SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE (DAF) ACQUISITION
BRAND NAME ONLY: BUEHLER WILSON WH574T ROCKWELL HARDNESS TESTER
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
- Document Type: Sources Sought Notice (SSN) / Market Research
- Notice ID: FY26 USAFA DFME HARDENSS TESTERS
- Subject: Brand Name Only - Buehler Wilson WH574T Dual-Scale Rockwell Hardness Tester
- Applicable NAICS Code: 334519 - Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing
- Small Business Size Standard: 600 Employees
- Product Service Code (PSC): 6635 - Physical Properties Testing Equipment
- Procurement Framework: Department of War (DoW) acquisition. This is a Brand Name Only requirement under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT).
2. DISCLAIMER & INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS
This is a Sources Sought Notice and is for market research and planning purposes only. This does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ), or an Invitation for Bid (IFB). No contract will be awarded from this notice, and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with preparing a response.
In accordance with the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul initiatives to maximize efficiency and commerciality, the Department of the Air Force is seeking to identify authorized dealers, distributors, or resellers of Buehler Wilson testing equipment—with a specific focus on small business concerns (including 8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, and WOSB)—to verify if competitive commercial channels exist for this brand name requirement.
3. SCOPE OF REQUIREMENT
The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Dean of Faculty has a brand-name-only requirement for the Buehler Wilson WH574T Rockwell Hardness Tester (Twin Scale model supporting both Regular & Superficial scales).
To ensure technical continuity, compatibility with existing laboratory curriculum, precise calibration standards, and seamless integration into the cadet instructional laboratory environment, only the genuine OEM brand name equipment (Buehler Wilson Model WH574T) will be accepted. No alternative brands or functional equivalents will be considered.
4. BRAND NAME SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS / REQUIREMENT SPECIFICATIONS
Interested sources must be authorized to provide the genuine Buehler Wilson WH574T system, which meets or exceeds the following technical, physical, and support specifications:
4.1 Technical and Testing Capabilities
- Dual-Scale Capability: Genuine Buehler Wilson WH574T configuration providing both regular and superficial Rockwell hardness testing capability within a single integrated unit.
- Selectable Main Loads: Support selectable main loads of 15, 30, 45, 60, 100, and 150 kgf.
- Preloads: Support both 3 kgf and 10 kgf preloads.
- Scale Coverage: Capable of testing common instructional and laboratory Rockwell scales, including at least B, C, N, and T scale capabilities.
- Loading Mechanism: Must utilize Buehler's robust, dead-weight loading system for highly repeatable and reliable force application.
- Vertical Test Capacity: Provide a minimum vertical test capacity of 11 inches to accommodate large metallurgical specimens.
4.2 Included Accessories, Indenters, and Calibration Blocks
- Carbide Ball Indenters: Include, at a minimum, one (1) 1/16-inch carbide ball indenter, spare carbide balls, and a flat anvil approximately 2.5 inches in diameter.
- Diamond Indenters: Include a high-precision diamond indenter certified for Rockwell C scale measurements.
- Soft Materials Indenter: Include a 1/4-inch carbide indenter along with an additional carbide ball to facilitate the testing of soft materials and plastics.
- Calibration Specimens: Include verified Buehler specimens/test blocks for midrange calibration tests of both Rockwell B and Rockwell C scales.
4.3 Physical, Electrical, and Connectivity Features
- Specimen Lighting: Integrated lighting focused on the testing area to ensure safe and accurate specimen alignment.
- Dust Cover: Fitted dust cover to protect high-precision optical and mechanical components when not in use.
- Data Output: Built-in digital data output capability featuring at least USB or RS232 connectivity for exporting test results to lab workstations.
- Power Requirements: Designed for standard facility power operating on 120VAC, 60 Hz with an attached NEMA 5-15 power plug.
4.4 Standards, Support, and Warranty
- Industry Standards Compliance: The equipment must strictly comply with the following international testing standards:
- Metals/Materials Testing: ASTM E18, ISO 6508, JIS Z 2245, GB/T 230
- Plastics/Soft Materials: ASTM D785
- Hard Metals/Carbides: ASTM B294
- Environmental Suitability: Built to withstand continuous, repeated operational cycles within a military cadet instructional laboratory setting.
- Installation and On-Site Support: Delivery must include professional, in-person installation, initial calibration, and complete physical setup support at the designated facility (USAFA, Colorado).
- Documentation: Provide comprehensive, printed manufacturer operations and maintenance documentation in English.
- Warranty: Include a minimum of a one (1) year comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty.
5. CAPABILITY STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS
To help the Contracting Officer verify competitive distribution channels and make appropriate small business set-aside determinations for this brand name procurement, interested vendors are requested to submit a concise capability statement (not to exceed 3 pages) detailing the following:
Part A: Company Profile
- Corporate Details: Company Name, Address, Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov, CAGE Code, and Point of Contact (Name, Phone, Email).
- Business Size Standards: State your business size status under NAICS 334519 (e.g., Small Business, SDVOSB, WOSB, HubZone, 8(a)).
- Authorized Reseller Status: Provide explicit documentation or a statement confirming that your firm is an Authorized Dealer, Distributor, or Reseller of Buehler (an ITW Company) products, and that the OEM manufacturer's warranty will fully transfer to the Government.
Part B: Technical Capability & Proposed Solution
- Equipment Identification: Confirm that your firm can supply the exact brand name Buehler Wilson WH574T dual-scale tester.
- Buy American Act Compliance: State the Country of Origin for the Buehler Wilson WH574T unit and clarify if the product qualifies as a domestic end product under the Buy American Act (FAR Part 25 / DFARS Subpart 225.1) for acquisitions below the Trade Agreements Act threshold.
Part C: Delivery & Support Practices
- Lead Time: Provide the estimated delivery, installation, and calibration timeline upon receipt of a purchase order.
- Installation & Calibration Capability: Confirm your capability to provide on-site, in-person delivery, installation, and calibration/setup support as outlined in Section 4.4.
6. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS & DEADLINES
- Submission Format: Electronic submissions must be sent in PDF format via email.
- Email Subject Line: Response to Sources Sought: Brand Name Buehler Rockwell Tester [Vendor Name]
- Point of Contact / Submission Email: wanda.farr@us.af.mil AND danielle.hyde.2@us.af.mil
- Submission Deadline: 18 August 2026 at 10:00AM MDT.
Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Point of Contact listed above. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.
