Maintenance_And_Repair_QandA_REV2.pdf

To: Prospective Proposers

Subject: Results of Question and Answer Session on April 3, 2024 for FMP-NNL-0032 Maintenance and

Repair

1. What is the inside diameter range for the piping and what materials? Are the internal diameters coated? If yes, what are common coating(s)?

a. The piping diameter range is from 0.5 inch to 24 inches. The materials of interest include carbon steel, Alloys 304 or 316 stainless steel, Inconel, CuNi, and Monel. Potential fluids are water, steam, or seawater. Solutions that address a subset of this range are acceptable.

b. The internal diameters are uncoated.

2. Are you looking for a demonstration project?

a. We are interested in a range of projects from fully developed products that we could implement as-is to those that would need to be adapted for our use. Technology demonstrations may be required depending on the project and NNL will discuss these aspects with awarded proposers when developing the finalized contract.

3. What is the range of pressures?

a. Pressure range of interest varies based on specific application from atmospheric to up to commercial PWR plant design pressures, including supporting systems.

4. What are the average lengths of the pipes and what is the access?

a. Lengths of pipe runs are highly varied from very short, congested runs to very long.

Generally, under 500 feet. Access is highly varied depending on system but tends to be much more crowded than commercial applications.

5. Is the focus on secondary plant only or primary plant, as well?

a. We’re open to a range of solutions, but the emphasis is on the secondary plant.

6. Do we need our technologies to be prepared to work with radioactive contamination?

a. No, contamination is not a primary concern.

7. Are you interested in polyurea coatings?

a. That could be of interest.

8. Is there a testbed in mind?

a. The testbed is dependent on the specific proposal. Identify in your proposal what requirements would be needed for a suitable testbed. Identifying a specific testing site is not needed. If selected, we will work with you to determine the appropriate test site.

We do not expect vendors to know what testing options we have at our disposal. We are most interested in promising technology.

9. Are we prohibited from reaching out to engineers individually at NNL?

a. As related to the open call yes, we do not want to give an unfair advantage to anyone during the Open Call process.

10. Is it expected that the proposed work must be only technical in nature or can it include process for deployment?

a. Our end goal is deployment, but we don’t expect most proposers to understand what the deployment process looks like. If you do, please include it. We will work with any winners to explain what the process looks like based on the specific proposal.

11. Can we propose something for a non-nuclear asset?

a. Yes. You can consider deploying on non-nuclear systems on a nuclear asset, as well.

12. Is there a specific shipyard or targeted ship class for proposed technology?

a. No specific shipyard has yet been identified. Any active fleet asset is a potential beneficiary.

13. Is there a plan to share a partner list for future collaboration?

a. No plans at this time, but we are more than happy to receive proposals with collaborative partners.

14. Can you comment on if you have a heat transfer test rig that evaluates heat transfer performance?

a. If there is a need for testing and you would like NNL to do it as part of the development plan, just identify that in the plan and we will consider. We might have in-house testing capability based on the need, as well as access to third party testing. We would need specific testing needs highlighted in the proposal so we could identify opportunities.

15. Are you aware of different types of programs that provide additional funding and should we apply to those?

a. We are aware of those programs and have interfaced with them on occasion, but please focus on applying to this independently. If there has been previous work under those programs, please note that in your proposal.

16. Are inspection solutions for sonar domes of interest?

a. We are primarily focused on inspections of propulsion systems. But if the solutions have applications elsewhere, it could be of interest.

17. Contracting type?

a. Vast majority of our contracts are firm fixed price. We have done cost type contracts, but they are far less common.

18. Is NRL typically involved in these projects?

a. Typically, they would not weigh in on the work that we do at our lab as we don’t collaborate frequently with them. In general, depending on the technology, NRL might be involved in later stages of development and deployment. It’s something that we could address if the project was selected.

19. In the past, have there been open call wins with transitioning to the Navy?

a. ATIP is still new and only within the last year have we been focused on maintenance. We are hoping that proposals will help generate wins.

20. Are you working with the ship manufacturers?

a. Yes, we have good working relations with them and can engage, as needed.

21. What aspects of the turbine are of interest?

a. We’re interested in both the generator and the turbo machinery portion.

22. Would it be steam or gas turbine?

a. Steam.

23. What types of coatings and substrates?

a. Primarily steel for substrate, with paint or pipe lagging as a coating depending on application.

24. What do you mean by integrity?

a. As an example, sometimes there is paint on the surface, so we would be interested in the conditions of the steel underneath. Pipe corrosion or pitting (whether internal or external is another example.

