99 -- OPEN-CELLED ALUMINUM FOAM FOR A SPACEFLIGHT CRYOGENIC TANK

Notice Date

November 8, 2001

Contracting Office

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 214.4, Greenbelt, MD 20771

ZIP Code

20771

Solicitation Number

RFP5-52908-501

Response Due

November 23, 2001

Point of Contact

Thomas Russell, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)286-2885, Fax (301)286-0341, Email Thomas.S.Russell.1@gsfc.nasa.gov -- Thomas Russell, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)286-2885, Fax (301)286-0341, Email Thomas.S.Russell.1@gsfc.nasa.gov

E-Mail Address

Thomas Russell (Thomas.S.Russell.1@gsfc.nasa.gov)

Description

NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the design, fabrication, and delivery of open-celled aluminum foam bonded in a solid neon dewar tank for spaceflight use. The neon dewar cryogenic tank will be used as part of the cooling system for the X-Ray Spectrometer instrument to be flown on the Astro-E2 mission. NASA/GSFC intends to purchase the aluminum foam from ERG Materials and Aerospace Corporation pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1), only one responsible source. In order to meet the mission requirements, the material must be open-celled foam of 1100-F aluminum alloy of 2-3% relative density, 10 pores per inch, with solid homogeneous ligaments arranged in an isotropic, tetrakaidecahedron cell structure. Foam material must be produced in billets measuring 9" x 15" x 16" and be machined and bonded into the dewar using a flight proven technology compatible with maintaining structural integrity and thermal conductivity down to solid neon cryogenic temperatures. In order to meet the mission schedule, the delivery schedule is 16 weeks after receipt of the order. ERG is the only company possessing the required experience and expertise in open-celled aluminum foam machined to the close tolerances required for spaceflight applications to perform the required effort within the Government's time constraints. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26. See Note 22. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on November 23, 2001. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed, See NASA Specific Note "B". Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html

Web Link

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Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011113/99SOL002.HTM (D-312 SN512672)