Notice of Intent to Sole Source a Custom Langley Rotor Test Stand (LRTS) Slip Ring

NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) has a requirement for a custom design slip ring required to fit inside the rotating shaft of the Langley Rotor Test Stand (LRTS) located within the NASA Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel.

The procurement includes custom design and analysis of a slip ring in accordance with detailed specifications of the Statement of Work (SOW) to ensure it interfaces with the existing LRTS. The Contractor will be responsible for testing the slip ring in it is final configuration to include cooling systems, fittings, hoses, etc. for a minimum of 4 hours at 1400 RPM to demonstrate the unit meets the specified requirements.

Additionally, the Contractor will develop an installation, disassembly, and service manual for the slip ring. The manual shall include detailed installation and disassembly instructions with pictures and references to the model and tool part numbers. The service manual shall include replace intervals for bearings, rings, brush sets, and other serviceable parts. The manual shall include operational limits (temperature, speed, and fault frequencies etc.) limits. The service manual shall include an appendix with all the manufactures’ specifications sheets for the bearings, seals, etc.

The Contractor will provide hardware to include two (2) complete slip ring assembly kits. The kits shall include all required cooling connectors, hoses, and electrical connectors. A lubrication and cooling system pump cart. Spare lubrication cooling fluid for the cooling system.

NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) intends to issue a sole source contract to Aerodyn Engineering LLC, 1919 S Girls School Rd, Indianapolis, IN. The item is being acquired under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 1901 and in accordance with FAR 13.5 procedures.

It has been determined that Aerodyn is the most advantageous provider of this item. Aerodyn offers a unique capability to meet these demanding requirements in a compact/high speed rotor shaft. The slip ring is required to operate at 1400 RPM and provide 100 Million+ revolutions of service life. Aerodyn offers a unique capability to meet the requirements of high speeds and number of revolutions by actively cooling and lubricating the slip ring.

Aerodyn’s slip ring technologies have been proven on several government and industry projects. The Government has used other brands of slip rings in previous rotor testing. These slip rings require a significant amount of maintenance and generate noisy electrical data. The maintenance costs are extremely expensive due to the occupancy cost of the wind tunnels which they are used in. The noisy electrical data results in poor data quality and degrades the value of the research.

Provision for this JOFOC is made under the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). FAR Part 13.5 procedures are used under the statutory authority of 10 USC 2304(g)(4) which requires NASA to follow 41 U.S.C.1901(e).

Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort electronically via email to Michael Devine at michael.p.devine@nasa.gov not later than Tuesday 04 MAR 2025 at 4:30pm EST. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this acquisition on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at : https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf