A -- QUICK REACTION EVALUATION OF MATERIALS AND PROCESSES

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Systems Support Division (AFRL/MLSC and AFRL/MLSA), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) F33615-02-R-5607 in April 2002. The title of the RFP is "Quick Reaction Evaluation of Materials and Processes". The award will be a follow-on contract to F33615-94-C-5601 also titled "Quick Reaction Evaluation of Materials and Processes". The award will be an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract with an estimated value of $18.5 million over eight (8) years. The period of performance for the entire effort is 101 months; 96 months of technical effort, and five (5) months for the final reports. Technical, financial, and semi-annual progress reports will be required. This program will be conducted primarily on-site at AFRL/MLS, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH in order to reduce cost and to utilize available specialized test equipment. However, sources should also have adequate laboratory facilities and equipment to perform some of the more unique requirements that are outside the capability of conducting them on-site at AFRL/MLS. Prospective sources will be required to provide a full time technical staff including highly qualified engineers, technicians, and administrative support engaged in research and development activities on materials and manufacturing processes. Responses must include the identity and resume of all personnel to be utilized. Sources must provide documentation of relevant efforts and experience in each of the technical areas described below, which necessitates a quick reaction response to the requirements in a timely manner. Sources must include specific information related to capabilities in each area that indicates the organization's background, understanding of the problem, and personnel qualifications. Sources must further demonstrate technical excellence in operating critical laboratory equipment located in AFRL/MLS in order to maintain a quick reaction capability and timely responsiveness. Organizational brochures and letters of interest are unacceptable. Sources are sought having the required knowledge and demonstrated capability to conduct and manage quick reaction support programs, as well as materials characterization and emerging materials transition programs of interest to the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate in support USAF, and other DoD weapon systems. The primary objective of this program is to provide quick reaction support to the Air Force, including System Program Offices, Air Logistics Centers, and other Air Force Research Laboratories. Quick reaction support will include component failure analysis, material and mechanical property evaluations, and characterization of corrosion/erosion behavior related to a wide variety of fielded weapon systems. This program will also facilitate the transition of emerging materials and processing technologies to aerospace weapon systems. The program will investigate materials and processing related issues from the development phase to the production and operational phases of advanced aerospace systems as well as aging systems. This program is multi-disciplinary in that it covers the technology areas of structural materials, electronic materials, corrosion control, protective coatings, materials testing and evaluation, and logistics support for emerging materials and processes. The program will initially consist of three (3) delivery orders that will include the following objectives: first, to accomplish failure analysis on metallic and composite structural components and electrical (electronic) assemblies resulting from accident investigations, which will also include developing materials and processes preventing electrostatic discharge; second, to perform mechanical property evaluations and develop improved testing methodologies on a wide variety of metallic alloys and composite materials for a better understanding ofmaterial behavior and for developing mechanical property databases on emerging materials; third, to determine the behavior and environmental resistance of protective coatings and aerospace materials, which include assessing the effects of environmentally compliant processes on the corrosion performance of aerospace materials and/or hardware. Firms responding should indicate whether they are a small business, an 8(a) firm, or a HUBZone program. For this item, the general definition to be used to determine whether your firm is small is as follows: "A small business concern is a concern that is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on government contracts and with its affiliates, and the number of employees does not exceed 500 persons." NAIC 541710 applies. "Concern means any business entity organization for profit, with a place of business in the United States, its possessions, Puerto Rico, or the trust Territory of the Pacific Islands including, but not limited to, an individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture, association or corporation." The Air Force reserves the right to consider a small business set-aside based upon responses hereto. All businesses interested in this effort must respond with a complete capability/qualification package describing the company's technical expertise and experience, personnel, and facilities to accomplish the work described above. All respondents shall include in the response their assigned commercial and Government entity code (Federal Supply Code for Manufacturers, a five digit code assigned by the Commander, Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS), Attn: Customer Service Office, Battle Creek, MI, phone no. (toll-free) 1-888-352-9333 or (616) 961-4725, E-mail: dlis-support@dlis.dla.mil (Reference DOD 5000.129M). Respondents are further requested to indicate their status as a foreign-owned firm/foreign-controlled firm, and any contemplated use of foreign national employees on this effort. Foreign firms should be aware that restrictions might apply which could preclude their participation in this acquisition. Responses submitted should be in one copy only. Each response shall reference RFP F33615-02-R-5607. Responses should be sent to GARY VICTOR, Contract Negotiator, AFRL/MLKN, BLDG 167, 2310 8TH ST., WPAFB OH 45433-7801. Responses shall not be submitted via facsimile or email. Closing date for submission of responses is within fifteen (15) calendar days from the publication of this notice. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from potential offerors during this sources sought phase. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the program director or Contracting Officer, but to communicate 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. Interested parties are invited to contact Lt Col Sam A. Lopez, Det 1 AFRL/PK, telephone (937) 255-4813, e-mail Sam.Lopez@ws.wpafb.af.mil. All routine communication concerning this announcement, that is non-technical, should be directed to GARY VICTOR, Contract Negotiator, AFRL/MLKN, BLDG 167, 2310 8TH ST., WPAFB OH 45433-7801, telephone (937) 255-5459. All technical related issues should be directed to JOHN KLEEK, (937) 656-6064. Request for Proposal (RFP) release for this program is projected in APRIL 2002 timeframe. A notice will be issued electronically advising that the Request for Proposal is available on the Federal Business Opportunities web site, http://www.fedbizopps.gov.