Characterization and Fatigue Testing of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Alloys
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
NASA/NSSC intends to award a sole source contract to Auburn University for the Characterization and Fatigue Testing of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Alloys. This effort supports NASA's public-private partnerships in additively manufactured (AM) technologies for aerospace applications. Other interested organizations may submit capabilities to challenge this sole source determination. Responses are due April 6, 2026.
Purpose & Background
NASA/NSSC requires specialized services for the characterization and fatigue testing of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) Alloys. The agency has determined that Auburn University is the sole provider capable of performing this specific work, citing their unique capabilities. This notice serves as an intent to award a sole source contract under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). The Government will evaluate capabilities submitted by other interested organizations to determine if a competitive procurement is feasible.
Scope of Work
The Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the following key tasks:
- Detailed Characterization: Analyze mechanical test data from provided AM samples and conduct literature reviews for GRX-810, Alloy 754-ODS, and ORCAlloy-21.
- Material Analysis: Perform initial characterization using techniques such as SEM, CT scanning, optical microscopy, microhardness, grain size evaluation, and residual stress measurements on materials in as-built and heat-treated states.
- Fatigue Testing: Complete room temperature fatigue testing on a minimum of sixty (60) GRX-810 samples and analyze postmortem tensile and fatigue specimens to determine failure mechanisms.
- Data Management & Reporting: Provide a summary data sheet for all test data, maintain an organized online database, and complete detailed reports (e.g., NASA Technical Memorandums, journal articles) for each alloy, subject to NASA export control.
- Collaboration: Collaborate with third-party test service companies and attend bi-monthly meetings with NASA personnel.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sole Source Contract (Intent to Award)
- NAICS Code: 611310 (Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools)
- PSC Code: AJ12 (General Science And Technology R&D Services; Applied Research)
- Period of Performance: 9 months from Authority to Proceed (ATP).
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- Capabilities Statement Due: April 6, 2026, by 3:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.
- Published: April 1, 2026.
- Place of Performance: NASA/Langley Research Center (LARC). Deliverables shipping to Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL.
Key Requirements
- NASA will provide samples (as-built/heat-treated), mechanical testing results from a third-party vendor, GRX-810 powder characterization, material certification, and build parameters.
- A minimum of one paper/report per alloy is required.
- Any additional testing (e.g., chemistry) must be coordinated with NASA contacts.
Point of Contact
- Primary: Kacey Hickman, Procurement Specialist, Kacey.l.hickman@nasa.gov
- Secondary: Shari Trigg, Contracting Officer, Shari.trigg@nasa.gov