Attch 1 - PRECIOUS IDIQ Statement of Objectives (SOO).pdf

Solicitation #: 001-24S

PRECIOUS IDIQ SOO

5 Mar 2024 Attachment 1

Pervasive Research & Evaluation for Complex-solutions In Operational & Urgent Systems

(PRECIOUS)

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

1. General Program Goals: The objectives of this program are to transition materials and process (M&P) technology solutions and innovative testing protocols with the goals of improving mission readiness, reducing cost (both production and life cycle sustainment), improving manufacturing, maximizing systems safety, reducing adverse environmental impact, and creating/preventing technological surprise. This program will span across research (foundational, applied, advanced), quick reaction activities, prototyping, demonstration, and transition of technology and process solutions to meet Department of Air Force (DAF) needs. This program will include (but not be limited to) specialty materials, composite & polymer systems, metals & mechanical systems, electrical & electronics materials, nondestructive evaluation, chemical analysis, other nonmetallic aerospace materials, manufacturing technologies, energy & resource technologies, and biomaterials/biomanufacturing. The program shall be responsive to a wide variety of DAF customers, including Major Commands (MAJCOMs), logistics centers, operational units, acquisition offices, other AFRL organizations, and key outside organizations to enable product transition and implementation and meet mission goals.

1.1. General Program Objectives: The primary objective of this program is to research, assess, develop, test, evaluate, prototype, demonstrate, and transition technologies that shall improve operational effectiveness through improved energy technology and reducing the manufacturing and life cycle sustainment burden of coatings, materials, inspections, repairs, energy and resource technologies and processes. Maintenance is a dominant activity that negatively affects combat readiness. These materials are costly both from the standpoint of material manufacturing and application/removal. Maintainability has become increasingly important with the need to be light, responsive, and rapidly deployable; and do so in a manner that does not constitute an unacceptable fiscal drain. Additionally, energy technology development and innovations are necessary to improve aircraft energy, power, and weight reduction solutions in more demanding environments. Components of this work shall be performed onsite at Wright-Patterson AFB and off-site at contractor-owned facilities.

2. Key Technical Thrust Areas:

2.1. The contractor shall demonstrate technical experience and capability to identify, develop, evaluate, and transition M&P related to the following key technical areas: 1) Specialty Materials, 2) Composite & Polymer Systems, 3) Metals & Mechanical Systems, 4) Electrical & Electronics Materials,

5) Nondestructive Evaluation, 6) Chemical Analysis, 7) other Nonmetallic Aerospace Materials, 8) Manufacturing Technologies, 9) Energy & Resource Technologies, and 10) Biomaterials /Biomanufacturing. Principal issues in these key technical areas include (but are not limited to) design, development, processing, repair, and integration of these materials for existing and future air and space applications. This program requires M&P knowledge, as well as an understanding of manufacturing, depot, and operational environments. It relies on strong in-house capability and teaming with outside technical specialists, as applicable.

2.2. The contractor shall provide personnel and expertise to perform the work listed below across each of the key technical thrust areas. Contractor shall perform the work primarily in Government-owned facilities, with some work performed in contractor-owned facilities, as determined by the contractor.

2.2.1. Perform rapid response (quick reaction) evaluations for component failure analyses, material and mechanical property evaluations, chemical analysis, nondestructive evaluations, and characterizations of corrosion, erosion, and degradation of materials used for weapon systems and defense-related applications. Quick reaction is defined as the ability to acquire Government-furnished specimens to test and report preliminary findings and potential solutions within a 24-hour period. Contractor personnel need to be within a one-hour drive of Government and/or Contractor facilities, whichever is their primary worksite.

2.2.2. Develop and evaluate existing/new materials, processes, and equipment to determine processing and fabrication requirements, material specification testing, nondestructive material characterization, static and dynamic material and engineering properties, erosion, chemical and environmental-resistance characteristics, storage issues, and maintenance concerns requested by operational units, ALCs, MAJCOMs, and other organizations. Evaluation shall comply with accepted test standards except as directed by the designated government authority. For instances where standard test methods are inadequate or do not exist, the contractor shall utilize expertise in test method development to suggest the proper test methodology or adjustments to the standard.

