NASA/Ames Research Center, JA:M/S 241-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000

93 -- ULTRA-HIGH TEMPERATURE CERAMIC MANUFACTURING SOL RFQ2-36669-SCL DUE 051198 POC Sharon L. Connolly, Contracting Officer, Phone (650) 604-6927, Fax (650) 604-0177, Email sconnolly@ mail.arc.nasa.gov -- Barbara A. Drake, Contracting Officer, Phone (650) 604-3002, Fax (650) 604-4646, Email bdrake@ mail.arc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/ARC/date.html#RFQ2-36669-SCL. E-MAIL: Sharon L. Connolly, sconnolly@mail.arc.nasa.gov. NOTE: This announcement replaces the original RFQ2-36669-SLC which was posted on 4/23/98. This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation, quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). NASA Ames Research Center has a continuous requirement for ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs). These materials are used as leading edge components in ground based testing, experimental hypersonic probes and on future reusable launch vehicles (RLVs). The purpose of this procurement is to demonstrate manufacturing capability of UHTCs by producing a 3-inch diameter by 3-inch ZrB2/SiC billet and delivering it to NASA Ames Research Center. (1) General Processing of UHTCs -- UHTCs are a class of materials consisting of continuous and discontinuous reinforced ceramic matrix composites. The composite matrix is a transition metal diboride or carbide, either zirconium or hafnium, and the reinforcement is SiC, carbon, or both. Discontinuous reinforced UHTCs are currently processed by milling and blending the appropriate ratio of ceramic powder and consolidating at high temperature and pressure in a uniaxial hot pressing process. Raw materials used are commercially available pure ZrB2, HfB2, ZrC, HfC, SiC and C powders. The metal boride or carbides are slightly metal rich to enhance consolidation, properties and performance. Nuclear grade raw materials are not required. The alpha crystalline phase of SiC is used. The carbon is a commercial graphite powder. All powders are very fine particulate (< 3 micron average). The powders are milled to reduce any particulate agglomerates to the desired size and blended to give a homogeneous mixture of the desired composition. Milling and blending equipment is chosen to minimize contamination of the powders, e.g. WC, HfC, or HfB2 grinding media. No additives or sintering aids are used to promote consolidation. Tooling used in the hot pressing is all carbon based, e.g., graphite dies, sleeves, Grafoil (Brand Name) shims etc. Hot pressing is accomplished in an inert atmosphere (argon) near 4000 degrees F and around 3000 psia. The hot pressing schedule is tailored so that full density is achieved in as short a time as possible. UHTC composition strongly influences processing conditions. (2) Three-inch diameter by 3-inch ZrB2/SiC billet specifications: Manufacture and deliver one (1) 3-inch diameter by 3-inch billet of ZrB2/SiC (80% ZrB2, 20% SiC by volume or 88.4% ZrB2, 11.6%SiC by weight). A certificate of compliance, identifying the precursor powders and purity, special tooling, preforming and hot pressing procedures, billet density, lot identification and pressing orientation shall accompany the billet. The delivered billet and its certificate of compliance will be evaluated by NASA Ames with respect to meeting or exceeding NASA Ames' billet specifications for this composition. Salient features of this specification are contained in item (2.1) to (2.8) below. The results of billet evaluation and testing will be used as the metric for future awards. (2.1) Typical raw material specification used in the manufacture of ZrB2/SiC is as follows: ZrB2 Weight Percents -- Hf, 0.0-3.0; Zr, 79.5-80.5 (Hf+Zr); B, 18.0-19.0; C, <0.50; O, <1.00; Ti, <0.10; Fe, <0.05; Other Metals, <0.10; N, <0.05; H, <0.05; Ratio: B/(Hf+Zr), <2.0. SiC Weight Percents -- Si, 69.8; C, 29.5; O, <0.5; Fe, <0.05; Other Metals, <0.05. (2.2) Billet surface should be free from pressing media. Obtain by cleaning on a rubbing bed or surface grinding. No blow holes, cracks or other surface defects in accordance with ASTM E165. (2.3) Cleaned billet dimensional tolerance: +0.25, -- -0.063 inch. (2.4) Cleaned billet specific gravity: 5.42 -- 5.62 g/cm3. (2.5) Billet integrity: absence of voids and inclusions. (2.6) Microstructure: no extraneous phases or clumping of grains, uniform distribution of both phases, fine grain size (typically 2-5 microns). (2.7) Modulus of elasticity in the parallel direction (plane of the billet): 462 to 586 GPa. (2.8) Modulus of elasticity in the perpendicular direction (pressing direction) 290 to 417 Gpa. The provisions and clauses in the RFQ are those in effect through FAC 97-04. This procurement is a total small business set-aside. See Note 1. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code and the small business size standard for this procurement are 3299 and 500 employees, respectively. The quoter shall state in their quotation their size status for this procurement. All qualified responsible business sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The manufactured billet, as described above, shall be shipped FOB destination to: NASA Ames Research Center, Receiving Section, Building 255, Moffett Field. CA 94035-1000. Delivery shall be no later than 90 days after Purchase Order award. The DPAS rating for this procurement is DO-C9. Quotations for the item(s) described above may be mailed or faxed to the identified point of contact by the date/time specified and include, solicitation number, FOB destination to this Center, proposed delivery schedule, discount/payment terms, warranty duration (if applicable), taxpayer identification number (TIN), identification of any special commercial terms, and be signed by an authorized company representative. Quoters are encouraged to use the Standard Form 1449, Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items form found at URL http://procure.arc.nasa.gov/Acq/Standard_Forms/Index.html to submit a quotation. Quoters shall provide the information required by FAR 52.212-1 with the exception of (d) and (i). If the end product(s) quoted is other than domestic end product(s) as defined in the clause entitled "Buy American Act -- Supplies," the quoter shall so state and shall list the country of origin. The Representations and Certifications required by FAR 52.212-3 may be obtained via the Internet at URL: http://ec.msfc.nasa.gov/msfc/pub/reps_certs/sats/. FAR 52.212-4 is applicable. Addenda to FAR 52.212-4 are as follows: 52.211-15 and 52.247-34. FAR 52.212-5 is applicable and the following identified clauses are incorporated by reference: 52.222-3, 52.233-3, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, and 52.225-3. Addenda to FAR 52.212-5 are as follows: ARC 52.232-93. Questions regarding this acquisition must be submitted in writing no later than May 1, 1998. Quotations are due by 4:30pm PDST on May 11, 1998, to the attention of Sharon L. Connolly and should be mailed to NASA-Ames Research Center, M/S:241-1, Moffett Field, CA 94035. Selection and award will be in accordance with FAR 52.212-2 with the following evaluation factors: (1) technical acceptability, (2) past performance, and (3) price. Technical acceptability will be determined using information submitted by the quoter providing a description in sufficient detail to show that the product quoted meets the Government's requirements. Multiple awards may be awarded under a firm-fixed price order. Quoters must provide copies of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items with their quote. See above for where to obtain copies of the form via the Internet. An ombudsman has been appointed -- See Internet Note "B". It is the quoter's responsibility to monitor this site for the release of amendments (if any). Potential quoters will be responsible for downloading their own copy of this combination synopsis/solicitation and amendments (if any). Hard copies may be obtained from the identified point of contact; however, the closing date is as stated in this combination synopsis/solicitation, inclusive of any amendments. Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nnotes.htm. (0114)

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