ABL Friction Test Machine

SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ABL FRICTION TESTER THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR QUOTATION OR AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A SOLICITATION. This sources sought request for information is for the purpose of conducting market research to provide data for planning purposes. This sources sought synopsis announcement does not constitute a formal solicitation and is not a request for proposal, request for quote, invitation for bid, does not obligate the government to award a contract, issue a solicitation, reimburse respondents for any proposal preparation and/or submittal costs, nor does its issuance in any way restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government will not pay for any materials provided in response to this notice and submittals will not be returned to the sender. The Air Force Test Center, Installation Operational Contracting Division, Eglin AFB, Florida, is seeking potential sources capable of supplying an ABL Friction Tester. This instrument will be used within the High Explosives Research and Development (HERD) facility by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Munitions Directorate, Ordnance Division, Energetic Materials Branch (RWME) to support in house testing to determine the energy required to initiate a sample by friction energy application. Instrument Technical Requirements: - Capable of mimicking - in-process' friction environment - simulation of potential initiation of an explosive material when said material experiences a pinch or loaded sliding force o Solid material sandwiched/pinched between two metal objects which exert some force o Force exerted directly onto material as well as across material (perpendicular) o Load must be controllable o Perpendicular force must have a sliding friction motion o Slide velocity must be controllable o Travel distance must be between 0.5-1.5 inches - Equipment must be capable of and have prior use in performing analysis in accordance with AOP-7. Feedback, questions, and comments regarding the above technical capabilities are welcomed. Interested firms are invited to submit a Statement of Capability (SOC) showing the company's ability to fulfill the requirement described above. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. This is not a solicitation nor will a solicitation package be issued as a result of this announcement, and no award shall be made as a result of this announcement. In the event that a solicitation is developed, it will be assigned a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) number or Request for Quotation (RFQ) and the announcement may be published on FEDBIZOPS. Responses to this notice will assist the government in identifying potential sources and determining if a set-aside of the solicitation is appropriate. Firms responding to this announcement should include company name, cage code, point of contact, address, phone number, small business size, and indicate whether they are small business, 8(a) concern, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, or women-owned small business. For the purposes of being considered a small business, the following applies: NAICS- 334519, Size Standard- 500. The Government reserves the right to set-aside any subsequent acquisition based upon known sources and/or responses to this synopsis. Responses are requested no later than 03 May 2013. Direct responses and/or questions to Chantel Rutland, chantel.rutland@eglin.af.mil or fax to 850-882-1680. Direct expression of interest as well as required documentation should be addressed in writing to the Contract Specialist. All prospective offerors are responsible for monitoring this site for the release of all other information pertaining to the synopsis and solicitation.