A -- MATERIALS AND PROCESSES FOR INTEGRATED HIGH PAYOFF ROCKET PROPULSION TECHNOLOGY

Notice Date

September 6, 2001

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

45433-7801

Solicitation Number

PRDA-01-09-MLK

Response Due

October 25, 2001

Point of Contact

Pamela Covey, Contract Negotiator, Phone (937) 255-5459, Fax (937) 255-5302, Email Pamela.Covey@wpafb.af.mil -- Christine Opheim, Contracting Officer, Phone (937) 256-9003, Email Christine.Opheim@wpafb.af.mil

Description

Air Force Research Laboratory, The Air Force Research Laboratory's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/ML), Wright -- Patterson AFB, OH solicits research proposals for Materials and Processes for Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology (IHPRPT). The purpose of this acquisition is to develop materials and processes to meet the Phase II and Phase III goals established in the IHPRPT program. These goals are identified in the Supplemental Data package of this solicitation. Potential offerors are hereby notified that funds are not presently available for this acquisition and this announcement is issued in accordance with FAR 52.232-18, Availability of Funds. A collaborative Department of Defense (DOD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and propulsion industry steering committee has set forth goals for Liquid Rocket Engine Boost and Orbit Transfer, Solid Rocket Motors for Boost and Orbit Transfer and Tactical Applications, and Spacecraft Propulsion. The topics address the development of materials to be used in critical components (identified by the IHPRPT Materials Working Group (IMWG) and approved by the IHPRPT Steering Committee, co-chaired by DOD and NASA) to meet the projected goals of the IHPRPT program. These goals include improvements in mass fractions (fuel mass to component mass), specific impulse (ISP), life cycle as well as cost reductions over the span of the IHPRPT program. The overall goal of the program is to double rocket propulsion capability by the year 2010. Interim goals for the project have been established for 2005. IHPRPT goals cannot be met using current baseline materials and processes. Materials must operate in liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen and high-temperature and high-pressure environments. The materials and processes must provide a lightweight, durable and affordable alternative to the current baseline components specified in the IHPRPT program. Specific Materials and processes are needed for components in each of the following categories; LIQUID ROCKET ENGINE BOOST AND ORBIT TRANSFER, PROPELLANT MANAGEMENT DEVICES -- 1. Rotating Turbo-machinery for Cryogenic Rocket Engines, 2. Lines, Ducts, and Valves for Cryogenic Rocket Engines, COMBUSTION AND ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES -- 3. Actively Cooled Nozzles for Cryogenic Rocket Engines, 4. Lightweight Thrust Chamber Assemblies for Cryogenic Rocket Engines, SOLID ROCKET MOTORS FOR TACTICAL AND BOOST AND ORBIT TRANFER -- 5. Exit Cones for Solid Rocket Motors, 6. Case Materials for Solid Rocket Motors, SPACECRAFT PROPULSION, 7. Oxidation Resistant Reaction Chamber for Spacecraft. Qualified potential Offerors will find specific component requirements and specific IHPRPT goals in the Supplemental Data Package. Foreign owned firms and foreign governments are advised they will not be allowed to participate as prime contractors on the Materials and Processes for Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology topics. Materials and processes resulting from this program will be expected to meet a minimum NASA Technical Readiness Level (TRL), Material Readiness Level (MRL) and Process Readiness Level (PRL) of four (4). Small businesses and academia are encouraged to propose on all or any part of this effort, however, it is recommended they team with a rocket propulsion prime interested in applying their materials and processes to an IHPRPT identified component to ensure the materials will satisfy the component's requirements. Interested offerors may view and/or download the full PRDA solicitation by accessing the Electronic Posting System (EPS) homepage at http://www.eps.gov/. Direct technical related questions to the technical points of contact listed in the announcement. Direct contracting related questions to the Contracting points of contact identified in the announcement. Offerors are asked to read the full solicitation and attachments in order to fully understand the complete effort. There is a supplemental data package available, and offerors will need to request that the supplemental package be mailed to them in accordance with the announcement instructions. Offeror's must provide evidence that they have an approved DD Form 2345 to access a copy of the supplemental package; see announcement instructions for obtaining an approved DD Form 2345. The supplemental package will not be emailed or faxed. Once offerors have reviewed the full solicitation at the web-site provided, and if they have questions, or need a copy of the supplemental package, they may contact either Pamela Covey or Christine Opheim at the appropriate telephone number or email address as provided herein. It is preferred that offerors email their questions, and or request for the supplemental package with a name, full address, a telephone number, and their cage code and certification number for their approved DD Form 2345. Offerors will need to provide a federal express account number for mailing of supplemental package via federal express method, or the package will be mailed first class. This is a full and open competitive effort, except foreign participation will not be allowed at the Prime contractor level as ITAR restrictions apply. Small businesses are encouraged to participate, and may want to consider teaming with a Prime contractor. The solicitation provides the due date for the cost and technical proposals. The due date for proposal submission will not be extended simply because offerors did not see the announcement in a timely manner. Instructions on accessing the solicitation web-site are: go to the web-site provided (http:/www.eps.gov) and where it asks for the solicitation number, type in PRDA-01-09-MLK, and it will then pull up the PRDA solicitation information. The solicitation will not be faxed or emailed to offerors, unless there is a lengthy access problem due to the government system, as offerors will have to access the announcement through the web-site provided herein.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLWRS/PRDA-01-09-MLK/listing.htm l)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010910/ASOL002.HTM (D-249 SN50W996)