16 -- In-Flight Refueling (IFR) Probe

The U.S. Special Operations Command is seeking sources that can manufacture, test, and qualify a MH-47 In-Flight Refueling (IFR) Probe for the MH-47 Aircraft. The basic probe assembly is of graphite composite construction with a refueling nozzle at the end of the probe. It is mounted to the aircraft through a combination of integrated mounting rings on the probe tube assembly and through mating rings and links to the MH-47 aircraft. The IFRP is 29 feet and 5 inches in length with a 9-inch outer tube diameter. A MA-2 probe nozzle is attached to the tip of the probe with a symmetric frangible breakaway fitting. A 2 inch diameter aluminum fuel transfer tube runs down the length of the hollow tube assembly and is supported by polystyrene foam donuts DOW tm ?Ethafoam?tm to provide internal support for the transfer tube down the entire length of the IFRP. The transfer tube is also supported at the forward end of the probe assembly by the nozzle adapter assembly and the aft end by an aluminum support mount, which is integrated into the probe assembly. The probe tube is constructed of 60 plys of graphite tape in an epoxy resin. The basic structural tube is of Im-6 graphite using 3-inch wide tape in 6158, 6108 and 608 lay-ups. The composite probe assembly has two composites mounting rings which that are filament wound at stations and 160 to adapt the probe to the aircraft mounting ring assemblies. The composite probe assembly is cured using a 3508 F curing process. The tube includes conductive copper bonding straps running down the length of the probe and bonding jumper cables, grounded to the airframe, to address electrostatic discharge requirements in the design. The Government owns the technical data package necessary for the manufacture of these probes. Potential offeror?s may come to Fort Eustis to View the hard copy technical data package or request the drawings on CD to determine if they can build the IFR probes. Each visitor must coordinate a time for their visit with the technical APOC listed below if they desire to come and review the hard copy drawings. The proposed solicitation will be restricted to domestic sources. Anticipated award date is September 2002, with the first deliveries of fully qualified probes in July 2003. In order to be involved in additional pre-solicitation market research being conducted for this requirement, interested sources must contact the Program Office as noted blow and provide the following information: 1) Product brochures and or technical data describing existing manufacturing efforts similar to that required for the IFR Probe. Interested sources should submit written correspondence to the following address: Technology Applications Program Office Building 401 Lee Blvd Fort Eustis, VA 23604-5577 Attn: Teresa Dansberry, 757-878-5223, 243 [email protected] All responses will be considered. Based on upon the responses, the Government may elect to conduct follow-on communications. This may include requesting offeror input on the feasibility of producing probes from those documents. The purpose of this sources sought is to identify all potential sources and feasibility of manufacturing the probes off of this TDP for procurement.