A -- WEATHERING AND CORROSION PROTECTION FOR AIRCRAFT SURFACES AND PARTS

Notice Date

September 14, 2001

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

PRDA-01-11-MLK

Response Due

October 29, 2001

Point of Contact

Felix Turner, Contract Negotiator, Phone (937)255-5069, Email felix.turner@wpafb.af.mil -- Christine Opheim, Contracting Officer, Phone (937) 256-9003, Email Christine.Opheim@wpafb.af.mil

Description

Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate/Nonmetallic Materials Division (AFRL/MLBT) solicits research proposals to address Weathering and Corrosion Protection for Aircraft Surfaces and Parts. The objective of this program is to develop new protective coatings and surface treatments, new application processes, and test and evaluation technologies to ameliorate weathering and corrosion on aircraft surfaces and parts. The effects of weathering and corrosion on USAF aircraft are pervasive problems across the aging fleet, affecting readiness and their cost of ownership. Ultraviolet (UV) degradation of topcoats generates mid-cycle repainting in both field and Air Logistic Center (ALC) facilities. Corrosion detection and repair costs continue to escalate. Current corrosion protection technologies are enormously inadequate for the job, in addition to generating hazardous waste. Recent results from a variety of research and development efforts sponsored by AFOSR, DARPA, and SERDP indicate promising opportunities to advance the performance of current Materials and Processing ( M&P) technology. The potential payoff to USAF will be reduced cost of ownership across the USAF aging aircraft fleet resulting from amelioration of the effects of weathering and corrosion on aircraft surfaces and parts. This exploratory development effort shall focus on advanced materials and processing technology to substantially reduce the effects of weathering and corrosion on aircraft surfaces and parts. Materials of primary interest include: new durable primer formulations based on novel organic resin systems; novel corrosion protective treatments; and, corrosion resistant surface treatments employing novel coating application processes (e.g., sol-gel, plasma polymer deposition, etc.). Other areas of interest include UV resistant aircraft topcoats based on novel organic resin systems (e.g., fluoropolymers) and UV stabilizer components, and novel approaches to coating system test and evaluation using electrochemical-based methodologies. All M & P technology shall be environmentally compliant/benign. To energize broad-based capabilities of the contractor, teaming of industry, university, research institute elements is highly encouraged. To facilitate successful technology transition, involvement of an ALC or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is also encouraged. Preference shall be given to proposers who can identify or utilize cost leveraging or complimentary efforts which involve closely related protective coatings research and development programs. The effects of weathering and corrosion on USAF aircraft are pervasive problems across the aging fleet, affecting readiness and their cost of ownership. UV degradation of topcoats generates mid-cycle repainting in both field and ALC facilities. Corrosion detection and repair costs continue to escalate. Current corrosion protection technologies are enormously inadequate for the job, in addition to generating hazardous waste. Recent results from a variety of research and development efforts sponsored by AFOSR, DARPA, and SERDP indicate promising opportunities to advance the performance of current M & P technology. The potential payoff to USAF will be reduced cost of ownership across the USAF aging aircraft fleet resulting from amelioration of the effects of weathering and corrosion on aircraft surfaces and parts. Interested offerors may view and/or download the full PRDA/BAA solicitation by accessing the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOps) homepage at http://www.eps.gov/. Direct questions to the Contracting point of contact identified in the announcement.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/AFRLWRS/PRDA-01-11-MLK/listing.htm l)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010918/ASOL006.HTM (D-257 SN50X607)