SOURCES SOUGHT
B -- COMPOSITE MATERIALS DEFECTS RFI RESPONSE
- Notice Date
- 5/27/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall SpaceFlight Center, AL 35812
- ZIP Code
- 35812
- Solicitation Number
- NNM10342759L
- Response Due
- 6/29/2010
- Archive Date
- 5/27/2011
- Point of Contact
- Lizette M Kummer, Contracting Officer, Phone 256-544-3457, Fax 256-544-5028, Email Lizette.M.Kummer@nasa.gov - Roxanne C. Melton, Contracting Officer, Phone 256-544-6561, Fax 256-544-9081, Email roxanne.c.melton@nasa.gov
- E-Mail Address
-
Lizette M Kummer
(Lizette.M.Kummer@nasa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- NASA Request for InformationFeasible Technologies and Tools for the Nondestructive Evaluation Detection Of DefectsOccurring In Aerospace Composite Materials and ComponentsIntroductionThe Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) team supportsMSFC spaceflight hardware by using the best available NDE tools, which are applied tomaterials and structures to verify the required integrity and to detect characteristicflaws, discontinuities, and other defects in a structure or component, not normallydetectable by the naked-eye, in such a manner that the test does not harm the material inany way. This evaluation of a part or component is accomplished without causing physicalor chemical changes to the part or component, or otherwise impairing its adequacy foroperational service. This capability spans both metallic and composite/non-metallicmaterials and structures.The greater strength to weight ratio of composite materials makes them ideal for use inspacecraft. However, composites can be difficult to inspect for flaws. Conventional NDEmethods for composite structures have proven only partially adequate for the groupspurposes. Effective NDE is one of the largest challenges preventing more widespread useof composite materials in space applications. The NDE team is seeking to improve its capabilities to detect defects in laminatedcomposites and bonded structures for both as-manufactured defects, as well as for thosecaused from service damage, or impact.This would generally include the detection forfiber damage, kissing unbonds/weak bonds, delaminations, voids/porosity and matrixcracking; however improved detection is desired for all types of defects. Because muchof the NDE work is done in the field, the team is also seeking techniques and instrumentsthat will enable improved field-testing. Correlating these results to the quantitativemeasure of residual strength in the remaining structure would also be highly desirable. Areas of particular interest include honeycomb and foam core structures with principledefects including weak bonding, pore filleting, fiber damage and matrix cracking, hatstiffened or ribbed structures with principle defects including weak bonding and fiberdamage and fiber-reinforced foam structures with principle defects including webdelaminations, web to core unbonds and fiber damage. Scope of ActivityIn order to facilitate a better understanding of how defects are created in compositematerials, the NDE Team is planning a study to determine how defects are created duringfabrication and in use; how the defects affect the performance of the material; and whichdefects are most mission-critical subsequently leading to catastrophic loss. NASA isseeking existing effects of defects data that encompasses composite materials, thussaving the Agency the time and expense of recreating this defect data.This informationwill be used in support of the analysis, design, manufacturing and testing of current andfuture work for launch vehicles, spacecraft, and associated subsystems.Desired Technical InformationThe MSFC NDE Team has specific interest in the following technical information:Types of common and critical defects in solid laminate composite structures,honeycomb/foam core structures, stiffened laminate structures and fiber reinforced foamstructures, including those found in the as-manufactured and in-service stages of thesystem life cycle. Innovative methods of detecting and evaluating the size, depth, etc. of thedefectsInnovative methods of creating specific defects with consistency (volume,cluster, depth, etc.). Variety of tests and methods to determine what constitutes a critical effect ontest material Any type of commercial-off-the-shelf applications and software for defectcharacterization in the aforementioned materials.Potential industries benefiting from and industry uses for defect data Summary of resources including networks, background and experience of personnel,facility descriptions, or other assets that might be used to support the MSFC NDE Teamrelative to the application of NDE processes and techniques used in composites defectdata. Description of available facilities for the creation of composite defect testpanels with a minimum length of 24 inches to be used by the MSFC NDE Team.ResponsesOrganizations able to supply relevant information should submit such information no laterthan 11:59 PM Central Standard Time, June 28, 2010. RFI submissions will be accepted asemail attachments only, addressed to shaun.w.canter@nasa.gov with Composite MaterialsDefects RFI Response in the subject line. The file format should not exceed 15 pages,should use single space, 12-point, Times New Roman format. The following file namingconvention should be used; Defects of Composite Materials RFI.Although all comments received will be carefully reviewed and considered for inclusion inany possible later Agency action, the Government does not desire to enter into a formalcontractual arrangement at this time. Respondents will not be notified of the results ofthe review.NASA will not publicly disclose proprietary information obtained as a result of the RFI.To the full extent that it is protected by law and regulations, information identified bya respondent as Proprietary or Confidential will be kept confidential. This RFI is being used to obtain information for planning purposes only and theGovernment does not presently intend to award a contract at this time. As stipulated inFAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be acceptedby the Government to form a binding contract. This RFI is subject to FAR 52.215-3.Contacts:For further information please contact the following:a. Procurement Point of ContactName: Shaun CanterTitle: Contract Specialist, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Phone: 256-544-1632Fax: 256-544-5028Email: shaun.w.canter@nasa.govb. Technical Point of ContactName: Mike SuitsTitle: Materials EngineerPhone: 256-544-8336Email: mike.suits@nasa.gov
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