SOURCES SOUGHT
68 -- Sources Sourght: PVC Formulated to Contain Lead and Cadmium - Attachment 1: Table of Proposed PVC Compositions
- Notice Date
- 8/2/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 325199
— All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899-1640, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20899-1640
- Solicitation Number
- NB639010-12-04741
- Archive Date
- 9/1/2012
- Point of Contact
- Dana Rae Graham, Phone: 3019753978, Cheryl Rice, Phone: 3019753696
- E-Mail Address
-
danarae.graham@nist.gov, cheryl.rice@nist.gov
(danarae.graham@nist.gov, cheryl.rice@nist.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Attachment 1: Table of Proposed PVC Compositions THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE to determine the availability and capability of both small businesses (including certified 8(a), small disadvantaged, and HUBZone firms; veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and women-owned small businesses) and large businesses. This notice is for planning purposes only, and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, a Request for Proposals, Solicitation, Request for Quotes, or an indication the Government will contract for the items contained herein. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this notice. The Government does not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this sources sought. Any responses received will not be used as a proposal. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking to identify any sources with capabilities or prior experience that can provide PVC formulated to contain lead and cadmium in accordance with the following statement of work. This is a potential Purchase Order, firm-fixed price award. This effort is co-sponsored by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. OBJECTIVE: The Inorganic Chemical Metrology Group (639.01) of the Analytical Chemistry Division is responsible for development of hundreds of NIST Standard Reference Materials and development of new and improved methods of test for a wide range of materials. To accomplish these tasks, the group procures materials and characterizes them for the constituents that will be certified as well as related physical and chemical characteristics that determine stability, viz. shelf life, and fitness for purpose. In this case, the project involves development of three formulations of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containing lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and possibly other elements regulated by various entities in the United States and other nations. STATMENT OF WORK: Procurement of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) for a Standard Reference Material (SRM) LAB REQUESTING SERVICE: Material Measurement Laboratory, Analytical Chemistry Division I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION NIST is working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide SRMs for Pb and other elements in paint and polymers. The design of new SRM 2859 Restricted Substances in Polyvinyl Chloride is based on the first SRM for elements in a plastic matrix, SRM 2855 Additive Elements in Polyethylene. SRM 2855 was developed by a group of experts who additive ingredients commonly used in polyethylene and for which there exist manufacturing specifications. The team created three formulations, and an industry expert facility prepared them using common manufacturing technology. One formulation was simply the most pure form of polyethylene available, viz. linear low density polyethylene. The other two formulations were prepared using high density polyethylene (HDPE), which is commonly dosed with a number of additive chemicals. The additive chemicals were chosen to provide a single targeted element per compound and to have known amounts of that element in the concentrated ingredient. By carefully adding known amounts of the ingredients, the manufacturer was able to calculate the amounts of every element predicted to be present in the formulation. One HDPE formulation contained moderate levels of the elements in the additives, and the second HDPE contained high levels of these elements. For the required PVC formulations, NIST has consulted several experts in PVC formulation and developed a list of ingredients that are thought to be representative of the chemicals needed to create the three formulations of PVC. The base PVC homopolymer resin must be free of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). The resin formulation must be stabilized against thermal degradation using mercaptan based or other stabilizer additives. Acrylic processing aids promote fusion and improve melt strength. A lubricant system using paraffin and/or polyethylene wax may improve processing, but this performance must not be at the expense of polymer stability to handling and processing. Chemicals imparting the Pb and Cd should be miscible with the resin at the molecular level. Potential sources are stearate compounds, which have been used in PVC production in past years. Inorganic compounds are not desired because it is known that they are difficult to blend into the resin. It is thought that two desired elements, bromine (Br) and Antimony (Sb), can be added using commonly available phthalocyanine dye and antimony oxide flame retardant, respectively. A green brominated dye can be added in very small quantities to impart color and measurable amounts of Br. Antimony oxide is desired as Sb2O3, and must be carefully planned with respect to possible additions of hexavalent chromium because it is known that antimony oxide can cause anomalous results from tests for the amount of hexavalent Cr by reducing it to other forms during sample preparation steps. NIST will consider other chemical forms of Br, Sb, and Cr to avoid excessive complications to the project and for the purpose of successful completion of the formulations work in a shorter time period. A compilation of the proposed PVC compositions can be stated in table form as shown in attachment 1. Desired element contents are expressed in units of % (percent by mass) in the final formulation. Components expressed in units of PHR are performance additives in units of parts per hundred of PVC resin (a