SOW-PAA-3.docx

Combined Simplified Acquisition Procedure Statement of Work and Evaluation Template

Statement of Work

Procurement Request #: Click here to enter text.

Title: Development of a liquid-crystal based sensor for detecting peracetic acid in air Period of Performance: 04/02/2020-3/30/2021

SECTION 1 – BACKGROUND

Peracetic acid (PAA) was created to be the disinfecting alternative to agents such as quaternary compounds but has been shown to be a link to respiratory issues (asthma) in users of this product. Asthma is a debilitating disease that can be triggered by chemicals such as PAA in the workplace. The irritation causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. If left untreated, the consequences can be fatal. There is a knowledge gap on PAA effects on human health in the workplace. NIOSH has vested interest from stakeholders to determine the immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) and other occupational exposure limits to protect workers. To achieve this, NIOSH will require proper tools to generate meaningful data. In 2015, NIOSH published a notice in the Federal Register [80 FR 24930] issuing a request for comments for the draft IDLH values and supportive technical documents for 14 chemicals including PAA. The response was that available data for PAA are of low quality and there were issues between sampling and analysis of air samples for PAA in the workplace. Industrial hygienist, in agreement with the Federal Register, are also asking for a more reliable methods of sampling and testing.

A project that is currently being funded by Nanotechnology Research Center (NTRC) -- the development of a liquid-crystal based sensor for detecting peracetic acid in air -- is looking to develop a personal, compact real-time sensor that can detect PAA in airstreams during spraying or in the aerosol. This work will be in collaboration with our external industry partner. This proof-of concept work is the first step in the development of a personal, wearable, direct-reading PAA sensor that can be optimized and further developed into a commercial product for workers exposed to PAA.

SUBSECTION A – DEFINITIONS

SECTION 2 – PURPOSE

The overall goal of this project is to develop a personal, nanomaterial liquid crystal (LC) PAA sensor. PAA is an organic peracid generated from the reaction of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide catalyzed under acidic conditions. PAA has many uses and applications, as a chemical disinfectant in medical/healthcare facilities, sanitizer in food and beverage industry, disinfectant in water treatment and many others. This is a proof-of concept project that involves both NIOSH/HELD/CBMB and external industry researchers.

The industry partner (vendor) is involved in identifying, designing and creating an appropriate nanomaterial surface (e.g. gold nanoparticles) that will bind and react to the chemical molecule(s) of interest from NIOSH researchers, in the presence of PAA. The company will also couple the above chemical and nanomaterial surface to a liquid crystal film that will display an optical transition (dark to bright) to show the reaction with PAA. The vendor had successfully developed a similar direct read sensor device for H2S (hydrogen sulfide), which is now commercially available. This work will be performed by the vendor at their research headquarters. The company is also tasked with submission of a monthly report to the project officer to document progression of the project.

SECTION 3 – SCOPE OF WORK

The vendor is responsible for developing the real time sensor for peracetic acid. The vendor has proprietary rights to the liquid crystal technology and has been successful in manufacturing other sensors using this method. The theory behind the sensor is that when the liquid crystals are aligned perpendicular to the nanomaterial complex, the liquid crystal surface appears dark. When the target gas binds to the nanomaterial complex, it changes the liquid crystal molecule alignment, the film now appears bright due to the influence of the toxic gas. The vendor will be given 3-4 potential chemical molecules of interest, all vetted by NIOSH researchers, that will react and bind with specificity with peracetic acid. The vendor is tasked with the responsibility to (i) investigate the best nanomaterial to use that will couple with the chemical molecule of interest, (ii) assemble the nanomaterial/chemical complex to the liquid crystal surface and (iii) to optimize the conditions that will enable the liquid crystal film to respond to the target gas, PAA, only.

The estimated time for the vendor to complete the work will be 12 months. The vendor will be paid monthly in arrear after the submission of a monthly progress report and invoice.

