A --Technical Support in Structures and Mechanics

NA The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), supports the modal administrations of the (DOT) through the conduct of engineering studies and research and development activities necessary to evaluate and improve transportation safety and performance. Technical support is sought for specialized engineering services in areas of Structures and Mechanics such as, but not limited to, expertise, experience, and a highly skilled core staff with specialized capabilities in: interpretation of time-series loadings interims of peak amplitude or range exceedances, theory and application of finite-element methods including geometric and material nonlinearities; stress, deflection, and stability analyses of structures; impact an d penetration mechanics; metallurgical behavior of materials including composites; advanced analysis methods for plate and shell structures; American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard laboratory practices for mechanical testing; failure analysis structures/components, nondestructive test and evaluation (NDT and NDE), structural dynamics and dynamic behavior of mechanical systems, risk assessment and reliability analysis, service load environment data acquisition and their statistical characterization, relevant field test techniques for load and deformation measurements, and the conduct of lab and full scale field tests for structural and material behavior assessments. Detailed specifications will be set forth in the solicitation. The solicitation and any document related to this procurement will be available on the Internet; these documents will be available in text format and reside on a WWW server, which may be accessed using Web browsers. The WWW address, or URL, of the Volpe Center Acquisition Division home page is: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/procure/index.html. Bidders, desiring to receive electronic notification of the solicitation's posting and availability for downloading may register at the Volpe Center site. Contractors are warned that when they register to receive solicitations, amendments and other notices, the responsibility for providing the Government with an accurate and complete e-mail address lies with the contractor. The Government will make no additional efforts to deliver information when the system indicates that transmissions cannot be d elivered to the e-mail address provided. Paper copies of the solicitation and or amendments WILL NOT be issued. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a bonding assistance program available which enables minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprise firms to obtain bid, payment, and performance bonds with a guarantee up to 80 percent against losses. In addition, a short-term loan program is available to provide working capital at the prime interest rate. For further information regarding these programs, please call the DOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at +1 (555) 000-0000.