SOW_7.6.2017.doc

STATEMENT OF WORK

Scientific Evaluation and Editing Services for SRD 31 (Phase Equilibria Diagrams)

I. BACKGROUND

The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) hold joint copyright to the database Phase Equilibria Diagrams* (Standard Reference Database 31 (SRD 31) https://www.nist.gov/srd/nist-standard-reference-database-31). The project originated in 1933 as an ACerS-NIST (then National Bureau of Standards) partnership. The contents of the database consist of equilibrium phase diagrams, or processing maps, for ceramic materials.

The specific database (SQL Lite) is populated with ceramic phase equilibrium data. Our objective is to compile, evaluate, determine, and disseminate phase equilibrium data to facilitate and optimize the development, processing, and usage of advanced ceramic materials. By delineating the conditions (chemical composition, temperature, pressure, and atmosphere) under which pure compounds and their mixtures occur, phase equilibrium data provide “maps” with essential thermochemical guidance for the technical exploitation of ceramic materials.

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this requirement is to provide the full range of scientific evaluation and editing services needed to produce new content for SRD 31, Phase Equilibria Diagrams (PED). New database entries are called PED Figures, each consisting of critical-evaluation commentary text and at least one phase diagram. The information for new PED Figures is extracted from original scientific literature (including foreign-language publications), critically evaluated by scientists with advanced education and expertise in ceramic science (see section IX), and prepared for publication by domain-expert editors that are not available within the Government.

Phase equilibrium data are used throughout the ceramics industry to understand and control the complex phenomena that underlie the production and performance of advanced materials. Phase diagrams serve as maps of the equilibrium chemical and structural behaviors exhibited by materials and provide critical starting information for the rational design of materials processing schemes, quality assurance efforts, and optimization of the physical and chemical properties of advanced materials. The Phase Equilibria Diagrams series (SRD 31) provides critical written commentaries, evaluated graphical representations, bibliographic data, and analytical capabilities. The published portion of the database now includes over 25,000 phase diagrams contained in 24 books and a CD-ROM. Activities in the Phase Equilibria Data Center include continuous addition of new database content (approximately 1,000 new diagrams per year), dissemination of the data in printed and digital formats, and development of scientific software to facilitate access to and use of the data.

III. SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor shall provide scientific evaluation and editing services necessary to prepare new content; i.e., new PED Figures, for publication in SRD 31. The workflow begins with searching the original literature, retrieving and classifying new content, preparation of critical commentaries and evaluated diagrams, ensuring that commentaries and diagrams conform to the guidelines (Attachments 1 and 2), graphical digitization of new diagrams (Attachment 2), entering new content in the content management system (CMS, custom Ruby program), and finally, formatting new content for publication (Attachment 3). The contractor will perform the required services for one base year and up to four one-year option periods. The option period work will build off work performed in the base year and continue to log additional manuscripts and PED figures into the CMS.

The following categories of scientific evaluation and editing services are provided as historical context as to the types of labor categories used to accomplish and manage the workflow in previous contracts:

Literature Editor – identify recently published scientific papers with new content for the database by searching scientific literature Contributing Editors – prepare new PED Figures consisting of commentaries with critical evaluations of published scientific articles written in both English and foreign languages (e.g., Chinese, Russian, German, Japanese, French, Polish) and edited/corrected diagrams (guidelines and sample given in Attachments 1-3)

General Editors – edit and correct the work of the Contributing Editors – ensure that commentaries and phase diagrams conform with guidelines (Attachments 1-2)) Graphics Editors – digitize, edit, and render diagrams for publication in standardized format (Attachment 2), utilizing a custom JAVA software package provided by NIST Managing Production Editor(s) – coordinate the workflow of the entire process, from retrieval of new articles from library to publication of final PED Figures, enter edited commentaries in the CMS and produce formatted figures containing commentaries and diagrams for review by the General Editors and for the publication process

Services shall be provided according to publication deadlines determined by NIST staff and the amount of new appropriate content selected by NIST domain experts.

IV. SPECIFIC TASKS

The Contractor shall provide all labor and supervision to conduct the following tasks:

1. Perform computer searches of the primary scientific literature to identify new content suitable for the database and identify and assign the chemical system for each new diagram identified for possible addition to SRD 31. NIST will provide all resources (computer-access to Chemical Abstracts) needed for searching the literature and it is anticipated that the contractor will provide 150-250 new sources per year. Historically, this work has been performed by a Literature Editor or equivalent.

