UPDATED RFI NEW QUESTIONS - AFRL TS1C TMS_20230207.pdf

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued as market research. All requirements identified in this RFI are tentative and will be finalized prior to the release of any request for proposal (RFP). The Government may use the HERMES Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Solicitation FA9300-20-S-0001, for the eventual request RFP. The potential topic number from the HERMES BAA is RQRM Topic 3. The Government DOES NOT intend to award a contract or purchase order in response to this RFI or otherwise pay for the information submitted.

The information provided is entirely voluntary and will not impact the ability to bid on future requirements. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered a request for proposal (RFP), request for quote (RFQ), or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. The information provided may be utilized by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in developing its acquisition strategy should a decision be made to proceed with acquiring the items/services listed in this RFI. The information received in response to this RFI may be included in one or more future solicitations.

All responses shall include the following information:

1. Company Name

2. Business Size for subject NAICS

3. Cage Code

4. Details on which line items your company is able to provide and any applicable restrictions

AFRL is seeking U.S. sources with the capability to provide the items/services listed in this RFI. All replies are to be provided to the Contracting Officer, Alvaro Guzman, alvaro.guzman.1@us.af.mil. All responses to this RFI must be received NO LATER THAN Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. PST.

*****Requirements—Thrust Measurement System*****

AFRL/RQRO is refurbishing and reactivating a large scale vertical rocket test stand and requires a new and modern modular and multi-configurable Thrust Measurement System that can accommodate a variety of rocket motors/engines for use in collecting and delivering critical thrust and other force data to our future customers. AFRL/RQRO is looking for a custom designed and built Thrust Measurement System that…

*****Thrust Measurement System must meet the following additional requirements*****

• Is designed to fit within the existing Test Stand Structure, to include designing modifications to the Test Stand and/or it’s Thrust Abutment

• Is capable of holding, in a vertical alignment, a variety of different rocket motors/engines, targeting between 30 – 85 inches in diameter and 100 – 420 inches in length, with a maximum weight of 90,000 lbs

• Is capable of attaching to the fore and/or aft skirt of the rocket motor/engine, within the variable width/length envelop

• Is capable of measuring thrust forces in all 6 degrees of freedom, between 80 – 350 Klbf of thrust and up to 10 degrees of gimbaled nozzle angle

• Includes an integrated winch/lifting system designed to install and maintain the TMS as well as serve as the primary lift mechanism for loading the rocket motor/engine onto the

TMS

• Can be calibrated in-situ, with a motor installed

• Is accurate to within 0.25% at 350 Klbf and 10 degrees of gimbal in thrust (axial), pitch

(lateral), and yaw (lateral) components

*****Questions*****

Interested parties to this RFI may provide recommendations they have for such a program. Interested parties are not required to provide answers to questions, but rather where their respective areas of expertise or alliances may allow performance of tasks to answer a specific question list below. Interested parties may request a meeting through the Contracting Officer to further explain their responses to these questions.

1.) Has your company produced a Thrust measurement system for external customers?

mailto:alvaro.guzman@us.af.mil

2.) For delivered thrust measurement systems to external customers, what was the maximum thrust capacity?

3.) For delivered thrust measurement systems to external customers, what was the delivered accuracy of the thrust measurement system?

4.) For delivered thrust measurement systems to external customers, are any capable of in-frame calibration?

5.) For delivered thrust measurement systems to external customers, are any capable greater than 1 Degree of Freedom?

ALVARO GUZMAN

Contracting Officer