Development of Thermally Stable Nanocrystalline Nickel Alloys by Powder Metallurgy
NASA/MSFC has a requirement for the development of thermally stable nanocrystalline Nickel alloys by powder metallurgy for use in multiple NASA applications. NASA/MSFC intends to award a contract for the required services to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). A one-year contract with two one-year options is planned. Competition is impractical for the following reasons: 1. MIT owns the patented process for the production of thermally stable nanocrystalline materials, and as such, there are no other known sources for development of these unique materials. 2. No other known entity possesses the ability to conduct the advanced, Nickel based alloy design for thermal stability. The development of thermally-stable nanocrystalline alloys has been accomplished by MIT and their research teams of graduate students and associated additional professors over a period of more than ten years of focused research, during which significant challenges in achieving thermally-stable nanocrystalline materials have been overcome. Their previous work will accelerate the materials design phase of this project and significantly increase the probability of success. Because of their previous experience, to include their work performed on a previous competitively awarded NASA cooperative agreement for "Thermally Stable Nanocrystalline Nickel Alloys by Powder Metallurgy," MIT has a high probability of achieving a complete thermally stable nanocrystalline alloy design cycle in one year. 3. Awarding a contract to a new business entity would require unacceptable duplications in costs, as well as a delay to the schedule than could not be recovered. An estimate of the funding required to duplicate the efforts performed by the MIT workforce over a 10 year period would be in the range of $3-4 million, exclusive of the specialized equipment and facilities which would easily cost in excess of $5 million. In addition to the specialized laboratory equipment necessary to produce, characterize and test the materials, there is the intellectual property to be considered, coupled with the world-class knowledge base and experience with nanocrystalline materials. Furthermore, the intellectual capacity to research and develop the methodology, processes, thermodynamics, sintering and alloying chemistry, cannot be quantified (i.e., one could gather materials, professors, graduate students, and the necessary equipment with no guarantee that the results achieved by MIT could be duplicated). To attempt to recreate these achievements in a timeframe to support Agency requirements for these unique materials is not feasible. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on June 21, 2019. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html . . 80MSFC19LST0606 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Marshall Space Flight Center
6/6/19, 4:31 PM