Vacuum Relief Furnace

The Air Force Test Center is conducting a sources sought notice to determine commercial equipment availability and technical capability from small and large businesses for a horizontal front-loading, internal gas quench vacuum furnace, with responses due by 1:00 PM Central Time on October 2, 2026.

The furnace must be brand-new and compliant with SAE Aerospace Material Specification (AMS) 2750G and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards 70, 79, and 86D. The chamber requires double-walled, water-cooled 304 stainless steel construction with an all-metal insulated hot zone and all-metallic shield pack. Usable work zone dimensions must measure a minimum of 12 inches (width) by 12 inches (height) by 18 inches (depth), with a hearth capacity rated for a minimum of 250 pounds. Maximum operating temperature is 2400°F (1315°C); maximum cleanup cycle temperature is 2500°F (1371°C); temperature uniformity of 10°F is required at 1000°F, 1500°F, and 2100°F; ultimate vacuum must reach the 10⁻⁶ Torr range; operating vacuum must reach the 10⁻⁵ Torr range; and leak-up rate must remain below 5 microns per hour.

The furnace shall include a vacuum pumping system with mechanical roughing pump (minimum 35 SCFM), high-vacuum diffusion pump (minimum 6 inches), and holding pump with automatic fail-safe interlock; internal gas quenching system with minimum 7.5 HP motor designed for 2 bar positive pressure using Nitrogen or Argon; partial pressure system for Nitrogen and Argon processes; and closed-loop water cooling system with pump station (minimum 40 GPM capacity), power-loss diaphragm backup pump, and minimum two dry coolers with 460V controls. Control systems shall include Allen-Bradley or equivalent Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Human Machine Interface (HMI) touchscreen display, data logging capability, and SCR-controlled hot zone power supply rated for minimum 65 KVA.

The contractor shall provide a manual load truck, operator and maintenance training at no additional charge covering all furnace systems, and digital documentation including operation and maintenance manuals, component-specific manufacturer manuals, mechanical and electrical drawings, and recommended spare parts list.

Place of performance is Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee. NAICS code 333994 applies. Responses must include company information and point of contact, SAM Unique Entity Identifier, technical solution, budgetary estimate inclusive of delivery to Arnold AFB, and projected delivery timeline following purchase order receipt. This notice is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment by the Government.