2.2.3. Develop and optimize materials and processes, test methodologies, inspections, repair concepts, tooling, and equipment utilizing new or existing materials.

2.2.4. Develop novel testing and evaluation protocols that are time-reducing and incorporate individual materials into multi-material systems and subject these systems to multi-variable, laboratory simulations of operational conditions. Provide expertise in a wide variety of accelerated environmental durability exposures including rain (high speed and supersonic), particle erosion, and corrosion.

2.2.5. Contribute to advanced development, demonstrations, and prototypes of developed technologies.

2.2.6. Perform all actions required to evaluate materials, components, systems, software, or processes in a flight experiment or testing at DAF facilities.

2.2.7. Transition material and process solutions to the customer and aid in successful implementation.

2.3. Key Technical Thrust Details

2.3.1. Specialty Materials: As required, the contractor shall:

2.3.1.1. Provide technical expertise in the development, evaluation, processing, inspection, maintenance, and technology transition of specialty materials.

2.3.2. Composite & Polymer Systems: As required, the contractor shall:

2.3.2.1. Perform research and development for materials and processes of aerospace composite and polymer systems including (but not limited to) polymer matrix composite laminates, structural adhesives, core, sealants, molded seals, fuel cell bladders, and explosion suppression foams. Shall include experience working with polymeric adhesive, composite, and elastomer materials technologies, to include surface preparation processes and methodologies. Experience is required to conduct evaluations and failure analysis to include (but not limited to) optical measurements; thermomechanical analyses including (but not limited to) differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and thermomechanical analyzer (TMA); physical and mechanical property characterization including but not limited to tensile and elongation, compression, shear, fluid compatibility, hardness, various peel configurations, and thermal and fluid aging techniques.

2.3.2.2. Contractor shall perform fabrication of, but not limited to, complex aerospace polymer composite parts, structural adhesive bonding, and sealant bonding.

2.3.3. Metals & Mechanical Systems: As required, contractor shall:

2.3.3.1. Perform research and development for materials and processes with metal alloys and mechanical systems. Experience is required in conducting failure analysis, mishap investigations, materials and manufacturing processes for structural aerospace components, mechanical property evaluations, and characterization of emerging materials for DAF applications where performance enhancements over current materials can be attained. Requirements include evaluation of various size components using test techniques and equipment to measure precise loads, strains, and other engineering properties.

2.3.3.2. Examine specimens using visual inspection, optical light microscopy, metallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to include electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), coordinate measurement machine (CMM), as well as other unique analytical methods as required.

2.3.3.3. Conduct thermomechanical analyses as to determine properties including (but not limited to) expansion coefficients, phase transformation temperatures, and glass transition temperatures obtained using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and thermomechanical analyzer (TMA).

2.3.3.4. Fabricate fixtures, stands, NDI standards, and other project-related items using standard machine shop equipment located in Government facilities.

2.3.3.5. Conduct physical property testing under various environmental conditions to include (but not be limited to) fracture toughness, crack growth, spectrum loading, tension, compression, flexure, shear, bearing, stress corrosion cracking, salt fog/spray, humidity, thermal extremes, and fatigue. Hardness testing of various materials shall be conducted using both bulk and microhardness testing machines in conjunction with calibration standards.

2.3.4. Electrical and Electronics Materials: As required, the contractor shall:

2.3.4.1. Perform research and development for materials and processes for electrical and electronic materials (including, but not limited to) analyzing both functional and failed electronic/electrical assemblies and components using fault isolation and physics of failure techniques while handling assemblies and components in a way that demonstrably preserves evidence to the greatest extent possible.

2.3.4.2. Conduct macro and micro digital imaging; bread-boarding and verification of functionality of test circuits; replication of mishap conditions in a laboratory environment; simulation (analytical, circuit modeling, and finite element as required); search of existing literature; printed wiring board cross-sectioning; detection of arcing, thermal effects, and corrosion; cross-sectioning of electrical interfaces;

environmental testing and monitoring of electronic hardware (temperature, vibration, and humidity);

operation of electrical power supplies; operation of oscilloscopes; micro-miniature probing of integrated circuits; semiconductor etching; and optical and electron microscopy and elemental analysis.

