PIEE #FA821327R6723

Air Force Market Research for Neutron Radiography Capacity and Facility Modernization

The Air Force is conducting market research on expanding neutron radiography capacity for aerospace energetics. - Government buyer: Department of the Air Force, through Air Force Materiel Command and Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC/EBHK/EBHKB), in coordination with the Department of War and the Cartridge Actuated Devices / Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD) Program Office. - Requested capability: Technical approaches, non-destructive testing facility enhancements, and modernization concepts to increase domestic neutron radiography (N-Ray) capacity and per-shift throughput. - Improve beam-line and radiography-bay utilization; reduce mechanical bottlenecks; increase robotic manipulator uptime. - Improve low-power reactor operating efficiency, reduce film exposure times without loss of image fidelity, and increase concurrent exposure capacity to use restricted reactor-core fuel efficiently. - Respondents and deliverables: University research centers, national laboratories, commercial test facilities, and specialized engineering contractors are invited to provide white papers, capability improvement statements, modernization concepts, relevant experience, and anticipated risks. - Timing of proposed solutions: The Government favors approaches that can be completed within 6 to 12 months. No contract period of performance is specified. - OEMs, vendors, products, quantities, and part numbers: None are identified. This is a sources-sought market research notice, not a solicitation or award.

Description

SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS FORUNITED STATES AIR FORCE (USAF) AND/OR FOREIGN MILITARY SALES (FMS) DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE, AIR FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND, AFLCMC/EBHKSources Sought Synopsis (SSS) Number: PR# FA821327R6723Notice Type: Sources SoughtSYNOPSIS:1. NOTICE: This is not a solicitation but rather a Sources Sought Synopsis to determine potential sources for information and planning purposes only.1.1 This is a Sources Sought Synopsis published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e) and FAR 5.205. This notice is issued solely for market research, planning, and information-gathering purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an obligation on the part of the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this synopsis alone or otherwise pay for the information requested. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not reimburse any costs associated with the preparation or submission of responses to this notice; all costs associated with responding will be solely at the interested party¿¿¿s expense. Not responding to this SSS does not preclude participation in any future competitive or non-competitive solicitation, if issued.1.2 The Government anticipates an acquisition strategy of other than full and open competition for this requirement and resulting solicitation, utilizing the authority at RFO 6.103-3.1.3 North American Industry Classification System Code: The anticipated NAICS code is 541380; the corresponding Small Business size standard in $19M. If the NAICS code or Small Business size standard appears to be incorrect, please suggest an alternative NAICS code and Small Business size for consideration.2. Purpose 2.1 Specific Intent of this SSS: The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC/EBHKB), in coordination with the Department of War (DoW) and the Cartridge Actuated Devices / Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD) Program Office, is conducting market research to identify viable technical approaches, non-destructive testing (NDT) facility enhancements, and industrial modernization solutions capable of:Rapidly expanding domestic neutron radiography (N-Ray) capacity and per-shift throughput efficiency for aerospace energetics. This can look like; more assets per beam line, faster batch cycling, additional beam lines, etc. Reducing single-point mechanical bottlenecks and optimizing robotic manipulator uptime in radiography bays, allowing for increased exposure capacity or reducing auxiliary asset logistics timelines. In addition, seeking opportunities to enable or increase uptime efficiency of low-power reactor operations and/or film exposure reductions without a drop in fidelity, and/or increasing exposure volume for additional concurrent small scale assets to extend the service life or efficient use of restricted, non-obligated research reactor core fuel.INSTRUCTION1. AFLCMC/EBHKB requires technical white papers, capability improvement statements, and modernization concepts from university research centers, national laboratories, commercial test facilities, and specialized engineering contractors. The Government is particularly interested in solutions that can be completed within 6 to 12 months.2. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this synopsis or any follow-up information requests. Interested offerors shall respond to this Source Sought Synopsis no later than 2:00PM MST 25-November-2026. Responses shall include:a. Entity name and address;b. Name of entity representative and their title;c. Entity size and type;d. CAGE codee. UEI numberf. Technical white paper, capability improvement statement, and modernization concepts demonstrating ability to perform in accordance with paragraph 2.1 above.g. Any anticipated teaming arrangements or information regarding plans to use a joint venture. Any response involving teaming arrangements should delineate between the work that could be accomplished by the prime and the work that could be accomplished by the teaming partner(s).h. A description of similar services offered to the Government or to commercial customers within the past three years.i. Any major performance, schedule, or cost risk anticipated at this time. 3. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. It is the submitter¿¿¿s sole responsibility to verify the e-file was received and can be viewed. 4. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing sources sought responses will have signed non- disclosure agreement and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in 41 USC 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not property identified5. Questions and responses regarding this sources sought synopsis should be addressed to Paige LaPoint 801-586-1515 or e-mail: paige.lapoint@us.af.mil. Answers to questions will be posted on the SAM.gov website. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information.

View original listing