A01_-_Sources_Sought.doc

Sources Sought

(1) Action Code :

SOURCES SOUGHT

This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a request for proposal, but a survey to locate potential sources. This Sources Sought does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals, or a Request for Quotations, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue an order or otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is it a guarantee of a forthcoming solicitation or contract. It is for market research purposes only. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of industry, to include the Small Business Community: Small Business, Section 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB-Zone), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsible contractors. Small business, Section 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, & EDWOSB businesses are highly encouraged to participate.

(2) Date :

6/23/2017

(3) Classification Code : 66

(4) NAICS Code:

333249 Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing

(5) NAICS Size Standard: 500 Employees

(6) Contracting Office Address:

2800 Powder Mill Road Bldg. 601 Adelphi, Maryland 20783

(7) Subject: Sources Sought for One (1) Directed Energy Deposition 3D Rapid Prototype Machine: primary build volume at least 609 millimeter (mm) x 609 mm x 609 mm and minimum two (2) kilowatts (kW) laser source.

(8) Proposed Solicitation Number: W911QX-17-T-0194

(9) Sources Sought Closing Response Date: 6/29/2017

(10) Contact Point: Christopher Moy, Contract Specialist, Christopher.r.moy.civ@mail.mil

(11)

A. Objective:

To find sources that are qualified to meet the supplies/services as listed in section 11B. Note that the specific requirements are subject to change prior to the release of any solicitation.

B. The Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD) of the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires One (1) Directed Energy Deposition 3D Rapid Prototype Machine which shall meet the following minimum requirements:

Salient Characteristics:

· Machine shall feed metallic alloy powder through a nozzle, which is then melted by a laser and deposited on a substrate in an inert, argon, environment

· The deposition process and laser operations shall be contained in a hermetically sealed Class 1 laser enclosure for safety

· The environment of the chamber shall be able to be controlled at oxygen levels of five (5) parts per million (ppm) or less

· Machine shall contain a minimum build envelope of 0.23 cubic meters (m3)

· Machine shall contain a minimum laser head travel distance of 609 x 609 x 609 millimeters (mm)

· Laser shall be a fiber laser with minimum power of two (2) kilowatts (kW)

· The machine shall have the capability to use different laser spot sizes in the range of 50-500 micrometers (um).

· The system shall provide for cooling of the optics to limit thermal distortion, maintain process stability, and maximize optics life.

· The deposition head shall have a minimum of three (3) separate nozzles for simultaneously depositing multiple materials

· The machine shall have the capability to provide variable deposition rates from 0.25 to two (2) pounds/hour.

· The system shall have an integrated vision camera for viewing the deposition surface, monitoring the process, and precisely aligning the laser head

· The system shall have a minimum of two (2) powder hoppers with servo-driven powder feeders for continuous feeding of multiple materials

· The system shall have an antechamber, with a minimum size of 375 mm diameter, which allows passing tools and materials into the main chamber while maintaining inert atmosphere

· The system shall purify the inert gas used for the process in order to obtain a maximum of five (5) ppm.

· The system shall be capable of four (4) axis, computer numerical control (CNC) controlled motion

· The system shall have a rotating table for the workpiece

· The system shall come with a control system for layer-wise manufacturing

· The system shall provide a tool path generator for use with the control system

· The system shall have a large front door for accessing the main chamber with minimum dimensions of 1330 x 1520 mm

· The system shall have a viewing window for process observation that is laser safe and maintains the enclosure as a Class 1 laser enclosure.

· Installation and on-site training on the system.

· Minimum of one (1) year limited warranty on the laser and mechanical systems.

C. Responses:

All interested parties should notify this office in writing, mail, fax, or e-mail within the posted date. Responses shall include:

(I) To what extent each of the specifications can be met.

(II) Include your type of business (i.e. commercial, academia), whether your organization is classified as a large or small business based on the 500 Employees standard that accompanies NAICS code 333249. If a small business, you must also list any small disadvantaged status you hold [HUBZone, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), etc.].

(III) Past experience/ performance through the description of completed projects.

(12) Responses to this sources sought synopsis are due no later than 11:59 PM eastern standard time 6/29/2017. Submissions should be emailed to Christopher Moy, Christopher.r.moy.civ@mail.mil. Faxed submissions can be sent to 301-394-2021. Mailed submissions can be sent to the address in block 7, ATTN: Christopher Moy.

Questions concerning this sources sought synopsis may be directed to Christopher Moy at Christopher.r.moy.civ@mail.mil or 301-394-2021. Please be advised that .zip and .exe files cannot be accepted.

(13) Place of Contract Performance: See block 7

(14) Place of Contract Performance: Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD

(15) Estimated Delivery Timeframe or Period of Performance: No later than (NLT) eight (8) weeks after contract award (ACA) Last updated 2/13/2017