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

A -- TECHNICAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT POC Contact Felix Turner, Contract Negotiator, AFRL/MLKM, Terry Rogers, Contracting Officer, AFRL/MLKM, 937-255-5936/5830 WEB: Click here to view the R&D Contracting Home Page, http://www.wrs.afrl.af.mil/contract/. Sources are sought that have the demonstrated capability and experience to obtain, provide and manage the best scientific and technological sources required to conduct materials related, short-duration R&D analyses, assessments, lectures, workshops, technology transition/transfer activities and strategic studies, as well as experts/consultants to assist in technical/strategic planning and in the conduct of these assessments and analyses. The sponsor is the Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/ML), Integration and Operations Division, which is contemplating a 60-month program. Sources must demonstrate the capability to perform a limited amount of mechanical and chemical testing on a small scale that will be required on materials samples for verifying, ascertaining and predicting metallurgical, mechanical, and chemical material properties. Sources must demonstrate the capability of conducting research activities across the spectrum of AFRL/ML research areas which include but are not limited to: Polymers, Metals, Organic Matrix Composites, Nondestructive Evaluation, Tribology/Coatings, Sensors, Laser Hardened Materials, Systems Support, Environmental Technology, and Air Base Technology. Technical depth will cover activities from basic research through advanced development as well as materials application and payoff assessments at the systems level. Each delivery order to be performed will be a separate and unique unit of work performed against a broader statement of objectives. The resultant effort(s) will be the logical continuation of efforts conducted under Contracts F33615-94-C-5800 and F33615-94-C-5803. Delivery Order contract(s) is/are anticipated with each delivery order performed as a separate and unique unit of work. It is anticipated that many of the delivery orders will involve workshops and technology/transfer activities that require graphics support for presentation materials, audio-visual aids and displays, hence the contractor must posses highly skilled graphic artists experienced in the use of modern reprographic techniques and have demonstrated experience in planning and conducting workshops. Respondents must demonstrate both in-house and subcontract capabilities, as these may be required on the various delivery orders. Respondents must demonstrate that they have experience in contracting and managing large R&D evaluation contracts that have involved extensive subcontracting. The nature of this effort requires frequent visits to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to manage ongoing projects and facilitate close coordination between contractor personnel and AFRL/ML at the point of initiation of each delivery order. This is not a request for proposal submission. It is a market research tool to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources prior to issuing a Request for Proposal. Firms responding to this announcement should indicate their business size, particularly if they are a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, a woman-owned business, 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 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 or 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. Small business respondents should provide a statement of capabilities. Responses should be sent to Attn: Felix Turner, AFRL/MLKM Bldg 7, and 2530 C ST., Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7607. Non-technical assistance may be secured by calling the above individual at (937) 255-5936. An ombudsman has been establishedfor this acquisition. The only purpose of the Ombudsman is to receive and communicate serious concerns from the 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. Lt. Col Bixler, DET 1 AFRL/PK, telephone 255-4813, e-mail bixlerjp@wl.wpafb.af.mil, is the ombudsman for this acquisition. Written responses to this sources sought synopsis should be submitted no later than thirty (30) calendar days from the publication of this notice. Posted 04/29/99 (W-SN325823). (0119)

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