Nuclear Flash Blindness Goggle Sources Sought Announcement 08 Nov 21.pdf

11/8/2021 UPDATE to Notice ID FA8534-21-R-0015

SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT

POLARIZED LEAD ZIRCONIUM TITANATE (PLZT)

Nuclear Flash Blindness (NFB) Goggles Modernization

(NSN 8475-01-017-4473 and 8475-01-099-6707)

CAUTION:

This market survey is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for modernization of Nuclear Flash Blindness (NFB) Goggles, also known as PLZT Goggles. The formal and technical name for NFB goggles are the EEU-2/P and EEU-2A/P assemblies. Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Below is a document containing a description of the NFB or PLZT assembly requirement and a

Contractor Capability Survey, which allows you to provide your company’s capability.

2. If after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the Sources Sought, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements.

Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)

a. Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to:

Joseph Jones, email: joseph.jones.81@us.af.mil, phone number: 478-222-1876, Lisa Samples, email: lisa.samples@us.af.mil, phone number 801-510-3072, and David Wilson, email: david.wilson.81@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-7457.

SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT

POLARIZED LEAD ZIRCONIUM TITANATE (PLZT)

Nuclear Flash Blindness Goggles (NFB)

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The government is conducting market research to identify potential sources to meet a modernization capability for NFB Goggles (NSN 8475-01-017-4473 and 8475-01-099-6707) assemblies (lens, control modules, frame, and housings) may require a combination of the following: replacing failing circuitry, mitigation of lens degradation, power compatibility analysis with aircraft, electronic control module upgrades, lens housing upgrades, liquid crystal lens upgrades, frame hardware, and shipping container upgrades. The government’s strategy will be a five year contract (basic plus four option years). The projected quantity for this modernization is 2,000 assemblies with a range min 300 to max 400 per year.

The proposed acquisition strategy is a one (1) year Basic and four (4) one year options periods beginning in FY22 and will continue through FY26. The anticipated North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 334511, with the corresponding requirement of 1,900 assemblies. This Market Research is requesting responses to the following criteria from businesses that can provide the required services under the NAICS Code. The method of previous acquisition was sole source to Sandia Labs, and is a 50 year technology capability.

This effort seeks to sustain equipment integrity and maintain mission capability as related to NFB goggles. The Contractor shall, in response to Government issued task orders, furnish appropriate personnel, equipment, materials, and lab facilities necessary to perform any or all of the following: calibration; testing; inspection; field and depot assembly/disassembly and repair/overhaul/support; installation and check-out; and packaging and transportation/shipment of hardware.

There are no samples available for potential suppliers to evaluate. If necessary, potential contractors shall furnish all material, support equipment, tools, test equipment, and services needed to fill this order. The contractor is responsible for providing, maintaining, and calibrating all support equipment required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility. Contractor furnished material or parts used for replacement shall equal or exceed the quality of the original material or parts and meet counterfeit prevention plan guidelines as outlined in Data Item Description (DID)

DI-MISC-81832.

Flash Blindness Goggles are critical safety of flight assemblies used by aircrews as protection against temporary flash blindness and eye damage, such as retinal burns, during exposure to nuclear weapon detonations. The goggles integrate with a modified USAF HGU-55/P flying helmet. This helmet incorporates the PRU-36/P side actuated Dual Visor Kit (DVK) and the MBU-12/P or MBU-20/P oxygen mask configured with offset bayonet assemblies.

The primary elements of the lenses are the polarizer, the Lead-Lanthanum-Zirconate-Titanate Ceramic Materials (PLZT) wafer, and an analyzer. PLZT is the designation for lead-lanthanum-zirconate-titanate ceramic materials in which a portion of the lead is substituted by additions of lanthanum. The analyzer is a second polarizer with its polarizing axis optically oriented 90 degrees to the first polarizer. The PLZT wafer is a thin, transparent sheet of polished electro-optic ceramic material, with a series of narrow electrode lines imbedded on both sides. These narrow electrode lines are oriented at 45 degrees to the polarizer/analyzer axes. The transmittance of the PLZT bonded lens assembly is controlled by the amount of voltage applied to the electrode lines. A 2 millimeter (mm) thick infrared filter and a 0.9 mm thick glass plate that make up the outer layers of the lens assembly. A retarder is sandwiched between the filter and the polarizer. The infrared filter is capable of absorbing more than 99 percent of infrared radiation. The plastic film retarder eliminates rainbow or dark spot effects which, under some lighting conditions, would otherwise be evident in highly stressed windshields. The draft Statement of Work is attached to describe this requirement.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

