing in several scenarios. The prototype systems developed in each program were shown to successfully enhance autonomous detection.

Dissipative particle dynamics with energy conservation (DPDE or eDPD) belongs to a class of models and computational algorithms developed to address mesoscale problems in complex fluids and soft matter in general.

The key development of DPDE is ‘coarse-graining;’ it simulates groups of particles instead of individual atoms and is what allows DPDE to extend the precision and flexibility of molecular dynamics to unprecedented time and length scales that would be otherwise unreachable from microscopic simulations. The method has been developed and introduced almost twenty-five years ago, but its extension to simulate new systems and physical phenomena is ongoing. An area of interest is the application of DPDE to simulate shock waves and the evolution of plasticity and fracture in energetic materials.

C 3.4.2.1 The Contractor shall support scientific computing activities associated with data fusion, multivariate analysis, and modeling and simulation.

The research is focused on improving chemical detection, including fusion of disparate data sources towards the development of a multisensor, fused-data systems for chemical detection. System design effort focuses on multivariate data analysis and the role data fusion plays in enhancing chemical selectivity in chemical detection technologies.

C 3.4.2.2 The Contractor shall apply artificial intelligence techniques to data interpretation problems associated with hazardous material detection and improved situational awareness.

The goal of this activity is to support the NRL pursuit in research to provide advanced systems for hazardous chemical detection, fire safety, and personnel protection through autonomy including improved detection including fire using novel sensors, and robotics to enable a revolutionary approach to situational awareness. This includes safety and survivability.

C 3.4.2.3 The Contractor shall analyze sensor array data using multivariate mathematical and statistical methods, such as pattern recognition algorithms, neural networks, and machine vision.

Novel data fusion methods are being used to convert data into information that can be more effectively used for the detection of trace chemicals (such as explosives), the characterization of complex mixtures (such as fuels), and the acquisition of situational awareness (such as recognition of shipboard damage control events). For example, NRLs Volume Sensor is a real-time, multisensory detection system that provides early warning detection of flames, smoke, thermally hot objects, pipe ruptures, and gas leaks through improved shipboard situational awareness.

C 3.4.2.4 The Contractor shall develop methods for fusion…