Statement of Work (Final).pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

SRD31 Content Development

I. BACKGROUND

The U. S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) hold joint copyright to NIST Standard Reference Database 31 (SRD31), “Phase Equilibria Diagrams” (PED) www.nist.gov/srd/nist-standard-reference-database-31. This project, originated in 1933, is carried out under a formal NIST-ACerS agreement. The contents of SRD31 consist of equilibrium phase diagrams, or processing maps, for ceramic materials. By delineating the conditions (chemical composition, temperature, pressure, and atmosphere) under which pure compounds and their mixtures occur, phase equilibrium data provide essential thermochemical guidance for the technical utilization of ceramic materials, including optimization of physical and chemical properties, and for the development of new advanced materials. The current international base of approximately 370 customers includes major universities and materials developers working across industry, government, and academia.

The Phase Equilibria Diagrams database (SRD 31) provides critical written commentaries, evaluated graphical representations, bibliographic data, and analytical capabilities. The data are extracted from the primary scientific literature and critically evaluated by subject-matter experts. The published portion of the database includes over 30,000 phase diagrams contained in approximately 20,000 PED Figures. New diagrams (700-

900) are added to the database annually via updated PC and online versions. A free demonstration version can be downloaded from the web page given above and features the full functionality of the SRD31 product with a limited number of diagrams.

SRD31 is developed and maintained in the PED Content Management System (CMS), a custom-developed web-based system running under Ubuntu Linux using the Ruby programming language. The system uses Nginx web-server, an SQLite database, the Route scheduling system, and an object relational mapper for the GUI. Text is entered using the LaTeX document-preparation system; interactive graphics files are created by digitization of originally published diagrams using custom software developed by NIST.

The SRD 31 Data Center is located in Building 223 on the Gaithersburg NIST campus.

The subject of this requirement is the development of new content for publication, and maintenance of previously published content, for SRD31. Historically, the level of effort required to fulfill this requirement has been approximately 2250 hours distributed in the Labor categories specified in section IV.

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this requirement is to provide the full range of scientific-evaluation and content-development services needed to produce SRD 31, “Phase Equilibria Diagrams” (PED), described as follows: Each data entry is called a PED Figure (see attachment 1) and consists of a commentary that summarizes and critically evaluates the original research, including technical judgement of the reliability of the data, and one or more phase diagrams for that particular chemical system. New content is extracted from original scientific literature (including foreign-language publications) by systematic bimonthly searches of newly published manuscripts. Guidelines setting the standards for preparation of PED Figures are provided by NIST (see attachment 2). Prior to publication and release, new PED Figures are reviewed and edited to conform to the Guidelines by additional subject-matter experts with advanced education and expertise in thermodynamics and phase-equilibrium science. Subject-matter experts with the requisite foreign language fluency are not http://www.nist.gov/srd/nist-standard-reference-database-31 available within the Government in sufficient numbers. The entire process is entered, tracked, and managed within the PED CMS. Data staff use LaTeX for text-entry and custom digitization software for the creation of interactive graphics files for the diagrams.

III. SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor shall provide the full range of scientific-evaluation and content-development services needed to produce SRD 31; i.e., new PED Figures, for publication in SRD 31. The critically evaluated data in SRD31 consist of equilibrium phase diagrams, or processing maps, for ceramic-type inorganic materials. The data are extracted from the primary scientific literature and critically evaluated by subject-matter experts with experience and training in the thermodynamic properties of ceramic-type inorganic materials. The successive workflow steps are: searching the original literature; retrieving, selecting, and classifying new content; preparing critical commentaries and evaluated diagrams; digitizing new diagrams to create interactive graphics files; entering/formatting new content and tracking each step of the workflow in the PED CMS; ensuring that commentaries and diagrams conform to the NIST guidelines (see attachment 2); and releasing new content for publication.

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 maintain the content and log additional PED Figures into the CMS according to the workflow described here.

