US AIR FORCE ACADEMY - FORTUS 450MC 3D PRINTER

Description: This is a special notice prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 5.2 - Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The contracting office for this notice is the 10th Contracting Squadron, USAF Academy, CO 80840.

The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) intends to conduct an oral solicitation following guidance IAW FAR 13.106-1(a), simplified acquisition procedures. This requirement will utilize a brand name, commercial, competitive, small business set-aside to Stratasys, Inc. verified resellers. The small business Stratasys verified resellers within the Colorado area of opportunity include High Country Technology Consultants, LLC and Phoenix Analysis & Design Technologies, Inc. Market research has determined that the Fortus 450mc, manufactured by Stratasys, is the sole equipment that provides suitable material for three-dimensional polymer manufacturing. No other company delivers the required specifications, or equivalent, for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved additive manufacturing technology that is compatible with the mandatory material, UltemTM 9085 resin.

USAFA has a requirement for 1 ea  x Fortus 450mc 3D printer with accompanied requested salient characteristics identified.

Salient Characteristics:

At a minimum, the equipment must-

- Have a build volume greater than or equal to 16x14x16 inches.

- Print using the Fused-Filament-Fabrication method.

- Print certified, engineering grade, high performance thermoplastics such as certified UltemTM 9085, UltemTM 9085, UltemTM 1010, ASA, Antero 800NA, Nylon 12CF, and dissolvable support.

-Provide data sheets with data on mechanical proporties.

- Be able to produce USAF/FAA approved parts for use on USAF aircraft.

- Have a minimum print resolution of around 0.005 inches.

- Use 208V 3 phase, 18A power supply to ensure compatibility with available wiring.

- Have a system footprint around 50"Wx36"D.

- Include delivery, system installation, and a 1-year manufacturer's warranty.

- Use a 3D printing slicer currently available to USAFA (Prusaslicer, Cura, GrabCAD) or another free/open-source and perpetual licensed software.

- Vendor needs to include installation and training. 

Background: This requirement is anticipated to be used by the USAFA Department of Mechanical Engineering to fulfill mechanical engineering senior design projects sponsored by numerous USAF organizations. In addition to requirements based on the required salient characteristics above, it is critical that the printer must be compatible with certified UltemTM 9085, which is the only additive polymer certified for replacement parts on USAF aircraft. Finally, if this need is not fulfilled, the organization will fail the sponsors, decrease the pace of innovation, and fail to train USAF officers in cutting-edge manufacturing methods.

This Notice of Intent is neither a request for competitive quotes nor a solicitation for offers. Interested sources must respond in writing with clear and convincing evidence to support their ability to provide the required supplies in a capability statement within (3) days of this publication.  A determination by the Government to further compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Authority: 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Justification: Supplies required are available from only one or a limited number of responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

Attachments:

1. DFME_Fortus450mc_single_source_justification_Redacted
2. Air Force Metals Technology Office MFR