R&D Contracting Division, Bldg 7, 2530 C Street, WPAFB OH 45433-7607

A -- ON-SITE RESEARCH IN MATERIALS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS POC Captain John F. Farraro, Project Engineer, WL/MLLM, (513) 255-1379. Notice of Contract Action for On-Site Research In Materials for High Temperature Aerospace Applications. The Wright Laboratory, Materials Directorate, Metals and Ceramics Division is contemplating the award of a 60 month program to conduct exploratory and developmental research on site at the Materials Development Branch (WL/MLLM), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. Sources shall submit their experience and qualifications pertaining to all of the following materials research areas: (1) Advanced Metallics, specifically emphasizing titanium aluminides based on TiAl, refractory metal aluminides, nanocrystaline metallics, and computational materials science; (2) Advanced metallic Composites, including but not limited to titanium-aluminide matrix composites and aluminum alloy matrix composites; and (3) Ceramic Composites, including but not limited to continuous fiber reinforced oxide/oxide and non-oxide systems. The overall objective of the on-site research effort is to establish a technological basis for the development of usable high-temperature materials and cost-efficient processing methods. The specific objectives and requirements of the three major research areas are as follows: (1) Advanced Metallics. This area shall be centered on experimental and theoretical understanding of synthesis, structure, deformation, fracture, and environmental resistance of aerospace metallic alloys, intermetallic compounds, and nanocrystaline structural materials. Research should offer creative new approaches toward advancing the performance capabilities, particularly potential service temperature range and damage tolerance, of intermetallic systems for aerospace hardware. The purpose of the research is to identify new directions for the development of advanced materials through understanding the basic synthesis-structure, structure-properties principles govering each system. This shall be accomplished through both theoretical and experimental investigations of the fundamental mechanisms which control or limit the properties of these materials for a given synthesis or process route. Theoretical efforts shall include computer simulation of material behavior at the atomic and electronic levels, which experimental efforts shall address both basic science issues and structural properties development. Further, emerging new metallic materials, such as those produced in nanocrystalline form, shall be investigated. (2) Advanced Metallic Composites. The research objectives are as follows: (a) To determine the interface properties in advanced metallic compositesd and to correlate interface bonding with composite deformation and properties. The influence of chemical bonding, thermal expansion mismatch, reinforcement volume fraction and distribution, and temperature shall be investigated. (b) To determine the mechanisms of deformation in advanced metallic composites. The influence of interface bonding, flow characteristics of the matrix, elastic constraint, and heterogeneous (composite) microstructure on the deformation of metallic composites shall be investigated. (c) To propose and explore new opportunities for the development of advanced metallic composites for high temperature structural applications. Approaches to be emphasized include alloying and thermo-mechanical processing to overcome identified deficiencies of current Ti-aluminide and aluminum alloy composites. Novel approaches such as functionally gradient interfaced shall be considered. (3) Ceramic Composites. The principal objective of research in this area will be to provide the fundamental knowledge and understanding to guide the development of ceramic composite materials sufficiently improved to allow for applications in a broad range of high temperature structural components. A major aspect of the work will be the design and evaluation of advanced fiber/matrix interface control for the use in advanced oxide and non-oxide composites. Comprehensive composite system design for lifetime properties, practical fabrication and low cost is anticipated to be of increasing importnce over the life of the contract. Sources will need to demonstrate expertise necessary to address issues relating to interfacial properties, phase transformations, creep, toughness, coating, composite processing, characterization and related issues as they apply to continuous fiber reinforced ceramic composites and to fundamental issues in ceramics, in general. Firms responding should indicate whether they are, or are not, a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, a woman owned business, a historically black college or university, or minority institution. For this item the general definition to be used to determine whether your firm is small is as follows: ''A small business concern is a concern that is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on government contracts and with its affiliates, the number of employees does not exceed 500 persons.'' SIC Code 8731 applies. ''Concern means any business entity organization for profit with a place of business in the United States, its possessions, Puerto Rico, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, including but not limited to an individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture, association or corporation.'' The Air Force reserves the right to consider a small business set-aside based upon responses hereto. Small business respondents should provide a statement of capabilities to assist the Air Force in making a set-aside decision. Large businesses are only required to submit a statement of interest to receive a copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP). All respondents shall include in any request their assigned Commercial and Government Entity Code. Respondents are further requested to indicate their status as a Foreign-owned/Foreign-controlled firm and any contemplated use of foreign national employees on this effort. Responses should be sent to: ATTN: Bobbi Cunningham, WL/MLKM Bldg 7, 2530 C St, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7607. Non-technical assistance may be secured by calling the above individual at 513-255-5830. An Ombudsman has been established for this acquisition. The only purpose of the Ombudsman is to receive and communicate serious concerns from potential offerors when an offeror prefers not to use established channels to communicate his concern during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. Potential offerors should use established channels to request information, pose questions, and voice concerns before resorting to use of the Ombudsman. Potential offerors are invited to contact ASC's Ombudsman, ASC/CY, Col Robert C. Helt, at 513-255-1427 with serious concerns only. Direct all requests for solicitations and routine communication concerning this acquisition to (contracting office point of contact with name, title, address and phone). Closing date for submission of responses is thirty (30) calendar days from the publication of this notice. Firms should reference MLK-96-10 in their responses. RFP release for this program is projected in April 1996. This program will not be republicized prior to solicitation. (0010)

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