NTDP - Injection Molding - WFCS Corrosion Tests Improvements

This federal solicitation (Number 12444326Q0066), issued by the USDA Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP), seeks a contractor to manufacture injection-molded parts to modernize corrosion testing for the Wildland Fire Chemical System (WFCS). Currently utilizing 3D-printed prototypes, the agency requires the fabrication of injection molds and the subsequent production of four distinct parts—Coupon Dipper Tops, Pinchers, and Shafts—using PEEK resin. The acquisition is a 100% small business set-aside under NAICS code 326199 (All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing). The Government intends to award a single, firm-fixed-price purchase order consisting of a one-year base period (October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027) and three subsequent one-year option periods, extending the maximum performance window through September 30, 2030. Deliveries must be sent F.O.B. Destination to the NTDP facility in Missoula, Montana. Offers are due by September 18, 2026, at 17:00 CT, with questions due by September 14, 2026. To be considered responsive, vendors must be actively registered in SAM.gov and submit pricing for all scheduled line items, including a tooling charge for the molds and batch pricing for the PEEK components. Evaluation will be conducted under FAR Part 12 based on Technical Approach, Price, and Past Performance, with award going to the highest technically rated offeror proposing a fair and reasonable price with acceptable past performance.

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service outlines a project to modernize corrosion testing setups at the National Technology & Development Program (NTDP) Wildland Fire Chemical Systems (WFCS) laboratory in Missoula, Montana. The laboratory evaluates physical characteristics, including uniform, galvanic, and crevice corrosion, of wildland fire chemical products like retardants, foams, and gels. The objective is to transition from 3D-printed proof-of-concept components to high-durability, injection-molded parts fabricated from PEEK resin. The contractor will collaborate on the design, fabrication, and tooling of molds for four interchangeable parts: a Threaded Rim-Ring Top, a Dipping Shaft (Pincher), a Dipping Shaft (Galvanic), and a Dipping Shaft (Crevice). These parts must be durable enough to withstand repeated testing cycles and domestic dishwasher cleaning. Key technical requirements include maximizing parts produced per mold cycle, providing a tiered pricing schedule, delivering an initial test batch of 20 of each part for lab evaluation, and retaining the fabricated molds for future manufacturing. The base year target is 1,000 rim rings and 500 of each shaft type, with potential future orders expanding up to 7,500 rim rings and 2,500 of each shaft type. All data rights and physical molds will remain the property of the NTDP. Work will be performed at the vendor's facility with virtual coordination, and initial mold fabrication is estimated to take six weeks from contract award.

This federal procurement document outlines the Schedule of Items for a project titled "NTDP - Injection Molding - WFCS Corrosion Tests Improvements" (Requisition No. 1173711). The government intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract covering a Base Year and three subsequent Option Years. The primary scope of work involves the design and tooling of four injection molds, alongside the manufacturing and delivery of various molded Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) coupon dipper components. The specific items required across the contract life include: - Molded PEEK Coupon Dipper Tops (Rim Rings) - Molded PEEK Coupon Dipper Shafts (Pincher) - Molded PEEK Coupon Dipper Shaft Crevices - Molded PEEK Coupon Dipper Shafts The Base Year requires the initial design and tooling of all four molds combined, plus a specific quantity of each of the four molded PEEK components. Option Years 1, 2, and 3 outline estimated recurring quantities for each of the four component types to support ongoing corrosion testing improvements. The Period of Performance for the Base Year is one year from the date of award, with the schedules for the option years to be determined.