NDI AC blade Testing PWS 15 August 2025.docx

Performance Work Statement NDI AC Blade Testing Whiteman AFB 15 August 2025

1.0 General Description

Whiteman Air Force Base (WAFB) requires non-destructive electron microscopy analysis services to be performed on damaged engine components and aircraft structures following Foreign Object Damage (FOD) incidents. This service will determine accurate root cause determination, enabling the identification of FOD sources, assessment of damage mechanisms, and implementation of targeted preventative measures

2.0 Scope

Whiteman AFB requires Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) services incorporating specialized techniques essential for comprehensive FOD analysis. These capabilities must include Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) to determine crystallographic orientation, grain structure, and identify material phases affected by FOD impact, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) for precise elemental composition analysis and identification of foreign material contamination or transfer, and tomography services to create three-dimensional reconstructions of damage features and internal defect structures.

3.0 Period and Place of Performance

The period of performance for this requirement is 12 months.

Tests will be conducted at the contractor's in-house laboratory facilities.

4.0 Performance Objectives

The contractor shall be a qualified company with demonstrated expertise in analyzing Foreign Object Damage (FOD) to critical aircraft components, employing state-of-the-art, non-destructive electron microscopy analysis for comprehensive damage assessment and failure analysis. The selected contractor must possess a minimum of five (5) years of documented experience specifically in aerospace materials analysis, with a proven track record of supporting military and commercial aviation FOD investigations.

4.1 Contractor Qualifications The contractor shall maintain current certifications and accreditations relevant to electron microscopy services, including but not limited to:

· ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation for testing and calibration

· NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) certification for materials testing

· AS9100 quality management system certification for aerospace applications

· Current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM)

4.2 Technical Expertise Requirements

The contractor must demonstrate proficiency in analyzing various aircraft materials including titanium alloys, aluminum alloys, steel alloys, composite materials, and engine components. Previous experience shall include FOD analysis for turbine engines, structural components, flight control surfaces, and landing gear systems. The contractor shall provide evidence of successful completion of similar projects within the past three (3) years, including customer references from government or commercial aerospace entities

5.0 Primary Analysis Requirements

The analysis shall primarily utilize Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) incorporating advanced techniques including:

· Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD): To determine crystallographic orientation, grain structure, and identify material phases affected by FOD impact.

· Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS): To provide elemental composition analysis and identify foreign material contamination or transfer

· Tomography: To create three-dimensional reconstructions of damage features and internal defect structures.

5.1 Technical Specifications

These techniques are required to visualize and analyze surface and near-surface damage features without significantly altering the sample integrity. The analysis must be provided:

· Detailed dimensional measurements of defects with spatial resolution of ≤10 nanometers.

· Comprehensive material composition data including elemental mapping.

· Quantitative analysis of crack propagation patterns and stress concentration areas.

· Documentation of material property changes in affected zones.

These techniques are required to visualize and analyze surface and near-surface damage features without significantly altering the sample integrity. The analysis is highly encouraged to provided:

· High-resolution imaging at magnifications ranging from 10x to 500,000x

5.2 Reporting and Timeline Requirements

To facilitate timely FOD investigations, the contractor shall:

· Provide preliminary findings within 72 hours of sample receipt arriving at the facility.

· Deliver comprehensive final reports electronically to the FOD/DOP Monitor within 14 business days.

· Include high-resolution images, analytical data, interpretive conclusions, and recommendations for further action.

· Maintain a chain of custody documentation throughout the analysis process

· Provide technical consultation and expert testimony if required for investigation proceedings.

All reports must comply with Air Force technical reporting standards and enable the FOD/DOP Monitor to proceed expeditiously with their investigation and corrective action implementation.

Definition: OPSEC is a methodical process to identify Critical Information (CI), identify threats to that CI and the related vulnerabilities and risks of exploitation to that CI, and identify, develop, and implement countermeasures to protect that CI. CI is specific facts about friendly intentions, capabilities, and activities vitally needed by adversaries for them to plan and act effectively to guarantee failure or unacceptable consequences for friendly mission accomplishment. CI includes those facts, which individually, or in the aggregate, reveal sensitive details about US Government, i.e. Whiteman AFB or the contractor’s security or operations related to the support or performance of the Statement of Work (SOW)/Performance Work Statement (PWS), and thus require a level of protection from adversarial collection or exploitation not normally afforded to unclassified information. OPSEC supplements but does not replace traditional security practices such as Physical Security and Information Security. OPSEC is essential to ensure the initial and continued success of our mission, operations, systems, and procedures.

OPSEC Applicability: The 509 OSS OPSEC Program Manager has determined that additional safeguards are essential for this contract and imposes OPSEC as a requirement in the responsibilities of this contract. During this contract, in addition to those restrictions, instructions and guidelines defined in the contract Statement of Work and/or other references provided the contractor will adhere to the following minimum requirements in support of the 509 OSS OPSEC Program. Introduction of personnel electronic devices into government spaces, laptops, tablet PCs, cellular phones, cameras, recording devices, and data recording/storage devices is STRICTLY controlled and forbidden in some areas of Whiteman AFB. Photography and recording are not allowed except for official use and by permit only. (Unless otherwise stipulated in the contract). Contractor personnel shall not discuss government operations in public or over unprotected or unencrypted communications. Official business controlled unclassified information may only be transmitted as directed in the SOW/PWS. The Contractor shall not post to company websites, publications, newsletters or other media any images, data or information that reveal sensitive government operations, personnel, equipment, and/or classified or controlled unclassified information, refer to paragraph (d) below. When in doubt, company press releases related to this contract should be coordinated through the 509th Contracting Office. Because observation of events, operations, physical changes, etc. may reveal National Security information, specific restrictions are needed to preclude unintentional release of this information to unauthorized parties. (Unauthorized disclosure and transfer of National Security Information is punishable under 18 USC § 793.) Therefore, contractor personnel shall not disclose to unauthorized third parties, post to unofficial sites (including Social Networking sites) any images, data or information, or observed events that reveal sensitive government operations, personnel, or equipment. Government issued badges, identification shall be removed and/or concealed from plain sight when off station and shall not be left in vehicles or unprotected. Badges and passes may not be duplicated or copied or loaned to others. Lost or stolen identification badges, vehicle passes etc. will be immediately reported to the 509th Security Forces LE Desk at (660) 687-3700. Practice OPSEC and implement countermeasures to protect CI and other sensitive unclassified information and execution of military operations performed or supported by the contractor in support of the mission. Protection of CI will include the adherence to and execution of countermeasures which has been provided by the 509 OSS. It is strongly recommended the contractor mark and protect related internal production schedules, deliverables, inventories and shortages and identified vulnerabilities related to production of government material. Internal company markings e.g., Business Sensitive, etc., are appropriate for identifying the as sensitive information. Specific Government-provided information, drawings etc., will be protected in accordance with guidance in applicable paragraphs of the SOW. Destroy (burn, shred, etc.) critical and/or sensitive unclassified information no longer needed to prevent the inadvertent disclosure and/or reconstruction of this material. Critical information identified by 509 OSS will be marked and handled appropriately as FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (FOUO). Government CI includes but is not limited to known or probable vulnerabilities to any U.S. system and their direct support systems, details of information about military operations, unit, vessel, aircraft movements/arrivals, missions and exercises, etc.