Attch 2 - T.O. 1 SOO.pdf

Solicitation #: 001-24S Task Order 0001

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

(PRECIOUS)

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

TASK ORDER 0001 – Multi-Year Polymer Research & Evaluation of Coatings for Operational & Urgent Systems (MY-PRECIOUS)

1. BACKGROUND

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) reliance on specialty materials technology used across its inventory is growing dramatically as it is a key enabling technology for combat effectiveness. Current maintenance man-hours per aircraft flight-hour are high due to excessive polymeric, elastomeric, and specialty materials failures and necessary maintenance actions. Maintenance actions requiring internal access often involve extensive material restoration and lengthy maintenance activities. These maintenance activities contribute to a top driver for non-mission capability rates for many DAF aircraft. Existing specialty materials also exhibit durability issues in service, requiring long and complex repair processes that are expensive. There is also limited organic ability to evaluate specialty material conditions in the field. Furthermore, these materials are challenging to process and apply and require manufacturing support for producibility of next generation weapon systems.

Affordable specialty materials technologies are materials and process (M&P) focused. The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX) has expertise and facilities to execute affordable, durable, specialty materials technology development, transition, and support to the warfighter. To that end, a program is needed to provide science and technology research, development, evaluation, transition, and implementation of affordable, manufacturable, and sustainable M&P to address challenges associated with specialty materials, composite and polymer systems, chemical analysis, various other aerospace materials, manufacturing technologies, and biomaterials/ biomanufacturing. Technology solutions of both individual material components and multi-material systems are needed to provide DAF air and space systems with more durable and/or more affordable materials; improved inspections; simpler and/or rapid repair M&P; supportable equipment, tools, and methodology; affordable manufacturing processes; improved industrial base capabilities; specialty materials rapid response capability with root cause and failure analysis and testing and evaluation (T&E) support; improved multi-material accelerated T&E protocols simulating in-service aircraft environmental exposures complementing current standards; and specialty materials technical expertise consultation.

The goals of this program are to improve mission readiness, reduce cost (both production and life-cycle sustainment), maximize systems safety, reduce adverse environmental impact, and create/prevent technological surprise. 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.

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2. TASK ORDER OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this program is to transition technologies and processes for improved M&P of operational systems and next-generation aircraft, novel testing, evaluation, inspection, repair development, prototype demonstrations, and integration activities. Components of this work shall be performed onsite at Wright-Patterson AFB and, when required, off-site at contractor-owned facilities.

3. SCOPE

3.1. The contractor shall provide capability to identify, develop, evaluate, and transition M&P related to the following key technical areas from the parent PRECIOUS SOO: 1) Specialty Materials, 2) Composite & Polymer Systems, 6) Chemical Analysis, 7) other Nonmetallic Aerospace Materials, 8) Manufacturing 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.

3.2. The contractor shall provide personnel and expertise to perform the work listed below across each of the key technical thrust areas identified in 3.1. Contractor shall primarily perform the work in Government-owned facilities, as well as come work in contractor-owned, as determined by the Contractor.

4. TECHNICAL OVERVIEW

4.1. Task 1: Contractor shall perform rapid response technical evaluations of specialty materials 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. Technical expertise to conduct evaluations and failure analysis shall 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.

4.2. Task 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.

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4.3. Task 3: Develop and optimize materials and processes, test methodologies, inspections, repair concepts, tooling, and equipment utilizing new or existing materials.

4.4. Task 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.

4.5. Task 5: Contribute to advanced development, demonstrations, and prototypes of developed technologies.

4.6. Task 6: Transition M&P solutions to the customer and aid in successful implementation.

4.7. Key Technical Area Details and Descriptions

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

4.7.1.1. Perform research and development for materials and processes of specialty materials. This includes the development, evaluation, processing, inspection, maintenance, and technology transition of specialty materials.

4.7.1.2. Conduct research, development, and testing on the interactions between functional materials to include (but not limited to) specialty materials, adhesives, composites, coatings, honeycomb core materials and foams, elastomers, plastics, ceramics, other specialty materials, transparencies, textiles, and their surface preparation processes and methodologies.

4.7.1.3. Fabricate complex air and space system representative coupons, to include applying coatings stacks, polymer composite parts, structural adhesive bonding, and sealant bonding. Support is not limited to this list.

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

4.7.2.1. Perform research and development for materials and processes for a wide range 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.

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

4.7.3.1. Perform research and development for materials and processes to perform chemical analyses using both classical wet chemical methods and instrumental analysis. 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.

4.7.3.2. 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, 21 Mar 2024 Attachment 2 thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and residual gas analysis of integrated circuit packages.

4.7.3.3. 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.

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

4.7.4.1. 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.

