Materials and Test Center Inspections

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) has the regular, recurring need to procure material and testing services to support ongoing and future programs. To support these needs, the Government intends to award a Master Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with a five year ordering period to American Society for Testing and Material DBA ASTM International (CAGE 81346) on a sole source basis. 

The GSL is responsible for conducting materials characterization work that supports most branches within the GSL, as well as other labs in the ERDC. As part of the in-house quality assurance program, the concrete, aggregates, and cement and pozzolans capabilities at the Materials Test Center (MTC) must be inspected at least biennially by the Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) as required in ER 1110-1-8100. These inspections are critical to validate testing methods as well as materials characterization research (concrete materials quality and strength, cement and pozzolan applications, aggregate gradations and quality, forensic analysis, etc). This inspection will require engineers, scientists, and technicians to demonstrate proficiency, provide calibration documentation of equipment and an in-house quality assurance manual for review. ASTM International is the only company that can meet the required inspection service contract needs. ASTM is the only agency that conducts this inspection and certification required by our In-House Quality Assurance program. Due to the fact that ASTM/CCRL provides proprietary services, use of other sources is not possible.

The award will be issued in accordance with FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i). The applicable North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) code is 541380 (Testing Laboratories) with a size standard of $16.50 dollars. This notice of intent is for information purposes only.  

This notice is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals.  A solicitation will not be issued.  However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.  The information submitted must be provided in sufficient detail to demonstrate the vendor’s ability to fulfill this requirement.  The contractor must also provide a description of their past experience in fulfilling requirements which are the same or similar to this requirement and references for each. 

Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.  Responses to this requirement may be submitted to Allison Hudson at Allison.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil AND Jon-Vincent Holden at Jon-Vincent.S.Holden@usace.army.mil.  The solicitation number shall be included in the subject line of the e-mail submission.  Responses must be received no later than 1:00PM CST 09 March 2023.