RWP EL-TFM.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE TEST CENTER (AFMC)

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE CALIFORNIA

REQUEST FOR WHITEPAPERS (RWP)

To: AEDC Velocity Alliance Consortium and Industry Partners via SAM.gov

Project Title: Extreme Loads Tire Force Machine (ELTFM)

Contracting Organization: AFTC/PZ (Arnold)

Applicable NAICS Code:

334519 – Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing

(Physical Properties Testing Equipment)

Applicable PSC Code: 6635 – Physical Properties Testing and Inspection Equipment

Acquisition Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 4022 – Other Transaction Authority for Prototypes

Offerors may recommend an alternate NAICS or PSC code for consideration.

1.0 Introduction and Purpose

The 704th Test Group (704 TG) Aerospace Survivability and Safety Office (OL-AC) at Wright-

Patterson AFB, Ohio, requires an advanced, state-of-the-art testing capability to replace its legacy Tire Force Machine (TFM). Currently, the legacy system cannot meet the high vertical and lateral load requirements of current tire test profiles.

To bridge this critical testing gap, the Government is initiating the Extreme Loads Tire Force

Machine (ELTFM) prototype project. The ELTFM is conceived as a unique, high-capacity dynamic test machine designed to bridge the operational gap between high-speed dynamometer force testing and static load presses.

2.0 Project Scope and Key Objectives

The ELTFM will create motion between the tire/wheel and the table, and consist of a high-load, multi-axis dynamic load frame integrated with a high-capacity table, high-precision force and displacement sensors, and a real-time data acquisition (DAQ) and control system. The system must achieve or exceed the Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) and Key System Attributes

(KSAs) detailed in the requirements documents to meet current and future military aircraft heavy-tire qualification requirements.

3.0 Instructions for Performer's Response

3.1 Technical Competency

Performers must submit a technical response that demonstrates their historical capability, specialized engineering expertise, and physical resources to execute the ELTFM project. The submission must specifically detail the Performer’s capability to:

1. Design, model, and manufacture heavy-duty, high-capacity mechanical structural load frames capable of managing multi-axial, high-force dynamics meeting the criteria stated in the requirements document.

2. Integrate advanced 6-DOF force/moment sensor arrays and high-resolution displacement measurement systems capable of real-time dynamic feedback.

3. Synchronize heavy motion control systems with highly accurate speed regulation under massive drag loads.

4. Design and machine the custom cantilevered carriage mounting socket required to achieve physical and software interface compatibility with the Joint Multi-Purpose

Dynamometer (JMPD).

Important Pre-Award Context: The Government is evaluating the potential Performer's baseline engineering capability and past experience to successfully execute a project of this complexity. The Government is NOT requesting detailed prototype designs, CAD drawings, or software source code in this submission. Evaluation will be strictly focused on the Performer’s demonstrated capability to perform.

3.2 Intellectual Property (IP) & Data Rights

All IP and data rights asserted under this prototype agreement shall be governed by the standard

"Article: Intellectual Property Rights in accordance with part 3 of the AEDC Velocity

Consortium Request for Whitepaper." Performers are required to provide a formal, unequivocal statement in their whitepaper confirming acceptance of these terms and validating that the

Government will receive, at a minimum, Government Purpose Rights (GPR) for all physical and software interfaces, as well as the custom cantilevered carriage mounting socket.

3.3 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d) Appropriate Use of Authority

To be eligible for an award under this Request for Whitepapers (RWP), the Performer must meet at least one of the following statutory conditions in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d)(1):

(A) There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project.

(B) All significant participants in the transaction other than the Federal Government are small businesses (including small businesses participating in a program described under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638)) or nontraditional defense contractors.

(C) At least one-third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government.

(D) The senior procurement executive for the agency determines in writing that exceptional circumstances justify the use of a transaction that would otherwise not meet the conditions.

Note 1: "Nontraditional Defense Contractor" (NDC) is defined in 10 U.S.C. § 3014 as an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding the solicitation of sources by the Department of Defense for the procurement or transaction, any contract or subcontract for the Department of Defense that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 41 and the regulations implementing such section.

