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

Sources Sought Notice for Internal Force Balance Calibration Body Title : Calibration Body for Internal Force Balances for the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Agency : United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Classification Code : NAICS Code: 334519 - Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing Product Service Code (PSC): 6635 - Physical Properties Testing and Inspection Response Date: 2 June 2026 10:00 AM MDT Contact : Dawson Hopkinson, Contract Specialist, at dawson.hopkinson@us.af.mil AND Melinda Lingley, Contracting Officer, at melinda.lingley@us.af.mil 1.0. Description & Synopsis This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE for market research purposes only. This is not a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources, particularly small businesses, to provide a calibration body for internal force balances. The destination is USAF Academy, CO 80840. 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