2.3.4.3. Evaluate electronic materials/hardware, characterize material degradation, analyze and document improper workmanship, and identify failure mechanisms such as corrosion, electrical overstress, electrostatic discharge (ESD), dielectric breakdown, brittle and ductile fracture of electronic materials, electrical arcing, arc erosion, thermal patterns, and chemical and environmental degradation.

2.3.4.4. Perform structural and chemical materials analysis to characterize and identify materials of construction, loose components, debris (including metal whiskers), contaminants, and corrosion products.

2.3.4.5. Test and evaluate ESD protective materials, processes, and equipment. This shall include (but not limited to) surface and volumetric resistivity and resistance; charge decay; frictional charging (triboelectrification); discharge energy assessment; integrated circuit and semiconductor ESD sensitivity testing; ionization offset voltage and discharge time; electrostatic shielding; ground integrity; as well as various ESD test models including Human Body, Charged Device, and Machine. The effects of temperature and humidity on ESD protective materials and equipment shall be assessed. The contractor shall be familiar with MIL-PRF-87893, MIL-B-81705, MIL-C-5501/31 and 32, ESD Association, ASTM, ANSI, Technical Order 00-25-234, Section VII, and other national and international standards.

2.3.5. Nondestructive Evaluation: As required, the contractor shall:

2.3.5.1. Perform research and development for materials and processes of NDE capabilities and technologies.

2.3.5.2. Conduct nondestructive testing and characterization of composite, metallic, ceramic, and hybrid materials and components associated with structural, electronic, and propulsion systems and subsystems to assess material quality and structural integrity.

2.3.5.3. Conduct NDE in support of failure analyses and investigation of M&P issues. Efforts shall address NDE characterization of materials and components used in systems that include (but not limited to) aircraft, remotely piloted vehicles (RPV), space and space related systems, launch vehicles, missile systems, and static/mobile support equipment.

2.3.5.4. Conduct testing, assessments, and evaluations of penetrant material performance in accordance with SAE-AMS2644. Testing shall investigate for product deficiencies and assessment of factors influencing penetrant inspection effectiveness.

2.3.5.5. Conduct exploratory development, prototyping, capability analysis, procedure development, and transition of NDE solutions to address M&P development challenges, manufacturing quality challenges, and system safety challenges during any phase of a system lifecycle (development, production, and sustainment).

2.3.5.6. Contractor shall provide expertise that is certified to Level 3, as an aggregate, to the requirement of NAS 410, Nondestructive Testing Personnel Qualification and Certification, in the following five basic inspection methods: magnetic particle inspection, penetrant inspection (fluorescent and visual), eddy-current inspection, radiography inspection, and ultrasonic inspection. Team members shall include experience with state-of-the-art inspection technologies (e.g. digital/ computed radiography, x-ray computed tomography (CT), phased array ultrasound, shearography, and pulsed thermography), and have demonstrated successful experience in applying NDE solutions to air vehicle (structural and engine) inspection requirements and characterization efforts. Contractor shall provide at least one team member who has demonstrated experience in the characterization of penetrant materials performance in accordance with SAE-AMS2644.

2.3.6. Chemical Analysis: As required, the contractor shall:

2.3.6.1. Perform research and development for materials and processes to perform chemical analyses using both classical wet chemical methods and instrumental analysis. Contractor shall perform elemental analysis techniques including x-ray fluorescence spectrometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively-coupled plasma spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, ion chromatography, ion-selective electrode measurements, carbon & sulfur analysis in metals, CHNS/O analysis of organic materials and finally oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen inert gas fusion in metals.

2.3.6.2. Conduct molecular analysis utilizing a variety of techniques including Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The contractor shall utilize specialized analytical techniques as needed such as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger analysis, x-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and residual gas analysis of integrated circuit packages.

2.3.6.3. The contractor may utilize Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) for completion of this work.

Contractor shall be responsible for any expense to disassemble, move, reassemble, calibrate, operate, and maintain at a facility within one hour drive time of Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.

2.3.7. Other Nonmetallic Aerospace Materials: As required, the contractor shall:

2.3.7.1. Perform research and development for materials and processes for other nonmetallic aerospace materials. These include (but are not limited to) coatings, honeycomb core materials and foams, ceramics, plastics, transparencies, nanomaterials, and textiles.

