Turbop Prop Test Instrumentation System (TPTI)

INTRODUCTION This is a request for information only. There is no solicitation package available. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst is seeking information from industry that will assist in the assessment of new technology for the purpose of gas turbine engine testing. This information will also assist the Navy in formulating its requirements for a Turbo Prop Test Instrumentation (TPTI) System to be developed in support of Intermediate Level (I-level) testing of various versions of the T56 turboprop engine. BACKGROUND The functional capability of the TPTI System will be based on existing family testers for FanJet engines (JETI) and Shaft engines (SETI). These testers are Personal Computer (PC) based test system designed to provide enhanced computer based measurement and automated data acquisition and control for the purpose of Intermediate (I-Level) testing. The existing engine testers (JETI/SETI) consist of: (1) Power conditioning and distribution sufficient to provide clean battery-backed power from a range of AC input sources and generate all AC and DC power requirements; (2) rack-mount, ruggedized PCs; (3) Computer-based instrumentation which satisfies engine signal and test requirements (e.g. speed, accuracy, resolution); (4) engine adapter hardware, interface cables, and signal conditioning required for conveyance of engine signals; (5) transducers for conversion of physical signals into electrical form (e.g. vibration accelerometers, pressure transducers, thermocouples, etc.); and (6) an independent throttle system (dual throttle configuration in SETI, single throttle configuration in JETI). These systems are similar in that they are employ VXI form factor instrumentation which interface with and are controlled from an external PC. The computer systems are standard Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) based ruggedized PC(s), running Windows-based operating system. The computers communicate with the instrumentation via industry-standard protocols (e.g. VXI, LXI VISA, IVI, IEEE-802.3, etc.). Engine application software is written with National Instrument's LabView product. The systems share a common architecture both in hardware, software and the - look and feel of the user interface. Existing systems (JETI and SETI) accommodate over 100 channels of A/D type analog inputs - including 48 channels of thermocouples and 36 pressure channels; 8 channels of frequency input, 9 channels of vibration signals, 112 channels of discrete inputs, 152 channels of discrete output (relays); 2 channels of timing/frequency, 2 channels of MIL-STD 1553 in JETI, and ARINC 429 in SETI. The data acquisition process acquires all channels at approximately 100Hz and 200Hz for JETI and SETI respectively. The Engine Test Program software communicates with the data acquisition to perform instrument setup and configuration and transfer acquired data as required to support engine test requirements. PURPOSE OF REQUEST As with any COTS based instrumentation and control system, obsolescence concerns with both hardware and software exist as a result of market driven technological advances. The government, therefore, is requesting information from industry suppliers of gas turbine engine test systems and subsystems that employ the latest in technology that may meet our requirement for a turboprop engine tester. All suppliers with an appropriate product relating the requirement for gas turbine engine testing are invited to submit a Capability Statement and contact information. The Capability Statement should discuss the product's capabilities set against the present JETI/SETI system configurations, potential TPTI requirements, and any other specific or pertinent information that would enhance the Navy's understanding of the information submitted With this information, the Navy will have an industry perspective on the latest technical architecture alternatives that will allow for a more informed technical feasibility alternatives assessment. HOW TO RESPOND All interested parties should send company and/or descriptive literature as well as any comments or questions to Ms. Sarah Casto, e-mail: sarah.casto@navy.mil, fax: (732) 323-2359 or address: Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Contracts, Code 25212SC 562-3, Hwy 547, Lakehurst, NJ 08733-5082. All responses should be received no later than 3:00 PM EST, 28 April 2009. All questions and comments must be in writing, no telephone calls. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this request, nor will the Government compensate any respondent for any costs incurred in developing the information provided to the Government.