Niobium Alloy Nb521 Sheet Materials for NASA Material Property Test Campaign

NASA's Shared Services Center has issued a Special Notice announcing its intent to procure Niobium Alloy Nb521 Sheet Materials for a material property test campaign at NASA Glenn Research Center. The notice represents a presolicitation announcement for commercial items and services that will be evaluated and acquired under FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13 procedures. Currently, NASA has determined that ATI Specialty Alloys & Components, LLC is the sole source provider capable of meeting the agency's requirements. The procurement falls under NAICS Code 331410 (Nonferrous Metal Smelting and Refining) and PSC Code 9535 (Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Foil; Nonferrous Base Metal). This announcement provides an opportunity for interested contractors to challenge the sole source determination prior to contract award.

The objective of this procurement is to obtain Niobium Alloy Nb521 sheets to support high-temperature material characterization testing for reusable aerospace applications. The contractor must produce pilot-scale sheets using R&D rolling equipment in a vacuum-annealed or recrystallized condition, with a performance period of 46 weeks after receipt and acceptance of the order. Deliverables include four sheets at 0.060-inch thickness and two sheets at 0.121-inch thickness, each measuring 12 inches in width by 12 inches in length (144 square inches total area), along with a chemistry analysis report. Organizations wishing to challenge NASA's sole source determination must submit written evidence of their capabilities and qualifications to the identified point of contact no later than 4:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on February 26, 2026. Submissions will be evaluated to determine whether to conduct the procurement competitively, with final discretion remaining with the Government.