Medium Pressure Water Jet Stripping Machines

Background
The Air Force intends to solicit and award a firm fixed price, sole source purchase order to Progressive Surface, Inc. located in Grand Rapids, MI (CAGE Code 06EH8). This procurement is under the authority of DAFFARS 5313.501 (10 U.S.C. 2302b) for the acquisition of one Cubic Boron Nitride Waterjet for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC). The mission of the Air Force is to ensure national security through air and space operations, and this contract aims to enhance their capabilities in maintaining and repairing aircraft components. Progressive Surface Inc. has previously demonstrated its unique qualifications in providing specialized water jet systems for the Air Force's needs.

Work Details
The contract involves the supply of one ultra high water jet stripping system which includes: an enclosure, a 6-axis robotic arm, a 7th axis turntable, controls cabinet, water jet nozzle, filter housing, hoist, mist collectors, and intensifiers. This system operates at 20,000 psi using pure water to strip Dymax maskings off of EEE blades during the Cubic Boron Nitride application process. The specifications are designed to minimize ancillary spray while ensuring that CBN plating remains intact during coating removal. Future projects include three additional machines with 55ksi pumps for plasma spray coating removal and two machines with 20ksi pumps for stripping rubber and abradable coatings. The financial breakdown includes: FY26 - one Robotic 20,000 psi Water Jet at $1.4M; two Gantry 20,000 psi Water Jets at $3.1M; estimated FY27/FY28 - three Robotic 20,000 psi Water Jets at $5.5M; totaling approximately $10M.

Place of Performance
The products will be delivered to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC) located in Oklahoma.