2. Provide critical scientific evaluations (commentaries) of original published manuscripts (between 150 and 250 total manuscripts over a 12 month period, distributed quarterly) selected by NIST and evaluate/edit the phase diagrams contained in the manuscripts in accordance with the guidelines and sample PED Figure (Attachments 1-3). Historically, this work has been performed by Contributing Editors or equivalent. Prior to assigning manuscript(s) to an editor, the Contractor shall submit to the NIST Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) evidence that the editor(s) possess the minimum qualifications described in Section IX; work may only commence after the TPOC has provided approval validating that the personnel meet the minimum qualifications set forth in Section IX.

3. Review and edit as necessary new PED Figures to ensure compliance with the guidelines (between 360 and 600 total PED Figures over a 12 month period, at a rate of 30-50 per month) (Attachments 1-2). Historically this work has been performed by General Editors or equivalent.

4. Digitize (Attachment 2) and edit phase diagrams (30-50 per month) to render them in a standardized format (Attachment 1, section on phase diagrams) and to implement any indicated corrections. Historically this work has been performed by a Graphics Editor or equivalent.

5. Enter new commentaries in the CMS, produce formatted figures containing commentaries and diagrams for the review process, enter text corrections as needed, replace diagrams with corrected versions as needed, and prepare final versions of PED Figures for publication. Manage and coordinate the overall work process. Historically, this work has been performed by Managing Production Editor(s).

6. The contractor shall provide a monthly status report which discusses the status of: the manuscripts with new content for the database, the papers and diagrams selected by NIST out for critical evaluation and preparation of new PED Figures, the new PED Figures through the editing process, the diagrams that need to be digitized, and coordination with the NIST technical staff to meet publication deadlines. The report shall discuss all previous work performed and anticipated work for the upcoming period.

7. The contractor shall participate in a kick-off meeting located at the NIST main campus in Gaithersburg, MD. The kick-off meeting shall occur within seven days of contract award. The kick-off meeting topics shall be sent to the contractor at least 48 hours prior to the meeting, but will center around discussing the requirements and a plan for contract administration.

V. DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE AND EFFICIENCY

The Contractor shall:

Complete the search of one volume of Chemical Abstracts (C.A.) within six months of its publication date - this includes computer searching, reading of abstracts of keyword hits, selection of papers for inspection, and selection/classification of new diagrams.

Disseminate papers to the Contributing Editors, approved by NIST staff, for evaluation and preparation of new PED Figures, within one month.

Provide new PED Figures consisting of written commentaries and corrected diagrams within one month from receipt of original materials.

Enter all materials received for new PED Figures into the database within one month of receipt, and enter corrections to PED Figures in the CMS within one month of receipt.

Provide corrected, final PED Figures (commentaries and diagrams), appropriate and ready for publication, at a rate of 30-50 per month.

Efficiency of Performance: To ensure adequate oversight of contractor performance and mitigate risk to the Government, this SOW implements minimum standards of efficiency in performance of the work which are applicable on a monthly basis. The contractor is not authorized to perform less efficiently (i.e., take more time, on a monthly average basis, per unit) than the standards set forth below unless authorized in advance in writing by the Contracting Officer.

Task

Unit

Maximum Quantity (annually)

Estimated LOE per unit (CTR may not exceed on monthly basis without pre-authorization)

Source

1 hour

Completed critical scientific evaluation of published manuscripts

3.25 hours

Edited PED figures

0.5 hours

Digitized/edited phase diagrams

1 hour

Publication-ready PED figures

1.5 hours

Monthly Status Reports

4 hours

VI. DELIVERABLE PAYMENT AND INVOICING

The contractor may submit ONE monthly invoice in arrears for any work performed during the previous month, accompanied by timesheets to substantiate the hours worked. The invoice shall include a breakdown by labor category and hours worked. Additionally, for each of the above six tasks, the invoice shall state the total number of units (per the above table) completed during the month and total cumulative level of effort over the month being invoiced for that task.

VII. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

a) Period of Performance

Base Period: January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

Option Period 1: January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019 Option Period 2: January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020

b) Place of Performance

The place of performance will be the NIST, Gaithersburg, MD campus for all work categories other than Contributing Editors and General Editors – work for these two (2) labor categories may be conducted onsite or offsite.

VIII. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY, DATA AND/OR INFORMATION

The Government will provide office space, library resources, and all other facilities and equipment for the services conducted onsite.

IX. CONTRACTOR’S MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The Contractor must have at least three (3) years or more experience in providing ceramic-science related services similar to those described in this requirement.

Additionally, contractor personnel must meet the following qualifications:

Contributing Editor – shall have expertise and advanced education in, or that relates to, ceramic phase equilibria science; typically demonstrated by a Ph.D. in a pertinent physical science such as geology, materials science, ceramic science, metallurgy, physics, or inorganic chemistry. In addition, Contributing Editors shall have the capability to translate foreign languages (Russian, Chinese, German, French, Polish, and Japanese).

