Ultra Hard Steel Alloy Samples

Synopsis – J&A for Other than Full and Open Competition

1.  Class Code: 9640

2.  NAICS Code: 332117

3.  Subject:  NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE – The Government intends to purchase of ultra-hard steel alloy samples produced from starting powder feedstock using combination of laser additive manufacturing and post-processing heat treatments.

4.  Solicitation Number: W911QX-21-Q-0139

5.  Set-Aside Code: __NA__________

6.  Response Date: Five (5) business days after posting

7.  Place of Performance:  US Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground

U.S. Army Research Laboratory

2800 Powder Mill Road

Adelphi, Maryland, 20783

8.  Description:  The United States Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of 41 USC 1901(e), implemented by FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) based on proprietary data related to a patent, copyright, or other proprietary data.

The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Weapons and Materials Research Directorate (WMRD), requires advanced steels for a broad range of applications. Through a review of available materials, CONUS an OCONUS, VBN Components, a company in Sweden, was identified as a manufacturer that claimed to have the ability to produce advanced steels. They possessed unique intellectual property and/or capabilities in the development of the powder feedstocks; laser AM processing protocols, as well as the subsequent heat treatment of these materials. As a result, they assert that the steels they produce are some of the hardest that are commercially available.  

The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with VBN Components AB, Libro Ringvag 5, SE-752 28 Uppsala, Sweden, (CAGE: AYKNN), for the following items:

- Vibenite 131 samples - 86 total pieces.

- Vibenite 281 samples - 86 total pieces.

- Vibenite 351 samples - 86 total pieces.

In addition, the Government requires VBN to provide grinding services on all pieces, in the three sample lots, according to their optimized methodology.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals.  However, the Government will consider the submission of a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, from any responsible source who believes it is capable of meeting the requirement, if received by the closing date and time of this notice. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. 

Responses to this notice are due five (5) business days after postingby email to Contract Specialist Salma Khairedin, salma.m.khairedin.civ@mail.mil

Point of Contact for this notice is Contract Specialist, Salma Khairedin, salma.m.khairedin@mail.mil