A -- Integrated Advanced Composite Fiber Placement Program

NOTICE OF CONTRACT ACTION FOR INTEGRATED ADVANCED COMPOSITE FIBER PLACEMENT PROGRAM This is a Pre-Solicitation Synopsis; not a request for competitive proposals. The purpose of this program is to expand the U.S. domestic industrial base capability in the production of large aerospace composite products employing automated and advanced fiber placement technologies. The Title III Program Office, Air Force Research Laboratory, Manufacturing Technology Division (AFRL/MLM) intends to award an Assistance Instrument or a contract, as appropriate, on the basis of less than full and open competition for this requirement to Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK), Freeport Center, Bldg C14, Clearfield, UT 84016. Under the authority of Title III Defense Production Act (DPA) (50 U.S.C. App. Section 2061 et seq.), the Title III Program Office is contemplating this procurement to expand production capacity for large aerospace composite components employing automated and advanced fiber placement technologies. This project requires a domestic, merchant-oriented composite supplier of large aerospace composite products. This project further requires the manufacturer to possess an integrated design authority with experience in the design, construction and modification of fiber placement machinery. The definition of domestic source as defined in the Defense Production Act of 1950 is as follows: "A business concern that performs in the United States or Canada substantially all of the research and development, engineering, manufacturing, and production activities required of such business concern under a contract with the United States relating to a critical component or a critical technology item; and that procures from business concerns (described as above) substantially all of any components and assemblies required under a contract with the United States relating to a critical component or critical technology item." For the purposes of this contract, the Government defines a merchant supplier as a production source which manufactures, supplies, and supports the use of its products by customers who represent end users independent of either internal or sister organizations. In light of this requirement, a Title III merchant supplier of large aerospace composite components employing automated and advanced fiber placement technologies may not, as a matter of policy, place restrictions or limitations on which customers may buy or how they may subsequently use its products. Additionally, for the purposes of this contract, the Government defines an integrated design authority as a one who as possesses the knowledge, expertise and prior experience within the entire large aerospace composite product value chain to include the fabrication of the necessary equipment through the actual production of large aerospace composite products. The Integrated Advanced Composite Fiber Placement Program requires the fabrication and/or modification of large fiber placement equipment by the composite manufacturer in order to meet significant performance, cost and schedule efficiencies. The use of an integrated design authority allows the company to accomplish the project goals within the project's funding and schedule constraints. The period of performance for the procurement is anticipated to be 18 months. A description of the task is as follows: 1) procure, modify, and install new automated composite fiber placement production machines to support capacity expansion, 2) deliver a detailed strategic business plan that formally assesses and verifies the military and commercial demand for automated composite fiber placement manufacturing for aerospace components, and 3) expand domestic production capability for automated composite fiber placement of aerospace components. To meet the government's cost and schedule requirements the contractor must have: demonstrated leadership in the industry and have existing merchant-oriented large aerospace composite production capacity; demonstrated experience in design, development, inspection, and testing of high performance composite aircraft structures; demonstrated acceptance and credibility among aerospace customers; demonstrated business viability. Automated composite manufacturing technology that is not based on advanced fiber placement (i.e. single and multiple tows) for large aerospace structures are not of interest to the government for this procurement. Additional phases may be awarded based on defense requirements, anticipated demand, and availability of funding. The government intends to issue an award for these requirements on a Sole Source basis per FAR6.302-1(a)(1), "Only One Responsible Source" or "DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations 37.400(b)," based upon their domestic manufacturing activity, their experience as a large aerospace composite merchant industrial supplier providing leading edge technology, an assessment of their ability to meet project goals, and an assessment of the program risk to the Government. Offerors who are capable of providing the services stated above shall fully identify their interest and submit, in writing, information documenting their qualifications and capabilities to meet the requirements stated above within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. This documentation shall specify the offeror's area of expertise and experience. It shall include a demonstrated capability to build and/or modify automated fiber placement machines as well as to manufacture large aerospace composite products. The documentation shall demonstrate that the manufacturing capability is domestic as defined in the Defense Production Act, and that the company has a large aerospace composite product merchant supplier orientation. In addition, the documentation shall include a listing of products and services currently offered as a large aerospace composite product merchant supplier, along with market share in each area, including military customers. Responses received after 15 days or without the required information will be considered non-responsive to the synopsis, and will not be considered. Direct all questions pertaining to this acquisition to the contracting point of contacts listed above in this announcement. Only one responsible source per capability of interest and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements as per the authority under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). All responsible sources may submit information, which shall be considered by the agency. See Numbered Note 22. Other business opportunities for the Air Force Research Laboratory are also available at www.fedbizopps.gov and at http://www.afrl.af.mil/contract/default.htm.