A -- Production of Experimental Steel Ingots

A sole source procurement is contemplated with North American Hoganese, Inc., ADDRESS. NAH is the only known qualified source to perform this effort. AFRL/MNMW desires to purchase small melts (heats) of experimental steels for evaluation in the AWEF Dynamic Properties Laboratory for application to future - high speed penetrator programs. In order to develop and produce these more advanced steel and ensure the proper quality control requirements are met, the Government requirement mandates using the production process of (1) Electric Arc Furnace melting with Induction Stirring, (2) Ladle Refining with Argon Purging Capabilities and (3) Vacuum Degassing Treatment. Production of the experimental steels will be in small, 5 ton increments totaling XXX tons. Market research indicates that NAH is uniquely capable of producing small melts (5 tons) to the production methods outlined above. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. Interested parties may submit statements of capability (SOC) demonstrating their experience with steel melting process of (1) Electric Arc Furnace melting with Induction Stirring, (2) Ladle Refining with Argon Purging Capabilities and (3) Vacuum Degassing Treatment in small melts (heats). Submit SOCs within 15 days of publication to Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/MNK), Attn: Mark Fitzgerald, 101 W. Eglin Blvd, Suite 337, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6810. Please refer technical questions to Morris Dilmore at (850) 882-9644 and contractual questions to Mark Fitzgerald at (850) 883-2670. An Ombudsman has been appointed to address concerns of offerors or potential offerors. The Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program manager or contracting officer, but communicates contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman shall maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Matters of routine or administrative nature concerning this acquisition should not be addressed to the Ombudsman, but rather to the Contracting points of contact identified above. The Ombudsman is Mr. Dennis Love, AAC/XP, at 101 West D Avenue, Suite 131, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-5495; his phone number is (850) 882-0312. Numbered Notes 22 and 26 apply.