Draft Statement of Work 6.10.2025.docx

Statement of Work (SOW) For Low Temperature Insulation

1. Scope:

This Statement of Work (SOW) supports the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapon Division (NAWCWD) Propulsion and Energetics Division, Code D556000, to research and develop low temperature capable advanced internal insulation for solid rocket motors. Traditional solid rocket motor insulation rubbers may not be suitable for operation at temperatures below -40° Fahrenheit. The intent of this SOW is to develop alternative insulation materials that improve low temperature mechanical properties without significantly reducing thermal insulation performance.

2. Applicable documents:

2.1 Department of Defense specifications

2.1.1 NISPOM 32 CFR Part 117, 24 Feb 2021

2.1.2 SECNAVINST5510.36B, Department of the Navy Information Security Program, 12 July 2019

2.1.3 DoDI 5200.48 Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), 6 Mar 2020

2.1.4 DoDM 5400.07, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program, 25 Jan 2017

2.1.5 DoDI 5230.24, Distribution Statements on Technical Documents, Change 3, 15 Oct 2018

2.1.6 SECNAVINST5510.30C, Department of the Navy Personnel Security Program, 24 Jan 2020

2.1.7 OPNAVINST 3440.17A, Navy Installation Emergency Management Program, 1 Aug 2014

3.0 Requirements

3.1 General Requirements

3.1.1 Compatibility - The Contractor shall maintain the capability to prepare documents and software packages compatible with the Government Information Technology (IT) environment through the security classification of Controlled Unclassified Information. The current operating environment required for this contract includes:

Microsoft Windows 10 Microsoft Project 2010 Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 Adobe Acrobat XI (reader) Internet access

The Contractor shall maintain the ability to interface with and transfer data to and from requiring office software applications and their upgraded versions. The Contractor shall maintain state-of the-art anti-virus software and ensure that all media are virus free when delivered. The Contractor shall be capable of Internet and LAN communications with the Propulsion and Energetics Division Code D556000. Contractor personnel shall be capable of maintaining real-time communications, both voice and data transfer capabilities, with Propulsion and Energetics Division Code D556000 during working hours whether at Contractor work site or on travel.

3.1.2 Work Location, Facilities and Telework

3.1.2.1 Work location: Approximately 0 percent of work will be performed at Government site and 100 percent of work to be performed at Contractor site.

3.1.2.2 Meeting support: In support of the tasking outlined in this SOW, the Contractor shall have the capability to host and conduct meetings at the classification levels up to Controlled Unclassified Information with the capacity to support a minimum of 4 persons and have contractor furnished telephone and VTC capability as well as sufficient equipment to conduct meetings with presentations including compatible software as required in Paragraph 3.1.1).

3.1.3 Contract Status reporting. The contractor shall provide the following documentation:

3.1.3.1 Biweekly Progress and Financial Status Report: The contractor shall provide a progress and financial status report in accordance with (IAW) the Contract Data Requirement List (CDRL A001). The report shall include the information as specified in the detailed requirements section 3.3.1.1.

3.1.3.2 Kick-Off Meeting: The contractor shall deliver a presentation IAW CDRL A002. The presentation shall include the information as specified in the detailed requirements section 3.3.1.2.

3.1.3.3 Phase One (1) – Insulation Material Development Project Plan: The contractor shall deliver a data report IAW CDRL A003. The report shall include the information as specified in the detailed requirements section 3.3.2.4.

3.1.3.4 Phase One (1) – Insulation Material Properties Summary: The contractor shall deliver a data report IAW CDRL A004. The report shall include the information as specified in the detailed requirements section 3.3.2.10.

3.1.3.5 Phase One (1) – Insulation Material Samples: The contractor shall deliver samples of the insulation material, for testing, IAW CDRL A005. The sample shall conform to the specification outlined in the detailed requirements section 3.3.2.5.

3.1.3.6 Phase Two (2) – Insulation Material Samples: The contractor shall deliver samples of the insulation material, for testing, IAW CDRL A006. The sample shall conform to the specification outlined in the detailed requirements section 3.3.3.1.

3.1.3.7 Phase Two (2) - Insulation Material Properties Final Report: The contractor shall deliver a data report IAW CDRL A007. The report shall include the information as specified in the detailed requirements section 3.3.3.5.

3.1.4 Other Direct Costs:

3.1.4.1 Material: All materials not depleted during the performance of this contract shall become Government property upon completion of this contract. The contractor shall transfer all materials not depleted to the COR by way of Material Inspection and Receiving Report (DD Form 250). Material costs may include general and administrative expenses but shall not include profit/fee.

3.1.5 Subcontractors and Consultants: Provisions stated herein shall be clearly and effectively communicated to all subcontractors providing support under this contract. All provisions of this SOW shall flow down to subcontractors providing support under this contract.

3.1.6 Management of Contractor Personnel: The Government will neither supervise contractor employees nor control the method by which the contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances will the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual contractor employees. The contractor shall manage its employees and guard against any actions that are of the nature of personal services, or give the perception of personal services.

