Amendment 2_ATCH02_AMPPAC TO-A CAC SOO.docx

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Solicitation #: FA2394-24-R-BXXX Contract #: FA2394-24-D-XXXX 1 March 2024 Attachment 2

FA2394-24-R-B006

19 April 2024

Characterization of Advanced Composites

(CAC)

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

1. Program Objectives: The primary objective of this program is to research, assess, and characterize the performance of advanced composite materials for aerospace systems. Specific technologies developed under this effort will be relevant to a variety of composite materials systems including but not limited to polymer matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, and carbon matrix composites. The technologies developed under this program include frameworks and procedures to test, characterize, and model composite behavior in application relevant environments to include those that include extreme environments (e.g., temperature, chemical active or inert environment, radiation) in both terrestrial atmospheric conditions from subsonic to hypersonic speeds as well as space. Consideration should be given to the key material attributes at all pertinent scales from the atomistic (i.e., nano) to micro (e.g., fiber diameter), meso (e.g., tow morphology) and maco (e.g., coupon, sub-element) scales depending on what dictates the overall performance for the specific material system being investigated. Further, support is required to maintain, operate, and improve the composite material characterization and evaluation laboratory at the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, to include enabling a digital transformation for more efficient data management, sharing and utilization, providing a seamless infrastructure for behavior characterization and performance prediction. As a result, this effort will inform materials and processing as well as and support performance prediction efforts. The program shall be responsive to a wide variety of DAF customers, including the 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. 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 composite characterization and performance technologies related to enviro-thermo-mechanical composite structure-property characterization in relevant environments and the related data analytics. Principal issues in these key technical areas include (but are not limited to) behavior characterization to support design, development, sustainment, and integration of composite materials for existing and future air and space applications. This program requires an understanding of the enviro-thermo-mechanical behavior through in-situ experimental monitoring (e.g., optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy, x-ray CT, acoustic emission, digital image correlation, resistivity) of composite material systems as well as a knowledge of manufacturing, sustainment, and operational environments for both air and space systems. The contractor shall provide a strong on-site research competency at the Materials and Manufacturing directorate to support the government team as well as any necessary teaming with outside technical specialists and laboratories to meet current mission requirements.

2.2. The contractor shall provide personnel and expertise to perform the work listed below across the key technical areas. Contractor shall perform the work either in Government-owned and/or contractor-owned facilities, as determined by the Government.

2.2.1. Develop and evaluate composite behavior characterization tools for material and enviro-thermo-mechanical response evaluation, failure analysis, nondestructive evaluation, and characterization of in-service degradation of composites relevant to current air and space systems for the DAF. Evaluation shall comply with accepted test standards except as directed by the designated Contracting Officer. 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.

2.2.2. Perform all actions required to evaluate materials, components, systems, software, or processes at DAF facilities or at specialty facilities of specialty partners. In addition, the contractor shall support necessary in field or flight testing.

2.2.3. Transition developed characterization and performance prediction solutions to the customer and aid in successful implementation.

2.3. Key Technical Thrust Details

2.3.1. Enviro-mechanical composite structure-property characterization in relevant environments: As required, the contractor shall:

2.3.1.1. Execute composite behavior characterization studies to understand the mechanical response of relevant composite systems using standardized testing protocols. Additionally, the contractor shall develop new testing methodologies and test standards when existing standards are not sufficient to answer they necessary questions being addressed. Experimental based evaluation will include but is not limited to standardized testing to measure tension, compression, and shear properties as well as interlaminar tension and interlaminar shear. Additionally testing may be required depending on mission requirements to include measurements of crack growth rates and fracture energies. As deemed necessary, based on specific testing objective, contractor will also consider in situ monitoring during testing (e.g., optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray CT, acoustic emission, digital image correlation, resistivity) to maximize the information gathered during each experiment and to support modeling efforts of the other technical thrusts.