25. Are you interested in looking for defect in the steel/weld or interface between the metal and the paint?

a. Either is of interest

26. What types of repairs for mechanical systems?

a. Piping system issues, valves, anything within this system – cracks, defects, for example.

Also repairs for pumps, heat exchangers, etc.

27. What is the desired Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of a contending technology?

a. The Advanced Technology Innovation Pipeline supports projects at a variety of TRLs as long as they can help support the Naval Nuclear Program. While this RFP is targeted at technologies that can be deployed within a 12 to 24 month duration, we are open to lower TRLs with longer development cycles if they can disruptively improve propulsion plant maintenance.

28. Is there a period of performance?

a. No specifics on duration, but we’d like to deploy the technology in a 12- to 24-month window.

29. Could we have a phased approach to increase the TRL?

a. For those with a lower TRL, we like to do a phased approach, such as having a proof of concept to lab scale before full scale, within the first year. If it’s a lower TRL and impact is high, that is important to us, too.

30. Is there an expected budget range?

a. No range; however, all proposals will be judged on a cost to benefit ratio. We expect to award multiple proposals.

b. Comment from NNL: You can submit multiple proposals.

31. Can you speak to cyber security requirements?

a. We will work with any proposer to get through cyber security requirements. There is no expectation that those submitting proposals should be aware of these requirements.

32. Regarding electrical systems and component troubleshooting, are you looking for technologies related to hardware or software?

a. It could be both, but primarily interested in hardware.

33. Do we need to go around elbows for inspection repair?

a. Yes, we also encourage solutions that can scan through elbows.

34. Can you give a sense of data classification if we were to require drawings, models, and specs?

a. Depends on the specific system or component. Data could be up to confidential, but is mostly unclassified (DOE classification). Anyone not familiar with classification levels should not be deterred from submitting proposals.

35. Is there openness to proposals focused on monitoring and identification of repair needs earlier to enable more in-situ or underway repairs vs. those required after dry docking?

a. Yes, we are open to those type of proposals. While this year’s Open Call is more focused on solutions for the maintenance itself, last year's Open Call had a topic related to monitoring and identification.

36. Is the operating environment for ships in dry dock, in battle, or at sea?

a. Any of the above, but a solution does not need to work in all operating environments.

37. Is biofouling of interest inside the pipes?

a. Yes, interested in both internal (pipes and tanks) and external.

38. Should pipes be drained before inspection?

a. If there is an option to not be drained beforehand, we are interested. But it is not a requirement.

39. Related to the lack of emphasis on maintenance identification for this year’s Open Call, is that because there was success in last year’s Open Call?

a. Yes, last year we awarded several projects related to maintenance identification. We are trying to fill a specific need for actual repair this year. Every year, Open Call sights shift, but the Program’s desire to have certain technologies does not.

40. Could we leverage European technology that is high TRL and available for sale in US?

a. That situation is not as easy as U.S.-based technologies, but we have had proposals – including winners – with this situation. If they are already doing business with the US government, that is a benefit.

41. Are these standard Navy coating systems?

a. Yes.

42. Are there challenges to accessing internal piping?

a. Access can be quite restricted because it is inside of the ship. Space/clearance is one of our biggest hurdles.

43. Are the coatings inclusive of organic and others, such as plasma spray?

a. We’re interested in a range of coatings. Solutions do not necessarily have to work for all of them.

44. Can companies under contract (or other similar agreements) with NNL respond to the FY 2024

ATIP Open Call?

a. Yes, companies are free to offer proposals to the FY 2024 ATIP Open Call regardless of any prior relationships or agreements, including those that may be in place or in negotiation now. NNL has chosen to award and not award funding to proposals from entities with which the organization has worked or is working with. However, NNL will only discuss publicly available information relevant to the current Open Call problem statements while the call for proposals is being conducted in the interest of fairness.

45. Would you consider additive manufacturing (AM) technology solutions?

a. If there is an AM solution that you think meets the intent of the problem statement we’re happy to consider it. Piping repair and inspection is only a part of our area of interest.

46. Are universities, not-for-profits, and for-profit businesses eligible to submit?

a. Yes.

47. How long is the review cycle?

a. Our goal is to contact winners in August with funding as soon as October.

48. Can you comment on citizenship requirements for key personnel supporting inspection and repair for these systems? Should they be U.S. citizens? U.S. persons? Are foreign nationals allowed? Any specific country limitations?

a. Foreign nationals are allowed to work on the proposed project provided it is unclassified in nature. Any additional restrictions would be based on the technology and application proposed, but would follow standard export control / ITAR restrictions as appropriate.

Any classified applications would inherently be export controlled.