66 -- AUTOMATED PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM

Notice Date

January 18, 2001

Contracting Office

USACE Vicksburg District, 4155 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180-3435

ZIP Code

39180-3435

Solicitation Number

DACW42-01-T-0023

Response Due

February 1, 2001

Point of Contact

Ray Bagley, Contract Specialist, 601/631-7274

E-Mail Address

Click here to contact the MVK Contracting Office point (Ray.Bagley@mvk02.usace.army.mil)

Description

The USAE, Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) proposes to issue a sole source contract to Porous Materials, Inc., Ithaca, NY for the purchase of one (1) Automated Pressure Control System with the following specifications: Hardware Description: The system consists of a three-channel system controller, one high-speed, air-operated pump, and three motorized pressure generators containing fifteen motorized valves, three pressure transducers, and three liquid reservoirs. The system controller provides pressure control function for the air-operated pump, pressure control functions for each of three pressure generators in single and in multiplexed control mode, and motor control for fifteen motorized valves. The three motorized pressure generators each consist of a motorized generator, 5 motorized valves, a pressure transducer, and a liquid reservoir. One valve is provided between the generator and the reservoir. One outlet valve is provided between the high-speed pump and the generator. Three outlet valves are provided between the generator and any one of three samples for testing. The pressure generators have a capacity of 2,000 psi with accuracy of 0.25 percent (1.0 psi maximum control tolerance) with a three-stage safety system. A high capacity option is provided by including a high-speed, air-operated pump that is capable of connection via motorized valves to any one of three generators. The pump provides hydraulic loading to test specimens at a more rapid rate than can be achieved by the pressure generators alone. In principle the pump is used to load the specimen and the pressure generator is used to maintain long-term pressure control. Only one generator may be connected to the high-speed pump at a time. The high-speed pump is connected to a valve that turns the pump on and off, and an electrically controlled air pressure regulator that controls the pressure of the pump. These functions are provided through the system controller. The system does not include a source of compressed air. Minimum pressure to operate the system is 60 PSI, with a maximum pressure of 110 PSI. If house compressed air is not available, a commercial, medium- size compressor for use in a home, such as one available from Sears, would be adequate. A particulate filter is required to prevent debris from entering through the pump or valves that would clog the mechanism. A water filter is not required, but is recommended if water is possible in the supply airline. Water in the supply airline may spray from the vent port of the pump and/or valves, but will not affect the operation of the system. Software Description: The software is Windows 98/2000-compatible for control and data acquisition customized for this application. The pressure control software graphically displays the real-time, valve closure configuration of the system. Control disposition of valves to prepare for operation of the high-speed pump, or individual generators during loading are manually supplied by the operator. The pressure control system is capable of programmable ramp loading by the air-driven pump through one pressure generator to one specimen fixture at a time, or ramp loading by one of the pressure generators as in the six-generator system. The system is also capable of operation in manual-single-channel or full-automatic, multiplexed pressure control mode. The system is capable of automatically recharging hydraulic fluid lost in any one of the three pressure generators due to leakage or hydraulic volume reduced by the test experiment during long-term loading while maintaining the set-point pressure on up to three loaded test fixtures. The software is functionally identical to the software provided with the six-generator system as it relates to basic generator operations such as transducer calibration, piston calibration, automatic filling and de-filling, etc., and for multiplexed multi-generator control operations. The refilling and defiling operations with multiple outlet valves are based upon the following assumptions. The pressure maintenance procedure will determine which of the three outlet valves are open so it can close them during a refill. This will be handled automatically since the program reads the positions of the three valves before refilling, close those that are open, do the refill, and then open only those that were open before. This sequence will be followed even when in manual control and the operator unloads one of the test samples and loads another one on a different port. The program will assume that any of the three valves that are open are controlling active test samples and any valves that are closed are not to be opened. These items are the only known systems of their type commercially available that meet or exceed the minimum selection criteria and the procurement of all systems are critical to the Corps of Engineers' Geotechnical/Structures Laboratory (Concrete & Materials Branch) Research and Development Program. The system must be module-level compatible with existing systems for interchangeability of components between systems. The system must be delivered to the Army not later than 4 weeks after receipt of order. A firm fixed-price contract will be awarded utilizing the Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Any other responsible source able to provide the supplies referenced above is encouraged to respond to this announcement within 15 days after its publication. This is not a request for quotations and there is no solicitation available at this time. See numbered Notes 1 and 22.

Web Link

There is no solicitation availabe at this time. (http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/contract/)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010122/66SOL002.HTM (W-018 SN50B2A0)