Note 2: "Significant extent" participation includes, but is not limited to, supplying key technology or components, performing a critical portion of the design or development, or otherwise playing a material role in the development or execution of the prototype.

3.4 Pricing and Schedule

The agreement will utilize a hybrid structure comprised of Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Base

Milestones and Unpriced, Unfunded Optional Milestones:

• Base Milestones (Design Phase): Performers must submit firm-fixed-pricing and a highly detailed, task-by-task execution schedule.

• Optional Milestones (Execution Phase): Optional milestones will remain unpriced at award. However, to support project planning, Performers must provide a detailed estimated schedule and a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing estimation for all optional milestones.

3.5 Cybersecurity and CMMC Compliance

Security of information generated or handled during this effort is of paramount importance.

Consortium Performers must strictly adhere to "Article: Cybersecurity Requirements (CUI and

CMMC)" for the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Performers must formally acknowledge that all cybersecurity requirements and CMMC compliance controls flow down in their entirety to all subcontractors, team members, and external partners, and that overall compliance remains the sole and primary responsibility of the prime Performer.

4.0 Evaluation Details

The Government will evaluate Performer responses based on a single-step, best-value methodology using the following three criteria, listed in descending order of importance:

1. Technical Capability & Prototype Design Approach: Evaluation of the Performer's capability, engineering expertise, and proposed design methodology to meet the Extreme

Loads Tire Force Machine (ELTFM) Key Performance Parameters (KPPs 1-10), Key

System Attributes (KSAs 1-4), major use cases and test profiles, and JMPD/168"

Dynamometer interface commonality.

2. Appropriate Use of Authority & Participation (10 U.S.C. § 4022(d)): Verification of the Performer's compliance with NDC, nonprofit, or cost-sharing requirements.

Whitepapers failing to meet these criteria will be excluded from technical evaluation.

3. Price and ROM Realism: The Government will evaluate the Fixed Price proposed for

Base Milestones (Design Phase) and the completeness and reasonableness of the Rough

Order of Magnitude (ROM) and estimated schedule provided for the Unpriced Execution

Options.

5.0 Successful Prototype Definition

The ELTFM prototype project involves a phased approach to transition a highly complex technical requirements document into an operational test machine. Per 10 U.S.C. § 4022(e)(5), the successful completion of the following prototypes is defined as:

5.1 Prototype A: Proof of Concept (Design & Interface Architecture)

• Scope: Complete engineering design, DAQ and control software modeling, physical interface definitions, and needed foundation, power/electrical, and utility modifications.

• Success Criteria: Success is achieved upon formal Government review, sign-off, and written approval of the Critical Design Review (CDR). The Performer must demonstrate through verified engineering models, stress analyses, and software simulation that the design meets the threshold levels of KPPs 1 through 10 and KSAs 1 through 4.

Additionally, the Performer must successfully deliver fully validated, 3D CAD models and machining drawings of the custom cantilevered carriage mounting socket, proving complete physical and software interface compatibility with the Joint Multi-Purpose

Dynamometer (JMPD) and the 168" Internal Dynamometer. The Performer must identify any long-lead materials, parts, components, sub-assemblies, and assemblies (collectively, “long-lead items”) required to develop, install, integrate, and commission the ELTFM.

5.2 Prototype E: Operational Utility (Physical Assembly, Installation, & Testing)

• Scope: Material procurement, fabrication, factory integration, shipping, facility site preparation, physical installation, site testing, and operational commissioning of the

ELTFM at Wright-Patterson AFB.

• Success Criteria: Success is achieved when the physical ELTFM is fully installed inside

Building 31, Area B at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, and successfully completes all on-site acceptance and commissioning testing. The physical machine must successfully execute dynamic, multi-axis test profiles using representative test data from Appendix A/C2, achieving or exceeding the Threshold Requirements for KPPs 1 through 10 and KSAs 1 through 4. The DAQ and control system must demonstrate stable, real-time data capture of the relaxation length of viscoelastic tire materials, footprint forces and deformations of tire wear, localized forces transmitted into the wheel, tire profile information, and quasi-static stiffness under various loading scenarios and successfully transfer error-free test data to the Government’s network.