4.7.5. Manufacturing Technologies: As required, the contractor shall:

4.7.5.1. As required, on an as-needed basis, assess limitations/deficiencies of existing materials against customer requirements and constraints to assess transition opportunities to insert technology. Develop, evaluate, and/or optimize new or existing materials and processes to successfully scale-up production from laboratory prototypes to full-rate production. Demonstrate and transition technologies and processes that achieve cost and time reduction of manufacturing capabilities.

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

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

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

4.7.7. Operations and Maintenance M&P Support: As required, the contractor shall:

4.7.7.1. Provide quick reaction and rapid response material and process analysis, evaluation, and support to the customer in support of identified operational sustainment needs. These may include, but shall not be limited to, analysis in support of safety investigation boards, fielded material root-cause failure analysis, and evaluation and transition of materials and process improvements supporting operational sustainment needs.

4.7.8. Procurement M&P Support: As required, the contractor shall:

4.7.8.1. Perform quick reaction and rapid response material and process analysis, and evaluation of identified production needs. These may include, but shall not be limited to, production material root-cause failure analysis, and evaluation and transition of materials and process improvements for production and intended for operational use or inventory.

5. Systems Engineering Approach

Although the nature of the projects conducted may greatly vary, a basic Systems Engineering approach shall be implemented for most efforts. AFRL customers shall be consulted to ensure both the problem and the desired outcome are completely understood; a baseline understanding of current M&P shall be undertaken; new M&P shall be proposed, developed, and tested against customer requirements;

21 Mar 2024 Attachment 2 the overall process shall be demonstrated and validated with the customer; technical data, processes, detailed procedures, and/or suggested technical order changes shall be transitioned to the customer.

6. Other Contract Activities

As required for efforts performed under this contract, technology needs and design concepts shall be identified; literature searches performed; rapid response analyses, assessments, and trade studies conducted; laboratory facilities maintained; engineering data generated; innovative solutions developed;

technical investigations and program reviews planned and executed; committees and technical interchange meetings attended and hosted; travel for AFRL/RX efforts performed; and specialized technical publications (technical orders, specifications, etc.) created.

7. Variable Workload

It is understood that the nature of this effort is unpredictable, and the required level of effort shall be variable throughout the program as customers contact AFRL/RX with requests and issues. The workforce and resource flexibility are essential and surge capability shall be provided as required.

Priorities and personnel shall be adjusted as appropriate to meet the program needs.

8. Other Funded Efforts

As required, on an as-needed basis, M&P support, specifically related to affordable specialty materials, shall be provided under this task order for other funded efforts, such as operations and maintenance (3400), aircraft procurement (3010), missile procurement (3020), other procurement (3080), and defense working capital (4930).

9. MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

9.1. Administrative oversight shall be provided to plan, coordinate, schedule, and report all the contract activities in the performance of this program.

9.2. The rationale, objective, approach, schedule, and milestones for each sub-tasks/project shall be proposed in detail. To ensure the successful completion of efforts under this program, administrative and financial management functions relating to each task order shall be performed to include 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.

9.3. Flexibility shall be exercised to manage program costs, schedules, performance, risks, subcontractors, and data requirements. The government shall be provided clear visibility into program costs, schedules, technical performance, and risks.

9.4. Regularly scheduled meetings shall be conducted to keep the Government Program Manager (PM) informed regarding program status, manpower issues, and budget status. The budget shall be broken down into individual subtasks/projects performed during the monthly reporting period.

10. DELIVERABLES

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10.1. Contract Data Requirements List. Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) items relevant to this task order include as referenced: A001, A002, A003, A004, A005, A006, A009, A010, A014, A015, A017, A018, and A019. All CDRL items shall be completed as required.

10.2. Deliverables Details. The deliverables under this contract include the following: test samples, acquired or modified special test equipment, residual materials from manufactured products, and prototypes. Work plans, process details, test methods, and data shall be acquired and documented for all efforts. All broken and untested specimens and residual materials shall be retained and delivered to AFRL/RX at the completion of this contract.

10.2.1. 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 shall not be released outside the AF without the approval of AFRL/RX.

10.3. Equipment. A complete inventory of all contractually accountable equipment shall be maintained.

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

11. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

11.1. Security, Safety, and Accountability. This effort will require personnel to perform work up to TOP SECRET, Special Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Program (SAP) levels of classification. All the special considerations as described in the basic Statement of Objectives shall be followed. These considerations include items related to security, base support, government furnished property and contractor acquired property, laboratory processes and equipment support, data reporting, environmental impact assessments, potential hazardous materials handling and disposal, systems safety, and travel.

11.2. Operations Security (OPSEC) Requirements. 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.

11.3. 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.

11.4. CUI Information. 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 Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

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