Pervasive Research & Evaluation for Complex-solutions In Operational & Urgent Systems (PRECIOUS)

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, (AFRL/RX) is soliciting white papers (and later technical and cost proposals) on the following research effort: The PRECIOUS program goals are to transition materials and process (M&P) technology solutions and innovative testing protocols with the goals of improving mission readiness, reducing cost (both production and life cycle sustainment), improving manufacturing, maximizing systems safety, reducing adverse environmental impact, and creating/preventing technological surprise.

This program will span across research (foundational, applied, advanced), quick reaction activities, prototyping, demonstration, and transition of technology and process solutions to meet Department of Air Force (DAF) needs.

This program will include (but not be limited to) specialty materials, composite & polymer systems, metals & mechanical systems, electrical & electronics materials, nondestructive evaluation, chemical analysis, other nonmetallic aerospace materials, manufacturing technologies, energy & resource technologies, and biomaterials/biomanufacturing. PRECIOUS consists of ten Technical Areas.

These Technical Areas are grouped into two Task Orders, 0001 and 0002. Task Order 0001 will cover key technical areas 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, and 10. Task Order 0002 will cover key technical area 9. This new ID/IQ contract with Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) completion type task orders will research, assess, develop, test, evaluate, prototype, demonstrate, and transition materials and processes (M&P) related to the following key technical areas: 1) Specialty Materials, 2) Composite & Polymer Systems, 3) Metals & Mechanical Systems, 4) Electrical & Electronics Materials, 5) Nondestructive Evaluation, 6) Chemical Analysis, 7) other Nonmetallic Aerospace Materials, 8) Manufacturing Technologies, 9) Energy & Resource Technologies, and 10) Biomaterials /Biomanufacturing.

This program requires M&P knowledge, as well as an understanding of manufacturing, depot, and operational environments. It relies on strong in-house capability and teaming with outside technical specialists.