Phillips Laboratory, Directorate of Contracting, 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773

A -- MINIMUM COST DESIGN EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY SOL F29601-98-C-0058 POC Shari D. Barnett, Contracting Officer, 505-846-6189; Ken Hampsten, Project Officer, 505-853-4139 E-MAIL: click her to contact the contracting officer via e-mail, barnett@plk.af.mil. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Contracting Directorate, on behalf of the Space Vehicles Directorate, Space Technology Integration and Demonstration Division, Space Demonstrations Branch, Kirtland AFB, NM intends to award a sole source, follow-on contract to Microcosm, Inc. for the following described effort based on technology developed and demonstrated by Microcosm under multiple, previous Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts variously entitled, "Scorpius." BACKGROUND: The Air Force is the lead government agency chartered to advance technologies associated with Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELVs) and related support systems. Currently, launch costs represent a significant fraction of a spacecraft's total life cycle investment. The intent is to establish a true "free market" economic model in space transportation by transitioning next generation expendable launch vehicle development and operation over to the private sector. To expedite this process, it is necessary to underwrite high risk/high payoff system architectures and associated technologies. This level of risk reduction streamlines future private financing of commercial full scale system development and operation. OBJECTIVE: The goal is to reduce ELV life cycle cost by a factor of 5-10 while maintaining 0.99 system reliability. The objective of this effort is to analyze, design, develop, fabricate, integrate and flight test a near orbital ELV testbed. The ELV testbed will be used to validate (benchmark) system scalability, cost, reliability and performance. The approach is to develop a low-cost ELV based on the 1960's pressure fed "Big Dumb Booster" (a.k.a. Minimum Cost Design) concepts, utilizing 1990's design methods, materials and technologies. Minimum Cost Design concepts basically use the vehicle's Gross Lift-Off Weight (GLOW) as an independent variable to minimize system development and recurring cost. The vehicle architecture shall be designed to meet the following criteria: (1) modular, propulsion POD construction with a focus toward simple manufacturing methods, (2) approximately a factor of 10 reduction in total vehicle parts with high replication of identical parts and large reductions in precision parts, (3) implement parallel staging techniques, (4) composite propellant tanks and primary structures designed with a safety factor of 2, (5) high energy mixing Gas Generator (GG) tank pressurization technology, replacing complex turbomachinery, (6) uses liquid oxygen (LOX) and Jet A kerosene propellants, (7) all composite thrust chambers, incorporating film and ablative cooling, (8) low-cost engine gimbals, powered by the Jet A main propellant line, eliminating auxiliary power units (APUs) and (9) industrial grade PC based computers with state-of-the-art commercial software and GPS/INS (Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System) system(s). The contractor shall be responsible for all aspects of system analysis, design, development, fabrication, integration and test of the ELV testbed. The period of performance for theabove tasks is 24 months with an anticipated start date of April 1998. A contract will be awarded to Microcosm, Inc provided other sources cannot furnish the services at more favorable terms. Respondents are required to provide sufficient information concerning their ability to fulfill the above requirements within the period of performance in order for the project office to determine the requirements can be met. A draft program plan as well as resumes of key personnel must also be included in the response. Responses are limited to a total of 25 pages including program plan, resumes, attachments, diagrams, etc. Submit responses to Ms Shari D. Barnett, AFRL PRS/PKVS. 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5773 no later than 21 calendar days after the date of this announcement by 3:00PM, Mountain Daylight Time. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals,. However, all proposals received within forty-five days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Firms responding should indicate if they are a Small Business, a Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Business, an 8 (a) Qualified Business or a Woman-Owned Business. To be considered a Small Business, the following applies: SIC 8731, size standard 1,000 employees. Foreign-owned firms are advised there may be restrictions to becoming the prime contractor. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors, primarily during the proposal development phase of this negotiated acquisition. 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 in the pre-proposal phase of competitive, negotiated acquisitions. Before contacting the Ombudsman, potential offerors should first communicate with the Contracting Officer. In those instances where offerors cannot obtain resolution from the Contracting Officer, they are invited to contact the Ombudsman at the Phillips Research Site of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Mr. Eugene DeWall, Deputy Director of Contracting (AFRL PRS/PK), at (505) 846-4979, or at 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5773. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. Notes 22 and 26. (0026)

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