Engineering Services: F-16 Transparency Testing

The Government is interested in acquiring engineering services. This posting is a request for information (RFI) in regards to the attached Contractual Engineering Task (CET). For market research purposes the Government requests suggestions from industry on current techniques and methods that may be used to determine the effects of aging on the F-16 transparency. This is not a solicitation and the Government does not intend to pay for the information provided. 1. If this service were provided by your company what type of contract pricing arrangement (FFP,CR, etc.) would be suggested? 2. In respect to the attached CET rough draft, please respond to the following questions: a. What testing methodology is best suited to determine the effects of aging on the F-16 transparency? b. Are there tests other than a full bird strike that could be performed to reduce the number of bird strike tests required thereby reducing the cost of testing? c. How many bird strike tests do you anticipate needing to fully define the effects of aging? 3. Could this testing be performed in a 12 month period? 4. Are there other questions or problems noticed in the draft CET? 5. Please provide suggestions as soon as possible but no later than 12:00 PM (noon) MST on 02 November 2012. Responses can be sent to Christian Barwick via email at christian.barwick@hill.af.mil and Ryan Hendricks at ryan.hendricks@hill.af.mil. Use of this Request for Information is authorized by FAR15.201 (e), which states, "RFIs may be used when the Government does not presently intend to award a contract, but wants to obtain price, delivery, other market information, or capabilities for planning purposes. Responses to these notices are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract." Accordingly, applicable to this RFI are the requirements of FAR 52.215-3 -- Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (OCT 1997), which state that (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, and (b) Although "proposal" and "offer" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. Per subparagraph (c), this solicitation is issued as a Request for Information (RFI) for planning purposes only.