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 AND DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall provide individuals in the below labor categories for all labor and supervision required to conduct the following work:

1: Literature Editor – identify recently published scientific papers with new content for the database by searching the scientific literature using a domain-specific set of keywords.

The Literature Editor, using subject-matter expertise in ceramic-type inorganic materials, shall perform bimonthly computer searches of the primary scientific literature to find new content suitable for the database and assign the chemical system for each new diagram identified for possible addition to SRD 31.

NIST will provide computer-access to Chemical Abstracts and formatting of results into a readable form (excel spreadsheet needed for searching the literature and it is anticipated that the contractor will provide 100-200 new sources per year. The contractor shall complete searches in the month following each 2-month publication period (for example, literature published in January-February shall be searched in March), to include systematic searching, reading of abstracts from keyword hits, selection of papers for inspection, and selection/classification of new diagrams.

2: Contributing Editor – prepare new PED Figures consisting of commentaries with critical evaluations of published scientific articles written in both English and foreign languages (i.e. Chinese, Russian, German, French) and edited/corrected diagrams, according to NIST Guidelines (see attachments 1,2); commentaries shall include a technical opinion regarding the reliability of the data.

The Contributing Editor shall, using subject-matter expertise in ceramic-type inorganic materials, provide critical scientific evaluations (commentaries) of original published manuscripts (between 100 and 200 total manuscripts over a 12 month period, distributed bimonthly) selected by NIST and evaluate/edit the phase diagrams contained in the manuscripts in accordance with the Guidelines and sample PED Figure (see attachments 1,2). Commentaries shall include a summary of the research and a technical opinion regarding the reliability of the data. The contractor shall provide new PED Figures consisting of written commentaries and corrected diagrams within 6 weeks from receipt of original materials. Prior to assigning manuscript(s) to an editor, the Contractor shall submit to the COR evidence that the editor possesses the minimum qualifications described in Section VIII; work may only commence after the COR has provided approval validating that the personnel meet the minimum qualifications.

3: General Editor –Ensure that commentaries and phase diagrams conform with NIST Guidelines (see attachment 2).

The General Editor shall, using subject-matter expertise in ceramic-type inorganic materials, review and edit as necessary new PED Figures to ensure compliance with the Guidelines (between 360 and 500 total PED Figures over a 12 month period, at a rate of 30-40 per month) (see attachments 1,2).

4: Graphics Editor – digitize and render diagrams as interactive graphics files in standardized format (NIST Guidelines) using custom software provided by NIST; upload graphics files into the PED CMS.

The Graphics Editor shall digitize and edit phase diagrams to convert them to interactive graphics files in standardized format (see attachments 1,2) using custom software provided by NIST, and upload resulting files into the PED CMS. Implement all corrections indicated after review cycles and upload corrected files.

Historically this work has been performed at a rate of 40-70 per month.

5: Managing Production Editor – coordinate work done in all service-categories and track the workflow of the entire process in the PED CMS, from retrieval of new manuscripts identified by the Literature Editor to the publication and release of final PED Figures; enter commentary text in the CMS using LaTeX and produce formatted PED Figures for review by the General Editor; enter all corrections to PED Figures made in review cycles, and release final approved PED Figures for publication.

The Managing Production Editor shall manage, and coordinate work done in all service-categories and track each step of the workflow-process in the PED CMS, from retrieval of new manuscripts identified by the Literature Editor to the publication and release of final PED Figures. Retrieve and organize new manuscripts identified by the Literature Editor, disseminate papers to Contributing Editors for evaluation and preparation of new PED Figures, enter new commentaries in the CMS using LaTeX to produce formatted PED Figures for the review process, enter all text corrections indicated after review cycles, and prepare final versions of PED Figures for publication and release. The contractor shall work closely with NIST technical staff to meet publication deadlines. The contractor shall enter all materials received for new PED Figures into the database within 3 weeks of receipt and prepare each for further editing within 1 month of receipt. The contractor shall disseminate papers to the Contributing Editors for evaluation and preparation of new PED Figures within 3 weeks after selection and notification by NIST staff. The contractor shall provide corrected, final PED Figures (commentaries and diagrams), appropriate and ready for publication, at a rate of 20-40 per month.

