Air Ejector, Steam Ejector or Vacuum Tank System, Wind-Tunnel Heater

INTRODUCTION: This is a Sources Sought (SS) issued by the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Armaments Center (AC), Munitions Engineering & Technology Center (METC) and Aeroballistics Division. The effort involves TWO potential contracts, and is for two opportunities: The first contract is for an air ejector, steam ejector or vacuum tank system capable of drawing near vacuum conditions. The second contract is for a wind tunnel heater.

The gas is expected to drop to temperatures that cause air to liquify. The contracts are for an effort that would enhance the Picatinny wind tunnel facility in building 266 and provide hypersonic testing capabilities. Responders to this SS notice are asked to provide statements with the following information related to meeting requirements:

For the First Potential Contract: A narrative explaining the company’s background, and past/current experience relevant to furnishing and installing any of the aforementioned systems that can create exit conditions of -14.5 PSI (~10 torr or less) for 9-inch test section wind tunnel. There is 120,000 gallons of air storage (rated 190Psi) available to drive the system. Compressors of the current wind tunnel facility operate at no more than 350 PSI.

If a vacuum tank system is suggested, the facility will require the option to switch exit pressure to barometric pressure to support lower speed wind tunnels. The system must be able to withstand temperatures as high as The outlet temperature of the gas for -14.5 PSI case will be 800°F The outlet temperature of the gas for -13.0 PSI case will be 620°F Ability to provide training on maintenance, safety, and other handling requirements of the system.

For the Second Potential Contract: A narrative explaining the company’s background, and past/current experience relevant to furnishing and installing wind tunnel heaters. The target temperature range required would be between 500°F for a Mach 5.0 condition to 800°F for a Mach 6.5 condition. If temperatures can exceed 800F, that would provide margin for the system to accommodate future higher velocity testing. There are two flow rates for given outlet (near vacuum conditions) of the air moving through the system.

The flow rate must be sustainable for a minimum of 40 seconds. For an outlet pressure of -14.5 PSI: flow rate: 1.8 kg/s For an outlet pressure of -13.0 PSI: flow rate: 3.2 kg/s Ability to provide training on maintenance, safety, and other handling requirements of the system. This is a SS for market research purposes. Any response to this SS is at the sole-discretion of the contractor. No remittance payment will be made for any information sent in response to this SS.

Information submitted in response to this SS may be used for procurement planning purposes. The information received by the Government will not be released to third parties. Interested parties should be cognizant of the “beta.sam.gov” portal, and of the acquisition process to ensure responsiveness to any opportunities related to issuance of a formal solicitation. The website for Beta.Sam is as follows – https://sam.gov/. Currently, a formal solicitation is not definitive. All responses to this SS shall be unclassified. Request that all responses included the following information:

Filly Company Name (Legal Entity):

Cage Code: Website (if applicable):

Contact Information: Business Size Status.