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

A -- ADVANCED HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE LIFE ASSURANCE METHODOLOGIES SOL PRDA-98-25-MLK DUE 102197 POC Bobbi Cunningham, Contract Negotiator, WL/MLKM, Terry Rogers, Contracting Officer, WL/MLKM, 937-255-5936 E-MAIL: click here to contact the contract negotiator, cunninbr@b045ois.wl.wpafb.mil. INTRODUCTION: Wright Laboratory (WL/MLL) is interested in receiving abstract proposals on the research effort described below. Abstract proposals including rough order of magnitude (ROM) costs in response to this PRDA shall be received by 1500 hours Eastern Time, 21 October 1997, addressed to Wright Laboratory, Directorate of R&D Contracting, Building 7, Area B, WL/MLKM, Attn.: Ms. Bobbi Cunningham, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7607. This is an unrestricted solicitation synopsis. Small Businesses are encouraged to provide abstracts and ROM costs for all or any part of this solicitation synopsis. Also, teaming arrangements between university and private industry, subcontracting, and the use of expert consultants are highly encouraged. Abstract proposals and ROM costs submitted shall be in accordance with this announcement. Abstract proposals and ROM costs received after the cutoff date and time specified herein shall be treated in accordance with the restrictions of FAR 52.215-10. A copy of this provision may be obtained from the contracting point of contact. There will be no other solicitation issued in regard to this requirement. Full proposal submissions shall be solicited from those contractors whose technical abstracts including ROM costs are evaluated as being worthy of designation for further consideration. Contractors whose abstracts (including ROM costs) are not selected for full proposal submission will still be given the opportunity to submit a full proposal in at their own discretion. Offerors should be alert for any PRDA synopsis amendments that may permit subsequent submission of proposal dates. There will be an informational briefing on this PRDA at 1300 hours, 16 September 97 in the Main Conference Room, Building 18G, Area B, Wright-Patterson AFB. Offerors wishing to attend must contact Ms. Janice Eisenhauer (937) 255-8210 immediately. Offerors should request a copy of the WL Guide entitled, "PRDA and BAA Guide for Industry" dated November 1992. This guide was specifically designed to assist offerors in understanding the PRDA/BAA pro-posal process. Copies may be requested from the contracting point of contact stated herein. The Guide is also available on the INTERNET, address: www.wl.wpafb.af.mil/contract. B -- REQUIREMENTS: (1) Technical Description: The High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) Program is an effort to reduce the number of HCF-related failures by 50% through the damping of vibratory loads, the optimized management of affected engine components, and the development of analysis and damage tolerant design methods to avoid or minimize HCF in currently fielded and future engine designs. To achieve this goal, Wright Laboratory's (WL) Materials Directorate and Aero Propulsion and Power Directorate have committed resources to the development of advanced materials, components and technologies, and the assessment and verification of these materials, components and technologies in demonstrator engines. Four US turbine engine companies have joined in this effort by developing AF-coordinated Advanced Turbo Propulsion Plans (ATPPs), mapping out their planned future turbopropulsion R&D consistent with the goals of the HCF and IHPTET (Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technologies) Programs. Prospective offerors shall have an AF-coordinated ATPP, shall develop one prior to abstract submittal, or shall have a documented working relationship with a company with an AF-coordinated ATPP which ensures the HCF relevance and transition of any proposed technology. The primary purpose of the efforts sought under this announcement is to develop basic and applied materials, manufacturing, and turbine engine technologies necessary to meet the HCF goals. The desired technical effort should consist of basic and applied technology research and development tasks that may include preliminary and detailed design methodology, instrumentation, component rig testing, material characterization, coupon testing, data analysis, and reporting. Tasks may be proposed in the following areas: material damage tolerance methodologies, probabilistic life analysis, instrumentation, forced response prediction, passive damping, aeromechanical characterization, structural analysis, surface treatments, active vibration control and engine health monitoring. Materials characterization, tailoring, processing and behavior