NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Procurement Office, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812

A -- TOWARD UNDERSTANDING PORE FORMATION AND MOBILITY DURING CONTROLLED DIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION IN A MICROGRAVITY ENVIRONMENT SOL 8-1-8-ES-B8643 DUE 052098 POC Glynda H. Meeks, Contract Specialist, Phone (205) 544-0422, Fax (205) 544-4400, Email glynda.meeks@msfc.nasa.gov -- Valerie N. Holmes, Contracting Officer, Phone (205)544-0314, Fax (205)544-4400, Email valerie.holmes@ msfc.nasa.gov WEB: Click here for the latest information about this notice, http://nais.nasa.gov/EPS/MSFC/date.html#8-1-8-ES-B8643. E-MAIL: Glynda H. Meeks, glynda.meeks@msfc.nasa.gov. NASA/MSFC plans to issue a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a research study entitled TOWARD UNDERSTANDING PORE FORMATION AND MOBILITY DURING CONTROLLED DIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION IN A MICROGRAVITY ENVIRONMENT: The intent of this work is to conduct a theoretical/modeling and experimental effort with the purpose of preparing a report that will assist MSFC personnel in defining science and engineering requirements in support of the microgravity experiment slated for March 2000 in the Microgravity Glovebox. A detrimental phenomenon which can occur during solidification processing is the generation and inclusion of porosity, e.g., pores. The origin of these defects is generally attributed to gas formation and entrapment during solidification of the melt. On Earth, an initiated bubble can rise through the liquid and "pop" at the surface. Obviously this does not readily occur in a microgravity environment and the resultant product is defective from both a utilization and scientific point of view. Insight to this problem is expected to be gained by directly examining bubble mobility in a transparent model system which will be processed in the microgravity glovebox. Prior to this, a thorough ground-based investigation is required in order to optimize the limited amount of microgravity processing time. TASKS: The contractor shall perform the following tasks: 1. Compile and review literature relevant to the proposed work. 2. Conduct a theoretical/modeling effort with respect to the experimental effort that considers movement of a single free, as well as a constrained bubble, with its environment. Variables to be investigated shall include bubble size, bubble number, imposed temperature gradient, material properties, and the effect of applying vibration to the system. 3. Conduct a series of ground-based experiments with succinonitrile and configuration that systematically investigates and evaluates the proposed processing parameters of bubble size, bubble number, imposed temperature gradient, and the effect of appliedvibration to the system. 4. Deliverable shall be a final report based on the above tasks. Estimated period of performance: 3 months This procurement is being conducted under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the research from Vanderbilt University under the University Research BOA Program. This sole source action is pursuant to FAR 13.106 and is based on the University's domain expertise in this area of research. Interested universities within the United States have 15 days from the publication of this synopsis to submit in writing to the identified point of contact, their qualifications/capabilities. Such qualifications/capabilities will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Responses received after the 15 days or without the required information will be considered nonresponsive to the synopsis and will not be considered. A determination by the Government to not compete this proposed effort ona full and open competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See Internet Note "B". (0126)

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