Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, U.S. Army Aviation and Troop Command, ATTN: AMSAT-R-TC (Bid Custodian), Building 401, Fort Eustis, VA 23604-5577

A -- R&D BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (PART 1 OF 2) SOL DAAJ02-96-R-0001 DUE 011896 POC Hilda E. Fowler, Contract Specialist, (804) 878-4818. The Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) is soliciting technical and cost proposals for conduct of 6.2 Research & Development programs. Proposals are required to be submitted in accordance with the guidelines set forth herein. This BAA constitutes the total solicitation. There will be no formal RFP, other solicitation requests, or other information regarding these requirements. Subject areas of interest include: TOPIC 01-96: Light Weight, High Performance Turbine Module for Gas Turbine Engines DESCRIPTION: The DoD/NASA Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology (IHPTET) initiative is focused on developing the technologies to double propulsion system capabilities over the 1987 technology base by the year 2003. Of particular interest to the Army is achievement of the turboshaft/turboprop engine goals. Turbine component technologies have been identified as major contributors to achievement of the turboshaft engine goals. Specifically, turbine technologies which allow for significant increases in rotor inlet temperature, minimal utilization of cooling air, high levels of stage work, high stage efficiency and reduced weight are critical for attaining the IHPTET turboshaft engine goals. Thus, effort sought under this announcement is to develop critical turbine component technologies which offer a significant advance in the state-of-the-art toward achieving the IHPTET Phase III turboshaft engine goals. The turbine technology may be applicable to either a gas generator turbine or a power turbine. Proposals submitted under this topic should allow for an optional gas generator/engine test of the proposed technology. ANTICIPATED LEVEL OF EFFORT: A total program (all awards under this topic) estimate of $950k is anticipated with funds programmed in FY96 - FY99. ANTICIPATED PERFORMANCE PERIOD: Up to 40 months (37 months for completion of technical and an additional 3 months for data submittal). APPLICABLE SECURITY DETERMINATION: Performance under this topic will require that the successful offeror possess a SECRET facility clearance prior to contract award. Offerorswho require preaward access to classified information or who will generate classified proposals while responding to this topic should contact the procuring office for a preaward clearance and execution of a DD Form 254. This requirement is in addition to the ''Export Controlled DoD Technical Data Agreement'' certification required for all offerors under this announcement. TOPIC 02-96, Adaptive Control Cure Monitoring (ACCM), TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Research and development work to develop the concept of adaptive, closed-loop cure monitoring and control is desired. It is envisioned that the successful offeror(s) will incorporate small, inexpensive, and accurate temperature, pressure, and/or rheological (% cure, Tg, viscosity, porosity) sensors or networks of sensors embedded in either aerospace composite laminates or tooling/molds, or both, and combine them with intelligent processing algorithms and equipment capable of assessing the critical cure parameters and controlling cure process variables (temperature, pressure). Both developmental and proven sensors and control equipment may be considered for inclusion in this work, but only demonstrated or commercially available control algorithms shall be considered. The objectives of the R&D work will be to reduce laminate porosity and optimize Tg, % cure, and fiber volume fraction for any given thermoset resin (polymer, BMI, polyimide) composite system. The goals will be to decrease composite cure cycle time to absolute material minimums, demonstrate cure processing insensitive to resin/polymer batch-to-batch and age variability, decrease part rejection rates, and increase the practical processible thickness of composite laminates. The successful bidder(s) will be expected to: Assess the processing parameters and variables relevant to the successful curing of the broad family of thermoset aerospace composites, Evaluate the sensitivity, cost, and utility of developmental and commercially available cure monitor sensors, to include sampling rate and sensing range, Fabricate the adaptive control cure monitor system for demonstration on a variety of composite material systems cured in one or more various processes (such as press or autoclave curing), Conduct fabrication trials of thermoset composite components, first using established cure cycles for the components with the cure monitor system in a passive mode, then using the closed-loop (automatic) caabilities of the ACCM system. ANTICIPATED LEVEL OF EFFORT: An estimated 3500 man-hours of engineering, technician effort, plus materials and equipment costs is approximated for completion of a total program award. ANTICIPATED AMOUNT OF CONTRACT AWARD(S): $500k (total program) ANTICIPATED PERFORMANCE PERIOD: Not to exceed 18 mos (15 