2.3.8. Manufacturing Technologies: As required, on an as-needed basis, the contractor shall:

2.3.8.1. Perform research and development for materials and processes to assess limitations/deficiencies of existing materials against customer requirements and constraints and assess transition opportunities to insert technology and the associated manufacturing technology and processes. This would include conducting manufacturing readiness assessments of production capabilities.

2.3.8.2. Contractor shall assist industry in integrating technologies and processes to scale-up production from laboratory prototypes to full-rate production to achieve cost and time reduction of manufacturing capabilities.

2.3.9. Energy and Resource Technologies: As required, on an as-needed basis, the contractor shall:

2.3.9.1. Perform research and development for materials and processes to mature emerging technology and concepts into Air Force systems, responding to urgent needs that help decouple mission effectiveness from energy, water, and other resource and supply chain vulnerabilities.

2.3.9.2. Perform research and development for materials and processes to improve existing energy and resource technology capabilities to include (but not limited to) drag reduction, mass reduction, power generation advancement, energy storage, power distribution advancement, power management advancement, power/energy use reduction, weight reduction, reduced operational logistics and airmen requirements, potable water access and wastewater re-utilization, rare earth alternatives, carbon-free electricity, and mission resilience through assured resources.

2.3.9.3. As energy is a ubiquitous topic covering a wide breath of technologies, applications and solution sets, high maturity operational testing prototypes may require world-wide testing to meet specific and common military requirements.

2.3.10. Biomaterials/Biomanufacturing: As required, the contractor shall:

2.3.10.1. Evaluate and develop biomanufacturing technologies for biomaterials, including but not limited to bio-based fuels.

2.3.10.2. Evaluate and develop technologies to enable detection, prevention, and mitigation of biocontamination and biodeterioration of aerospace materials, including but not limited to fuels.

3. Management Objectives

3.1. The contractor shall provide administrative oversight necessary to plan, coordinate, schedule, and report all the contractor activities in the performance of this program. This includes personnel for both program and financial management.

3.1.1. The contractor shall propose in detail the rationale, objective, approach, schedule, and milestones for each task order and sub-tasks/projects. To ensure the successful completion of efforts under this program, the contractor shall perform administrative and financial management functions relating to each task order such as the following: coordinating and scheduling activities and milestones, reviewing status;

outlining activity and progress toward accomplishment of objectives; planning, forecasting, and providing recommendations regarding funding and funding changes; program planning; and describing in detail the overall conduct and results of the effort. It is imperative that earned work is properly tracked and invoiced monthly to ensure contract expenditures stay on track with forecasted spend plans for all task orders.

3.1.2. The contractor shall be allowed flexibility to manage program cost, schedule, performance, risks, subcontractors, and data requirements yet shall provide the government clear visibility into program cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk.

3.1.3. The contractor shall conduct regularly scheduled meetings to keep the AF Program Manager (PM) informed regarding program status, manpower issues, and budget status. The budget shall be broken down into individual tasks performed during the monthly reporting period.

4. Deliverables:

4.1. Deliverables shall be required on the task orders and may include Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) items A001 through A019 per the attached CDRL list.

4.2. In addition to the CDRLs, The deliverables may include the following: test samples, acquired or modified special test equipment, residual materials from manufactured products, and prototypes,. The contractor shall document work plans, process details, test methods, and data acquired for all efforts. All broken and untested specimens and residual materials shall be retained and delivered to the designated Government office at the completion of this contract, unless disposed of per Government direction during contract performance.

4.3. All test and/or demonstration data collected during the analyses performed under this contract, including laboratory analysis, review of supplied technical documents, specialized technical publication, or recommendations (technical order procedures, specifications, etc.), or presentations or presentation materials cannot be released outside the Air Force without the approval of the designated Government office.

4.4. The contractor shall maintain a complete inventory of all contractually accountable equipment.

All items designed/developed, purchased, fabricated, modified, or obtained by the contractor in performance of this contract shall be delivered to AFRL/RXES at the completion of this contract.

