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Sources Sought Notice for a Model Support Replacement of the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel

ID: 80ARC026SS0728 • Type: Sources Sought • Match:  85%
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Description

Background
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center (ARC) requires a replacement model support system for its Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT). The existing model support system has worn out, necessitating a complete replacement of two model supports while copying the original design. This contract aims to procure the necessary parts, which involve complex machining and precise tolerances, to ensure the smooth operation of the wind tunnel for accurate data recording.

Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for procuring forgings, material certifications, machining, grinding, heat treating, inspection reports, and shipping to NASA ARC. Each complete model support system requires over 122 parts. The largest parts are machined from ASTM A668 forgings and can be up to 99 inches long, 15.5 inches in diameter, and weigh 1400 lbs. Precision grinding of bearing race lands to .0005” to .001” roundness and cylindricity is required. Final assembly will occur at NASA ARC by tunnel mechanics; however, interim fit checks may be performed by the contractor during progress. The work includes furnishing all materials and certifications as well as adhering to specified technical requirements outlined in the Draft Statement of Work (SOW).

Period of Performance
Five years from contract award date.

Place of Performance
Moffett Field CA 94035 UNITED STATES

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must demonstrate capabilities relevant to the project including past performance on similar contracts within the last three years. They should provide details about their company structure, including points of contact and business demographics (e.g., small business status). Bidders must also show their ability to adapt quickly to changing requirements and provide a project manager as a technical point of contact.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. NO PROPOSALS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center (ARC)'s Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel (UPWT) has a requirement for a replacement model support system of the UPWT. The existing design works well but has worn out. Complete replacement is planned for two model supports, copying the original design. The piece parts will be purchased as part of this requirement. The parts require complicated machining and exacting tolerances. The largest and most complex parts (up to 99" long, 15.5" diameter, 1400 lbs) are to be made from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) A668 forgings. Some parts require precision grinding of bearing race lands to .0005 to .001 roundness and cylindricity. Contractor will be responsible for procuring forgings, material certifications, machining, grinding, heat treating, inspection reports, and shipping to NASA ARC. Final assembly will be done at NASA ARC by the tunnel mechanics, but interim fit checks of the mating parts could be done by the contractor as the work progresses. Each complete model support system requires over 122 parts. See ATTACHMENT 1, Draft Statement of Work (SOW) for more details. See attached drawings for the five items listed in Section 2.4.2 of the Draft SOW. Note that drawings A327-1826-M-31-1 and A237-1826-M31-2 are combined in the attached drawing A237-1826-M31.

The Government intends to acquire this requirement as a firm-fixed price (FFP), single award, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The period of performance shall be five years (60 months) from contract award date. Specific tasks will be defined and funded through integration of FFP Task/Delivery Orders.

Interested companies may submit their capabilities and qualifications to include the following information:

1. GENERAL INFORMATION: Briefly describe your company and the types of services performed. Please also include: the names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers for any points of contacts (POCs), the company's address, CAGE Code/DUNS number, and the type of business demographic that applies (i.e., small business, large business, women-owned).

2. PAST PERFORMANCE: Provide contract information on similar contracts over the past three (3) years. This information shall include: the name of customer/agency, types of services provided, type of contract, total contract value, and whether the contractor was a prime or subcontractor. If subcontractor, please provide details regarding the prime contract and your company's role in supporting the prime contractor. In addition, please provide examples about your company's capabilities to quickly and efficiently adapt to rapidly changing requirements.

3. CAPABILITIES: Provide information describing your company's capabilities to perform all aspects of the effort as stated above and ATTACHMENT 1, Draft SOW.

All responses shall be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officers, Wilma.L.Estrada@nasa.gov and Uyen.K.Tu@nasa.gov by 10 August, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PDT. Please reference 80ARC026SS0728 and your firm/company name in any response. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government reserves the right to consider a Small, 8(a), Women-owned (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran (SD-VOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB) or HUBZone business set-aside based on responses received. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf.

This posting, in addition to any attached documents, will be available on www.sam.gov. It is the interested organization's responsibility to monitor this website for any additional information or answers to questions. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 332710, Machine Shops. The size standard is 500 employees. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this Sources Sought Notice. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized at www.sam.gov. It is the potential offeror's responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any solicitation or amendments. All potential offerors responding to any released solicitations are required to be registered in www.sam.gov. The Government intends to review all responses submitted by industry. This data will not be shared outside the Government and may be used to further refine requirements. Please do not submit proprietary information.

Overview

Response Deadline
Past Due
Posted
Set Aside
None
Place of Performance
Moffett Field, CA 94035 United States
Source

Current SBA Size Standard
500 Employees
Pricing
Fixed Price
Est. Level of Competition
Low
Est. Value Range
Experimental
$3,000,000 - $9,000,000 (AI estimate)
Odds of Advancing to Solicitation
18%
Vehicle Type
Indefinite Delivery Contract
Signs of Shaping
The solicitation is open for 7 days, below average for the Ames Research Center.
On 8/3/26 Ames Research Center issued Sources Sought 80ARC026SS0728 for Sources Sought Notice for a Model Support Replacement of the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel due 8/10/26. The opportunity was issued full & open with NAICS 332710 and PSC AS25.
Primary Contact
Name
Wilma L. Estrada   Profile
Phone
(650) 604-3653

Secondary Contact

Name
Uyen Tu   Profile
Phone
(650) 604-4958

Documents

Posted documents for Sources Sought 80ARC026SS0728

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Additional Details

Source Agency Hierarchy
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION > NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION > NASA AMES RESEARCH CENTER
FPDS Organization Code
8000-ARC00
Source Organization Code
100170444
Last Updated
Last Updated By
wilma.l.estrada@nasa.gov
Archive Date