Critical Component Protective Armor Researcch

This anticipated acquisition is to develop and test critical component protection using lightweight, structurally integrated armored panels which are non parasitic for the 780th TS/OL-AC Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. The contractor shall develop a rapid low cost ceramic metal forming process using modified existing tooling. This toling system will be expanded to integrate and accommodate optimal shape and structure. The test prototype will be an integrated armor panel that complies with airworthiness (e.g. AWR) requirements, features improved performance above current levels, and is capable of defeating program office defined threats demonstrated through defined ballasted protection (live fire testing V50 and V0). The deliverable for this anticipated acquisition is a Final Technical Report that demonstrates the efficacy of the processes and prototype via live fire destructive testing. The report shall capture, analyze and interpret the results/efficacy of the upgraded composite tooling, design changes of the optimized armor panels, as demonstrated by their prototype panel design. In performance of this contract, contractor personnel may be required to perform work related duties both on and off base. No Government furnished property will be provided. Interested sources who believe they can meet these requirements should provide a statement of capabilities that provides the following information related to their demonstrated experience and capabilities: (a) Contract information and/or program information describing your experience in the past three years relative to the objectives and tasks identified below. (b) Demonstrated capability directly related to composites, tooling, armor, testing, and aircraft integration. All interested organizations are encouraged to submit capabilities packages for review. Organizations which provide information which does not demonstrate their capabilities specifically associated with the criteria identified in paragraphs (a) and (b) may be evaluated as not being capable of performing the required effort. It is the policy of the Government to provide maximum practicable opportunities in its acquisitions to small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns. The resulting evaluation of all organizations providing capabilities packages will be considered in determining the acquisition strategy, specifically in determining for which (if any) small-business concerns this acquisition will be set-aside in accordance with FAR 19.5. The contract type anticipated by the Government is Firm-Fixed Price (FFP). The anticipated period of performance is two years. The proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541712, with a small business standard size of 500 employees. In the response, interested sources should identify company name, point of contact, e-mail address, telephone, Federal CAGE Code, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, facsimile numbers, and type and business size indicating whether you are a large business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and/or women-owned small business concerns for the purposes of the assigned NAICS. Responses to this market are to be received NLT 2:00 PM., Central Standard Time on 10 December 2009 addressed to Major Shawn Beauchamp at shawn.beauchamp@eglin.af.mil. An Ombudsman has been appointed to address the concerns of offerors or potential offerors. The Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the Program Manager or Contracting Officer, but communicates 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. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Matters of routine or administrative nature concerning this acquisition should not be addressed to the Ombudsman, but rather to the Contracting points of contact identified below. The Ombudsman is Colonel Arnold Bunch, AAC/CV, at 101 West D Avenue, Suite 116, Eglin AFB FL 32542-5495; his phone number is 850-882-5422. Collect Calls will not be accepted. For further information, contact Major Shawn Beauchamp, AAC/PKE, 205 West D Ave., Suite 433, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6864 or telephone 850-882-3041. This sources sought synopsis is for information and planning purposes only. It does not constitute an IFB or RFP, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. No costs will be paid for any charges incurred in responding to this synopsis.