6.0 Program Milestones

The program will execute sequentially across the following defined milestones. Every distinct deliverable or phase must be evaluated and approved by the Government prior to transitioning to subsequent milestones.

1. Milestone 1: Project Kickoff Meeting [Base Milestone - Prototype A] o Deliverable: Multi-disciplinary coordination meeting, final project management plan (PMP), and integrated master schedule (IMS).

2. Milestone 2: Initial Technical Review (ITR) [Base Milestone - Prototype A] o Deliverable: Baseline system requirements review (SRR) documentation and risk mitigation register. Updated PMP and IMS based on findings in the SRR, if applicable.

3. Milestone 3: Preliminary Design Review (PDR) [Base Milestone - Prototype A] o Deliverable: Preliminary engineering design plans for major systems (drive system, load table system, carriage and test head, and DAQ and controls), including 3D CAD models, engineering calculations, finite element analysis

(FEA) of the load frame, preliminary interface control documents (ICDs) for the

JMPD, initial software architecture design for the DAQ and control system, including LabVIEW integration, and preliminary foundation, power/electrical, and utility modifications at the facility.

4. Milestone 4: Critical Design Review (CDR) [Base Milestone - Prototype A] o Deliverable: Final engineering design plans for all systems, including production-ready 3D CAD models, final engineering calculations, final FEA results, detailed fabrication drawings, final ICDs for the JMPD, approved custom cantilevered carriage mounting socket drawings, software code structures for the DAQ and control system, including LabVIEW integration, final foundation, power/electrical, and utility plans, factory test plans, and list of long-lead items.

Achievement of this milestone constitutes successful completion of Prototype A.

5. Milestone 5: Manufacturing and Factory Integration [Unfunded Option - Prototype

E] o Deliverable: Completion of structural frame machining, sensor integration, hydraulic/electrical system routing, DAQ and controls system, and successful completion of the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) at the Performer's facility.

6. Milestone 6: Delivery, On-Site Installation, and Integration [Unfunded Option -

Prototype E] o Deliverable: Safe transport, unloading, temporary storage, and structural anchoring of the ELTFM inside Building 31, Area B, WPAFB, OH. Installation and integration of major systems and sub-systems, including the DAQ and controls system. Required foundation, power/electrical, and utility modifications completed, including connection to facility electrical and hydraulic utilities.

7. Milestone 7: Acceptance and Commissioning Testing [Unfunded Option - Prototype

E] o Deliverable: Execution of Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) using representative test profiles from Appendix A/C2 and demonstrating that all KPPs, KSAs, use cases, and safety requirements have been met or exceeded. Calibration completed and delivery of calibration test reports, operations/maintenance manuals, recommended spare parts and components, including initial spares, and official training for LGTF personnel. Achievement of this milestone constitutes successful completion of Prototype E.

7.0 Submission Details

• Submission Deadline: 2 December 2026, 4:00PM Central Standard Time (CST)

• Format: Whitepapers must be submitted electronically via the AEDC Velocity Alliance

Consortium Portal. For non-consortium offerors, submit via email to the POCs below.

Responses must be in searchable PDF or MS Word format, limited to 15 pages

(excluding price and ROM appendices).

• Government Points of Contact (POCs):

o Agreements Officer (AO): Haley Smith, haley.smith.10@us.af.mil o Agreements Specialist: Paytonne Szatkowski, paytonne.szatkowski@us.af.mil

8.0 Attachments

The following attachments are provided as technical government-furnished information (GFI) and govern the engineering requirements of this RWP:

1. CUI_Requirement Document_ELTFM

2. JMPD_TCRD

HALEY M. K. SMITH

Agreements Officer