F-22 Next-Generation Coolant RFI.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) for F-22 Next-Generation Coolant Fluid

Description:

Disclaimer

This RFI shall not be construed as a formal solicitation, request for quote, or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any product or service.

Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the United States Government (USG) to form a binding contract. Participants are advised that only USG Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government to the obligation of funds. Only United States companies will be considered for contract award.

This RFI is issued pursuant to FAR Part 15.201(e). The United States Government does not presently intend to award a contract but desires information regarding delivery, other market information, or capabilities for planning purposes. Written follow-up questions may be asked of responders for clarification, but this will not indicate a selection or preference. CAUTION:

This is not a commitment to fund any effort submitted in response to this request.

Respondents are placed on notice that participation does NOT guarantee participation in future solicitations or contract awards. AFLCMC/WAR, F-22 Division, Modernization Branch WPAFB, is not at this time seeking proposals, and will not accept unsolicited proposals.

Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be at the responding party's expense. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a guarantee to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever.

Introduction

The Department of the Air Force, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Fighters & Advanced Aircraft (F&AA) Directorate, F-22 Division, Modernization Branch, Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) is conducting market research to identify, as potential sources, that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to respond to the requirements listed in this document. The information gathered from this request will enable the USG to formulate its’ acquisition strategy for this requirement.

Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFPs, if any are issued.

Small Businesses are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI to assist AFLCMC/WAR, in determining potential levels of capability and competition available in the industry, as well as helping to establish a basis for developing any subsequent potential subcontract plan goal percentages.

It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor the SAM.gov, GSA Advantage, and FedBizOpps site for additional information pertaining to this RFI.

Objective

The Modernization Branch of the F-22 Division (AFLCMC/WAR) is exploring the market for qualified firms to provide next-generation hydrogenated, dielectric cooling fluid. The material shall consist of a synthetic, hydrocarbon base oil with suitable additives as needed. This RFI is looking for information on improved heat transfer capability. While calculating exact forced convection heat transfer requires parameters outside of fluid properties (e.g. velocity, pipe diameter, etc.), the F-22 Division seeks to improve one or more fluid properties that correlate to improved heat transfer capability. Current coolant density, thermal conductivity, specific heat values, and coefficient of thermal expansion are listed below:

Characteristic Value Specific Gravity (density/density water) @ 25 ℃ (77 ℉) 0.789

@ 15.6 ℃ (60 ℉) 0.800 Thermal Conductivity (cal-cm/s-cm2 ℃)

@ -40 ℃ (-40 ℉) 4.5 x 10-4 @ 0 ℃ (32 ℉) 3.8 x 10-4

@ 150 ℃ (302 ℉) 3.0 x 10-4 Specific Heat (specific heat capacity/specific heat capacity water)

@ -40 ℃ (-40 ℉) 0.48 @ 25 ℃ (77 ℉) 0.53 @ 75 ℃ (167 ℉) 0.55 @ 149 ℃ (300 ℉) 0.65

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion 8.1 x 10-4 cm3/cm3 ℃

Instructions

F-22 Division (AFLCMC/WAR), Modernization Branch invites industry to submit unclassified responses by 1700 (EST) 3 Nov 2026. Detailed guidance on the submission can be found below.

Written responses to this RFI shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide ability to fulfill this requirement. Please ensure all appropriate security procedures and policies are followed when responding to this RFI. Respondents should indicate which portions of their responses are proprietary and should mark them accordingly. All information received in response to this RFI that is properly marked as "proprietary" will be handled accordingly.

Proprietary information must be clearly marked on the outside container and on the materials inside. The Government shall not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages, for any proprietary information not properly identified. Please provide responses to the following questions:

• Does the offeror have previous experience in hydrogenated, dielectric coolant fluid or additives?

o If “No”, synopsize your strategy for providing this capability

• What testing has been performed on the hydrogenated, dielectric coolant fluid or additives?

• What non-proprietary properties do the coolant or additive have (e.g. low-temperature viscosity stability, high-temperature stability, rubber swell, etc.)?

• What applications have the coolant or additive been used in previously?

o If the coolant or additive hasn’t been used before, what are its planned applications?

• Does the coolant or additive contain recycled, recovered, environmentally preferable or biobased materials? Does the coolant or additive have any toxic products or formulations?

• Please provide any other rationale as to the ability to improve current coolant.

All responses to this survey are required to be provided electronically to Erzsi Easthon at erzsi.easthon@us.af.mil and Anaiya Taylor at anaiya.taylor@us.af.mil. NOTE: E-mail submittals with file sizes greater than 10Mbs shall be broken down into several smaller submittals. Maximum file sizes of 5-8 Mbs per submittal are recommended.

Responses shall include the following information which is not counted against the 12 page response limit:

1. Company/Institute name

2. Address

3. Point of Contact

4. Cage Code

5. DUNS Number

6. Phone Number

7. E-mail Address

8. Web page URL

9. Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 336411, size standard 1500 employees. Please indicate number of employees relative to the aforementioned size standard. Based on the NAICS Code, state whether your company qualifies as a:

a. Small Business (Yes/No)

b. Woman Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

c. Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

d. Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes/No)

e. 8(a) Certified (Yes/No)

f. HUB Zone Certified (Yes/No)

g. Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

h. Service Disabled Small Business (Yes/No)

j. Registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes/No)

k. Statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign owned, please indicate country of ownership).

* Note: the NAICS code for this requirement, if applicable to the company's capabilities, should be included in the company's NAICS code listing in SAM.

10. A statement verifying that your company is domestically owned.

Direct and concise responses are required and should clearly demonstrate your ability to meet the stated requirements. Recent relevant experience in all areas should be provided. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements, including joint ventures, should be clearly delineated and previous experience in teaming must be provided. Marketing material is considered an insufficient response to this RFI.

Responses shall be limited to no more than 12 single-sided, 8.5"x 11"pages. One (1) copy of the response shall be provided in ADOBE ACROBAT (.pdf) format and typographical font of 10 or greater. All responses related to this notice shall be submitted, in writing, via email to Anaiya Taylor and Erzsi Easthon at anaiya.taylor@us.af.mil and erzsi.easthon@us.af.mil respectively, by 1700 (EST) 3 Nov 2026.

THIS SYNOPSIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

OR AN INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT

BY THE GOVERNMENT TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS NOTICE.

SUBMITTING CAPABILITIES AND CONCEPTS IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUCNEMENT IS

VOLUNTARY AND PARTICIPANTS SHALL NOT BE COMPENSATED.