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

A -- ADVANCED FUEL AND LUBRICATION DEVELOPMENT AND FUEL COMBUSTION SOL PRDA No. 97-02-POK DUE 030397 POC Contact Pamel J. Covey, Contract Negotiator, (937)255-2510 or Rose M. Reed, Contracting Officer, (937) 255-2730 INTRODUCTION: Wright Laboratory Fuels and Lubrication Division (WL/POS) is interested in receiving proposals (technical and cost) on the research effort described below. Proposals in response to the (PRDA) Program Research and Development Announcement shall be submitted by 3 Mar 97, 1500 hours Eastern Time, to Wright Laboratory, Directorate of Research and Development Contracting, 2530 C Street, Building 7, Area B, Attn: (Pamela Covey, WL/POKA), Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7607. This is an unrestricted solicitation. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this solicitation. Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with this announcement. Proposal receipt after the cutoff date and time specified herein shall be treated in accordance with restriction of FAR 52.215-10, copy of this provision may be obtained from the contracting point of contact shown above. There will be no other solicitation issued in regard to this requirement. There is a supplemental package available upon request for Offerors which contains delivery orders and other information to the offerors. Offerors may request a copy of the supplemental package by contacting either Pamela J. Covey or Rose M. Reed at the telephone numbers identified above. Offerors should be alert for any PRDA amendments that may be published in the Commerce Business Daily. This PRDA may be amended to allow subsequent submission of proposal dates. Offererors should request a copy of the WL Guide entitled, "PRDA and BAA Guide for Industry" dated Nov 92. This guide was specifically designed to assist offerors in understanding the PRDA/BAA proposal process. Copies may be requested from the contracting point of contact shown above. The Guide is also available on the internet, address: www.wl.wpafb.af.mil/contract. B -- REQUIREMENTS: (1) Technical Description: The purpose of this solicitation is to address problems encountered in three major research areas: (1) High Heat Sink Fuels, (2) Advanced Lubrication and (3) Advanced Combustion Technology. These three major research areas are divided into tasking areas as follows: (1) High Heat Sink Fuels encompasses (a) aviation fuel technology and filter coalescer development and (b) supercritical /endothermic fuels ; (2) Advanced Lubrication encompasses (a) high thermal stability (450 F up to 700 F) lubricants and (b) advanced lubrication systems; (3) Advanced Combustion Technology encompasses (a) combustion technology (b) combustion diagnostics. Problems are frequently encountered in these areas which require unique and innovative solutions. Aircraft use aviation turbine fuel to cool aircraft subsystems and engine components. Advanced aircraft require fuel that does not form surface deposits or particulates at high temperatures and offers a high heat sink (cooling) potential. Aviation turbine fuel research to be conducted under this effort includes but is not limited to efforts to develop thermal stability improving additives; develop additives to suppress pyrolysis; develop advanced fuels that are stable to 900 F; develop fuels that decompose at high temperature (endothermic) and provide high heat sink; develop advanced techniques to measure, test and model fuel deposition at high temperature; develop advanced fuel system component simulators and test devices to evaluate the performance of advanced fuels and additives; develop novel test methods to measure fuel properties; develop advanced diagnostic techniques to measure fuel behavior at conditions below, above and at the critical point; formulate theoretical models of observed fuel behavior; develop advanced filter media to remove dirt and water from fuels that contain detergent/dispersants; conduct tests of advanced filter coalescers in laboratory and field environments; develop and conduct laboratory evaluations of advanced fuel system components utilizing high heat sink fuels. The Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology (IHPTET) initiative has a goal of doubling turbine engine performance thrust to weight ratio. Lubrication system improvements are critcal to meet IHPTET goals. Research in this area includes but is not limited to high temperature lubricants and innovative lubrication methodologies, vapor phase lubrication, development of high temperature lubrication additives, improved bearing and gear materials and systems, gas turbine oil-mist delivery systems, C-C cages, solid lubricant coatings and improved lubrication system diagnostic and condition monitoring capabilities. A goal of the Air Force is to develop high performance gas turbine engines with combustors that operate near stoichiometric conditions, tolerate broad specification fuels and have long lives. Research in the combustion area includes but is not limited to efforts to develop new mixing and cooling techniques for high temperature operation, develop advanced diagnostic techniques to evaluate combustor design models, develop advanced computer models for designing future high performance combustors, study flames by examining entrainment, mixing, transport, soot formation and turbulence/chemistry interactions and evaluate the effects of fuel composition and properties on combustion behavior in a wide variety of engine designs. (2) Deliverable Items: The following deliverable items shall be required, where applicable: (a) Scientific and Technical Reports, DI-MISC-80711/T, (Draft and Reproducible Final); (b) Scientific and Technical Reports, DI-MISC-80711/T, (Contractor's Billing Voucher), quarterly; (c) Contract Funds Status Report, (CFSR), DI-MGMT-81468/T, quarterly; (d) Funds and Man-Hour Expenditure Report, DI-FNCL-80331/T, monthly; (e) Project Planning Chart, DI-MGMT-80507A/T, monthly; (f) Status Report, DI-MGMT-80368/T, quarterly; (g) Still Photo Coverage, DI-MISC-80169, as required; (h) Presentation Material, DI-ADMIN-81373/T, as required; (i) System Safety Hazard Report, DI-SAFT-80101A/T, as required; (j) Computer