mos. technical, 3 mos. data). TOPIC 03-96: LOW DIELECTRIC ROTOR BLADE EROSION PROTECTION SYSTEM - DESCRIPTION: Develop advanced rotor blade leading edge erosion protection system using low dielectric materials. The material system must be designed to withstand erosion in both rain and sand environments, operating at blade velocities up to 275 m/sec. The design lifetime of the erosion system should be at least 150 hours in an environment of .0022 kg/m3 sand concentration and a rain environment of .5 to 5.0 mm drop sizes distributed in a rainfall rate of .80 mm/min. The erosion system shall be designed to maximize RF transmission through it, with a desired system dielectric constant of 3.5 or less across 2 to 18 GHz. The erosion system should be developed with a capability to be repaired and/or replaced in the field with a minimum of ancillary equipment. Erosion system test samples shall be submitted for Government test and evaluation. ANTICIPATED LEVEL OF EFFORT: 2.0 Man-Years ANTICIPATED AMOUNT OF CONTRACT AWARD: $400k ANTICIPATED PERFORMANCE PERIOD: Up to 24 Months (21 mos technical, 3 mos data). TOPIC 04-96: PRIMARY STRUCTURE COMPOSITES JOINING - TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Primary composite structure in rotary wing vehicles is currently joined to other structure or support frames using metal fittings and fasteners. The use of fittings significantly reduces the structural efficiency and weight savings of the composite structure. Metal fittings require that the structure be drilled to accommodate fasteners. This introduces stress concentrations and thereby reduces the load carrying capacity of the primary structure. Metal fittings also introduce a significant weight penalty when added to the weight of the components which they join. Composite joints have not been demonstrated to have equivalent structural efficiency to conventional metal fittings in the rotary wing industry. Typical concerns of composite joining have been: bondline integrity, peel strength of tape laminates, hot-wet mechanical properties, compatibility of joint cure cycle with primary structure cure ycle requirements, and effects of long term storage at elevated temperature and humidity. The objective of this program is to develop composite bonding concepts for primary composite structure and to evaluate the mechanical and fatigue properties of the resultant joints at room and elevated temperatures. The program should address bonding of the following composite structure: honeycomb sandwich-to-honeycomb sandwich, laminate-to-laminate, and/or laminate-to-honeycomb sandwich. Mechanical and fatigue properties may be established by subscale specimens representative of the full scale joint. These properties at elevated temperature should be evaluated after exposure at industry-standard temperature, humidity, and duration. Subscale specimen size should be selected so that full-scale joint properties are accurately reflected in the subscale results. The ability to maintain bondline pressure and temperature during the cure cycle of the full-scale components is of particular concern in the ability to scale. ADDITIONAL DELIVERABLE:Delivery of prototype drawings of the concept only will be required in addition to Data Items specified below for all topics. ANTICIPATED LEVEL: 3200-4000 labor hours. ANTICIPATED AMOUNT OF CONTRACT AWARD(S):$350k. ANTICIPATED PERFORMANCE PERIOD: Up to 39 months (36 months technical and 3 months data). DELIVERABLES: All contracts awarded under this solicitation will require delivery of the following data items: (1) Contract Performance Plan (DI-SAFT-80974) (2) Draft and Reproducible Final Reports in Contractor Format (DI-MISC-80711) (3) Monthly Cost and Performance Reports (DI-FNCL- 80912) (4) Monthly Technical Letter Progress Reports, (5) Test Plans (if applicable). FINAL BRIEFING: All contracts awarded under this solicitation will include a requirement for the Contractor to present the results of their work in a final briefing at Ft. Eustis, Virginia upon completion of all technical work under the contract. EVALUATION CRITERIA: The selection of one or more sources for contract award will be based on a scientific and/or engineering evaluation of proposals (both technical and cost as it relates to technical effort) in accordance with the criteria set forth in this section. Proposals will be evaluated on their own merit without regard to other proposals submitted under this announcement. These evaluations will result in narrative ratings which will be used to develop an orer of merit listing for proposals submitted under each topic. Proposed cost will be evaluated, as appropriate, for realism and reasonableness. The evaluation criteria are (1) The extent to which the proposed work satisfies an Army research need by use of innovative, creative, affordable and efficient approaches to the technical problem. (2) The merit of the offeror's proposed approach to accomplish the scientific and technical objectives. (3) The experience and qualifications of scientists, engineers, technicians and other proposed personnel. (4) The suitability and availability of proposed facilities. (5) Cost. (END PART 1 OF 2) (0272)

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