Notice of Intent - Vibration Table

Added: Sep 04, 2015 11:34 am
The 10th Contracting Squadron, Directorate of Contracting, United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Colorado intends to award as a Sole Source basis to Bruel & Kjaer for a vibration test set table. This notice document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-83, effective 3 Aug 2015. The North American Industry Classification System Code [NAICS] is 334519 and the size standard is 500 employees.

This vibration test set table is required by the Space Systems Research Center (SSRC) and the Department of Astronautics (DFAS) to simulate the space launch environment created by an orbital space launch vehicle. This vibration test set table can only be provided by Bruel & Kjaer, a large business at 2815-A Colonnades Ct, in Norcross, GA. This procurement is for the acquisition of a sole source commercial item in accordance with FAR Parts 12 & 13.

The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 334519 and the size standard is 500 employees.

There is only one responsible source and no other item will satisfy the USAFA current requirements. Several vendors have been contacted by phone, email, and in person at trade shows/conventions and none of them are able to meet all of the requirements below. A sources sought was posted on Fed Biz Opps on 17 Aug 2015 and ended on 24 Aug 2015. The salient characteristics were used to try to identify other sources of this requirement. Three other sources were identified; however, their products were unable to meet the requirement due to their controllers not being compatible with the existing LDS LaserUSB 201 8 channel controller. The cost of retraining required and lost time to switching controllers is significant. Retraining increases risk to the multi-million dollar spacecraft hardware that is to be tested on this shaker table. There is a concern that there is an increased risk to over stressing the spacecraft because the technicians that are running the test are not completely familiar with the new table or new controller used.

Requirements for the vibration test set table are:

The vibration table must be capable of 3-axis vibration testing and recording of data for spacecraft components and sub-assemblies. 16 channel controller upgrade and software upgrade must be compatible to interface with LDS LaserUSB 201 controller box.

1) Shaker with 30in slip table on single trunnion
• Air cooled vibration system, not liquid cooled
• Air cooling system with silencer to reduce noise in lab
• Pneumatic isolation system on trunnion to protect the floor from powerful vibrations
• 30in X 30in slip table for transverse axes component testing
• Guide bearings under slip table to reduce slip table vibe response
• Must be consistent with government expertise and tooling for armature maintenance
• 3/8-16 female threads in slip table to allow common fastener use
• Guide bearings under slip table to reduce slip table vibe response
• Voltage Frequency selection 480V, 3-60Hz
• Table must be compatible with LDS LaserUSB 201 8 channel controller
• Sine Force and Random Force minimum 5000lbf
• Minimum Armature Resonance 2.2kHz
• Minimum displacement (peak-to-peak) 2.0 inches

2) Head Expander
• 30in X 30in expander head for axial component testing
• 3/8-16 female threads in head and expander head to allow common fastener use

3) Controller
• 16 channel controller hardware upgrade for LDS LaserUSB 201 controller box
• 16 channel controller software upgrade for LDS LaserUSB 201 controller box

4) Training
• On-site manufacturer training for hardware, controller, and software

5) Accelerometers
• 12 triaxial accelerometers to instrument test articles

Item Unique Identification and Valuation (IUID) (DFARS 252.211-7003) applies to this requirement.

This synopsis is for notification purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals. DO NOT submit a bid/quote at this time.

Any offerors believing they can provide the vibration test set table requirement described above may provide evidence for consideration. Evidence must support the offeror's claim they can provide this service. All qualified sources may submit a response, which if received timely, will be considered by this agency. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement can be conducted. A determination not to compete this proposed procurement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Responses must be received NLT 10:00 a.m. MDT on 11 September 2015.

The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this announcement. Contractors must have a current registration with the Central contractor Registration (CCR) at http://www.ccr.gov and with Online Representations and Certifications application (ORCA) at http://orca.bpn.gov.

Questions should be addressed to the Primary POC: Melanie Caines, Contract Specialist, (719) 333-0809 or send via e-mail to melanie.caines@us.af.mil. Alternate POC is Diana Myles-South, Contracting Officer, (719)-333-8650, diana.south@us.af.mil.

5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (APR 2010)

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, concerned parties may contact the USAF Academy Ombudsmen,

Kelly Snyder
8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103
USAFA, CO 80840
Telephone number 719-333-2704
FAX 719-333-9103
Email: kelly.snyder@usafa.af.mil

Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the MAJCOM/DRU or ARISRA level, may be brought by the concerned party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (703) 588-7004, facsimile number (703) 588-1067.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer.

(End of clause)