Software Product End Items, DI-MCCR-80700/T, as required; (k) Conceptual Design Drawings and Associated Lists, DI-DRPR-81001/T, as required; (l) Developmental Design Drawings and Associated Lists, DI-DRPR-81002/T, as required; (m) Scientific and Technical Reports, DI-MISC-80711/T, (Technical Literature Search Review), as required; (n) Scientific and Technical Reports, DI-MISC-80711/T, (Feasibility Studies), as required; (o) Scientific and Technical Reports, DI-MISC-80711/T, (Interim Report), as required; (p) Test Plan, DI-NDTI-80566/T, as required; and hardware and software as required. (3) Delivery orders associated with the tasking areas are to be provided in the supplemental package which may be obtained by contacting the contracting point of contact shown above. The offeror may bid on one or more than one major research area by detailing their experience and qualifications in the research area(s). For each major research area, offerors may bid on one or more than one tasking area and associated delivery order(s). Offerors shall bid on at least one delivery order for each proposed major research area for evaluation purposes. The Government may elect to purchase all or any part of the offerors's proposal. It is anticipated that there will be multiple awards which will be either Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity and/or Cost-Plus Fixed-Fee Completion type contracts. Delivery orders, as appropriate, will be assigned during the contract. (3) Security Requirements: SECRET facility and storage clearance requirements may apply. TEMPEST requirements may apply. Generation of classified material for this solicitation effort is authorized only on equipment approved for classified processing by Air Force TEMPEST authorities. (4) Other Special Requirements: International Traffic in Arms Regulations shall apply to supercritical/endothermic fuels and advanced lubrication systems tasking areas. C -- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (1) Anticipated Period of Performance: The total length of the technical effort is estimated to be up to 56 months. The contractor shall also provide an additional 4 months for processing completion of the final report. (2) Expected Award Date: June -- August 1997. (3) Government Estimate: The Government funding profile is estimated to be as follows for each major research area: High heat sink fuels: FY97 -$6.075M, FY98 -- $0.795M, FY99 -- $0.830M, FY00 -- $0.870M, FY01 -- $0.794M, Total $9,364,000; Advanced lubrication: FY97 -- $3.0375M, FY98 -- $0.3975M, FY99 -- $0.415M, FY00 -- $0.435M, FY01 -- $0.397M, Total $4,682,000; Advanced combustion technology: FY97 -- $3.0375M, FY98 -- $0.3975M, FY99 -- $0.415M, FY00 -- $0.435M, FY01 -- $0.397M, Total $4,682,000. This funding profile is an estimate only and is not a promise for funding as all funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability. The Government may choose to make multiple awards for each major research area up to that ceiling amount. The Government reserves the right to change the ceiling amount for the major research areas as determined necessary to better meet Government needs. (4) Based upon market research, the Government is notusing the policies contained in FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items, in its solicitation for described supplies or services. However, interested persons may identify to the contracting officer their interest and capability to satisfy the Government's requirement(s) with a commerical item within 15 days of this notice. (5) Type of Contract: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity with resulting Cost Plus Fixed Fee (Completion) Delivery Orders, and/or Cost-Plus Fixe-Fee Completion type contract awards are anticipated. (6) Base Support: Base Support and /or Government Furnished Property shall be addressed on an as requested basis. (7) Notice to Foreign-Owned Firms: Such firms are asked to immediately notify the contracting point of contact upon deciding to respond to this announcement. Foreign contractors should be aware that restrictions may apply which could preclude their participation in this acquisition. (8) Size Status: For the purpose of this acquisition, the size standard is 500 employees (SIC 8731). (9) All offerors should request, via fax or in writing, a supplemental package which includes the delivery orders for the tasking areas, instructions to offerors and proposal preparation examples pertaining to the page limitation and table of contents. The request should be addressed to the contracting point of contact shown above. D -- PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: (1) General Instructions: Offerors may bid on one or more than one of the major research areas. Offerors may bid on one or more than one of the tasking areas within the major research areas. Offerors shall bid on at least one of the delivery order(s) associated with the major research area(s) that they bid on. Offerors should apply the restrictive notice prescribed in the provision at FAR 52.215-12, Restriction of Disclosure and Use of Data, to trade secrets or privileged commercial and financial information contained in their proposals. Proposal questions should be directed to one of the points of contact listed elsewhere herein. Offerors should consider instructions contained in the WL PRDA and BAA Guide for Industry referenced in Section A of this announcement. Technical and cost proposals, submitted in separate volumes, are required and must be valid for 180 days. Proposals must reference the above PRDA number. Proposals shall be submitted in an original and five copies. