Questions_Answers_VIEW.pdf

BAA-FA8650-22-S-5702

Questions & Answers

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS to BAA- FA8650-22-S-5702

1. Question: Is radome configuration acceptable for this new BAA or is it specific to plate windows?

Answer: Radome configuration as well as any aperture or window configuration is acceptable. Proposals should identify the application and describe the relevant geometry that will be manufactured to match the configuration.

2. Question: is manufacturing the primary focus and no integration demonstration required?

Answer: Demonstrating integration is not a requirement, but can be considered as part of the solution.

3. Question: Is there a target max temperature of interest for “environments beyond

1000°C”?

Answer: 1000°C is a target minimum requirement. The actual temperature requirement will depend on the platform and platform design where the proposed solution would be useful. The proposer should identify the platform of interest and target the appropriate temperature for the required performance.

4. Question: The SOO states that “manufacturing process should be designed to consider the integration of the component into a relevant vehicle.” Would you entertain proposals focused solely on RF materials and systems integration design and manufacturing technologies? Or should the window itself be the proposal focus?

Answer: Demonstrating integration is not a requirement, but can be considered as part of the solution.

5. Question: The SOO mentions desire to “improve current SOA processes or utilize advanced manufacturing methods in new ways.” We are considering one concept one concept that would advance SOA and another focused on new advanced manufacturing;

is there a preference for one over the other?

Answer: The focus of this call is on the manufacturing process. The proposed material system solutions should be at a TRL of at least 4.

6. Question: could you please advise whether AFRL/RX’s intent is to only consider proposals from offerors that already have transparent windows at a specific TRL? And if so, could you also please advise of the threshold level of technological readiness?

7. Question: Is the priority more on developing novel materials to enhance performance, or novel and repeatable processing approach of existing materials?

Answer: The focus of this call is on the manufacturing process.

8. Question: could you please advise whether AFRL/RX’s intent is to only consider proposals from offerors that already have transparent windows at a specific TRL? And if so, could you also please advise of the threshold level of technological readiness?

9. Question: we get the impression that a mature starting level of technological readiness is assumed/expected for the transparent windows.

Answer: Yes, the material solution proposed should have sufficient data and prior knowledge showing its use as a window, radome, or aperture system.

10. Question: Does the RFP presuppose a certain initial Technology Readiness Level for the transparent windows, for which the improvements are to be proposed by the offerors?

Answer: The proposed material system solutions should be at a TRL of at least 4.

11. Question: Can you define or loosely define: “high shear and high heat flux environments”?

Answer: Since multiple solutions are possible for different platforms/vehicles, requirements are up to the proposer to define with their knowledge and experience with the systems and working with any vehicle designers.

12. Question: Can you provide additional details on the biconic profile?

Answer: Since multiple solutions are possible for different platforms/vehicles, requirements are up to the proposer to define with their knowledge and experience with the systems and working with any vehicle designers.

13. Question: Can you define heatshield interface material? In order to address differences in potential ablation rates between the heatshield and aperture.

Answer: Since multiple heatshield materials are possible for different platforms/vehicles, the interface will depend on the solution being proposed.

14. Question: Can you provide a generic flight trajectory in order to better characterize the material? Since multiple solutions are possible for different platforms/vehicles.

Answer: Requirements are up to the proposer to define with their knowledge and experience with the systems and working with any vehicle designers.

15. Question: Can you define the thickness of the part? Is an 8” x 8” (instead of 5” x 9”) acceptable for this application?

Answer: 5”x9” is a general guide for the expected size of the part. Other similar sizes will be considered.

16. Question: Is there an anticipated production volume of this part in production (e.g.

parts/month)

Answer: Not for this BAA