SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- RESEARCH IN PROPULSION SCIENCES III
- Notice Date
- 2/19/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, HQ Air Force Test Center (AFTC) - Edwards, 5 S WOLFE AVE, Edwards AFB, California, 93524-1185, United States
- ZIP Code
- 93524-1185
- Solicitation Number
- FA9300-14-R-0002
- Point of Contact
- Timothy S. Palen, Phone: 6612778216, Judy A Gayler, Phone: 6612777748
- E-Mail Address
-
timothy.palen@edwards.af.mil, judy.gayler@edwards.af.mil
(timothy.palen@edwards.af.mil, judy.gayler@edwards.af.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Government is conducting market research and identifying, as potential sources, companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements of the Research in Propulsion Sciences (RPS-III) supporting the Air Force Research Laboratory, at Edwards AFB, CA. This is not a request for proposals and no contract will be awarded as a result of this sources sought. Companies responding to this request are advised that participation does not ensure opportunities for participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The purpose of this Source Sought Synopsis is to conduct market research to determine if responsible sources exist to assist in determining if this effort can be competitive and/or a total Small Business Set-Aside. The proposed North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code is 541712, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) which has a corresponding size standard of 1,000 employees. The Government will use this information to determine the best acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government is interested in all small businesses to include 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, HUBZone, and Women-Owned small business concerns. The Government requests that interested parties respond to this notice and identify your small business status to the identified NAICS code. Additionally, please provide any anticipated teaming arrangements including delineation between the work to be accomplished by the prime and the work accomplished by the teaming partners. The objective of RPS-III is to provide research and development (R&D) support to AFRL across a wide spectrum of propulsion-related research areas. The government anticipates a total value of $50-100M, and a duration of 48-60 months beginning on/about 1 Oct 15. Interested parties are requested to submit a summary of their R&D experience, capabilities, and expertise in support of the following areas: 1. Combustion Processes, Fluid Dynamics, and Materials Sciences: Targeting key combustion-related phenomena, an effort which includes but is not limited to theoretical, experimental, and computational characterization of combustion processes and dynamics, fluid-structural interactions, component materials and surface treatments, efficient thermal management, and design optimization and performance analysis. This area aims to improve understanding and predictability of multidisciplinary, multiphase combustion systems and therefore spans a broad range of specific technical tasks to be accomplished internally and externally via collaboration. 2. Chemical/Material Sciences: Research including, but not limited to: advanced polymeric and co-polymer propulsion materials, surface science electrochemistry of composites, carbon material research, and fracture mechanics of solid rocket motors. Key areas of interest include devising methods to obtain high-strength, low weight, easily process able and cost efficient resins and materials. Some of the objectives of this area would be non-destructive evaluations of liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors (and there components), study space survivable nanostructured polymers, develop efficient synthetic techniques for rocket, aero and space vehicle surfaces, structural components and insulation materials. 3. Aerophysics and Plasma Physics: Investigate the fundamental physical and chemical interactions associated with launch vehicles, spacecraft and propulsion systems such as rocket engines (solid or liquid) and electric propulsion devices, as well as hybrid concepts. This includes, but is not limited to: experimental, analytical and computational investigations of non-equilibrium gas dynamics, two-phase flows and material interactions, plasma dynamics, electromagnetic waves and other radiation processes, instabilities, turbulence, combustion and other chemical processes. Configurations and systems of interest include, but are not limited to: fluid and plasma conditions within thrusters, rocket and plasma plumes, interaction with ambient environment, propellant injection and combustion, in support of the development of missiles, boost, and spacecraft propulsion systems, as well as surveillance technologies and enhanced prediction of spacecraft dynamics and system health. Appropriate mathematical and physical models will be developed and applied to achieve this goal. Appropriate diagnostic methods will be investigated and developed as necessary. Appropriate software tools will be developed and/or acquired to support the effort, including but not limited to, large-scale data analysis methods and advanced data visualization techniques. 