A--Research and development for High Temperature Materials Characterization

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD), has a requirement for research and development in the area of Thermal and Mechanical Testing and Analysis of Materials for the High Temperature Materials Characterization Program. The period of performance will be for five years. This is a follow-on requirement to contract N00167-97-C-0061, awarded to Southern Research Institute on a competitive basis. NSWCCD intends to solicit only one source, Southern Research Institute, 2000 Ninth Avenue South, Birmingham AL, and award a new cost plus fixed fee contract for this requirement. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2403(c)(1) pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 - Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The sole source is based upon the unique laboratory facilities, measurement instrumentation, and testing methodologies developed by Southern Research Institute to accurately characterize very high temperature materials in addition to their collection of high temperature materials databases. Testing and analysis performed under this requirement include, but are not limited to, the following efforts: Characterization of rhenium, tungsten, and other refractory metal propulsion materials provided in the form of plates, and solid and hollow cylindrical billets. Characterization of monolithic ceramics provided in the form of discs, and solid and hollow cylindrical billets. Characterization of continuous fiber reinforced ceramic composites provided in the form of plates, and solid and hollow cylindrical billets. Characterization of carbon-phenolic heatshield and nozzle materials in the form of plates, frusta, and cylinders. The typical mechanical and thermal testing performed by the contractor shall be conducted at various temperatures from 70 degrees Fahrenheit up to 5000 degrees Fahrenheit. The Materials characterization continues and extends property databases initiated under contract N00167-97-C-0061, awarded to Southern Research Institute. Typical tests co! nsist of tension, compression, flexure, shear, conductivity, and thermal expansion in various directions and orientations as dictated by the material fabrication process. Other specialized tests may be required, including, fatigue, biaxial tension, and combined tension-compression. High accuracy strain measurements and loading systems are required to ensure database fidelity. The contractor shall perform non-destructive characterization of candidate materials on a selected basis. The measurements may include visual inspection with documentation, alcohol wipe inspection, bulk gravimetric density, ultrasonic velocity, ultrasonic attenuation, spectral acoustics, radiography radiometric density, and open porosity. Based upon the requirements of the test matrices the contractor shall prepare cutting plans to be used for removing specimen blanks from the bulk shapes. The contractor shall have a procedure for tracking all materials and specimens in the program. The contract! or shall support aging studies as required on materials with the poten tial for time-varying properties. The contractor shall provide analysis support and phenomenological studies to include specialty tests to isolate and determine particular phenomenon or behaviors that fall outside what is generally included in material characterization. The contractor shall perform sub-scale, high temperature testing of propulsion or heatshield materials or components to identify material response to complex and combined loading conditions. Substantial documentation of will be required. The point of contact is Laura Rider at contact@example.gov. Note 22 applies to the extent that the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302.