3.2 Security

In the case of an unclassified contract that requires no access to Classified Military Information (CMI), but that does require access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Restricted Areas, and/or Government Information Technology (IT) systems, contractors are required to comply with non-National Industrial Security Program (NISP) processing requirements before local access to CUI, Restricted Areas, and IT can be granted. This process shall be coordinated by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) through the NAWCWD Industrial Security office.

CUI information generated and/or provided under this contract shall be marked and safeguarded as specified in Department of Defense Instructions (DoDI) 5200.48, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Contractor shall not store or transmit CUI on personal information technology systems or via personal e-mail. Unclassified e-mail containing any Department of Defense (DoD) CUI shall be encrypted. Prior to sending CUI to any non-Navy Marine Corps Internet (NMCI) addressees, the sender must first positively verify all recipients are authorized access to CUI and have need-to-know. Non-NMCI recipients must have a DoD compliant Private Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate that enables electronic transmission via unclassified networks while protecting the CUI with a digital signature and encryption.

3.2.1 Personal Security: The contractor shall provide personnel with the appropriate personnel security clearance levels for the work to be performed. Access up to CUI is required in the performance of this contract and shall be in accordance with (IAW) the 32 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 117, Feb 2021, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), applicable DoD personnel security regulations, and DoD Contract Security Classification Specification (DD Form 254). The contractor shall maintain sufficiently cleared personnel to perform the tasks required by this SOW IAW the DD Form 254 and the contract. All contractor personnel shall possess the requisite security clearance, accesses, and need-to-know commensurate with the requirements of their positions.

All contractor personnel with access to unclassified information systems, including e-mail, shall have at a minimum a favorable Tier 1 (T1) investigation.

3.2.2 Information Security: Direct Support contractor personnel working under the purview of a Department of Navy (DoN) Commanding Officer/Commander shall comply with the local security provisions and the requirements of Secretary of the Navy Instruction (SECNAVINST) 5510.36B. The contractor shall implement and maintain security procedures and controls to prevent unauthorized disclosure of controlled unclassified information and to control distribution of controlled unclassified information IAW NISPOM 32 CFR Part 117, 24 Feb 2021, and SECNAVINST 5510.36B.

CUI information generated and/or provided under this contract shall be marked and safeguarded as specified in DoDI 5200.48, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Contractor shall not store or transmit CUI on personal information technology systems or via personal e-mail. Unclassified e-mail containing any DoD CUI shall be encrypted. Prior to sending CUI to any non-Navy Marine Corps Internet (NMCI) addressees, the sender must first positively verify all recipients are authorized access to CUI and have need-to-know. Non-NMCI recipients must have a DoD compliant Private Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate that enables electronic transmission via unclassified networks while protecting the CUI with a digital signature and encryption.

3.2.3 Communications Security (COMSEC): The contractor will require access to COMSEC at government/contractor locations. U.S. cryptographic equipment inventory information, as well as the systems and manner in which each particular equipment is used, is for official use only. Publication or release of any related COMSEC information by any means, by the contractor, without prior written approval of the contracting officer is prohibited. The contractor must be a U.S. citizen, have a final Government security clearance with the appropriate personnel security background investigation for the level of classification involved, have strict need-to-know, have the appropriate COMSEC briefing before access is granted, and granted access only in conformance with procedures established for the particular type of COMSEC information involved. The contractor shall adhere to the DD Form 254 COMSEC security requirements, facility COMSEC material control and operating procedures, and all applicable COMSEC regulations, instructions, and policies. Prior approval from the Government Contracting Activity (NAWCWD Industrial Security Specialist) is required in order for a prime contractor to grant COMSEC access to a subcontractor.

3.2.4 Operations Security (OPSEC): The contractor shall comply with the OPSEC requirements outlined within the DD Form 254.

The Contractor shall develop, implement, and maintain an OPSEC program to protect controlled unclassified activities, information, equipment, and material used or developed by the contractor and any subcontractor during performance of the contract. The contractor shall be responsible for the subcontractor implementation of the OPSEC requirements. The OPSEC program shall be IAW DoD and DON operations security OPSEC requirements, to include:

1) Assignment of responsibility for OPSEC direction and implementation

2) Planning guidance for the use of the OPSEC Process to identify vulnerabilities and apply applicable countermeasures (Contact NAWCWD Industrial Security Office for a current OPSEC Annex and CI Guide)

3) Establishment of OPSEC education and awareness training

4) Provisions for management, annual review, and evaluation of OPSEC programs

5) Oversight for accountability of OPSEC requirements to subcontractors

3.2.5 Public Release: Disclosure of information is covered by DFARS 252.204-7000 Disclosure of Information, incorporated in Section I of the contract. Concerning subsection (a)(2), “information otherwise in the public domain” is information officially released into the public domain, e.g. via Distribution Statement A, and does not include information in the public domain that has not been officially released. For disclosure of unclassified information that has not been officially released, the contractor must seek specific approval from the Contracting Officer, with approval from the NAWCWD Public Affairs Office (PAO).

