A Capability Gap
Exists in Every DoD
Fluid System Program.
No inspection system currently in the DoD inventory detects biofilm in aerospace fluid systems. Not in fuel tanks. Not in hydraulic lines. Not in spacecraft life support. Aerodetex Videtex is the first platform to close that gap — with ASTM E1417 and MIL-STD-6866 aligned NDT credentials, and a sole-source justification basis under FAR 6.302-1.
Acquisition context: Aerodetex is a non-traditional defense contractor with a novel capability not currently in the DoD inventory. Sole-source, SBIR follow-on, OTA, and GSA Schedule acquisition pathways are all available.
DoD Capability Gap
What Is Not in
the Current Inventory.
The following capability gaps exist across all DoD aerospace fluid system inspection programs. Each represents a documented risk with no current mitigation in the inventory.
Capability Required
Current DoD Inventory
Videtex Capability
In-situ biofilm detection in fuel tank interiors
None in DoD inventory
405 nm autofluorescence — real-time, no dye
Biofilm detection in hydraulic system lines
Culture sampling only (24–72 hr)
In-situ, same borescopic inspection pass
Spacecraft ECLSS water system inspection
Total bacteria count — no biofilm standard
1.8 mm probe — reaches micro-plumbing (single-view)
Combined structural NDT + biofilm detection
Two separate inspection events
Single dual-wavelength pass — one report
Biofilm detection without dye in crewed environments
Not possible with current methods
Autofluorescence — no dye required
Program Relevance
Relevant to Four Active
DoD Program Areas.
USAF Aircraft Corrosion Prevention & Control
MIL-PRF-83282MIC accounts for an estimated 20% of $1.6B annual USAF corrosion cost. Aerodetex provides the first in-situ biofilm detection capability for fuel tank and hydraulic system inspection.
Navy Aviation Corrosion Program (NAVAIR)
NAVAIR 01-1A-509Naval Research Laboratory confirmed 100% Aspergillus / H. resinae contamination in H-53 helicopter platforms — discovered only at depot. Aerodetex enables detection at organizational maintenance level.
NASA ECLSS Biofilm Mitigation
NASA-STD-3001NASA NTRS 2024 confirms biofilm in 100% of inspected ISS water systems. Real-time biofilm detection has never been performed on any spacecraft fluid system. Videtex 1.8 mm probes reach ECLSS micro-plumbing.
DoD Potable Water Compliance
EPA ADWR (2009)EPA found 100% of aircraft water systems non-compliant in 2004. The Aircraft Drinking Water Rule addresses coliforms only. UV fluorescence provides the first biofilm-specific compliance documentation capability.
Acquisition Strategy
Four Viable
Acquisition Pathways.
Aerodetex supports multiple acquisition strategies depending on program structure, urgency, and contracting vehicle availability. Each pathway has a documented basis under applicable FAR/DFARS provisions.
Sole-Source Justification
Unique capability — no other commercially available inspection system provides in-situ, real-time, dye-free biofilm detection in aerospace fluid system geometries. FAR 6.302-1 (only one responsible source).
SBIR / STTR Phase II Follow-On
Videtex technology development is aligned with DoD SBIR topic areas in corrosion prevention, NDT capability gaps, and aerospace fluid system inspection. Phase II follow-on contracts available without full competition.
OTA (Other Transaction Authority)
Prototype agreement under 10 U.S.C. § 4022. Aerodetex qualifies as a non-traditional defense contractor with a novel inspection capability not currently in the DoD inventory.
GSA Schedule / IDIQ
Equipment procurement through existing GSA Schedule vehicles or IDIQ contract instruments. Suitable for fleet-wide deployment following successful pilot program.
Standards Alignment
ASTM, MIL-SPEC & NASA
Standards Alignment.
Standard
Scope
Videtex Alignment
ASTM E1417
Standard Practice for Liquid Penetrant Testing
Videtex 365 nm channel is designed for Type I FPI per ASTM E1417. Dual inspection in one probe pass.
MIL-STD-6866
Inspection, Liquid Penetrant
Military equivalent of ASTM E1417. 365 nm FPI channel maps directly to MIL-STD-6866 fluorescent penetrant requirements.
MIL-PRF-83282
Hydraulic Fluid, Fire Resistant
No microbial requirement currently exists. Aerodetex provides the first biofilm detection capability for MIL-PRF-83282 system inspection.
TO 1-1-691
USAF Corrosion Prevention and Control
Aerodetex inspection protocol is designed to integrate with existing USAF corrosion inspection procedures.
NAVAIR 01-1A-509
Naval Aviation Corrosion Control
Biofilm detection capability addresses MIC gap in NAVAIR corrosion control program for fuel and hydraulic systems.
NASA-STD-3001
NASA Space Flight Human System Standard
Videtex 1.8 mm probes designed to reach ECLSS micro-plumbing geometries specified in NASA-STD-3001 water quality requirements.
$1.6B
Annual USAF aviation corrosion cost — ~20% attributable to MIC
100%
H-53 helicopter platforms positive for fungal contamination (NRL)
100%
ISS ECLSS water systems positive for biofilm (NASA NTRS 2024)
0
DoD standards mandating biofilm detection in any fluid system
Program Inquiry
Start the Acquisition
Conversation.
We provide full technical documentation packages for acquisition review, including capability statements, ASTM/MIL-SPEC alignment matrices, sole-source justification support documentation, and pilot program proposals tailored to your platform.
Capability statement and technical data package
ASTM E1417 / MIL-STD-6866 alignment documentation
Sole-source justification support (FAR 6.302-1)
OTA prototype agreement framework
Platform-specific pilot program proposal
ITAR compliance documentation on request
Platform Compatibility
Fixed-wing aircraft
Rotary-wing aircraft
Unmanned systems (UAS)
Spacecraft / ECLSS
Ground support equipment
Naval aviation platforms
Videtex Platform — Defense Summary
Probe diameters
2.0 / 3.9 / 6.0 mm
Detection wavelengths
365 nm + 405 nm
Dye requirement
None (autofluorescence)
NDT standard
ASTM E1417 / MIL-STD-6866
Acquisition basis
FAR 6.302-1 / OTA / SBIR