95--SINGLE CRYSTAL SUPERALLOY SLAB CASTINGS

NASA/GRC has a requirement for master melts, 5 ea; slab molds, 5 ea.; heat treatment, 1 job, optional melt & mold, 1 job. NASA/GRC intends to purchase the items from FCC Airfoils Inc. of Minerva OH. NASA GRC has spent five years measuring the effects of composition on airfoil properties using creep testing, analytical science, metallographic, and factographic evaluations on approximately 15 different alloy compositions.The results represent a comprehensive database on single crystal airfoil alloys, all baselined on the casting and heat treating operations previously performed at PCC Airfoils. The quality and mechanical properties of advanced superalloys are highly sensitive to the process and handling techniques employed during casting by a vendor. The heat transfer characteristics of the proprietary casting equipment and its environment during the directional solidification process invariably induce localized, dendritic segregation in composition and microstructure of a single crystal casting. This segregation has significant effects on important mechanical properties such as creep resistance, as well as microstructural phase stability. After solidification, heat treatments are performed to reduce some of the segregation in chemistry and to refine the precipitate microstructure. The heat treatment effects on the casting material are again sensitive to the proprietary design and characteristics of the furnaces and cooling systems used in these heat treatments. NASA GRC does not have access to the proprietary designs of PCC Airfoils' casting and heat treating equipment. 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 July 27, 2006. 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.