det 8 baa call SHM

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA-VS-07-03

Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicles Directorate

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) 0014

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Space Components Technology Open 5 Year Broad Agency Announcement

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BAA-VS-07-03

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUCEMENT (CALL) TITLE: Structural Health Monitoring for Space Applications (Topic #1)

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) NUMBER: 0014

NOTICE FOR PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS: The website referenced in the Baseline BAA http://www.vs.afrl.af.mil/PK has moved. In order to access contracting information the new website is http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124. Information for Model Contracts, Cost Proposal Instructions, Broad Agency Announcements, Wide Area Workflow and other Additional Information is located there.

TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: The technical point of contact for this CALL is Brandon Arritt, AFRL/RVSV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-853-2611, Fax 505-846-7877, Email; Brandon.arritt@kirtland.af.mil.

CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT: Jean Barnes, Det 8 AFRL/RVKV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-4695, Fax NONE, Email: jean.barnes@kirtland.af.mil or Sally Walton, Det 8 AFRL/RVKV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-7201, Fax NONE, Email: sally.walton@kirtland.af.mil

REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION:

AFRL/RV is interested in conducting fundamental research to investigate the potential uses of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technologies in space applications. Space conveys unique requirements on a SHM system, due to its unique environment and concept of operations. Unlike the aircraft industry (largely considered the primary customer of SHM technologies), the space industry does not concern itself with regular maintenance of the fleet (obvious exceptions are the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and Hubble Space Telescope). For this solicitation, AFRL/RV is interested in researching SHM technologies for the following applications:

1) Pre-Launch Qualification of Satellites Satellites are currently required to undergo extremely onerous Quality and Assurance (Q&A) and test procedures in order to show suitability to the space and launch environments. The processes entail an inordinate amount of manpower and cost.

A key beneficiary of this technology is the Operationally Responsive Space Joint Program Office. Several papers have been published, demonstrating how SHM technologies will be integral to achieving the timely utilization of space. As these papers explain, SHM technologies will be utilized to interrogate critical interfaces to ensure a satellite has been assembled correctly, and that dynamic and thermal models of the satellite are valid. The goal is to use this rapid validation, in lieu of tradition Q&A and test procedures, to demonstrate that a satellite could survive the launch environment and operate satisfactorily on-orbit.

Due to the flexible nature of ORS, AFRL/RV is interested in technologies that may be inherently configuration flexible. To phrase it a different way, the SHM system will be required to assess configurations against which it has never been baselined. As such, AFRL/RV is interested in researching interrogation techniques that could exploit physics that are unique to damage phenomena (as opposed to behavior associated with configuration/engineering changes), as well as methods that enable model-only baselines. Additionally, initial efforts should focus on the interrogation of interfaces; bolted or bonded joints

2) On-Orbit Updating of Satellite Structural Properties The space environment presents several sources of potential structural degradation; thermal cycling, UV exposure, radiation, atomic oxygen, micrometeoroid impact, etc. In direct contradiction, some systems require extremely high fidelity models of a satellite’s dynamics in order to operate optimally.

AFRL/RV is interested in developing SHM-based methods that could directly measure a satellite’s structural characteristics; especially those characteristics that tie directly into system-level modal properties. Of particular interest are SHM systems capable of spanning a wide frequency range, for both local and global assessments of a satellite’s structure. Priority will be given to those methods that may also help in recording, cataloguing, and assessing specific damage events.

The goal is to obtain quality, actionable information that can be fed directly into the satellite’s dynamic model. The model can then be updated, allowing the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) system to optimize performance for the given condition.

This call is seeking to investigate technologies that are directly traceable to space vehicles. As such, proposal(s) should seek to validate their techniques on complex structures. Initial research may be conducted on simple flat plates, and cantilevered beams, but methods must be validated on samples that are representative of satellite structures.

ANTICIPATED FUNDING: Anticipated funding for this CALL (not per contract or award) is: $0. 5M

FY08: $0.1M

FY09: $0.1M

FY10: $0.1M

FY11: $0.1M

FY12: $0.1M

This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to government discretion and availability.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The anticipated period of performance for individual awards resulting from this CALL is between 24 - 48 months of technical effort. The period of performance is to be proposed in the format of 24 months for the initial effort followed by two (2) one year options.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: The due date for proposals submitted in response to this CALL is no later than 1200 p.m. MDT on 19 July 2008. Proposals for any other technology area identified in the baseline BAA will not be accepted at this time unless a CALL for proposals in that specific area is open. Proposals received after the due dates and times shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

CALL AMENDMENTS: Offerors should monitor FedBizOps/EPS http://www.fbo.gov and http://www.grant.gov for any additional notices to this CALL that may permit extensions to the proposal submission date or otherwise modify this announcement.

ANTICIPATED TYPE OF CONTRACTS/INSTRUMENTS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a Grant as a result of this CALL, however reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed. Offerors proposing this type of arrangement should again reference http://www.kirtland.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=8124 for information on cost proposal instructions for assistance instruments. A model grant agreement or contract will be provided to each apparent successful offeror for review and comment as a part if the BAA solicitation and award process.

ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding one (1). However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to this CALL.

ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE: 21 Aug 2008 INTENT TO PROPOSE: Potential offerors are requested to advise the contracting point of contact if they intend to submit a proposal in response to this CALL. Such notification is merely a courtesy and is not a commitment by the offeror to submit a proposal.

DELIVERABLES ITEMS: The intent of this project is described in the Requirement Description above. Offerors should propose data, hardware, and/or software deliverables consistent with tracking progress, verifying performance, and otherwise establishing the objectives of the project. Monthly technical and financial Status Reports and a Final Technical Report in accordance with PRS Pamphlet 61-201, Preparation of Final Report, are required data items.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

1. Program security classification for this CALL is UNCLASSIFIED

2. ITAR/Export Control: Not applicable

3. Government Furnished Property: As proposed by contractor.

4. Aerospace Corporation is prohibited from submitting a proposal.

5. Foreign owned firms are advised to contact the Contracting Officer or the Program Manager to determine if there are no restrictions to receiving awards.

6. Other: Specialized information or requirements which are believed to be pertinent to the requirement shall be provided by the offeror in written form and incorporated into the proposal.

APPLICABILITY OF BASELINE BAA: All requirements of BAA-VS-07-03 apply unless specifically amended and addressed in this CALL. For complete information regarding BAA-VS-07-03, refer to the initial opened-ended BAA. It contains information applicable to all CALLS issued under the BAA and provides information on the overall program, proposal preparation and submission requirements, proposal review and evaluation criteria, award administration, agency contacts, etc. Direct questions to the points of contact identified above.