Large Format Silicon Ingot Domestic Industrial Base Classification

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment implied or otherwise, that the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) will take procurement action in this matter. Further, AFRL nor the Government will be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing information. This RFI is being used to gather market research for AFRL to make decisions regarding silicon ingot production to address a Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) issue. AFRL will use the results of this RFI to determine the current large format silicon ingot manufacturing domestic industrial base capabilities for the production of current and future sensor protection windows. Additionally, this information will be used to develop preliminary cost estimates and an acquisition strategy. Background: The United States lacks the domestic industrial base to produce silicon ingots to manufacture sensor windows currently employed on Air Force (AF) weapon systems. Requirement: The Government requires the establishment of a domestic manufacturing source of silicon ingots to alleviate a DMS issue for a current AF Program of Record to meet an operational need by 3rd QTR CY22. The required ingot material is slip-free single-crystal silicon with the following properties: a. Crystal Orientation: <111> b. Dimensions: Diameter: ? 14 inches; Height: sufficient material to yield several sensor windows blanks (no less than 0.75 inches in height) and corresponding sample coupons for performance testing c. Electrical Type: P-Type with resistivity between 10 and 50 ohm-cm d. Made from virgin poly silicon raw material, 99.999999% (9N) minimum purity by weight The resulting sensor window blank optical transmission property is ? 52.5% from 1.554 - m to 1.566 - m through the full blank thickness. Responding to this RFI: Interested parties responding to this RFI must provide the following information: Company name Business size If your company is a small business, please identify any socio-economic category that applies CAGE code Name of the primary point of contact for the response Email address Phone number Capabilities Statement on how your company can achieve the above requirement. All information received in response to this RFI may be marked - Proprietary. Response Submission Deadline: Responses to this RFI must be submitted no later than March 18, 2022. RFI submissions will be accepted as email attachments only. All responses must be sent to the Contract Specialist, Kelli Senger, kelli.k.senger.civ@army.mil, with - Large Format Silicon Ingot Domestic Industrial Base in the subject line.