WBS 1.0 ultra lightweight core design generation. The ATK team will, on a best efforts basis, generate an engineered composite core design that has a justifiable expectation of meeting the target…

This is a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract awarded by NASA's Glenn Research Center to ATK Space Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation. The $407,044.14 contract is for the design, fabrication, and testing of an ultra-lightweight composite core material over a 13-month period. Key objectives include generating an engineered composite core design, fabricating and testing flat and curved panel segments, and developing a plan to reduce the cost of the ultra-lightweight core. The contract requires ATK to deliver technical documentation, analysis models, and test data to NASA. There is no set-aside designation for this contract.

WBS 1.0 ultra lightweight core design generation. The ATK team will, on a best efforts basis, generate an engineered composite core design that has a justifiable expectation of meeting the target capabilities listed in the NRA. The basis for the expectation will be rooted in engineering analyses that apply first principles of engineering mechanics and available materials information to evaluate core designs. These analyses, information, and related calculations shall be documented and delivered to NASA. Any spreadsheets, computational tools (source code), computer programs (source code), CAD models, and finite element models developed in WBS 1.0, with any ATK proprietary preexisting background information, data, processes and procedures either removed or identified, shall be delivered to NASA in electronic format sufficient for NASA to perform similar calculations and analyses. A final core definition that includes material selection, core cell geometry, and the composite laminate definition will be documented in a technical drawing. WBS 2.0 ultra lightweight core production demonstration. ATK will, on a best efforts basis, procure all materials, tooling, and labor required to fabricate the core as documented on the technical drawings developed in WBS 1.0. Sufficient core pieces will be produced to support testing by ATK and to supply the required deliverable segments to NASA. The delivered electronic data shall include not only the point-wise performance metric values, but also all associated data (e.g., curves) used to determine the performance metric values. WBS 3.0 process evaluations. ATK shall demonstrate the ability to join core segments into effectively larger segments at either ambient conditions or in oven cure environments. ATK shall demonstrate the ability to assemble and consolidate facesheets to the core segments in both flat and curved panel configurations using conventional honeycomb panel consolidation techniques. WBS 4.0 ultra lightweight core performance evaluation. ATK shall, on a best efforts basis, generate test data on the produced flat sandwich panel segment(s). The test data shall be sufficient to compare and contrast against the target performance metrics in the NRA solicitation. The test data shall be compared against the expected performance capability developed in WBS 1.0, and recommendations for improving/optimizing performance shall be composed. The test data shall be documented in a report, as well as standard electronic format, and delivered to NASA. WBS 5.0 ultra lightweight core cost projections. ATK shall, on a best efforts basis, develop a plan that leads to pricing reduction of the ultra lightweight core. WBS 6.0 deliverables. ATK shall, on a best efforts basis, deliver 4 EA. Flat panel segments and 4 EA. Panel segments for curved applications to NASA. ATK shall deliver quarterly reports as required. ATK shall deliver a final oral report and a final written report in accordance with the NRA solicitation. The quarterly and final reports shall include detailed documentation of all methods and calculations used to arrive at the composite core design developed in WBS 1.0. All test data (key performance parameters and all associated data to determine these performance parameters) generated in WBS 4.0 shall be delivered to NASA in electronic format. Any data, spreadsheets, computational tools (source code), computer programs (source code), CAD models, and finite element models developed in WBS 1.0, with any ATK proprietary preexisting background information, data, processes and procedures either removed or identified, shall be delivered to NASA in electronic format sufficient for NASA to perform similar calculations and analyses. ATK shall develop and deliver a proposal for phase II. WBS 7.0 management. ATK shall, on a best efforts basis, provide the project management and oversight necessary to execute the technical plan outlined in this proposal.