NASA Ames Research Center is planning to purchase test models of materials developed and made by Applied Research Associates of Albuquerque, NM. NASA Ames is evaluating potential TPS materials for an aerocapture mission to Saturn’s moon Titan. As part of that evaluation NASA plans to conduct arc jet tests in September 2003 of the candidate TPS materials at representative heating conditions. NASA/ARC intends to purchase the test models from Applied Research Associates, Albuquerque, NM 87110, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) based on the fact that the models are proprietary products of Applied Research Associates, thus they are the only qualified supplier for these materials. NASA/ARC will procure twenty-four arc-jet test samples made from the following charring ablators: SRAM-20, SRAM-17, SRAM-14, and PhenCarb-20 (six samples each). In addition, NASA/ARC requires four flat panels, one of each material, for laboratory testing. Arc-jet samples will be 3.0-in. diameter flat samples, with an aluminum disc substrate, and will be fully instrumented, fully assembled, weighed, measured, photographed, and fully ready for thermal testing. Flat panels will be 6.0-in. by 6.0-in. by 1.0 in., uninstrumented and without composite reinforcement. Table 1 – NASA/ARC Specifications for Ablator Test Samples No. Specification / Requirement 1. 3.0-in. diameter ablator discs with 0.125-in. corner radius on one side. 2. Aluminum-disc substrate, 0.050-in. thickness (5052 or similar). 3. RTV-560 ablator bondline with 0.010-in. thickness. 4. Two bondline thermocouples, 30 gauge Type-K, with 36-in. lead wires. 5. Thermocouple junction electrically isolated from aluminum. 6. Spacing between T/C junctions within bondline of 0.75 in. 7. Ablators to have a common areal weight of 0.325 g/cm2, tolerance +/- 2%. 8. With an area of 45.6 cm2, ablator weights to be 14.8 g, +/- 0.3 g. 9. SRAM-20 ablator thickness approx. 0.400 in. 10. SRAM-17 ablator thickness approx. 0.471 in. 11. SRAM-14 ablator thickness approx. 0.571 in. 12. PhenCarb-20 ablator thickness approx. 0.400 in. Option: NASA/ARC may supply its own substrate and thermocouples. All materials and test samples must be delivered to NASA/ARC by September 12, 2003. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 3:30 p.m. Pacific time on August 20, 2003. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B". Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.

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