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered against the criteria set forth herein. Offerors are advised that only contracting officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Government. (2) Cost Proposal: The cost proposal /price breakdown shall be supplied on a Standard Form (SF) 1411, together with supporting schedules and shall contain a person-hour breakdown by delivery order by fiscal year. The offeror shall not provide a cost proposal on the overall program; offerors shall only provide a cost proposal for each delivery order they have chosen to bid on and segregate the costs for each proposed delivery order so they can be evaluated separately. (3) Technical Proposal: The technical proposal shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of anticipated work and the technical approach. Offerors are to separate their proposal by major research areas and associated tasking area(s) and delivery order (s). Additional information addressing experience and qualifications in the major research area(s) bid on, descriptions of available equipment, data and facilities, and resumes of personnel who will be participating in this effort should also be included in the technical proposal. The technical proposal shall include a Statement of Work (SOW) detailing the technical effort proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort and suitable for contract incorporation. The SOW will be separated by major research areas and tasking areas as awards may be made on a portion of the proposed effort. Offerors should refer to the WL Guide referenced in Section A to assist in SOW preparation. PL 98-94 applies. Offerors must submit approved DD Form 2345, Export-Controlled DOD Technical Data Agreement with their proposal. This form will not be included in the page count. Any questions concerning the technical proposal or SOW preparation shall be referred to the Technical Point of Contact cited in this announcement. (4) Page Limitations: The technical proposal shall be limited to 15 pages for each major research area bid on, with an additional 10 pages for each tasking area bid on and 5 pages for each delivery order bid on. The pages shall be 8.5 X 11 inches, double-spaced (12 pitch or larger), and single-sided. The 12 pitch or larger shall be satisfied by setting the type (point) size at 10 or smaller or setting the font size at l0 or higher. The page limitation includes all information, i.e. indexes, photographs, foldouts, appendices, attachments, etc. The transmittal page and cover page are not included in the page count. Pages in excess of this limitation will not be considered by the government. Cost proposals have no limitations, however, offerors are requested to keep cost proposals to 10 pages per each proposed delivery order as a goal. (5) Preparation Cost: If selected for negotiations, qualifying offerors may be required to submit a subcontracting plan. This announcement does not commit the Government to pay for any response preparation cost. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this PRDA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting or any other contract. However, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as specified in FAR 31.205-18. E -- BASIS FOR AWARD: The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on an evaluation of an offeror's response (both technical and cost aspect.) to determine the overall merit of the proposal in response to the announcement. Each tasking area and delivery order will be evaluated separately. Included in the evaluation of the tasking area(s) will be an evaluation of the technical proposal of the associated major research area. The technical aspect, which is ranked as the first order of priority, shall be evaluated based on the following criteria which are of equal importance: (a) new and creative solutions; (b) the offeror's understanding of the scope of the technical effort; (c) soundness of offeror's technical approach; (d) the availability of qualified technical personnel and their experience with applicable technologies; (e) the offeror's past experience with high heat sink fuels, advanced lubrication and/or advanced combustion technology; and (f) organization, clarity and thoroughness of the proposed SOW. Cost and/or price, which includes consideration of proposed budgets and funding profiles, is ranked as the second order of priority. No other evaluation criteria will be used. The technical and cost information will be evaluated at the same time. The Air Force reserves the right to select for award of a contract, grant or cooperative agreement any, all, part or none of the proposals received. Award of a grant to universities or nonprofit institutions or cooperative agreement, in lieu of a contract, will be considered and will be subject to the mutual agreement of the parties. F -- POINTS OF CONTACT : (1) Technical Contact Point: Ellen Strobel, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-7103, 937- 255-4027. (2) An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concern from offerors and potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the Contracting Officer, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. All potential offerors should use established channels to voice concerns before resorting to use of the Ombudsman. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the selection decision. Interested parties should direct all routine communication concerning this acquisition to Pamela Covey, Contract Negotiator, WL/POKA, Bldg 7, 2530 C Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7607, telephone 937-255-5310/4462, fax no. 937-255-4434. If offerors have further questions related to technical requirements, please contact the Contract Negotiator. The Ombudsman should only be contacted with issues or problems that have been previously brought to the attention of the Contracting Officer and could not be satisfactorily resolved at that level. These serious concerns only may be directed to the Ombudsman, Mr. Daniel L. Kugel, ASC/SY Bldg 52, 2475 K St, Suite 1, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7642, E-Mail kugeldl@sy.wpafb.af.mil, telephone 937-255-3855. For information on the announcement, written clarification questions will be accepted via fax until 17 Jan 97. Responses to such clarification type questions will be made available after 28 Jan 97 by contacting Pamela J. Covey. The clarification questions and their responses will automatically be sent to those offerors requesting a supplemental package. If a copy of the clarification questions and responses are desired, please contact Pamela J. Covey. If offerors have further questions related to technical requirements, please contact either the technical or contracting point of contact. (0002)

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