US Air Force Academy - Fortus 450mc 3D Printer

This is a special notice prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 5.2, Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The contracting office for this notice is the 10th Contracting Squadron, USAF Academy, CO 80840. The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) intends to award a sole source commercial contract to High Country Technology Consultants, LLC., a small business, for a Stratasys Fortus 450mc 3D Printer.

Salient Characteristics:

At a minimum, the equipment must-

- Have a build volume greater than or equal to 16x14x16 inches.

- Print using the Fused-Filament-Fabrication method.

- Print certified, engineering grade, high performance thermoplastics such as certified UltemTM 9085, UltemTM 9085, UltemTM 1010, ASA, Antero 800NA, Nylon 12CF, and dissolvable support.

-Provide data sheets with data on mechanical proporties.

- Be able to produce USAF/FAA approved parts for use on USAF aircraft.

- Have a minimum print resolution of around 0.005 inches.

- Use 208V 3 phase, 18A power supply to ensure compatibility with available wiring.

- Have a system footprint around 50"Wx36"D.

- Include delivery, system installation, and a 1-year manufacturer's warranty.

- Use a 3D printing slicer currently available to USAFA (Prusaslicer, Cura, GrabCAD) or another free/open-source and perpetual licensed software.

- Vendor needs to include installation and training. 

This requirement is to be used by the USAFA Department of Mechanical Engineering to fulfill mechanical engineering senior design projects sponsored by numerous USAF organizations. In addition to requirements based on the required salient characteristics above, it is critical that the printer must be compatible with certified UltemTM 9085, which is the only additive polymer certified for replacement parts on USAF aircraft. Finally, if this need is not fulfilled, the organization will fail the sponsors, decrease the pace of innovation, and fail to train USAF officers in cutting-edge manufacturing methods.

Market research has determined that the Fortus 450mc, manufactured by Stratasys, is the sole equipment that provides suitable material for three-dimensional polymer manufacturing. No other company delivers the required specifications, or equivalent, for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved additive manufacturing technology that is compatible with the mandatory material, UltemTM 9085 resin. In addition, Stratasys has determined that High Country Technology Consultants is the sole authorized channel partner permitted to represent their products to the Mechanical Engineering Department at USAFA. This restriction is in accordance with Stratasys's Partner Opportunity Assignment and Conflict Management Policy, documented in the Stratasys AFA Sole Source Letter attached.

The identified sole source is:

High Country Technology Consultants, LLC

3005 W 29th St, STE B

Greeley, CO 80631-8527

CAGE Code: 7RAR5

UEI: WZ2EZ4LP1P81

THIS IS NOT AN INVITATION FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES. This acquisition is being pursued on a sole source basis under the authority of 10 USC 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes; however, the Government will consider all responses received to this notice by the closing date and time of this notice. Any responses to this notice received after the closing date and time will be late and may not be taken into consideration. All information submitted should support the offeror's capability to fulfill this requirement and shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, the government will proceed with the sole source acquisition.

Points of Contact:

Ms. Melinda Lingley, Contracting Officer, melinda.lingley@us.af.mil.

5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (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 interested 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, the interested party may contact the ombudsmen,

James Anderson 8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103 USAFA, CO 80840 Telephone number 719-333-3829 FAX 719-333-9018 Email: james.anderson.72@us.af.mil

Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/FLDCOM/DRU ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Department of the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431.The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(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)