A -- SILICON CARBINE FIBER SURFACE

Notice Date

July 6, 2001

Contracting Office

NASA/Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135

ZIP Code

44135

Solicitation Number

RFQ3-180864

Response Due

July 23, 2001

Point of Contact

Timothy M. Bober, Contract Specialist, Phone (216) 433-2764, Fax (216) 433-2480, Email Timothy.M.Bober@grc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Timothy M. Bober (Timothy.M.Bober@grc.nasa.gov)

Description

This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in 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). Background: Polymer matrix composites have become attractive materials for a variety of aerospace applications due to their high specific strength. Use of polymer matrix composites in propulsion components can lead to substantial component and, ultimately, vehicle weight savings, which translate into reduced fuel consumption (and emissions), improved performance, and increased passenger and payload capacity. However, fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites are limited to use at temperatures no higher than 370:C due to their poor thermal oxidative stability at high temperatures. Some applications, in particular propulsion components for Reusable Launch Vehicles, could see temperatures as high as 400 to 425:C. One potential approach to improving the high temperature stability and increasing the use temperature of polymer matrix composites is to utilize more stable fibers. Typically, carbon fibers are used for high temperature applications but these fibers are susceptible to oxidative degradation at high temperatures. Ceramic fibers, such as those made from silicon carbide, are known to have better high temperature oxidative stability than carbon fibers. However, interfacial bonding between these fibers and high temperature polymers is poor. Previous studies at NASA Glenn and the University of Akron have demonstrated that this poor interfacial bonding actually leads to composites that have high temperature oxidative stability less than that of carbon fiber reinforced composites. Surface treatments, in particular reactive polymeric sizings, are needed to enhance adhesion between ceramic fibers and high temperature polymers. The objective of this solicitation is to develop reactive sizings for use with commercial silicon carbide fibers and high temperature polymers and to produce surface treated silicon carbide fibers in sufficient quantity to allow fabrication of composite samples to assess the effects of these sizings on the high temperature performance and stability of silicon carbide fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites. Task 1. Sizing Development and Preliminary Fiber Coating Studies Up to four reactive sizings shall be prepared that are compatible with polyimide matrix resins such as PMR-15 and have the potential for use at temperatures up to 400:C. The chemical structures of these sizings shall be reviewed with the Contract Monitor and approved prior to synthesis of these compounds. Formulations of sizing, matrix resin, and surfactant (if necessary) shall be prepared and used to coat small amounts of silicon carbide fiber. This fiber shall be provided by the Contractor and shall be selected with the approval of the Contract Monitor. Coated silicon carbide fibers shall be analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM ) to determine the uniformity and thickness of the coating. Sizing application conditions will be optimized to provide fibers with uniform sizing and optimal sizing thickness. Task 2. Sized Fiber Characterization Surface analysis shall be performed on sized fibers prepared in Task 1 to determine their surface chemistry. Techniques to be used for this analysis include infrared (FTIR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Sized fibers shall be subjected to prolonged solvent extraction to determine the amount of unreacted sizings present on the fiber and the resulting fibers subjected to FTIR, SEM and XPS analysis. In addition, surface wetting studies, e.g., contact angle measurements, thermal desorption studies and inverse gas chromatography shall be conducted on the sized fibers to assess their surface activity and stability. Task 3. Sizing Optimization and Sized Fiber Scale-up Based upon the results of Task 1 and 2, an optimized sizing formulation shall be developed and optimal fiber sizing process determined for large scale production of sized silicon carbide fibers. One pound of sized silicon carbide fiber shall be produced using the optimized sizing formulation and process conditions and sent to NASA Glenn for composite fabrication, evaluation and testing. The Contractor shall provide the silicon carbide fiber used in this task and selection of the fiber shall be made with the approval of the Contract Monitor. Task 4. Reporting A brief (1 or 2 page) monthly status report shall be submitted electronically to the Contract Monitor on or before the last Monday of each month. These reports shall include the following: 7 Technical accomplishments over the past month 7 A summary of the cost incurred during the past month A final report shall be prepared and submitted to the Contract Monitor documenting the results of this project. This report shall include: 7 A comprehensive report of the research done over the past 6 months 7 Results of the research 7 Recommendations 7 A summary of the cost incurred The provisions and clauses in the RFQ are those in effect through FAC 97-25. The NAICS Code and the small business size standard for this procurement are 541710 and 500, 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. Delivery to Glenn Research Center is required within 28 days ARO. Delivery shall be FOB Destination. The DPAS rating for this procurement is DO-09. Quotations for the items(s) described above are due by July 23, 2001 4:30 local time and may be mailed or faxed to Timothy M. Bober NASA/Glenn Research Center 21000 Brookpark Road Mail Stop 500-306 Cleveland, Ohio 44145; Fax Number (216) 433-2764 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/Forms/Index.html to submit a quotation. 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 52.2l2-3 may be obtained via the internet at URL: http://ec.msfc.nasa.gov/msfc/pub/reps_certs/sats/ The FAR may be obtained via the Internet at URL: http://www.arnet.gov/far/ The NFS may be obtained via the Internet at URL: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/nfstoc.htm Questions regarding this acquisition must be submitted in writing no later than July 13, 2001. Award will be based upon overall best value to the Government, with consideration given to the factors of proposed technical merits, price and past performance; other critical requirements (i.e., delivery) if so stated in the RFQ will also be considered. Unless otherwise stated in the solicitation, for selection purposes, technical, price and past performance are essentially equal in importance. It is critical that offerors provide adequate detail to allow evaluation of their offer (see FAR 52.212-1(b). Quoters must provide copies of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representation 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 NASA Specific Note "B". It is the quoter's responsibility to monitor the following Internet site for the release of amendments (if any): http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=C&pin=22 Potential quoters will be responsible for downloading their own copy of this combination synopsis/solicitation and amendments (if any).

Web Link

Click here for the latest information about this notice (http://nais.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/EPS/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=22#RFQ3-180864)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010710/ASOL001.HTM (D-187 SN50R105)