4. Analytical Chemistry. Provide analytical chemistry support to AFRL which includes but is not limited to routine screening, characterization and evaluation of solid, liquid and cryogenic propellants, hydrocarbon fuels, oils and pressurizing gases, polymers, ceramics and carbon-based samples. Analyses are conducted according to MIL-SPEC and ASTM methods, when appropriate, using various chemical and analytical techniques. 5. Spacecraft Propulsion: Perform fundamental investigations directed towards understanding the physics and engineering of chemical, electric and hybrid propulsion systems for spacecraft. Chemical thrusters include bi-propellant and monopropellant designs. Electric propulsion (EP) concepts include but are not limited to: Arcjets, Hall thrusters, Resistojets, Pulsed Plasma Thrusters, Radio-Frequency and Micro-Propulsion thrusters. The researchers will use this understanding to aid in the characterization of propulsion units and associated components (including but not limited to: power processing units, injectors, pumps, tanks), as well as the development of advanced designs with significantly enhanced capability and survivability. Appropriate mathematical methods, physical models, and software tools will be developed and applied to achieve this goal. Appropriate diagnostic techniques will be used and/or developed in support, including but not limited to: Resonant Laser Diagnostics, High Speed Imaging across the Electromagnetic spectrum, plasma probes and high-precision thrust stands. This area also requires routine support for on-orbit experiments including hardware selection and testing, modeling and simulation, data reduction and analyses, and on-orbit experimental operations support. 6. High-Payoff Propulsion Technologies: Evaluate new and unproven concepts, re-evaluate previously defined concepts for advanced propulsion systems, and bring those concepts toward a higher maturity level for risk reduction. Of particular importance are solutions that can dramatically augment US space capabilities and help the US in preparing for new and emerging threats. The work can be comprised of theoretical, computational, and experimental research, as well as design and engineering studies. Appropriate mathematical methods, physical models and modeling software will be developed and applied to achieve this goal. Experimental studies will be conducted to verify proof of concept and validate the modeling effort. System studies will be conducted to verify feasibility and optimization of integrated propulsion systems. Research areas include but are not limited to: high-density and high-energy plasmas, laser-plasmas, beamed energy propulsion, advanced materials, energetic materials, radiation, micro-scale and nano-scale physics, vacuum engineering, heat transfer, magnetohydrodynamics, nuclear physics and engineering, microwaves, aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics, and software engineering. Contract performance will require access to classified data up to and including TS/SCI. Responses shall include current and projected offeror capabilities for reviewing and/or processing classified data. Contract performance will involve data subject to export control laws and regulations. Technical information used as part of the solicitation process or other data subject to foreign disclosure restrictions will only be sent to contractors who are registered and certified with the Defense Logistics Services Center and have an approved DD Form 2345. The Contractor shall utilize a Management Information System (MIS) capable of accepting multiple packages of funds, planning, scheduling, and collecting costs for multiple packages of unique work, providing status, and invoicing the Government in accordance with specified requirements. The MIS shall provide three levels of access (PM and Financial Management, Branch Chief, WBS Task Manager), maintain financial data by specific government fiscal year, and interface with EXCEL for report generation. Additionally, the contractor shall track cost, schedule, management, and technical aspects of the work performed under the contract at the level required and identified (i.e., by CLIN, ACRN and WBS tasks). RESPONSES Responses shall be no more than 2 pages and must be presented in a format that identifies each specific area (items #1-6, data handling, and financial system requirements) with a direct response. Past performance examples should be presented with government points of contact identified. CONTACT INFORMATION Timothy Palen, Contract Specialist, 661-277-7598, timothy.palen@us.af.mil Judy Gayler, Contracting Officer, 661-277-7748, judy.gayler@us.af.mil Daron Bromaghim, 661-275-5473, daron.bromaghim@us.af.mil Jo ann Larue, 661-275-5886, joann.larue.1@us.af.mil PA (Public Affairs) Clearance Number 14072
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFFTC/FA9300-14-R-0002/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 5 South Wolfe Ave, Bldg 2800, Edwards AFB, California, 93524, United States
- Zip Code: 93524
- Zip Code: 93524
- Record
- SN03291211-W 20140221/140219234610-2415b2a6f3a47680271f76cb4bcbb60a (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |