A -- Program Research and Development Announcement PRDA 03-01-PKT, Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology IX (IHPRPT)

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Propulsion Directorate, AFRL/PR-West, Edwards AFB, CA is soliciting technical/management and business/price proposals for projects supporting the Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology Program (IHPRPT) under Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA) 03-01-PKT titled IHPRPT IX. Responses to this solicitation are sought to develop an advanced technology base for rocket propulsion concepts and components aimed at supporting the IHPRPT program. The IHPRPT program is the DoD/NASA/Industry coordinated effort to develop revolutionary and innovative technologies by the year 2010 that will permit a doubling of rocket propulsion capabilities over 1993 state-of-the-art technology. Capability infers the full spectrum of technological needs, such as performance, affordability, operability, reliability, and maintainability. The IHPRPT program is structured in three phases to achieve pre-determined measurable increases in all rocket technology capabilities. Phases I, II, and III specify technology demonstrations for each phase by the years 2000, 2005 and 2010 respectively. The IHPRPT program is organized along three mission application areas: Boost/Orbit Transfer Propulsion, Spacecraft Propulsion, and Tactical Propulsion. Within each of the mission application areas, there are five identical technology areas that specify the particular technologies being advanced to meet the goals of IHPRPT. The five Technology Areas include Propellants, Propellant Management Devices, Combustion and Energy Conversion Devices, Control Systems, and Technology Demonstrators. The Strategic Sustainment Technology area is a sixth technology area, but exists under the boost/orbit transfer propulsion and the tactical mission application areas only. Proposals are being solicited for the following: Boost and Orbit Transfer mission area for Topic 1-Phase III Missile Propulsion Component Analysis and Assessment Program in the following technology areas: Propellants, Propellant Management Devices, Combustion and Energy Conversion Devices, Control Systems and Strategic Sustainment; Tactical Propulsion mission area for Topic 2-Phase II Tactical Propulsion Technologies in the following technology areas: Propellants, Propellant Management Devices, Combustion and Energy Conversion Devices, and Control Systems; Boost and Orbit Transfer mission area for Topic 3-Phase III Sensor Application and Modeling Program in the following technology area: Strategic Sustainment. The North American Industrial Classification System Code (NAICS) applicable to this acquisition is 541710 with 1000 employees. Small businesses are encouraged to propose on this solicitation. Interested offerors may view and/or download the full PRDA and model contract. Direct questions to the Contracting point of contact identified in the announcement. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for 5 Dec 2002, AFRL-PR West, Edwards Cite, Bldg 8351, Room 230, beginning at 8:30 a.m., to discuss the changes identified in this PRDA announcement that differ from the previous PRDA announcements. Offerors are encouraged to submit questions regarding the PRDA to the Contracting Points of Contact by COB 3 Dec 2002. Please contact Mr. James S. Lynge at 661-275-5328 or email james.lynge@edwards.af.mil if planning to attend the pre-proposal conference and to schedule an individual session. Please bring a sample Basis of Estimate (BOE) if attending an individual session. Please read the announcement in its entirety so that you will be familiar with the changes prior to the conference.