NASA Solicitation: Research Services for Active Separation Control on Aerodynamic Services

Synopsis – Mar 29, 2013

General Information

Solicitation Number: NNL13ERA
Posted Date: Mar 29, 2013
FedBizOpps Posted Date: Mar 29, 2013
Recovery and Reinvestment Act Action: No
Original Response Date: Apr 15, 2013
Current Response Date: Apr 15, 2013
Classification Code: A — Research and Development
NAICS Code: 541712

Contracting Office Address

NASA/Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 12, Industry Assistance Office, Hampton, VA 23681-0001

Description

NASA/LARC has a requirement for Research Services for Active Separation Control on Aerodynamic Surfaces. The NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project is seeking to determine the applicability of active separation control to commercial aircraft operation from the perspective of value, indicating that aerodynamic performance, system integration complexity, and system costs in terms of required energy are part of the decision process. NASA has decided to use a technology known as sweeping jet active flow control actuation as the underpinning technology for the research development. In order to successfully perform this effort, NASA requires research and engineering services in the use of sweeping jet actuators for active separation control applications in external aerodynamics. The Contractor shall provide services for general test planning and data analysis to be used by NASA and its partner for a full-scale vertical tail test at the National Full-Scale Aerodynamics Complex (NFAC) 40-by-80-ft Wind Tunnel.

NASA/LARC intends to purchase the items from the University of Arizona as the only reasonably available source in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b). The University of Arizona’s long history of research in the area of Active Flow Control results in their unique capability to perform the required effort. These research includes: (1) Supporting a Boeing/DARPA/NASA/AFRL cooperative research arrangement in 2003 – 2004 to apply Active Separation Control to a Boeing Tilt Wing Aircraft design; (2) Grant NNX07AB73A under which the University designed and fabricated Oscillatory Jets (now called sweeping jets). The University’s actuator design and recommendations to modify the model yielded a 50% improvement in the efficiency of the Active Flow Control benefit; (3) The University also performed as a subcontractor under a SBIR Phase I, NNX08CC60P and Phase 2 NNX09CB20C performing “Compact Fluidic Actuator Arrays for Flow Control.” This effort included fluid mechanics analysis of the actuator performance and fabrication and testing of actuators applied to aerodynamic wind tunnel models to define family traits of sweeping jet actuators applied to systems benefiting from active separation control technology. The cited research, and particularly that performed under NRA NNX07AB73A, showed that sweeping jet actuators resulted in rapid response to accelerating flap motions. Largely as a result of that research, the ERA Project included the AFC Enhanced Vertical Tail activity in ERA Phase 1. Therefore, the Contracting Officer has determined that the University of Arizona is the only reasonably available source in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b).

The Government does not intend 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 April 15, 2013. 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.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html .

Point of Contact

Name: Susan E. McClain
Title: Contracting Officer
Phone: 757-864-8687
Fax: 757-864-8863
Email: Susan.E.Mcclain@nasa.gov