SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- ALON AND SPINEL OPTICAL CERAMICS
- Notice Date
- 5/3/2006
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 541710
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Wright Research Site, Det 1 AFRL/PK Bldg 167, Area B, 2310 8th Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433-7801
- ZIP Code
- 45433-7801
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-06-10-PKM
- Archive Date
- 5/24/2006
- Description
- NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT FOR ALON AND SPINEL OPTICAL CERAMICS. This is a pre-solicitation synopsis which is not a request for competitive proposals. The work will establish an integrated, domestic source of transparent optical ceramics made from each of two materials, ALON and spinel, and it will scale up manufacturing capacity for transparent optical ceramics made from both materials. The DPA Title III Program Office intends to award an Assistance Instrument or a contract, as appropriate, on the basis of other than full and open competition for this requirement to Surmet Corporation, 33 B Street, Burlington, MA 01803. Under the authority of Title III of the Defense Production Act (DPA) (50 U.S.C. App. Section 2061 et seq.), the Title III Program Office is contemplating this procurement to establish a U.S. owned, domestic, merchant supplier of transparent optical ceramic components made of each of the two materials: aluminum oxynitride (ALON) and magnesium aluminate spinel (spinel). The establishment of a domestic source which addresses all aspects of the production of both ALON and spinel, from powder synthesis through final optical polishing, will alleviate current issues that exist with reliance on multiple sources, some of them foreign, for various aspects of the production processes. The scale-up of production capacity for such components is needed to meet future DoD requirements for windows and domes for infrared systems and for transparent armor. The period of performance for the Phase I procurement is anticipated to be 15 months. A description of the task is as follows: Establish a domestic source of both ALON and spinel transparent optical ceramic components; scale up production capacity for transparent optical ceramic components, made of both ALON and spinel, to meet quantity requirements for the Department of Defense. The ability of the offeror to scale up production and accomplish the related goals of this program will be assessed based on the offeror?s demonstrated ability to routinely produce both ALON and spinel components that exhibit a high degree of optical transparency in both the visible and the near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, along with very good index-of-refraction homogeneity, in the size range of 14? x 20? for ALON and 12? x 12? for spinel. Transmittance greater than 80%, over the wavelength region from 0.4 - 4 microns, is required for 2-mm-thick samples of ALON, and from 0.4 - 5 microns for 2-mm-thick samples of spinel. Variation in the index of refraction on the order of 5 ppm or less, over the center 3 inches of the lens blank, and less than 10 ppm over a 4.7-inch diameter, is also required. Additional phases to further increase production capacity may be undertaken depending on the eventual quantity demanded and the availability of funding. The government intends to issue an award for these requirements on a Sole Source basis per FAR 6.302-1(a)(1), ?Only One Responsible Source? or ?DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations 37.400 (b),? based on Surmet?s demonstrated relevant experience, and on lack of knowledge of comparable experience on the part of any potential competitor. Offerors who are capable of meeting the requirements stated above shall fully identify their interest and submit, in writing, information documenting their qualifications and capabilities to meet the requirements stated above within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. This documentation shall specify the offeror?s area of expertise and experience. It shall include detailed descriptions of both ALON and spinel transparent optical ceramic components, currently produced as a military and industrial supplier, with demonstrated ability to manufacture and deliver ALON and spinel that meets the requirements set forth above. The documentation shall include a listing of products and services currently offered as a merchant industrial supplier along with market share in the area and a list of customer organizations currently using the components. The documentation shall identify relevant past, present, and future research, along with information on research budgets, personnel, and facilities. The offeror shall document their experience in transitioning product from R&D to production. Optical components that are made of materials other than aluminum oxynitride or magnesium aluminate spinel are not of interest to the government for this procurement. Nor is the government interested, for this procurement, in companies who provide components of either ALON or spinel, but not both. Responses received after 15 days or without the required information will be considered non-responsive to the synopsis, and will not be considered. Direct all questions pertaining to this acquisition to the contracting points of contact listed above in this announcement. Only one responsible source per capability of interest and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements as per the authority under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). All responsible sources may submit information, which shall be considered by the agency. Any information received for this Notice of Contract Action will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. See Numbered Note 22.
- Record
- SN01039960-W 20060505/060503220544 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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