5. Special Considerations:

5.1. Security:

5.1.1. Personnel/Facilities: The contractor shall perform work under this contract up to the TOP SECRET, Special Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Program (SAP) levels of classification. The contractor shall assure that all employees comply with all security requirements (to include those imposed by the local commander during execution of specific Task Orders requiring Base Support). This compliance shall be accomplished by all employees, and they shall follow the instructions of the local organizational commander pertaining to security. The contractor shall abide by all security regulations set forth by the government for all projects associated with SCI and SAP. Personnel may be required to act as a courier for classified data or materials. Other requirements for dealing with SCI and SAP shall be detailed more completely in the DD Form 254. The contractor shall obtain favorable National Agency Check w/Inquiries (NACI) (or higher as required by contractual Task Order requirements to be established) investigations for its employees who require entrance to restricted areas and/or access to restricted information. The contractor shall contact the 88th Security Forces Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, to initiate this requirement. All contractors shall participate in all activities associated with the disciplines of the organization’s Information Security, Operations Security and Antiterrorism programs, following appropriate measures in each program during the performance of this contract.

5.1.2. Security Requirements - Information Regarding Non-US Citizens Assigned to this Project:

(a) Contractor employees requiring access to USAF bases, AFRL facilities, and/or access to U.S.

Government Information Technology (IT) networks in connection with the work on this contract shall be U.S. citizens. For base and network access, possession of a permanent resident card (“Green Card”) does not equate to U.S. citizenship. This requirement does not apply to foreign nationals approved by the U.S.

Department of Defense or U.S. State Department under international personnel exchange agreements with foreign governments. Any waivers to this requirement shall be granted in writing by the Contracting Officer prior to providing access. The above requirements are in addition to any other contract requirements related to obtaining a Common Access Card (CAC).

(b) For purposes of paragraph (a) above, if an IT network/system does not require AFRL to endorse a contractor’s application to said network/system to gain access, the organization operating the IT network/system is responsible for controlling access to its system. If an IT network/system requires an U.S. Government sponsor to endorse the application for access to the IT network/system; AFRL shall only endorse the following types of applications; consistent with the requirements above:

(1) Contractor employees who are U.S. citizens performing work under this contract.

(2) Contractor employees who are non-U.S. citizens and who have been granted a waiver.

Any additional access restrictions established by the IT network/system owner apply.

5.1.3. Operations Security (OPSEC): The contractor shall participate in all activities associated with the disciplines of the organization’s Industrial Security, Information Security, Personnel Security, Operations Security (OPSEC), and Antiterrorism programs, following appropriate measures in each program as required for this particular contract. Security measures are required to reduce program vulnerability from successful adversary collection, exploitation of critical information, and violations of export control requirements. The prime contractor shall ensure all subcontractors, if applicable, conform to these requirements as required by the prime contractor.

5.1.4. Program Protection Plan (PPP): Any potential Critical Program Information (CPI) generated as part of this effort shall be reviewed to determine the need for a PPP or to be included as part of an existing

PPP.

5.1.5. Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI): The contractor shall ensure that personnel associated with this effort have annual training on OPSEC as well as Information Handling, Marking, Storage, Transmission, Release, Destruction and Reporting points related to CUI.

5.1.6. Sharing of Information: Approval of technical and programmatic information shared external to this effort shall be approved by the government program manager.

5.2. Base Support:

5.2.3. This effort shall require both on-site performance at the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX) and off-site performance at the contractor's own facilities. The AFRL/RX has laboratory facilities for research and development, rapid response evaluations, environmental durability, to include rain erosion, and non-destructive inspection, 2700 D Street, Bldgs. 1661/1605, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433 and in RX 65X Complex at 2179 12th St., WPAFB, OH 45433, and base support shall be provided (to include various equipment and support items). The contractor may conduct work in the key technical areas utilizing its own in-house capability.

5.2.4. Contractor shall meet applicable installation operational and testing requirements for any energy and resource technology efforts requiring prototype operational testing on existing CONUS or OCONUS USAF/USSF or DOD installations.

5.3. Government Furnished Property (GFP)/Contractor Acquired Property (CAP): GFP and/or CAP provided by the government shall be marked, accounted for, and maintained by the contractor. All GFP items shall be returned to the government upon contract completion.

