Attachment 1_Government Specifications.pdf

SPECIFICATION

HELICOPTER WEAPON RECOVERY SYSTEMS (HWRS)

Solicitation Number: N66604-26-Q-0462

1. Background

The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport (NUWCDIVNPT) requires the procurement of Helicopter Weapon Recovery Systems (HWRS) to support naval aviation and weapons recovery operations. This specification outlines the technical, manufacturing, material, quality assurance, first article, and delivery requirements for the fabrication of these systems to ensure compliance with rigorous operational and structural standards.

2. Scope

This specification establishes the performance, fabrication, quality control, First Article testing, and acceptance requirements for the Helicopter Weapon Recovery Systems (HWRS) to be delivered to NUWCDIVNPT. The contractor is responsible for the complete fabrication and quality verification of the HWRS, with the explicit exclusion of specific post-delivery testing and assembly processes handled directly by the Government.

3. Applicable Documents and Standards

All items fabricated under this contract shall conform to the technical and design requirements in accordance with (IAW) the following Applicable Documents (ADs).

3.1 Government Drawings

• Government Drawings, Attachment 1 – Helicopter Weapon Recovery Systems (HWRS) Build-to-Print Drawings (Distribution D and Export Control restriction applies).

3.2 Industry Standards & Specifications

• AWS D1.2 (Latest Revision) – Structural Welding Code – Aluminum.

• AWS A5.10 – Specification for Bare Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Welding

Electrodes and Rods.

4. Drawing Exceptions and Modifications

The following technical details supersede the notes, materials, and testing callouts contained in the Government Drawings listed in Section 3.

4.1 Weight Test Certification Exclusion

• Notwithstanding any notes, callouts, or testing requirements specified on the Government Drawings, the contractor shall not perform, certify, or facilitate load or weight testing.

• All weight test certifications will be performed by the Government post-delivery at a facility designated by NUWCDIVNPT.

4.2 Non-Metallic Trim (Cork and Plastic Tubing) Exclusion

• Notwithstanding any depictions, material callouts, or notes on the Government Drawings, the contractor shall not source, provide, or install the cork and plastic tubing components.

• The Government will perform the application of all cork and plastic tubing post-delivery.

5. Technical & Fabrication Requirements

All items delivered under this requirement shall be fabricated, inspected, and accepted in accordance with the Applicable Documents and Standards listed in Section 3.

5.1 Physical and Mechanical Requirements

• Build-to-Print Integrity: The HWRS shall be manufactured strictly in accordance with the dimensions, tolerances, and configurations detailed in Government Drawings, Attachment 1.

• Base Material Temper: Structural integrity of the aluminum parent material shall be preserved during all stages of fabrication.

• Hardness Values: The final build-to-print item shall meet or exceed the specified minimum hardness values cited on the Government Drawings.

5.2 Welding Requirements

Welding is the critical process for structural acceptance of the HWRS. The contractor shall strictly adhere to the following constraints to prevent compromising the material characteristics of the aluminum structure:

• Governing Code: All welding processes, procedures, and personnel shall conform to AWS D1.2 (Structural Aluminum).

• Mandatory Welding Process: Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG / GMAW) is strictly and exclusively required.

• Prohibited Processes: Other welding methods—specifically Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG / GTAW)—are strictly prohibited due to the high risk of excessive heat-input, which can overheat the base aluminum, degrade the temper, and lower parent material strength below drawing tolerances.

• Filler Metal Specifications: The contractor must utilize class CL ER4043 / AWS A5.10 filler metal.

5.3 Welding Documentation & Qualifications

All welding on the HWRS shall be performed IAW the Government approved welding Procedure specification (WPS) and supporting Procedure Qualification Record (PQR):

• The WPS and PQR shall conform to AWS D1.2, detailing MIG/GMAW parameters, shielding gas composition, flow rates, and filler metal details.

• The PQR shall contain actual test data proving the parameters successfully limit heat input to meet the minimum hardness values cited on the Government Drawings.

• All welding shall be executed by personnel maintaining active Welder Performance Qualifications (WPQ) under AWS D1.2 for the MIG process.

6. First Article Testing (FAT) /Inspection and Acceptance

A First Article assembly shall be inspected and approved by the Government prior to full-rate production to verify that the manufacturing processes and product conformity meet all requirements of this specification.

6.1 First Article Unit Manufacture

• The contractor shall manufacture one (1) complete HWRS unit as the First Article.

6.2 Government On-Site Inspection at Contractor Facility

• Notification of Readiness: The contractor shall notify the technical point of contact (TPOC) via email when the First Article is complete and ready for inspection.

• Scheduling Window: Upon receiving the contractor's readiness notification, the Government and contractor shall establish a mutually agreed-upon date for the Government to conduct the on-site inspection.

6.3 Approval, Authorization, and Production Release

• The Government's formal approval (or conditional approval) of the First Article will be transmitted to the contractor via email.

• Upon receipt of Government approval, the contractor shall initiate full production for the remainder of the contracted HWRS units.

Production of subsequent units prior to receipt of Government First Article approval is conducted solely at the contractor’s financial and operational risk. Any units fabricated prematurely that do not conform to the approved First Article baseline shall be corrected or replaced entirely at the contractor's expense.

7. Quality Control and Inspection

7.1 Technical Conformance

• TDP Compliance: All delivered systems shall conform strictly to the dimensions, tolerances, and material specifications defined within the Technical Data Package (TDP) / Drawings.

• Post-Weld Inspection: The contractor shall perform and document post-weld inspections (including visual and dye penetrant testing) to verify weld seam and structural integrity in accordance with applicable drawing requirements and industry standards.

7.2 Certification of Conformance

• CoC Requirement: The contractor shall submit a Certificate of Conformance (CoC) with delivery of all items in accordance with FAR 52.246-15.

• Weld & Tolerance Attestation: The CoC shall explicitly attest that all post-weld inspections have been successfully completed for all units, and that the delivered systems conform strictly to all drawing tolerances.

7.3 Exclusions

• Scope Limitation: Consistent with Section 4, the inspection and certification requirements specified in this section do not apply to weight testing or the application of cork/plastic tubing.