Internal Force Balance Calibration Body - United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)

2.0 Background

The Department of Aeronautics (DFAN) at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) requires a replacement internal balance calibration body to maintain critical wind tunnel testing operational readiness. High-fidelity aerodynamic data acquisition relies directly on the precise and repeatable calibration of the Aerophysics Research Instruments 0.75” Mk LVI Internal Force Balance.

The legacy calibration hardware has experienced significant material degradation at its primary load-bearing attachment point, which features a single steel screw threaded directly into aluminum. Due to this wear, the current hardware can no longer safely or reliably support the repeated high-load thresholds (up to 250 lbs) necessary for comprehensive balance calibration. To mitigate the risk of catastrophic mechanical failure, calibration operations are currently restricted to a self-imposed 100 lbs limit. Consequently, calibrations are incomplete, directly degrading the accuracy and validity of subsequent wind tunnel test data.

To restore full operational capability and prevent a complete stoppage of wind tunnel testing, DFAN requires a newly engineered, more robust calibration body. The replacement hardware must feature an upgraded, high-strength attachment interface rated to repeatedly support loads up to 600 lbs. This increased capacity will ensure long-term structural reliability, satisfy expanded safety margins, and restore full-spectrum calibration capability to the department.

3.0. Minimum Requirements

At a minimum, the product must meet the following requirements: 

• The new calibration body must be fully compatible and interchangeable with the existing Aerophysics Research Instruments 0.75” Mk LVI Internal Force Balance.
• The calibration body a cross-shaped device that mounts over the 6-degree of freedom, internal force balance and has several screw holes precisely placed to allow loads to be applied to individual load sensors in the balance.
• Along with the balance, flexures are also need. The flexure is a small component the screws into the calibration body and the holds weight that are added for calibration. The flexures ensure the alignment of the load provided by the weights. 
• For complete balance calibration, the calibration body/flexure must hold loads up to 250 lb. A new calibration body must, rated up to 600 lb.
• The construction shall include steel NF/SF flexure, steel rolling moment flexures, aluminum axial force adapter plate, steel axial force flexure, flexure fasteners, model mounting pins. A box to hold all the parts is needed along with a protective case, like a Pelican Case to protect delicate parts during transportation.

Interested parties must describe their experience and capability in manufacturing calibration hardware for proprietary wind tunnel balances, specifically addressing how they would create a compatible device without access to the original manufacturer's proprietary design data.

4.0. Requested Information from Interested Parties

Interested parties are requested to submit a capability statement of no more than five (5) pages that addresses the following:

1. Company Information: Company Name, Address, UEI, CAGE Code, and Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, Email).
2. Socioeconomic Status: A statement of your company’s socioeconomic status (e.g., Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), 8(a), HUBZone, etc.).
3. Capability & Experience:
   1. All interested firms shall submit a capabilities package that explicitly demonstrates company capabilities-indicating examples of commercial sales and product specifications related to this effort.
   2. The capabilities package should be brief and concise yet clearly demonstrate an ability to meet the stated requirements. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements should be clearly delineated and previous experience in teaming must be provided.
4. Contract Vehicles: List any existing Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), GSA Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), or other contract vehicles your company is on that would be appropriate for this type of service.

5.0. Submission Instructions

Please submit your capability statement and all requested information via email to Dawson Hopkinson, Contract Specialist, at [email protected] and Melinda Lingley, Contracting Officer, at [email protected] no later than 2 June 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT. The email subject line should read: "Sources Sought Response: USAFA calibration body for internal force balances - [Your Company Name]".

6.0. Disclaimer

This Sources Sought notice is for market research purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The information provided in this notice is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.

7.0. OMBUDSMAN

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman,

James Anderson

8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103

USAFA, CO 80840

Telephone number 719-333-3829

FAX 719-333-9018

Email: [email protected]

Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/FLDCOM/DRU ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Department of the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the contracting officer.