5.4. Processes and Equipment:

5.4.1. Due to the requirement for reliability of data generated under this program, the contractor shall use accredited processes and equipment. At a minimum, for the elastomeric material work under the Composites & Polymer Systems technical thrust area, the contractor shall be certified and accredited to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025.

5.4.2. The contractor shall be provided with various expendable materials, samples, test specimens, chemicals, bench stock supplies and office supplies items common to AFRL/RX projects, when available, for evaluations conducted during the performance of the task orders.

5.4.3. The contractor shall be responsible for the general maintenance of occupied Government facilities. The contractor shall keep all office and laboratory space that is used or occupied within the facility clean and safe. The contractor shall ensure all maintenance tasks associated with equipment upkeep and calibration is performed and maintained as recommended in accordance with the equipment maintenance manuals and as required by accreditation certification.

5.4.4. Necessary special purpose materials, special test equipment, and associated hardware/software neither contractor owned nor available as GFP or base support equipment shall be procured and maintained by the contractor upon Government approval.

5.4.5. Contactor shall attend meetings involving materials development, testing, evaluation, and sustainment activities to support the objectives of this program. In addition, the contractor shall maintain a high level of expertise by attending technical society conferences, training seminars, or courses of instruction. These activities shall be coordinated with the Air Force Procurement Contracting Officer in advance.

5.4.6. Data shall be reported in metric (SI) and English units where appropriate. Where standard practice dictates the use of only one system, only that system of units shall be required.

5.4.7. The contractor shall thoroughly document all test and evaluation results, observations, factual data, and other pertinent information obtained during each investigation and/or evaluation. Test plans detailing specific projects shall be written capturing background/purpose, test matrix, schedule, security, deliverables, material destruction plan, and approval. The contractor shall provide digital and/or photographic images throughout all stages of the evaluation (when possible/allowed under security constraints). The contractor shall also document new test methods.

5.5. Task Ordering: Work to be performed shall be assigned periodically as part of the basic contract and on a relatively short notice throughout the effort. Specific task orders shall be created, as needed, using requirements to be established. The Air Force contracting officer shall issue task orders, and no effort shall be conducted until such task orders have been awarded.

5.6. Environmental Impact: The contractor shall assess the environmental consequences of the technology being developed from the standpoint of the project itself and from the standpoint of potential future scale ups to production-sized quantities. If the technology results in adverse environmental consequences, the contractor shall provide suggestions for making the technology environmentally acceptable and indicate what impact these suggestions have on the technology from an economic standpoint.

5.7. Hazardous Materials:

5.7.1. The contractor shall receive, handle, store, and dispose of all potentially hazardous equipment, hardware, or materials (to include but not limited to solvents, paints, cleaners, etc.) according to all OSHA, Federal, State, local, and applicable international laws, restrictions, and requirements and shall adhere to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

5.7.2. The contract shall specify that it does not require the contractor to use Class I Ozone Depleting Substances identified in the Air Force policy nor does it require the delivery of these Class I Ozone Depleting Substances in any item or as part of any services. This effort does not involve the purchase of any item containing radioactive materials, however the NDE work may require equipment which produces ionizing radiation. There are no special atmospheric requirements for this system, no water resources, and no biological wastes. There are no construction requirements. The contractor shall be responsible for coordinating disposal of hazardous or chemical materials used on-site with the Air Force Materials and Manufacturing IMMO office.

5.8. System Safety: This acquisition requires periodic design and modification to both new and existing experimental equipment. As required, the contractor shall conduct preliminary, subsystem and system-level hazard analyses. Any existing hazard analyses shall be updated and revised to reflect the current design of equipment. The contractor shall adhere to system safety principles. The contractor shall comply with Air Force and Industry recognized safety practices.

5.9. Travel: To address the needs of the program efforts, communication with various weapons systems engineers, operational and depot maintainers, government contractors, industry, and academia shall be maintained, as needed. Travel to meetings, conferences, end-user’s facilities, depot or operational locations, and other government or industry locations shall be conducted for the efforts. The contractor shall schedule all travel in advance. At the conclusion of each trip, the contractor shall document the results of the trip.