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

A -- POLYMER DEGRADATION STUDIES BY THEMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS-MASS SPECTROSCOPY TECHNIQUE POC Dr. Loon-Seng Tan, Project Engineer, WL/MLBP, (513) 255-9141. Notice of Contract Action for Polymer Degradation Studies by Combined Technique of Thermogravimetric Analysis-Mass Spectroscopy. The Wright Laboratory, Materials Directorate, Nonmetallic Materials Division is contemplating the award of a 48 month technical effort for conducting a research program devoted to the analysis of volatile products evolved from new high temperature polymers of interest to the Air Force for structural applications. This research shall focus on the use of combined thermogravimetric analysis-mass spectrometry (TG/MS) in vacuum to determine the nature, amount and temperature of evolution of gaseous products from polymers during curing and/or during thermal degradation. Such gaseous products may include residual solvent and impurities as well as the volatile products of thermal degradation. In order to achieve the goals of this program, it is essential that the sources possess currently demonstrated capabilities in mass spectrometry and thermal analysis, including mass spectral identification of evolved gaseous products over the temperature range 30-1000 deg. C, correlation of weight and mass spectral data to obtain information concerning mechanism of vacuum pyrolysis of polymers, and experience in degradation kinetics. This should include the capability to provide time/temperature resolved mass intensities in 1-400 a.m.u. range for temperature scans of 2 to 5 deg. C per minute. Quick turnaround (2 weeks of the above listed information to the Air Force Project Monitor is required upon receipt of each sample. 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: James Satteson, WL/MLKN Bldg 7, 2530 C St, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7607. Non-technical assistance may be secured by calling the above individual at 513-255-5051. 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-96-11 in their responses. RFP release for this program is projected in May 1996. This program will not be republicized prior to solicitation. (0012)

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