Slipper Wear – Modeling and Simulation Software and Development of Wear Reduction Techniques

The Department of the Air Force Test Center is seeking engineering services to develop advanced modeling and simulation software for predicting slipper wear during high-speed sled tests at the Holloman High Speed Test Track. The primary objective is to create a physics-based predictive model with wear accuracy within 10% of actual measurements, incorporating parameters such as sled type, weight, velocity profile, and material properties. Vendors must submit capability statements by March 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM CST to greggory.jones.4@us.af.mil in Word or PowerPoint format, limited to 10 pages. Evaluation criteria will include a current NIST SP 800-171 Assessment and Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score. Respondents must be able to develop software implementable on government systems and produce a comprehensive catalog of wear mitigation techniques comparing effectiveness and costs against standard 4130 steel slippers.

The pre-solicitation notice indicates no specific set-aside designations and covers engineering services under NAICS code 541330, with a business size standard of $25 million. The procurement will consider options for contract award under either traditional FAR-based contracting or 10 U.S.C. 4022 prototype authority. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the complexity of the required modeling and simulation software suggests a potentially significant investment in developing advanced wear prediction technologies. The project timeline appears to align with the current fiscal year, with initial market research and capability statement collection occurring in early 2025. The government's interest in precise slipper wear prediction indicates a technical challenge that requires sophisticated engineering expertise and advanced computational modeling capabilities.