The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is undertaking a significant modernization construction program to expand the Radiation Physics Research Laboratory and renovate existing building infrastructure.
With nearly 55% of this facility below ground, a major task will include extensive excavation to the structure foundation walls for waterproofing and construction of de-watering systems to control persistent groundwater intrusion into the basement structure.
The objective of the anticipated acquisition is to award a single contract to perform the radiological characterization survey of soil and groundwater adjacent to structural foundations where there have been known research activities inside the building that could produce radioactive activation products in the walls.
NIST is seeking qualified, experienced environmental testing firms with the specific specialized professional expertise to perform the requirements of the project.
The scope of services to be performed at NIST will include all drilling services to obtain soil core samples, collection, initial field testing and packaging/transport for radiochemical analysis, and contamination disposal fees (if applicable). Bores for samples will be drilled up to 50′ below finished grade elevation.
The initial task is to determine any level of radiological contamination of soil from test bores at each location. Additional surveying will determine and define the extent of radionuclide activation limits in surrounding in-situ soil, if discovered at the facility site. The work shall entail an initial field scoping investigation to determine the sampling pattern and location for baseline environmental samples in undisturbed soil.
The work in the Radiation Physics Building (Building 245) currently supports industry through research, the realization and dissemination of the SI-derived standards for radiation dose (Gray, Gy) and radioactivity (becquerel, Bq), including for health, environmental, security, and manufacturing applications, and traceability to the SI (watt, W) for electromagnetic radiation in the visible, UV, and soft x-ray regimes.
NIST also provides user facilities for radiometry measurements for other federal agencies and industrial partners. Calibration services and transfer standards for electromagnetic radiation provide critical traceability chains to NIST standards for secondary calibration labs serving customers in the medical, scientific, and industrial sectors.
Completed in 1964, Building 245 totals 208,000 gross sq. feet and was the first research facility built on the NIST Gaithersburg Campus. Purpose-built to accommodate the nation’s radiation physics research, this is a highly specialized facility with concrete shield walls nearly 10 feet thick and large subterranean program areas located in basement and sub-basement levels.
The government seeks capability statements from qualified firms to be submitted no later than March 26, 2015. Further details are available via Solicitation Number: NB195000-15-02122.
