70--UPGRADE OF FATIGUE AND FRACTURE CONTROL SYSTEM

NASA/LaRC has a requirement for for the purchase of five fatigue and fracture control systems to upgrade existing units. These systems shall provide all required hardware and software to conduct automated control of servohydraulic load frames for fatigue and fracture testing in accordance with ASTM standards E647 and E399. Automated crack length determination and load control for determination and control of applied stress-intensity shall be provided by standard test methods including compliance based (crack mouth opening clip gage and back-face strain gauge) and dc electrical potential drop methods for standard specimen configurations (compact tension, eccentrically loaded compact tension, and middle tension). NASA/LaRC intends to purchase the items from Fracture Technology Associates. Fracture Technology Associates is the only known company to provide an automated fatigue and fracture system with file formats and hardware compatible with the existing systems at NASA/LaRC. Additionally, Fracture Technology Associates is the only manufacturer of automated systems that have demonstrated a proven history of acceptance by the fatigue and fracture community. 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 4:30 p.m. local time on September 23, 2004. 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.