B--AMENDMENT 2 TO TEST COMPOSITE PANELS

The purpose of this Amendment is to provide answers to questions from potential offeror(s): 4. QUESTION: For the impact and compression after impact, ASTM D7136 and D7137, are you requiring NDI before and after weight impact and after damaged compressive strength? ANSWER: The NDI before and after the impact. Government will elect whether to do the NDI or not. 5. QUESTION: In reference to ASTM D7136, is the government requiring load-displacement data for the drop weigh impact experiment or only compression after impact test results? ANSWER: Both the load v. displacement measurements and the compression after impact. 6. QUESTION: Are the use of strain gages required (where called out in method) for determining modulus and strain, or is strength the only parameter that is being assessed for the mechanical property testing? ANSWER: We do not require strain gages for all tests. An extensometer may be used for modulus and strain measurements as long as the ASTM spec is followed. Some tests do require a strain gage and should be priced as such: ASTM D3518-Standard Test Method for In-Plane Shear Response of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials by Tensile Test of +45 degree Laminate, ASTM D7137 Standard Test Method for Compressive Residual Strength Properties of Damaged Polymer matrix Composite Plates, ASTM D5766 Standard Test Method for Open-Hole Tensile Strength of Polymer Matrix Composite Laminates, ASTM D6484 04 Standard Test Method for Open-Hole Compressive 7. QUESTION: Do all specimens require the pre-conditioning at 160 degree Fahrenheit/85 % RH, or is this only for the 210 degree Fahrenheit/Saturated test? If yes, what type of conditioning is required for the other specimens that are tested at 73 degree Fahrenheit, 210 degree Fahrenheit and -50 degree Fahrenheit? The test methods have various outcomes or parameters that can be tested. The outcome/parementer that is chosen effects price. ANSWER: Samples are conditioned at there respective testing temperature according to the ASTM standard. Clarification of the ASMT 5229. We indicate three testing temperatures and one hot/wet testing temperature. Condition the samples at the particular testing temperature for 30 days. 8.QUESTION: Please clarify the hot-wet / 210 degree Fahrenheit, saturated Condition? We can expose to hot-wet conditions, but cannot control humidity during testing. ANSWER: See answers in QUESTION 7 concerning hot/wet conditions. 9. QUESTION: Please clarify if all specimens are to be preconditioned at 160 degree Fahrenheit /85% RH, or is this only for the hot wet/condition? ANSWER: Adequate temperature and humidity controlled environmental chamber is required for temperature testing. 10. QUESTION: For every test method your agency is asking to have tested, you should specify what results you are looking for. For example, does your agency only need strength data, or are you looking for strain, modulus, etc.? ANSWER: The individual ASTM standard clarifies what data can be obtained from the testing. We require all available data. For example this includes strength, modulus, fracture strain, stress-strain plots and Poissons ratio for the tension testing. If the ASTM states and the property can be obtained from testing, we want that. Use of a laser extensometer or digital image correlation (DIC) camera to track 2D and 3D strain is acceptable. 11. QUESTION: Regarding the turn around time: The acquisition of the proper number of strain gages could in itself take up to two months, the machining could take about four weeks, yet your angency is asking for 30 days of conditioning and the testing will take a significant amount of time due to the volume of work. A minimum of six months may be needed to do this testing, what is the 90 day requirement based on? ANSWER: 6 months or sooner is acceptable. 12. QUESTION: ASTM D3039 at -50 degree Fahrenheit (ASTM D3039), strain will be measured using extensometers. Poissons Ratio will not be measured. Please specify if tabs are required? ANSWER: Tabs will be required if your grips crush the samples. Poissons ratio is required. 13.QUESTION: ASTM D7264 at -50 degree Fahrenheit please specify if you require three or four point bending? ANSWER: 4 pt bend 14. QUESTION: For ASTM D6671- Interlaminar Fracture Toughness at -50 degree Fahrenheit (ASTM D6671), is the government going to put an insert at the midplane of the laminate during layup for delamination initiation, prior to sending the panel to the contractor for testing? ANSWER: We use a 2 mil TFPE film and will provide the appropriate panels. 15.QUESTION: For ASTM D7137 Does the government want more than strength tested at -50 degree Fahrenheit for ASTM 7137? ANSWER: Contractor shall be able to calculate both strength and effective modulus from D7137, compression after impact. 16. QUESTION: For ASTM D6484 Does the government want more than strength tested for Open-Hole Compressive Strength at 50 degree Fahrenheit (ASTM D6484)? ANSWER: Compression strength only The date and time for receipt of the bids has been changed to 04/03/2009, by 11:59AM EST.