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Internal Force Balance Calibration Body - United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)
Contact and place of performance
Dawson Hopkinson
USAF Academy, CO 80840
USA
Sources Sought Notice for Internal Force Balance Calibration Body Title : Calibration Body for Internal Force Balances for the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Agency : United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Classification Code : NAICS Code: 334519 - Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing Product Service Code (PSC): 6635 - Physical Properties Testing and Inspection Response...
View more2.0 Background
The Department of Aeronautics (DFAN) at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) requires a replacement internal balance calibration body to maintain critical wind tunnel testing operational readiness. High-fidelity aerodynamic data acquisition relies directly on the precise and repeatable calibration of the Aerophysics Research Instruments 0.75” Mk LVI Internal Force Balance.
The legacy calibration hardware has experienced significant material degradation at its primary load-bearing attachment point, which features a single steel screw threaded directly into aluminum. Due to this wear, the current hardware can no longer safely or reliably support the repeated high-load thresholds (up to 250 lbs) necessary for comprehensive balance calibration. To mitigate the risk of catastrophic mechanical failure, calibration operations are currently restricted to a self-imposed 100 lbs limit. Consequently, calibrations are incomplete, directly degrading the accuracy and validity of subsequent wind tunnel test data.
To restore full operational capability and prevent a complete stoppage of wind tunnel testing, DFAN requires a newly engineered, more robust calibration body. The replacement hardware must feature an upgraded, high-strength attachment interface rated to repeatedly support loads up to 600 lbs. This increased capacity will ensure long-term structural reliability, satisfy expanded safety margins, and restore full-spectrum calibration capability to the department.
3.0. Minimum Requirements
At a minimum, the product must meet the following requirements:
Interested parties must describe their experience and capability in manufacturing calibration hardware for proprietary wind tunnel balances, specifically addressing how they would create a compatible device without access to the original manufacturer's proprietary design data.
4.0. Requested Information from Interested Parties
Interested parties are requested to submit a capability statement of no more than five (5) pages that addresses the following:
5.0. Submission Instructions
Please submit your capability statement and all requested information via email to Dawson Hopkinson, Contract Specialist, at [email protected] and Melinda Lingley, Contracting Officer, at [email protected] no later than 2 June 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT. The email subject line should read: "Sources Sought Response: USAFA calibration body for internal force balances - [Your Company Name]".
6.0. Disclaimer
This Sources Sought notice is for market research purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The information provided in this notice is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.
7.0. OMBUDSMAN
(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.
(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).
(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman,
James Anderson
8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103
USAFA, CO 80840
Telephone number 719-333-3829
FAX 719-333-9018
Email: [email protected]
Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/FLDCOM/DRU ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Department of the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431.
(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.
(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the contracting officer.
The Department of the Air Force, specifically the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Department of Aeronautics, has issued a sources sought notice to identify qualified sources capable of providing a replacement internal force balance calibration body. This market research seeks to identify vendors, particularly small businesses, that can manufacture a newly engineered, robust calibration body compatible with the Aerophysics Research Instruments 0.75” Mk LVI Internal Force Balance. The requirement includes a cross-shaped device with precisely placed screw holes, steel NF/SF and rolling moment flexures, an aluminum axial force adapter plate, steel axial force flexure, fasteners, mounting pins, and a protective carrying case.
The procurement is necessary to replace legacy hardware that has experienced material degradation, restricting current wind tunnel testing to a 100 lb limit. The new hardware must feature an upgraded high-strength attachment interface rated to repeatedly support loads up to 600 lbs, ensuring long-term structural reliability and restoring full-spectrum calibration capability for high-fidelity aerodynamic data acquisition. Interested parties are required to demonstrate their ability to manufacture this compatible device without access to the original manufacturer's proprietary design data.
This opportunity is identified under NAICS code 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, and PSC 6635, Physical Properties Testing and Inspection. Responses are due by June 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM MDT and must be submitted to the primary point of contact, Dawson Hopkinson. Performance will take place at the USAF Academy in Colorado. Submissions should include a capability statement of no more than five pages detailing company information, socioeconomic status, and relevant experience with wind tunnel balance calibration hardware.
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