2.3.1.2. Characterize composite enviro-thermo-mechanical behavior in extreme environments (e.g., moisture, temperature, chemical, radiative) using standardized tests or when necessary, develop new testing protocols when existing standards are not sufficient. Contractor will provide relevant expertise for testing in extreme environments for a wide range of applications for both air and space systems. Relevant expertise includes but is not limited to the ability to test up 1400 oC in air and up to 2500 oC in an inert environment as well as knowledge of space radiation relevant to space systems. New in-situ monitoring capability should be developed to monitor material response in extreme environments.

2.3.1.3. Characterize composite material state across relevant material scales using advanced non-destructive and destructive material evaluation techniques including optical microscopy, electron-based microscopy, serial sectioning, X-ray computed tomography (CT), etc.

2.3.1.4. Perform testing at the microscale with appropriate in-situ monitoring (e.g., optical microscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray CT, acoustic emission, digital image correlation, resistivity) to identify the fundamental damage mechanisms that dictate material behavior.

2.3.1.5. Contractor shall partner with and perform tests at relevant partner facilities for specialized testing such as mechanical testing during in situ monitoring at a national synchrotron radiation facility as deemed necessary to satisfy overall program objectives.

2.3.1.6. Contractor shall develop automated tools for image processing and computer vision for rapid microstructure quantification and damage monitoring based on material data collected from in situ experiments.

2.3.2. Data analytics

2.3.2.1. The contractor shall develop data analytics tools and approaches for seamless flow from experimental characterization and testing to materials modeling and performance prediction.

2.3.2.2. The contractor shall work with and expand existing data infrastructure to insure a seamless workflow throughout the data lifecycle from generation to analysis and data archiving.

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, milestones, and deliverables for this task order and any sub-tasks/projects. To ensure the successful completion of efforts under this program, the contractor shall perform administrative and financial management functions relating to this 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 this task order.

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 efforts performed during the monthly reporting period.

4. Associate Contractor Agreements: The Contractor shall enter in Associate Contractor Agreements (ACA) for any portion of the contract requiring joint participation in the accomplishment of the Government’s requirement. The agreements shall include the basis for sharing information, data, technical knowledge, expertise, and/or resources, which shall ensure the greatest degree of cooperation for the development of the program to meet the terms of the contract.

5. Deliverables

5.1. The contractor shall generate and provide data in accordance with the following CDRLs:

5.2. The contractor shall deliver all data in accordance with the listed CDRLs. The deliverables under this contract shall include the following: data items, test samples, any acquired or modified special test equipment, residual materials from manufactured products, material characterization measurements, test data, activity reports, written evaluation reports, and scientific and technical papers. 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. 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.

5.3. 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 the Government at the completion of this contract.

5.4. The contractor shall deliver computer software which may include but is not limited to data reduction and visualization codes, in-situ sensor data analysis code, process modeling software, machine learning algorithms, machine control codes, source code and executable code as requested by the Government. The contractor shall deliver data and metadata objects in a human readable format with the intent of having open access to the data without requiring software licenses.

5.5. The contractor shall deliver hardware, which may include, but is not limited to, AM post-processing and safety equipment, sensors, special test equipment, finished research samples and residual test materials.

6. Special Considerations

6.1. Security

6.1.1. Personnel/Facilities: The contractor shall perform work under this contract up to the SECRET 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 SAP. Personnel may be required to act as a courier for classified data or materials. Other requirements for dealing with 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.

6.1.2. The contractor shall require access to SIPRNET to perform characterization and analysis of classified materials and structures.

6.1.3. 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.

6.1.4. 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.

6.1.5. 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.

6.1.6. 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.

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

6.2. Base Support

6.2.1. 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 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.

6.2.2. 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.

6.3. 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 and/or CAP items shall be returned or delivered to the government upon contract completion.

6.4. Processes and Equipment

6.4.1. 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.

6.4.2. 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.

6.4.3. 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.

6.4.4. 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.

6.4.5. 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 project engineer in advance.

6.4.6. 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.

6.4.7. 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.

6.5. 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.

6.6. Hazardous Materials

6.6.1. 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).

6.6.2. 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.

6.7. 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.

6.8. 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 may be necessary for the efforts. At the conclusion of each trip, the contractor shall document the results of the trip.

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