may be included in this effort to the extent that it is related to the understanding of high cycle fatigue properties. These activities related to materials damage tolerance are expected to be mainly of a basic research nature and are funded through the Air Force basic research program element. Proposed technical efforts shall be subject to the following general constraints, where appropriate: (a) Each effort shall be shown to offer a significant advance in the state-of-the-art toward achieving the goals of the HCF Program. (b) Each effort shall be integral to the offeror's existing ATPP, or shall define a technology with direct transition to an engine manufacturer's ATPP. (c) The offeror shall present in a time-phased plan how each technology offered will be assessed in a demonstrator engine or how improved analysis and design methods will be verified and transitioned into manufacturer design/analysis methods; however, the demonstrator engine assessment and analysis/design methodology transition are not part of this effort. (d) Each effort that includes major component testing shall include the proposal of government approval of an instrumentation plan and test plan before proceeding to test. (e) At the end of each effort a final technical report covering the effort shall be submitted. (f) Compression system component (fan and compressor) tests shall be carried out using the Wright Laboratory Compressor Research Facility (CRF), if practical and subject to availability. Offerors should consider using the Wright Laboratory Turbine Research Facility (TRF) for turbine aerodynamic and heat transfer tests, if practical and subject to availability. The contractor shall provide engineering support for such tests. (g) Supportabilityconsiderations should be addressed at levels consistent with Exploratory Development (6.2) activities. Offerors may propose as many efforts as desired, consistent with an ATPP and the goals of the HCF Program. (2) Deliverable Items: The following deliverable items shall be required, where appropriate: (a) Status Report, Dl-MGMT-80368/T (quarterly, tailored to contractor's format); (b) Project Planning Chart, Dl-MGMT-80507A/T (monthly); (c) Cost Schedule Status Report (CSSR), Dl-MGMT-81467/T (monthly), Contract Funds Status Report, (CFSR) Dl-MGMT-81468/T (quarterly, contractor's format), and Contract Work Breakdown Structure, Dl-MGMT-81334/T, and/or Funds and Man-hour Expenditure Report (FMER), Dl-FNCL-80331/T (monthly, contractor's format), as applicable; (d) Scientific and Technical Reports, Final Report, Dl-MISC-80711/T (tailored to WL format, ONE/R); (e) Test Plan, Dl-NDTI-80566/T (to be submitted for Government approval prior to testing, ASREQ); (f) System Safety Hazards Analysis Report, Dl-SAFT-80101A/T(ASREQ); (g) Operating Procedures for Hazardous Materials, Dl-SAFT-80402/T (ONE/R); (h) Developmental Design Drawings and Associated Lists, Dl-DRPR-81002/T (tailored to contractor format, ONE/R); (i) Presentation Material, Dl-ADMN-81373/T (as required, tailored to contractor format); (j) Still Photo Coverage, Dl-MISC-80169 (as required), (k) Scientific and Technical Reports, Contractor's Billing Vouchers Dl-MISC-80711/T; (l) Computer Software Product End Item, DI-NICCR-80700/T (as required); (m) Mathematical Model Finite Element Structure Report, DI-GDRQ-81256B (as required); and (n) Mathematical Model Finite Element Analysis Report, DI-GDRQ-81257A (as required). (3) Security Requirements: The security classification guidance for this work will be governed by the Security Classification Guide "Projects 668A/681 B/3066 -Air Breathing Turbine Engine Aircraft and Missile Propulsion," dated 1 June 1994. The contractor may require access to classified data up to and including Secret in support of this work effort. Any extracts or use of such data will require the contractor to apply derivative classification and markings consistent with the source from which the extracts were made. Tempest requirements will apply. Generation of classified material for this solicitation effort is authorized on equipment approved for classified processing by Air Force TEMPEST authority. Responders to this PRDA Synopsis shall include in any request their assigned "Commercial and Government Entity Code," (i.e., Federal Supply Code for Manufacturers -- a five digit code assigned by the Commander, Defense Logistics Serv-ice Center, Attn.: DLSC-CGC, Federal Center, Battle Creek, Ml 49016). Offerors planning to propose classified efforts are requested to inform the PRDA project engi-neer so that the appropriate DD Forms 254 can be prepared. (4) Public Law 98-94: Since Public Law 98-94 is applicable to this program, offerors must prepare a DD Form 2345, Export-Controlled DoD Technical Data Agreement, and forward it to: Commander, Defense Logistics Service Center, ATTN.: DLSC-FBA, Federal Center, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017-3084, and/or provide evidence that registration with DLSC is already on file. (5) Other Special Requirements: Equipment / technical data generated or delivered in performance of resulting contracts may be controlled by International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). C -- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (1) Total Contract Period of Performance Anticipated: Up to 40 months technical effort plus 5 months to complete and process the Final Report. (2) Expected Award Dates: 1 June 1998 to 31 August 1998. (3) Government Estimate: Level of effort for the technical tasks is difficult to estimate due to the wide range of technical and fiscal possibilities; however, a total program (all awards) estimate of $20,000,000 in government funds is anticipated. Additional information will be available at the informational briefing to be held on 16 September 1997 as discussed in Section A of this announcement. (4) Type of Contract: Cost Plus FixedFee (CPFF) or Cost (no fee). Any grants awarded will be cost (no fee). (5) Government Furnished Property/Information: Government owned turbine engine hardware and components developed under existing or previous con-tracts may be furnished, if available and if their use is necessary and practical in the perform-ance of technical tasks under this effort. Wright Laboratory Compressor Research Facility and Turbine Research Facility manuals, drawings and other information will be furnished to the offerors on request. (6) Size Status: Size standard is 500 employees (SIC 8731). Firms responding should indicate whether they are or are not a socially or economically disadvantaged business, whether or not they are a woman-owned business, and should indicate their size status. (7) Notice to Foreign or Foreign-Owned Firms: Such firms are asked to immediately notify the Air Force contact point indicated below upon making a decision to respond to this an-nouncement. This action is necessary to begin review and clearance procedures. Foreign con-tractors should be aware that restrictions may apply which could preclude their participation in this contract. Such firms may elect to await the determination before incurring costs in proposal preparation. D -- PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: (1) General Instructions: Offerors should apply the restrictive notice prescribed in the provision at FAR 52.215-12, Restriction on 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 abstract proposals are required and must be valid for 180 days. Abstract proposals must reference the above PRDA number. Abstracts must be submitted in an original plus five (5) copies. All responsible sources may submit an abstract 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 he government. Each abstract proposal shall not exceed a total of 20 double-spaced pages (8 x 11 inches). It is requested that abstracts use the following format: A cover page with the project title and technical points of contact, including phone and fax numbers, and referencing the above PRDA number; An executive summary; A clear statement of work citing specific tasks to be performed, not to exceed (NTE) 2 pages; Description of the proposed technical effort; Brief description of the offeror's relevant past experience and unique capabilities, and a roadmap showing directly-related contract and company-funded efforts; Description/roadmap showing how the proposed effort integrates with an Air Force coordinated Advanced Turbopropulsion Plan (ATPP, see section B(1) above), and the path to an IHPTET technology demonstrator vehicle and/or transition into manufacturer design/analysis methods; Summary of the program deliverables (NTE 1 page); Description/chart of the functional organization for executing the proposed effort (NTE 1 page); Description of key subcontractor support (if applicable) (NTE 1 page); and Rough order of magnitude cost estimate summary by task and by fiscal year (this summary should delineate major cost items, such as equipment or material costs, major subcontract costs, fee and any cost sharing to be undertaken by the offeror, if applicable) (NTE 3 pages). Offerors submitting more than one proposal abstract may also submit a combined executive summary of all abstracts as a separate document (NTE 3 pages per abstract). This shall not replace the executive summary in each abstract proposal, but affords the offeror the opportunity to show, in an integrated fashion, how the proposed efforts relate to each other and to an ATPP. The Air Force reserves the right to select for further consideration any, all, part or none of the abstracts received. The Air Force will review abstracts to