3.3 Detailed Support Requirements:

3.3.1. General

3.3.1.1 The contractor shall submit written updates every two (2) weeks to the TPOC for the duration of the contract. Each report shall include: (1) work accomplished since the last report, (2) an accurate estimate of percent work completed, (3) the current status of contract funding, including total funds invoiced and total funds expended, and (4) planned actions for the next reporting period (CDRL A001).

3.3.1.2 The contractor shall host a kick-off meeting within two (2) weeks of contract award and within two (2) weeks of the start of each new phase. Each kick-off meeting shall address initial schedule estimates, milestone planning, and a review of CDRL requirements (CDRL A002).

3.3.2 Phase One (1)

The contractor shall complete this phase within nine (9) months culminating in the delivery of all associated Phase One deliverables outlined in paragraphs 3.3.2.4 through 3.3.2.10.

3.3.2.1 The contractor shall explore, develop, and test various alternative formulations of thermal insulation materials, rubber, and/or fillers that meet the key properties outlined in paragraph 3.3.2.3, and improve low temperature mechanical properties and maximize thermal insulation performance during rocket motor operation.

3.3.2.2 The contractor shall develop alternative formulations of thermal insulation materials suitable for scalable production, with a minimum manufacturable output of 1,000 pounds per year. The material shall be formable into various geometries (e.g., tubes, hemispherical domes, or complex shapes). The contractor shall prioritize use of readily available commercial materials to reduce potential supply chain delays exceeding three (3) months.

3.3.2.3 Key properties of interest:

· Withstand temperatures ranging from -65 degrees to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

· Maximum tensile strength greater than 500 pound per square inch (PSI).

· Strain/elongation capacity greater than 30%.

· Various shapes, such as tubes, hemispherical domes, or other complex shapes down to 0.030 of an inch.

· Strong adhesive bonding capability to metals, polyurethanes, and other fiber composite substrates.

3.3.2.4 The contractor shall provide a report illustrating the planned experimental approach and target material specifications for approval by the TPOC within ninety (90) calendar days after the start of Phase One (1) (CDRL A003). The TPOC will review the report and provide findings back to the contractor within ten (10) calendar days of receipt.

3.3.2.5 The contractor shall deliver a sample of materials, in accordance with the material specifications listed in Table 1, to China Lake, CA no later than one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days after the Government’s approval of the planned experimental approach outlined in paragraph 3.3.2.4 (CDRL A005).

Table 1:

SAMPLES SPECIFICATIONS – PHASE ONE (1)

3.3.2.6 The Government shall conduct mechanical, thermal, and ablation testing on the contractor-provided samples and shall provide a written summary of findings and test results to the contractor within sixty (60) calendar days of receipt of material samples.

3.3.2.7 The contractor shall revise the formulation of the thermal insulation materials to address deficiencies identified by the Government during testing, in coordination with the TPOC.

3.3.2.8 If revisions to the insulation material formulations are implemented, the contractor shall provide additional samples in accordance with the specifications identified in Table 1 of paragraph 3.3.2.5, upon Government request.

3.3.2.9 Based on the results of Government laboratory testing, the contractor may be directed by the Government to repeat the efforts identified in paragraph 3.3.2.1. Any such direction shall be provided in writing and shall specify whether the original delivery schedule, reporting requirements, or associated CDRLs are also reset or revised.

3.3.2.10 The contractor shall provide a report that identifies the property data obtained during exploration, development, and testing of the various alternative formulations of thermal insulation materials throughout Phase One (1). This report is due at the completion of Phase One (1) (CDRL A004).

3.3.3 Phase Two (2)

The contractor shall complete this phase within six (6) months.

3.3.3.1 The contractor shall deliver a sample of materials, in accordance with the material specifications listed in Table 2, to China Lake, CA no later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after start of Phase Two (2) (CDRL A006).

Table 2:

SAMPLES SPECIFICATIONS – PHASE TWO (2)

3.3.3.2 The Government will conduct larger-scale mechanical, thermal, and ablation testing on the contractor-provided samples and shall provide written findings, including test results and observations, to the contractor within sixty (60) calendar days of test completion.

3.3.3.3 The contractor shall revise the formulation of the thermal insulation materials, in coordination with the TPOC, to address any deficiencies identified during Government testing.

3.3.3.4 If revisions to the insulation material formulations are implemented, the contractor shall provide additional samples in accordance with the specifications outlined in Table 2 of paragraph 3.3.3.1, upon written request by the TPOC.

3.3.3.5 The contractor shall provide a final report summarizing the mechanical, thermal, and ablation properties of the insulation material, along with the formulations used during development. If property data varied between samples, the report shall include a comparison of the data obtained during exploration, development, and testing of the alternative formulations throughout Phase Two (2). This report shall be submitted upon completion of Phase Two (2) (CDRL A007).