Arc Heater Specialized Parts- Mission Critical

This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Air Force Test Center (AFTC) at Arnold Air Force Base (AAFB), TN. In accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI) 206.302-1(d), this notice is posted to identify responsible sources capable of manufacturing and delivering arc heater components to support a potential sole-source, follow-on Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract. 

The Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) requires a continuous supply of specialized arc heater components to support mission-essential hypersonic testing and reentry programs in its High-Temperature Lab (HTL) facilities. These operations are vital to national defense and support a wide range of stakeholders including U.S. Air Force and commercial space industry partners.

Demand for these components is significantly increasing due to a high operational tempo and the stand-up of new test facilities, which will increase the number of active segmented arc heaters. The predecessor ID/IQ contract, FA910121D0001, has reached the end of its ordering period with its ceiling nearly exhausted due to this increased demand.

The arc heater components must be manufactured to exacting specifications to survive the extreme operational environment. Key technical characteristics include:

• Material: Oxygen-Free High Conductivity (OFHC) copper
• Performance: Must withstand temperatures up to 13,000°R (6,649°C), gas pressures of 170 atmospheres (atms), and internal water-cooling pressures of 1,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) without deformation
• Manufacturing: Components must be accurately machined and brazed, free from any microscopic obstructions or defects

The Government’s need is for an estimated 3,727 ‘H1’ type arc heater components and 14,623 ‘H2’ and ‘H3’ type arc heater components over a five-year ordering period.