Nuclear Flash Blindness Goggles Modernization

Part I. Business Information Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

• Company/Institute Name:

• Address:

• Point of Contact:

• CAGE Code:

• Phone Number:

• E-mail Address:

• Web Page URL:

• Government Proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 334511

Based on the Government proposed NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

• Small Business (Yes / No)

• Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)

• 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)

• HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)

• Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

• System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes / No)

• A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

Responses to the Capability Survey Part I and Part II must be received no later than close of business (24 NOV 2021). Please ensure data is in a readable electronic format that can be received through a firewall. Attachments shall not to exceed 10 MB per email. Multiple emails are acceptable.

Responses must be sent via email to the following:

Please email your response to:

PCO: Joseph Jones, email: joseph.jones.81@us.af.mil, phone number: 478-222-1876 and Buyer: Lisa Samples, email: lisa.samples@us.af.mil, phone number 801-510-3072 PM: David Wilson, david.wilson.81@us.af.mil

Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to:

PCO: Joseph Jones, email: joseph.jones.81@us.af.mil, phone number: 478-222-1876 and Buyer: Lisa Samples, email: lisa.samples@us.af.mil, phone number 801-510-3072 and PM: David Wilson, phone number 478-222-7457

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity with PLZT goggles and critical flight safety aircrew equipment for this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager). Has your company done any work specific to the PLZT goggle item currently in use, if so, please provide a general description of the completed work and results?

3. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings and manuals. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.

4. What is your company’s current maximum capacity per month for this particular type of requirement? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.

What is the estimated repair time it may take your company to troubleshoot and repair goggles of different conditions (assuming they do not all need the same exact repair)?

5. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ? Provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.).

6. Provide a detailed quality plan implementing ISO 9001 (or equivalent).

7. Describe if your personnel and facilities are able to handle Secret level clearance required for discussions with the Government about items being modified. Provide a description of on-site secure building areas to accomplish modifications (storage of assets) and if access to an on-site Special Access Program Facility (SAPF) is possible.

8. Describe your company’s analysis, design, and manufacturing (including tooling) on site capabilities and their relationship to your core business practices.

9. Describe your company’s ability to remanufacture parts during this modification that are found to be defective but have no current source of supply. This may include designing replacement parts and manufacturing them in house or designing the parts and creating tooling to manufacture them. Note: Substitute parts must go through first article inspection or test (FAI or FAT) and received approval for use by AFLCMC/WNUS Engineering prior to use on repaired items.

10. Describe your company’s good standing with records of past performance on USG contracts for items of similar or related nature.

B. Engineering Services Questions:

1. Describe your services capabilities and experience with regard to the requirements of this effort. How would you address repairing goggles

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying procedures.

Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders, drawings and a technical data package.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience for the same or similar services, which are currently provided in the military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Services Provider

4. Describe your capabilities and experience in any required test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures with regard to the required items. Do you have the capability in-house to do any of the following types of testing: EMI, EMC, EMP, temperature cycling, storage temperature, shock, and vibration?

a) Describe how you/your organization would handle repairing an item that comes in with one defect but in fact has several other defects discovered during disassembly.

5. Describe how you/your organization will identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

a) Does you/your organization have the ability to design tooling (if needed) in house to manufacture obsolete parts that are needed to repair if provided basic drawings from the Government?

6. Discuss your process for addressing any form, fit, and function issues that may arise out of the requirements of this effort.

7. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in-process balance and modification status to your customer as required.

a) How do you track status of items through your organization and what artifacts or summary sheets (or test reports) are provided to customers once items are within standards?

8. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.

9. Are you familiar with the deficiency reporting system several DoD branches use (JDRS) and how deficiencies are reported and addressed if they occur following repair of items?