Micro Electro Mechnical Systems (MEMS) nano-G Accelerometer

NOTE! See the Attachment to this Sources Sought. Sources Sought FA9453-13-R-0272, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)/ RVBXI, Orbital Drag. Subject: R & D MEMS Accelerometer Development I. Synopsis The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is conducting market research for R&D efforts that will assist in the determination of the availability of industrial and academic sources. AFRL is seeking potential offerors with the capability and capacity to provide development and test activities in support of AFRL's Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) nano-G accelerometer. The AFRL MEMS nano-G accelerometer uses capacitive sensing and electrostatic actuation of a proof mass suspended by a MEMS spring flexure. The capabilities include measurements of satellite drag-induced accelerations as low as several nano-Gs. Testing is required to validate the instrument's current capabilities. Additional development is needed to meet the needs of AFRL for on-orbit satellite drag measurements at altitudes in the range of 150 - 500 km. II. Statement of Need This effort will require a potential offeror to have a demonstrable working knowledge of design and manufacturing techniques specifically relating to MEMS accelerometer devices. The scope of the work will require an understanding of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) design and manufacturing, low-noise electronic circuit design, and low-noise data acquisition. The period of performance of this contract is expected to be approximately 60 months from the date of award and is expected to be divided into five (5) major tasks. Each Task is expected to be a - stand-alone' task with some overlap from task to task for contract Option purposes. For budgeting purposes, the contract value is expected to be between $350,000 to $450,000 over the total period of performance from contract award date to completion. NOTE! A contract will be pursuant to FAR 52.232-18, Availability Of Funds. III. Task 1. Environmental Testing at AFRL AFRL has an environmental facility designed to minimize building and environmental contributions to the acceleration measurements. The facility is a 40 x 40 ft isolated pad that is about 30 ft deep and isolated from the building. The offeror will: a. Support a one-day measurement at the facility to validate the noise levels of the AFRL MEMS accelerometer. b. Supply a low-noise data acquisition system capable of measuring voltages as low as 50 nanoV. c. Perform the analysis needed to generate the power spectral density plot of acceleration versus frequency. IV. Task 2. Assemble Additional Devices Assemble four (4) MEMS accelerometer devices from remaining materials of PII SBIR project. Assembly of the devices requires: a. Machining the device housing. b. Assembling the MEMS components. c. Populating and testing the electronic circuit. d. Design and implement measures to increase launch survivability. e. Test and evaluate devices for basic noise levels and sensitivity to DC acceleration. V. Task 3. Identify Any Sources of Stress Investigate sources of stress in the existing device design. This task involves: a. Producing MEMS spring structures for testing. b. Identify any imbalance in spring deflection. c. Trace the origins to MEMS manufacturing processes. VI. Task 4. Iterate MEMS Fabrication Process Changes to the MEMS device design from previous tasks will be implemented to mitigate any identified problems. a. Update the MEMS photomask design to include results of task 3 and inclusion of launch survivability measures. b. Manufacture additional devices with updated design. VII. Task 5. Develop and Test Spinning Platform Final stages of manufacturing involve designing and constructing a spinning platform to mechanically shift the low-frequency satellite drag-induced acceleration to a more optimal higher frequency regime. The offeror shall: a. Select an appropriate low-noise motor. b. Design the mechanism for instrument thermal control. c. Design and manufacture the rotating assembly. d. Perform functional testing of the rotating platform. VIII. NOTE!! THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. THIS NOTICE IS TO BE CONSIDERED MARKET RESEARCH VIA A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE AND WILL BE UTILIZED IN ACQUISITION PLANNING. PROSPECTIVE OFFERORS MUST SUBMIT TECHNICAL INFORMATIN EXPLAINING THEIR CAPABILITIES AND CAPACITIES. This notice is for planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses to this announcement and will formally solicit proposals at a later date if enough interest is demonstrated by response to this announcement. IX. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Information regarding capability and capacity must be submitted in writing. Any proprietary information should be marked accordingly. Interested organization(s) that believe they possess the capability and capacity necessary to successfully undertake the tasks described above should submit one CD and an original and one (1) copy of their capability and capacity statement by 29 Nov 12, 12:00 p.m. (Noon), Mountain Standard Time (MST) through the mail, because our Government computer system often deletes attachments from e-mail due to security reasons. Please include the offeror's CAGE Code and all applicable NAICS Code(s) that represent your firm's capabilities. If an offeror would like to submit any Past Performance information based upon what Government and Commercial contracts that they have performed, then please provide (1) Contract Numbers; (2) Description of the work performed and Period Of Performance; (3) Contracting Officer contact information or Customer contact information if the work was for a Commercial effort(s). If the offeror is a Small Business (SB), then we will need contact information of the SBA that the offeror's Home Office resides in for verification purposes. Any questions that an offeror may have prior to submission to this Sources Sought must be in writing. Submissions shall be addressed to the contracting office and personnel outlined below. (1) Contact Information: AFRL/RVKVB Attn: Mr. Francis M. Eggert & Ms. Jennifer Jaramillo 3550 Aberdeen Ave. SE. Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5776 Phone: 505-846-7603 (Mr. Eggert) E-mail: Francis.Eggert@us.af.mil Phone: 505-846-8501 (Ms. Jaramillo) E-mail: Jennifer.Jaramillo@us.af.mil