Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL -- Wright Research Site, Det 1 AFRL/PK, Bldg 167, Area B, 2310 8th Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433-7801

A -- AEROSPACE COMPOSITE MATERIALS SOL Reference-Number-00-01-MLK POC Scott Theibert, Project Engineer, Phone (937)255-9070, Email scott.theibert@wpafb.af.mil -- Pamela Covey, Contract Negotiator, Phone (937)255-5459, Email pamela.covey@ws.wpafb.af.mil WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=R&ProjID=Reference-Num ber-00-01-MLK&LocID=904. E-MAIL: Scott Theibert, scott.theibert@wpafb.af.mil. Research and Development Sources Sought for AEROSPACE COMPOSITE MATERIALS. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Nonmetallic Materials Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, AFRL/MLBC, is seeking sources for a team of highly qualified personnel to conduct an on-site research and development program on advanced organic matrix composite materials for Air Force driven applications. Sources interested in this program must have available an interdisciplinary team consisting of materials engineers, materials scientists, mechanics engineers, chemists, chemical engineers, and associated technicians. The program will investigate improvements in the technology for developing advanced composites for structural and multi-functional applications for Air Force air, space and other systems. The investigation will include all of the following: modification and characterization of promising matrix materials, reinforcements and resultant composites; composite process modeling; characterization and analysis including but not limited to the resultant physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of fabricated composites; modeling and validation of the failure process under various environmental and mechanical loading situations; and the study of the relationships between material characteristics, processing and composite performance. Responses must clearly demonstrate that the responder: (1) has extensive experience with filaments, fibers, fabric, particles, cores and foam reinforcements; thermosetting resins; thermoplastic resins; carbon-carbon (both inhibited and uninhibited) precursors, fabrication processes and the resultant composites; (2) has demonstrated capability in the techniques for preparation of neat resin specimens, preparation of various prepregs, and fabrication of organic matrix composites including carbon-carbon composites; (3) has a clear understanding of the process parameters which are critical to quality composite panel fabrication for all of the above composite systems; (4) has a clear understanding of how service environment affects the above composite systems; (5) has expertise and experience in characterizing and evaluating advanced composite materials' chemical, physical, and mechanical properties, and development test procedures; (6) has the personnel for composite process modeling, and the development of stress analysis techniques. The program duration is estimated at 60 months. Technical progress, financial status, and annual reports will be required. This program will be conducted on-site at AFRL/MLBC, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, in order to reduce cost and utilize available specialized research equipment. Prospective Offerors must demonstrate the capability to provide a quick reaction response to tasking requirements in order to accomplish the requirements in a timely manner, and will be required to maintain a full technical staff at AFRL/MLBC consisting of approximately six professionals and six technicians and associated support personnel with the flexibility of increasing to approximately eight professionals and eight technicians. Responses to this sources sought synopsis must include specific information related to capabilities in the above areas that indicates the organization's background, understanding of the problems, and personnel. Responses must include the identity and resume of key personnel. Responses to this sources sought synopsis must include specific information related to capabilities in the above areas that indicates the organization's background, understanding of the problems, and personnel. Responses must include the identity and resume of key personnel. Organizational brochures and letters of interest are unacceptable. 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, and 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 in the effort. All respondents shall include in any request their assigned commercial and Government entity code (Federal Supply Code for Mfgrs, a five digit code assigned by the Comdr Def Logistics Service center, Attn: DESC-CGD, Federal Center, Battle Creek MI, (616) 961-4381, Ref DOD 5000.129M). Respondents are further requested to indicate their status as a foreign-owned firm/foreign-controlled firm, and any contemplated use of foreign national employees on this effort. Foreign firms should be aware that restrictions might apply which could preclude their participation in this acquisition. Foreign firms are asked to immediately notify the Contracting POC cited below before deciding to respond to this announcement. Small businesses interested in this effort must respond with a complete capability/qualification package describing the company's technical expertise and experience, personnel, and facilities to accomplish the work described above. Responses submitted should be in one copy only. Each response shall reference Sources Sought #00-01-MLK. Responses should be sent to the Attn: PAMELA J. COVEY, Contract Negotiator, AFRL/MLKN, BLDG 167, 2310 8TH ST., WPAFB OH 45433-7801. Responses shall not be submitted via facsimile or email. Closing date for submission of responses is within Fifteen (15) calendar days from the publication of this notice. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from potential offerors during this sources sought phase. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the program director or Contracting Officer, but to communicate Contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman shall maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. Interested parties are invited to contact Lt Col Sam A. Lopez, Det 1 AFRL/PK, telephone (937) 255-4813, e-mail Sam.Lopez@ws.wpafb.af.mil. All routine communication concerning this announcement, that is non-technical, should be directed to PAMELA J. COVEY, Contract Negotiator, AFRL/MLKN, BLDG 167, 2310 8TH ST., WPAFB OH 45433-7801, telephone 937-255-5459. All technical related issues should be directed to SCOTT THEIBERT, TELEPHONE 937-255-9070. Request for Proposal (RFP) release for this program is projected in April 2000. A notice will be issued in the Commerce Business Daily advising that the Request for Proposal is available on the R&D Contracting web site, and the notice will provide the R&D Contracting web site, http://www.wrs.afrl.af.mil/contract/, for accessing the RFP solicitation. See numbered Note(s): 26. Posted 01/06/00 (D-SN413589). (0006)

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