Request for Information for Precision Multi-Axis Positioning System for Materials Processing in a Laboratory Setting

SYNOPSIS: The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (Natick, MA) is conducting market research into products pertaining to the positioning of a payload device that is moved in a controlled pattern while in contact with a work piece in a laboratory setting. The government is specifically interested in commercial off the shelf products that satisfy the following: Capable of controlled linear motion of the work piece platform in X, Y, and Z directions, and capable of rotation around the Z axis. Adequate platform movement range to handle work piece with maximum areal dimensions 24'x24 and maximum thickness of 12. Maximum range of motion: X and Y directions: 24 inches. Z direction: 12 inches. Z axis rotation: 360 degrees. Maximum linear velocity of at least 3 inches/second. Positioning accuracy: - 0.1 inch or better System must be mounted to vibration isolation table, 30-36-inch height. (Table must be included). Table must have retractable wheels to allow system to be relocated. Total footprint of the system, including mounting table, must be less than 6'x6. Must operate on 120 V ac power source Actuators must be capable of manipulating a payload weight of up to 25 lbs. System must be capable of withstanding applied point loads of 1,000 lbs on work piece without affecting motion Uses pneumatic or servo device to automatically maintain constant contact pressure (to within +- 1 psi) between payload and work piece. System should be capable of being be upgraded in future with additional axes to control contact angle between payload and a curved work piece (e.g. to allow for constant contact angle across a complex curved surface) for example, by addition of a hexapod positioning system to the work piece support platform. Should use and include ACS Motion Control software Should include LabView library of basic motion routines (raster scanning on rectangular surface) and up to three custom motion programs to be specified by buyer. Must be capable of using STL files created from CAD drawings to create tool paths for layer-by-layer build of parts. System must be fully warranted for 36 months with onsite service at CCDC-SC provided for routine service. Some tradeoffs in the above list of desired attributes are possible. Submissions should indicate trade-offs where applicable. Greater significance will be placed on products or methods that are modular and capable of being upgraded. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to carolyn.westmark.civ@army.mil by March 28, 2022 by 5 pm EST. Deliverables: Capability Statements, including attachments, are limited to ten (10) pages. Responses should be submitted in MS WORD and/or MS Excel or PDF, including attachments. Information should include technical information (i.e., technical literature, system specifications, data and illustrations, photographs, patents), relevant company background/experience, and an estimated price for the hardware and technical support. Firms responding shall indicate whether or not they are a small business. Any information submitted will not be returned. Interested parties shall also supply the following information: name of company and point of contact, telephone number, address and email of POC, business size (i.e. large business, small business, SBA certified HUBZone Business, Economically Disadvantaged Small Business, Woman-Owned Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business), proposed NAICS code, a brief description of the system and GSA catalog number (if the system is listed in the GSA catalog). Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject. RESPONSES: Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to CCDC Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to carolyn.westmark.civ@army.mil no later than March 28, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. EST. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party. Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number. QUESTIONS: Any questions for clarification may be emailed to carolyn.westmark.civ@army.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil no later than March 14, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement. Amendment 0001: Question 1. Is the 1000 lb load applied directly vertically (in line with Z axis), or is there any component of the load applied along the X or Y axes? Answer 1: The load can be applied at various angles to the Z axis. Question 2. Do you have an approximate size of the contact area between the payload and workpiece? Answer 2: Approximate size of the contact area is about 0.25 sq in Question 3. From the stated - System must be capable of withstanding applied point loads of 1,000 lbs on work piece without affecting motion Is the same - 0.1 inch positioning accuracy relevant for when the load is applied, or is there another definition for - without affecting motion Answer 3: Positioning accuracy is one part of the definition, traverse speed should also be maintained **Please note that if it is not possible to meet all requirements simultaneously, state this in your responsee and identify the relevant tradeoffs.** Amendment 0002: Question 4: What is the expected maximum angle to the Z-axis at which the 1000 lb load will be applied? Answer 4: 60 degrees to the Z axis (30 degree angle to a flat work piece)