6: The contractor shall provide a monthly status report, by email, 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.

V. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The Period of Performance for the Base Period shall be from March 1, 2021 through February 28, 2022, with Option Periods following as indicated below. However, due to current access restrictions, performance shall not take place until the contractor coordinates with the designated Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO).

Prior to commencement of performance, the Contractor must ensure NIST’s campus is open and performance can occur. If access restrictions to the campus impact the period of performance, a modification may be executed by the CO to establish a revised Period of Performance.

a) Period of Performance Base Period: March 1, 2021 through February 28, 2022.

Option Period 1: March 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023.

Option Period 2: March 1, 2023 through February 29, 2024.

Option Period 3: March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025.

Option Period 4: March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026.

b) Place of Performance

For Labor categories 1,4, and 5, the place of performance may be onsite at the NIST, Gaithersburg, MD campus or offsite. Work performed offsite by these Labor categories will require remote electronic access to NIST. Labor categories 2 and 3 will be performed offsite.

VI. 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.

VII. CONTRACTOR’S MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The Contractor must have at least three (3) years or more substantive experience in providing materials-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, thermodynamics and 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 (i.e. Russian, Chinese, German, and French).

General Editor - shall have expertise and advanced education in, or that relates to, thermodynamics and 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 including thermodynamics; typically demonstrated by a Ph.D. in a pertinent field 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.

Contractor personnel must use the NIST custom digitization software and the PED CMS to complete the tasks as specified in the SOW.

Managing Production Editor – must have at least one year of experience with scientific database entry involving chemical and physical information and the use of LaTeX, in addition to at least one year of experience managing work-flow in a scientific data project. Contractor personnel must use the PED CMS to complete the tasks as specified in the SOW.

VIII. EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1: Sample PED Figure Attachment 2: NIST SRD31 Guidelines

IX. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

Labor Category

Required Service Performance Standard

Acceptable Quality Level

Monitoring Method

Literature Editor

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

The primary literature will be searched bimonthly, and at least 100 new manuscripts shall be identified per year.

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

The COR will monitor the timeliness and quality of the products of the literature searches.

Contributing

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.

(Attachment 1)

The COR will monitor the timeliness and quality of new PED Figures.

General

New PED Figures edited and corrected to conform to the guidelines and sample figure in Attachments 1-2.

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 1)

The COR will monitor the timeliness and quality of the corrected PED

Graphics

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

Diagrams will be digitized at an average rate of 1 h per diagram 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 1)

The COR will monitor the timeliness and quality of the services of the graphics digitization services.

Managing Production

Editor

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

New and corrected PED Figures shall be entered in the CMS within 3 weeks of receipt.

The quality must be equivalent to that of the commentaries and diagrams published in the series Phase Equilibria Diagrams.

(Attachment 1)

The COR will monitor the timeliness and quality of the entry of new and corrected PED

Managing Production

Editor

Manage and track the entire workflow of the Data Center in the PED CMS.

Materials will be processed by the due dates.

Publication goal of at least 700 new phase diagrams per year will be met.

The COR will monitor the timeliness and quality of the workflow management.

TRAVEL

No travel costs will be reimbursed by the Government.

Employee Identification Visiting Contractor employees shall comply with all Government escort rules and requirements.

Section 508 Compliance Requirements Any/all electronic and information technology (EIT) procured through this effort must meet the applicable accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194. 36 CFR 1194 implements Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and is viewable at http://www.section508.gov

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 http://www.section508.gov/ 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.

Media Inquiries The Contractor employee shall not respond to any media inquiries. Any inquiries from the media shall be immediately relayed to the COR and/or CO. There shall be no interviews, comments, or any other response without the knowledge and approval of the NIST Director.