common formulators notation). II. SCOPE OF WORK Provide to NIST three formulations of PVC that can be made by NIST into certified reference materials. NIST expects that the three PVC compositions will be characterized by their elemental contents and the homogeneity of the required chemical elements within the lot of each PVC formulation. SRM 2859 is intended to provide three different lots of PVC with one containing no added lead or cadmium, and the other two containing different amounts of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). Lead and cadmium are the minimum required substances. NIST desires to include additional restricted substances, including antimony (Sb), bromine (Br), and chromium (Cr), with the Cr provided as hexavalent Cr, if possible. However, the primary goal is to create or acquire blends containing Pb and Cd. The base PVC formulation must contain common performance additive compounds including thermal stabilizer, processing aid, calcium stearate, and wax (paraffin-based and/or polyethylene-based). NIST intends to work with the provider of this material to establish the homogeneity of the three lots of blended PVC with respect to distributions of key elements in the batches. Minimum requirements for homogeneity will be established. It is anticipated that the each PVC formulation will be provided as extruded pellets in quantities between 40 kg and 80 kg per formulation in bulk packaging. NIST will consider alternative forms of the PVC including sheet, disk, and powder. It is known that some users of these reference materials will measure them in one or more of the three forms. III. SPECIFIC TASKS The National Institute of Standards and Technology Analytical Chemistry Division requires specially formulated polyvinyl chloride batches that will become the three compositions planned for Standard Reference Material (SRM) 2859 Restricted Substances in Polyvinyl Chloride - Elements. 0001 Phase 1: Within 60 days of receipt of order, Contractor to provide two small batches of polyvinyl chloride as prototypes of the proposed production batches. One prototype batch to be PVC formulated with all ingredients except the Pb and Cd ingredients. One prototype batch to be formulated with amounts of Pb and Cd in the range of 100 mg/kg to 300 mg/kg to demonstrate homogeneous mixing and production of a stable material. 0002 Option Line Item Phase 2: Within 90 days of government approval of products from Phase 1, Contractor to provide Production size batches as described below in part 1 a, b, and c. The Contractor shall meet the following requirements by providing PVC blends similar to the examples set forth in the above table with the following differences: 1. Production Size: The requirement is to produce three batches of PVC as follows: 1. Provide one (1) batch of blank material having no more than 5 mg/kg lead (Pb) and no more than 5 mg/kg cadmium (Cd). The total mass of the batch of PVC material shall be at least 40 kilograms. 2. Provide one (1) batch containing Pb and Cd at levels of approximately 100 mg/kg each. The total mass of each batch of PVC materials shall be at least 40 kilograms. 3. Provide one (1) batch containing Pb and Cd at levels of approximately 300 mg/kg each. The total mass of the batch of PVC materials shall be at least 40 kilograms. 4. Acceptable heterogeneity of the two Pb and Cd-containing batches will not exceed 2 % relative standard deviation for a minimum of ten 5-gram samples selected randomly from each production batch. NIST will accept Contractor supplied test results from a capable test method. Alternatively, NIST will provide the testing for this requirement. 5. The PVC formulations must not contain chemicals known to come out of the material during ordinary storage at typical ambient conditions in a laboratory or to shorten the shelf life by chemical decomposition during storage at typical ambient laboratory conditions. It would be possible for NIST to store the materials at temperatures below room temperature, but users may not have that capability. Examples of unstable compounds include plasticizers, and in particular phthalate compounds. 6. The Contractor may use existing plastic that was formulated using Pb and Cd as starting materials for a blending/extrusion process to blend compositions that meet the requirements for Pb and Cd. For example, quantities of surplus lead and cadmium stabilized plastics could be reduced to powder and used as starting material to make acceptable blends. 7. While Pb and Cd are of primary interest, additional elements are subject to regulatory control, and therefore are of interest for these reference materials. Antimony (Sb), bromine (Br), and chromium (Cr) compounds are of interest for being included at known quantities in the blends. Concentration levels of these elements are shown in the table above. 8. NIST anticipates receiving these materials in one of three forms: powder, extruded pellets, or solid (e.g. disk or sheet) in that order of preference. It is envisioned that these materials will be bottled and sold by NIST in sets having one bottle of each composition. 9. Submit a report summarizing analytical results and quality control results regarding the composition of each batch of PVC samples. The analysis of composition must demonstrate compliance with the specifications in section III of this statement of work (SOW). This new SRM will serve as reference materials for laboratories and analysts in manufacturing, testing, and regulatory areas to ensure that their methods of analysis are obtaining accurate results when used to check children's products for regulated substances as required by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. IV. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The period of performance shall be 120 days from award of this requirement. V. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE All work shall be accomplished at the Contractor's facility. VI. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY No Government property shall be provided to the Contractor. VII. DELIVERABLES Description Quantity Due Date Prototype blends of formulated PVC with and without Pb and Cd. Two No later than sixty (60) days after award of contract. Batch of blank material having no more than 5 mg/kg lead (Pb) and no more than 5 mg/kg cadmium (Cd) One No later than ninety (90) days after approval of Phase 1. Batches containing Pb and Cd at levels of approximately 100 mg/kg and approximately 300 mg/kg. Two VIII. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT SUMMARY Desired Output Specifications Monitoring Method Batches of PVC that meet the specifications set forth in section III of this SOW See section III of this SOW The Government will test the batches of PVC to ensure compliance with the specifications. Report summarizing analytical and quality control results Report documents compliance with specifications in section III of this SOW. IX. TRAVEL Travel is not required. X. CONTRACTOR'S MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Because these required PVC formulations will be used for development of certified reference materials, the contractor experience shall include a minimum of three years of experience preparing and testing custom formulations of thermopolymers and/or three or more years of experience developing and marketing of reference materials for chemical metrology of polymers, oils and related organic chemicals. XI. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Companies are encouraged to respond if they have the capability and capacity to provide the identified services with little or no disruption of services to the current users at the NIST. Interested small business potential offerors are encouraged to respond to this notice. However, be advised that generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective evaluation of respondents' capacity and capability to perform the specific work as required. Responses must directly demonstrate the company's capability, experience, and/or ability to marshal resources to effectively and efficiently perform each of the tasks described above at a sufficient level of detail to allow definitive numerical evaluation; and evidence that the contractor can satisfy the minimum requirements listed above wile in compliance with FAR 52.219-14 ("Limitations on Subcontracting"). Failure to definitively address each of these factors will result in a finding that respondent lacks capability to perform the work. XII. RESPONSES Responses to this notice shall be limited to 10 pages, and must include: 1. Company name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers, website address (if available), and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives. 2. Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail addresses of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses. 3. Business size for NAICS.... with size limitation standards of.... employees and status, if qualified as an 8(a) firm (must be certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA), Small Disadvantaged Business (must be certified by SBA), Woman-Owned Small Business, HUBZone firm (must be certified by SBA), and/or Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (must be listed in the VetBiz Vendor Information Pages). 4. DUNS number, CAGE Code, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and company structure (Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture, etc). Companies also must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov to be considered as potential sources. 5. Identification of the firm's GSA Schedule contract(s) by Schedule number and contract number and SINs that are applicable to this potential requirement are also requested. 6. If the company has a Government approved accounting system, please identify the agency that approved the system. Please submit copies of any documentation, such as letters or certificates to indicate the firm's status (see item #3 above). Teaming arrangements are acceptable, and the information required above on the company responding to this announcement shall also be provided for each entity expected to be teammates of the respondent for performance of this work. To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. Any proprietary information submitted should be identified as such and will be properly protected from disclosure. Interested offerors should submit their capability statement not exceeding ten (10) pages in length, excluding standard brochures. SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE no later than 2:00pm, Eastern Standard Time, August 17, 2012. The capabilities response shall be e-submitted electronically via FBO. All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the notice will not be returned, nor will there be any ensuing discussions or debriefings of any responses. Information provided in response to this notice will be used to assess alternatives available for determining how to proceed in the acquisition process. This notice is part of Government Market Research, a continuous process for obtaining the latest information on the commercial status of the industry with respect to their current and near-term abilities. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract. The NIST will use the information submitted in response to this notice at its discretion and will not provide comments to any submission; however, the content of any responses to this notice may be reflected in subsequent solicitation. NIST reserves the right to contact any respondent to this notice for the sole purpose of enhancing NIST's understanding of the notice submission. This announcement is Government market research, and may result in revisions in both its requirements and its acquisition strategy based on industry responses. It is emphasized that this is a notice for planning and information purposes only and is not be construed as a commitment by the government to enter into a contractual agreement, nor will the government pay for information solicited.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NIST/AcAsD/NB639010-12-04741/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 100 Bureau Dr., Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899, United States
- Zip Code: 20899
- Zip Code: 20899
- Record
- SN02824314-W 20120804/120802235835-0b54b1bdddf31ec5eb74389aba61361d (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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