Additive Manufacturing (AM) Angled Walls and Laser System Characterization
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Aeronautics And Space Administration (NASA)/NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) intends to award a sole source contract to the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) for Additive Manufacturing (AM) Angled Walls and Laser System Characterization. This Special Notice serves as an intent to sole source, inviting other interested organizations to submit their capabilities.
Scope of Work
This effort requires laboratory-based experimental tasks to advance additive manufacturing (AM) capabilities, specifically leveraging UTEP's expertise in AM parameter development, laser systems, material characterization, and subject matter expertise. The data and specimens will support NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) projects, including "Additive Manufacturing for Propulsion" and Space Launch System (SLS) Liquid Engines Office (LEO).
The Statement of Work (SOW) outlines four key tasks:
- Task 1: Evaluate Inconel 718 Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) Angled Wall Samples across 16 machine configurations and build angles (0, 30, 45 degrees), including full characterization, microstructure analysis, post-mechanical testing, and fractography. (50% cost share)
- Task 2: Characterize Inconel 718 Laser Powder Directed Energy Deposition (LP-DED) Angled Wall Samples to assess build parameters and geometry variations, with similar analysis and reporting as Task 1. (50% cost share)
- Task 3: Compare LP-DED JBK-75 powder from different vendors (PAC and HMI), characterizing bulk and thin wall samples, analyzing tested samples, and evaluating post-mechanical testing results. NASA MSFC will provide all samples. (50% cost share)
- Task 4: Compare standard and beam-shaping laser systems using the Aconity beam shaping system, building, characterizing, and analyzing samples to evaluate system differences (specifically microstructure) and post-mechanical testing results.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Special Notice (Intent to Sole Source)
- Procuring Center: NASA/NSSC
- Intended Awardee: University of Texas El Paso (UTEP)
- Product Service Code: AK14 (General Science & Technology R&D Svcs)
- Period of Performance: Twelve months from contract award.
- Place of Performance: UTEP Keck Center.
- Set-Aside: None specified (intent to sole source).
- Response Due: March 6, 2026, 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.
- Published: March 3, 2026.
Deliverables
Reports in journal article format for Tasks 1, 2, and 3, and a report for Task 4.
Special Requirements
Tasks 1, 2, and 3 include a 50% cost share requirement. NASA MSFC will provide samples for Task 3.
Point of Contact
Interested organizations should submit capabilities to Monica D Wilson (monica.d.wilson@nasa.gov).