determine those of greatest relevance to the HCF Program, and intends to respond to the abstracts within approximately 2 weeks of receipt deadline, indicating whether a full proposal is requested. Any offeror not selected to submit a full proposal may still do so if the offeror wishes. (2) Preparation of Full Proposals: Full proposals must be submitted in an original plus five (5) copies. The preparation of full proposals should follow all guidance found in the above referenced WL Guide and shall be accomplished as follows: (a) Cost Proposal: Adequate price competition is anticipated. The accompanying cost abstract proposal / price breakdown for the full proposal shall include supporting schedules and shall contain a person-hour breakdown per task by fiscal year quarter. (b) Technical Proposal: The technical proposal shall be limited to 50 double-spaced pages (8 x 11 inches), and must include a complete discussion of the nature and scope of the research and technical approach. Additional information on prior work in this area, description of available equipment, data and facilities, and resumes of personnel who will be participating in the effort should be included. Proposals should reference the above PRDA number and shall reference the corresponding abstract(s) by title and document number. Each full proposal shall also include a list of hazardous materials to be used under the proposed effort and their application, and the offeror shall identify any potentially significant controversial environmental issues associated with the proposed effort. These lists are not required with the abstract proposals, and will not be counted against the recommended proposal page limits. The Air Force reserves the right to select for award any, all, part or none of the proposals received. The contractor's proposal may be incorporated by reference and used to supplement the Air Force Statement of Work. (3) Preparation Costs: This announcement is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to pay for any response preparation costs. The cost of preparing any proposal (abstract or full) in response to this PRDA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting contract or to any other contract. It is, however, 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 invitation to propose shall be based on a scientific and/or engineering evaluation of the abstracts (both technical and cost aspects) to determine the technical merit of your proposed effort in response to the announcement. Abstracts must provide new or unique concepts, ideas or approaches to receive a positive evaluation and be invited to submit a formal proposal. Criteria, in descending order of importance, for selecting proposals under this announcement are as follows: (a) The relevance of the proposed effort to the achievement of the goals of the High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) Program, subject to the requirements in section B(1) above; (b) The approach proposed to accomplish the technical objectives of the effort; (c) The offeror's understanding of the scope of the work and of the IHPTET Program; (d) The availability and competence of experienced engineering and other technical personnel, and; (e) The availability, from any source, of necessary research, test, laboratory, or shop facilities. Cost and/or Price, which includes the consideration of proposed budgets and funding profiles is a substantial factor, but ranked as the second order of priority. These selection criteria will also be applied to the full proposals. No further evaluation criteria will be used in source selection. 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 contract, will be considered and subject to the mutual agreement of the parties. The government reserves the right to award any resulting contract pursuant to the Research and Development Standard Contract format in DFARS 235.70. F -- POINTS OF CONTACT: (1) Technical Contact Point: Engineer, Joseph Burns, WL/MLLN, 2230 Tenth Street, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-7817, (937) 255-1360. (2) Interested parties should direct all routine communication concerning this acquisition to Bobbi Cunningham, Contract Negotiator WL/MLKM Bldg. 7, 2530 C Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433-7607, telephone 937-255-5830, e-mail: cunninbr@bo45ios.wl.wpafb.af.mil. (3) An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns 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. 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. The Ombudsman is identified as Mr. Mike S. Coalson, ASC/SYI, Bldg. 52, Room 136, 2475 K Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7642, e-mail: coalsoms@sy.wpafb.af.mil, phone: 937-255-3855. (0233)

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