General Editor - shall have expertise and advanced education in, or that relates to, ceramic phase equilibria science; typically demonstrated by a Ph.D. in a pertinent physical science such as geology, materials science, ceramic science, metallurgy, physics, or inorganic chemistry.

Literature Editor - shall have expertise and advanced education in a physical science; typically demonstrated by a Ph.D. in a pertinent physical science such as geology, materials science, ceramic science, metallurgy, physics, or chemistry.

Graphics Editor – shall have completed at least one year of chemistry at the college level; ideal candidates have B.S. degrees in a pertinent physical science such as materials science, chemistry, physics, or geology.

Managing Production Editor – must have at least one year of experience with scientific database entry involving chemical and physical information, and at least one year of experience managing work-flow in a scientific data project.

X. EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1: Guidelines for Preparation of Commentaries Attachment 2: Guidelines for Diagram Editing and Markup Attachment 3: Sample PED Figure

XI. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

Required Service

Performance Standard

Acceptable Quality Level

Monitoring Method

New content for the database is retrieved from the primary scientific literature.

The primary literature will be searched at the rate of two Chemical Abstract volumes per year, and 150-250 new manuscripts shall be identified per year.

At least 90% of the new manuscripts will contain equilibrium phase diagrams for inclusion in SRD 31.

The NIST Technical Contact will monitor the timeliness and quality of the products of the literature searches.

Prepare new PED Figures with critical-evaluation commentaries and edit phase diagrams.

New PED Figures shall conform to the requirements set forth in Attachments 1 and 2. Materials must be received by the due dates.

The quality must be equivalent to that of the PED Figures published in the series Phase Equilibria Diagrams*.

The NIST Technical Contact will monitor the timeliness and quality of new PED Figures.

New PED Figures edited and corrected to conform to guidelines and sample figure in Attachment 1.

The product shall conform to the guidelines in Attachments 1-2.

The quality must be equivalent to that of the PED Figures published in the series Phase Equilibria Diagrams. (Attachment 3) The NIST Technical Contact will monitor the timeliness and quality of the corrected PED Figures.

New phase diagrams are digitized and rendered in standardized format for SRD 31.

Diagrams will be digitized (30-50 per month) and formatted according to the guidelines in Attachment 2.

The quality must be equivalent to that of the commentaries and diagrams published in the series Phase Equilibria Diagrams. (Attachment 3) The NIST Technical Contact will monitor the timeliness and quality of the services of the graphics digitization services.

Enter new PED Figures and corrected PED Figures in the CMS.

New and corrected PED Figures shall be entered in the CMS by the due dates.

The quality must be equivalent to that of the commentaries and diagrams published in the series Phase Equilibria Diagrams. (Attachment 3) The NIST Technical Contact will monitor the timeliness and quality of the services of the production editing services.

Manage the entire workflow of the Data Center.

Materials will be processed by the due dates.

Publication goal of 400-600 new phase diagrams per year will be met.

The NIST Technical Contact will monitor the timeliness and quality of the workflow management.

Monthly Status Updates.

Updates shall discuss all previous work performed and anticipated work for the upcoming period.

12 monthly updates provided to the NIST TPOC The NIST TPOC will review monthly status updates for timely submission and completeness.

XIV. GENERAL

Removing Employees for Non-Performance, Misconduct or Security Reasons

If the Government determines that any contractor employee does not have the requisite experience or is not effectively performing the required services, the NIST Contracting Officer (CO), at its sole discretion, may direct the Contractor to remove any Contractor employee from NIST facilities for misconduct or other security reasons. Such removal does not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility to provide sufficient qualified personnel for adequate and timely service. The CO will provide the Contractor with a written rationale for removal of the employee.

Employee Identification

Contractor employees shall wear an identification badge that, at minimum, displays the Contractor name, the employee’s photo, name, clearance-level and badge expiration date. Visiting Contractor employees shall comply with all Government escort rules and requirements.

Hours of Operation

Contractor personnel are expected to conform to normal operating hours, unless otherwise specified and agreed to by the CO. The normal duty hours are 6:00am to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday, except for Federal Government holidays, with an allowance for a one-hour lunch period each day.

Safety The Contractor employee shall be responsible for knowing and complying with all installation safety prevention regulations. Such regulations include, but are not limited to, general safety, fire prevention, and waste disposal.

Vehicle Registration All Contractor employees must register their vehicles with the NIST Security Office to gain access to the campus. A valid driver’s license, Government-furnished civilian ID, proof of insurance and current registration must be presented to the NIST Security Office, at which time a NIST vehicle pass will be issued. The pass shall be displayed on the vehicle’s rear view mirror in accordance with instructions. The Contractor employee shall follow NIST procedures for removal and turn-in of the vehicle pass upon termination of services under this contract.

PAGE