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

A -- MATERIALS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES PROGRAM POC Dr. Steven R. LeClair, Project Engineer, WL/MLIM, (513) 255-8787. Notice of Contract Action for Materials Processing Technology Initiatives Program to identify potential sources. The Wright Laboratory, Materials Directorate, Materials Process Design Branch is contemplating the award of a 60 month effort to facilitate the transition of research and development involving technologies for automated materials analysis, synthesis and discovery, integrated material/product/process design and self-directed materials processing. The contractor will conduct research and facilitate the transition of research products which address advanced design and control methods for processing, fabrication, and repair of metal, non-metal, and electro-optical materials to achieve less expensive, higher quality aerospace products in reduced time using new concepts and techniques involving advanced engineering and computer technologies. This research will be contracted for on an individual order basis. Respondents must demonstrate experience and/or knowledge of Computational Materials Models/Methods, Parallel Computing, Semantic Databases, Self Directed Control, Feature Based Design and Modeling, Self Improving Processing Methods, Sensor Perception and Processing, Pattern Recognition and/or Discovery Techniques, and Evolutionary Programs. Emphasis will be on material processing as applied to space, aging aircraft system and environmental needs. Respondents must have at the time of contract award a core team of research personnel as well as required administrative and technical support personnel in the proximity, within ten (10) minutes, of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio to ensure daily familiarity with continually evolving in-house government research resources, planning and objectives, and augment that team as necessary with national experts. Respondents must demonstrate both in-house & subcontract administration capabilities. A cost reimbursable delivery order type contract is contemplated for this effort. 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. For those respondents interested in establishing a better understanding of the current program, a review of the research and a tour of the available on-site facilities at the Materials Directorate, WPAFB will be provided on 29 Feb 96. Respondents should indicate in their response letter whether they are interested in attending the 29 Feb 96 review. If interested in attending, include a point of contact, telephone number, and who will be attending, limited to no more than two (2) individuals per respondent. Space is limited, so only one or two representatives per company can be accommodated. 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-96-12 in their responses. RFP release for this program is projected in April 1996. This program will not be republicized prior to solicitation. (0017)

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