SECTION 4 – TASKS TO BE PERFORMED

The vendor will be required to perform and complete the following:

1. Design and fabrication of chemically active surfaces for PAA. The company will be designing and creating an appropriate nanomaterial surface (e.g. gold nanoparticles), bound with one of the chemical molecules (cysteine, N-acetyl L-cysteine and L-glutathione) identified by NIOSH that will actively react and respond to PAA. Estimated completion time: 4 months.

2. Coupling of the chemical reaction and liquid crystal (LC) transition. The company will be performing the coupling of the active surface from Task 1 to the LC film. As this task is being completed, the vendor will ship the completed product(s) to NIOSH to begin field testing. Estimated completion time: 5 months.

3. Testing and observation of optical transition in LC films. NIOSH Cincinnati and the vendor will work together to test the chemically reactive LC sensor, during the last phase of the project. Estimated completion time: 3 months.

4. The vendor will be submitting monthly progress report to project officer at NIOSH, and it is expected that the entire contract to not exceed 12 months.

SECTION 5 – GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS

NA

SECTION 6 – PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of work for the vendor is scheduled from April 2020 to March 2021.

SECTION 7 – PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Site of work will be at vendor’s designated research facility.

SECTION 8 – DELIVERABLES/REPORTING SCHEDULE

*Ownership of product will be consistent with FAR 52.227-11 and FAR 52.227-13 government policy.

SECTION 9 – TRAVEL

NA

SECTION 10 – SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

HHSAR Provision, 352.239-73: Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Notice

(a) Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board Electronic and Information (EIT) Accessibility Standards (36 CFR part 1194), require that when Federal agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, Federal employees with disabilities have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to the access and use by Federal employees who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency. Section 508 also requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.

(b) Accordingly, any offeror responding to this solicitation must comply with established HHS EIT accessibility standards. Information about Section 508 is available at http://www.hhs.gov/web/508. The complete text of the Section 508 Final Provisions can be accessed at http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/standards.htm.

(c) The Section 508 accessibility standards applicable to this contract are: 1194.

205 WCAG 2.0 Level A & AA Success Criteria 302 Functional Performance Criteria 502 Inoperability with Assistive Technology 504 Authoring Tools 602 Support Documentation 603 Support Services

In order to facilitate the Government's determination whether proposed EIT supplies meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must submit an HHS Section 508 Product Assessment Template, in accordance with its completion instructions. The purpose of the template is to assist HHS acquisition and program officials in determining whether proposed EIT supplies conform to applicable Section 508 accessibility standards. The template allows offerors or developers to self-evaluate their supplies and documentation detail - whether they conform to a specific Section 508 accessibility standard, and any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues. Instructions for preparing the HHS Section 508 Evaluation Template are available under Section 508 policy on the HHS Web site http://hhs.gov/web/508.

In order to facilitate the Government's determination whether proposed EIT services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, offerors must provide enough information to assist the Government in determining that the EIT services conform to Section 508 accessibility standards, including any underway remediation efforts addressing conformance issues.

(d) Respondents to this solicitation must identify any exception to Section 508 requirements. If a offeror claims its supplies or services meet applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and it is later determined by the Government, i.e., after award of a contract or order, that supplies or services delivered do not conform to the accessibility standards, remediation of the supplies or services to the level of conformance specified in the contract will be the responsibility of the Contractor at its expense.

(e) Electronic content must be accessible to HHS acceptance criteria. Checklist for various formats are available at http://508.hhs.gov/, or from the Section 508 Coordinator listed at https://www.hhs.gov/web/section-508/additional-resources/section-508-contacts/index.html. Materials that are final items for delivery should be accompanied by the appropriate checklist, except upon approval of the Contracting Officer or Representative.

SECTION 11 – REFERENCE MATERIALS

Sheila E. Robinson, Bart A. Grinwald, Laura L. Bremer, Kurt A. Kupcho, Bharat R. Acharya & Patrick D. Owens (2014) A Liquid Crystal-Based Passive Badge for Personal Monitoring of Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene,11:11, 741-750, DOI:10.1080/15459624.2014.916808

SECTION 12 – CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION

OFR Combined SAP SOW & Evaluation Template – July 2013