DFAN-FY25-Low Load and 500lb Force Balance Single Source Justification_redacted1.pdf
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- USAFA Low Load and 500lb Force Balances
- Solicitation number
- F4BWY05079A002
About this file
This document is a Single Source Justification for a simplified acquisition by the US Air Force Academy's Department of Aeronautics (DFAN). The requirement is to purchase two specialized force balances from AERO RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS, INC for the Trisonic Wind Tunnel (TWT), which operates from Mach 0.3 to 4.5. The two required balances are a 500lb force balance (Aerophysics 0.75 Mk LVI Internal Balance) and a Low Load balance (Aerophysics 0.75 Mk XXIV Internal Balance), each with specific measurement capabilities for normal, side, and axial forces, as well as rolling, pitching, and yawing moments.
The justification emphasizes that AERO RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS is the only vendor capable of meeting the precise form, fit, and function requirements, with balances compatible with existing equipment, software, and infrastructure. The chief engineer conducted market research, finding that potential alternatives like Modern Machine Tools and Calspan did not meet the specifications. The document indicates the intent to continually search for alternative vendors and potentially modify requirements in the future. The anticipated procurement is under FAR Subpart 13.5 for Simplified Procedures for Commercial Items, with a NAICS code of 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing).
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| File | Type | Posted |
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| DFAN-FY25-Low Load and 500lb Force Balance Single Source Justification_redacted.pdf |
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Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)
April 2021 Page 1 of 2April 2021 Page 1 of 2
The US Air Force Academy, Dean of Faculty Department of Aeronautics (DFAN) has a new requirement to obtain aerodynamic force and moment data in the Trisonic Wind Tunnel (TWT). The TWT is a blown-down tunnel capable of operating from Mach 0.3 to 4.5 with dynamic pressures as high as 35 psi in the test section which contains the force balance as an integral piece of measurement equipment. The DFAN Aeronautics Laboratory requests the purchase of two force balances whose requirements are listed below. There is only one know vendor that is able to manufacture this piece of equipment.
At a minimum, the 500lb force balance system must:
• Serve as a form, fit, and function replacement for the existing balance
• Have a cylindrical diameter of 0.75”
• Distance between normal force elements of 3.000”
• Distance between side force elements of 2.500”
• Be able to measure total normal force of 500 lbs
• Be able to measure total side force of 500 lbs
• Be able to measure total axial force of 50 lbs
• Be able to measure rolling moment of 100 in/lb
• Be able to measure pitching moment of 750 in/lb
• Be able to measure yawing moment of 625 in/lb These are the specifications of the Aerophysics 0.75 Mk LVI Internal Balance.
At a minimum, the Low Load balance system must:
• Serve as a form, fit, and function replacement for the existing balance
• Have a cylindrical diameter of 0.75”
• Distance between normal force elements of 3.000”
• Distance between side force elements of 2.500”
• Be able to measure total normal force of 40 lbs
• Be able to measure total side force of 30 lbs
• Be able to measure total axial force of 8 lbs
• Be able to measure rolling moment of 25 in/lb
• Be able to measure pitching moment of 45 in/lb
• Be able to measure yawing moment of 25 in/lb These are the specifications of the Aerophysics 0.75 Mk XXIV Internal Balance
Although great care is taken, there is always a non-trivial risk of mechanical damage to any balance during wind tunnel testing. In order to prevent an extensive work stoppage, we need two spare balances.
Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)
April 2021 Page 2 of 2
There are very few companies that make this kind of specialized research equipment, and of those companies, AERO RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS, INC was the only one that could fit our form/function requirements allowing for compatibility with our existing equipment, software, and infrastructure. AERO RESEARCH created our current balances and all model specifications within our curriculum are based on those specific sizes and sensor points. Also, our system is wired and configured to work with these unique balances.
Our chief engineer searched the Internet and polled his colleagues for possible sources. Modern Machine tools and Calspan were both potential that did not meet our requirements for form/function as mentioned above.
We will continue to vigilantly search for other companies that can meet our requirement at similar or reduced costs.
Or we will seek new balances if we change our curriculum, model parameters or wind tunnel system configuration.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .