Attachment_(1).pdf

Statement of Work (SOW) Attachment (1)

December 2015 Page 1 of 6

Attachment (1)

Statement of Work (SOW)

Sonar Dome Reliability Program

1. INTRODUCTION

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) anticipates negotiation of a competitive, level of effort contract for Research and Development (R&D) for the Sonar Dome Reliability Program.

1.1 Background

The Navy uses structures known as sonar dome rubber windows (SDRWs), sonar rubber domes (SRDs), or sonar composite domes (SCDs), to protect sound transducers on surface ships fitted with sonar. These are large structures on the bottom of the ship that transmit sound, while also providing a smooth surface for water flow, to achieve the required sensitivity. In general their performance is acceptable, but there are situations when damage occurs. There are critical ramifications if the damage leads to structural failure while at sea. For this reason the Navy, with the assistance of NRL, has set up x-ray radiography inspection procedures for sonar domes. NRL is tasked to evaluate the radiographic films, recommend action, develop and maintain data bases for this information, conduct analyses of failed domes, postulate failure mechanisms, and suggest improvements in design and manufacturing procedures, to improve reliability and reduce costs.

To carry out this mission, methods in nondestructive examination (NDE) must be evaluated, advanced, and adopted. Moreover for SCDs, research is required to understand the most probable failure mechanism(s) of these structures, and develop an inspection approach to detect when failure initiates.

The Sonar Dome Reliability Program investigates new materials and develops new methods for Navy needs related to surface ship sonar domes, and related programs. The program also provides the Naval

Sea System Command (NAVSEA) with technical support, for development and improved maintenance.

X-ray radiographic images are analyzed to determine the condition of the sonar domes, and these finding are used to inform the decisions on sonar dome maintenance.

1.2 Scope

The scope of this contract is to provide research and technical services, with the goal of publishing results, in the following two tasks:

1. Reliability improvement of sonar dome rubber windows, sonar rubber domes, and sonar composite domes, including new designs for sonar domes; and

2. Advanced chemistry and materials development .

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

Copies of Military and Federal specifications, standards, drawings, and publications are available in the official DoD repository, the ASSIST database (see http://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/). Other documents should be obtained from the procuring activity, or as directed by the contracting officer.

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2.1 Government Documents and Standards

NUMBER TITLE

NRL-SRD7 NRL Technical Data Requirements for the Radiographic Inspection of

Sonar Dome Rubber Windws (SDRW)

NRL-SDRW8.1 NRL Technical Data Requirements for the Radiographic Inspection of

AN/SQS-56 Sonar Rubber Domes (SRD)

NAVSEA S0420-AA-RAD-

Radiological Affairs Support Program Manual

3. REQUIREMENTS

Task 1 may include any undertaking that investigates cost, performance, or reliability of Navy sonar systems. Certain subtasks in Task 1 may involve travel as indicated.

For Task 2, the Contractor may be required to apply experience gained from Task 1 to develop and/or characterize new materials for other military devices and systems. This is an optional and independent task. Acceptable performance in Task 1 does not depend on the performance in Task 2. All subtasks in

Task 2 may involve travel.

3.1 Task 1: Reliability Improvement of Sonar Domes

3.1.1 Sonar Dome Radiography

3.1.1.1 Radiographic analysis of sonar domes. The Contractor shall analyze radiographs of

SDRWs, SRDs, and SCDs, and report structural defects or other deficiencies, and how such features revealed in the radiographs are expected to affect performance and service life. The Contractor shall report the results of such analysis to NRL within three days of receipt of the radiographs.

3.1.1.2 Statistical analyses of sonar domes. The Contractor shall perform statistical analyses for determining the expected life of SDRWs, SRDs, and SCDs.

3.1.1.3 Report unusual construction features. The Contractor shall report all unusual construction features and manufacturing defects.

3.1.1.4 Radiograph records and database. The Contractor shall store and update at least 20 years x-ray radiographs. The Contractor shall maintain and improve a database of the inspections, which shall include (1) information relevant to analyze damage growth and predict service life as required by NRL for sonar dome life cycle monitoring; (2) dome installation history; and (3) ship dome history, which shall include the dates of all inspections, results, and other significant events.

3.1.1.5 Sonar dome web site. The Contractor shall maintain a developmental web site which summarizes the radiograph database information. This information is to be forward as directed by NRL.

3.1.1.6 RASO support. To assist the US Navy Radiological Affairs Support Office (RASO), the Contractor shall maintain a list of radiographic inspection contractors that have demonstrated the ability to satisfy the NRL Technical Data Requirements for the

Radiographic Inspection of Sonar Domes. The list will also include the following information: their radiation safety program, their operating and emergency procedures, and copies of their state and/or federal radiography license(s). The Contractor shall

December 2015 Page 3 of 6 provide this list to the NRL COR and others as designated by NRL.

3.1.2 Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) Research

3.1.2.1 Improvements to radiography procedures. The Contractor shall conduct research to enhance radiograph operations, interpretation, standards, and specifications for radiographs of SDRWs, SRDs, and SCDs. The Contractor shall submit to NRL any improvements developed as draft updates for approval, to the NRL Technical Data

Requirements for the Radiographic Inspection of Sonar Domes.

3.1.2.2 Methods to enhance radiographic images. The Contractor shall investigate new methods to enhance radiographic images, to improve radiographic evaluation of

SDRWs, SRDs, and SCDs.

3.1.2.3 Provide qualified personnel for research radiography operations. The Contractor shall only conduct research radiography operations on NRL property. The Contractor shall adhere to all radiography safety training and operation standards of RAD-010.

3.1.2.4 Evaluate promising new NDE techniques. The Contractor shall monitor the NDE field, by reviewing the NDE literature and attending NDE symposia, to find improvements which may be used to improve inspections of SDRWs, SRDs, and

SCDs. The Contractor shall arrange for evaluations of any particularly promising technique, and report on the desirability of conducting further exploration. As directed by NRL, the Contractor shall develop procedures, and recommend implementation of any technique that is found to be effective.

3.1.3 Sonar Dome Failures

3.1.3.1 Sonar dome failure analyses. The Contractor shall conduct failure analyses of damaged SDRWs, SRDs, and SCDs, which shall include proposed damage mechanisms.

3.1.3.2 Update the inspection procedures. Based on the conclusions drawn in section 3.1.3.1, the Contractor shall propose updates the inspection procedures, and/or report any changes that can be made to the sonar system(s), to improve sonar dome performance or reliability.

3.1.3.3 Investigate potential damage mechanisms in SCDs. The Contractor shall investigate potential damage mechanisms in SCDs to identify those which will adversely affect sonar performance or failure of such domes.

3.1.4 Existing Design of Sonar System and Related Ship Components

3.1.4.1 Improvements to the existing sonar system. The Contractor shall propose improvements to the existing sonar system, new materials, maintenance, or installation procedures, repair procedures, vendor supply, or inventory of spare parts, or any other attribute related to sonar domes, that will improve sonar reliability, reduce purchase, maintenance, or installation costs, or improve performance.

3.1.4.2 Sonar dome fabrication improvements. The Contractor shall propose changes to sonar dome fabrication methods.

3.1.4.3 Demonstrations. The Contractor shall fabricate proposed demonstrations of the improvements proposed in section 3.1.4.1 and 3.1.4.2 as directed by NRL. Fabrication may be in the form of tests, modeling to verify such improvements in reliability or performance, or reductions in cost.

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3.1.4.4 Sonar dome pressurization simulation software. The Contractor shall improve or develop new sonar dome pressurization simulation software, for training of shipboard personnel to operate, inspect, and maintain sonar domes.

3.1.4.5 Conduct other research. The Contractor shall conduct research into any other topic that affects sonar reliability, performance, or cost, and report results of such efforts, as directed by NRL.

3.1.5 Evaluate New Designs and Materials for Sonar Domes and Related Ship Components

3.1.5.1 Assist evaluating new sonar dome designs. The Contractor shall assist NRL with the evaluation of proposals for new materials and/or designs for sonar domes, or other ship components related to the sonar system, to determine the practicability and cost for adopting with any such material, design, or vendor.

3.1.5.2 Material and design testing. The Contractor shall provide experimental testing for new sonar dome materials and/or designs, working with NRL, NAVSEA and other parties to reach agreement on the best approach and interpretation of results.

3.1.6 Field Testing and Other Support

3.1.6.1 Field tests. The Contractor shall conduct field work, which may be at shipyards or elsewhere, to support or verify the results of any of the above requirements. The

Contractor shall adjust the procedures being developed therein, provide supporting radiography interpretation, and investigate any condition that may affect performance, cost, or reliability of the sonar system. The Contractor shall conduct no radiography operations outside of NRL property, but may provide technical guidance to radiography operations carried out outside of NRL property in support of field tests. Travel is required to perform field testing.

3.1.6.2 Observe fabrications, installations, or repairs. The Contractor shall assist NRL, or other interested parties as designated by NRL, in observing fabrication, installation, or repair procedures of sonar systems at the sonar dome manufacturer, shipyards, foreign navy facilities, or elsewhere as directed by NRL. Travel is required.

3.1.6.3 Answer DoD queries. The Contractor shall answer questions from Department of

Defense, DoD contractor, or foreign military personnel, regarding sonar dome reliability and performance, based on the radiographic or other data, as well as results from its research program as described elsewhere in this contract.

3.1.6.4 Present results at program reviews. As directed by NRL, the Contractor shall present results of their work at program reviews, technical meetings, and symposia. Travel may be required.

3.1.6.5 Training. The Contractor shall provide 120 hours of training to gain competency to carry out the tasks described in 3.1.1.1. The person(s) trained will be Government employees and will be selected by NRL. The Contractor shall submit a syllabus to NRL for approval before proceeding. The syllabus shall describe 120 hours of instruction, for a student with a BS in an engineering or science discipline, to achieve proficiency in this task. Training shall follow the approved syllabus and shall be provided on a part-time basis by instructors approved by NRL. The Contractor shall submit to NRL copies of all instructional materials as the course proceeds.

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3.2 Task 2: Advanced Chemistry and Materials Development

3.2.1 High Speed Applications

3.2.1.1 Investigate blast, shrapnel, and bullet protection materials. The Contractor shall investigate blast, shrapnel, and bullet protection materials, to improve protection, decrease weight, and/or decrease cost.

3.2.1.2 Model, fabricate, and conduct experiments. The Contractor shall fabricate blast, shrapnel and bullet protection materials, and carry out modeling and experiments on such substances.

3.2.2 Nanometer Materials

3.2.2.1 Research into nanometer scale metal clusters. The Contractor shall carry out research into nanometer scale metal clusters and films for military applications.

3.2.2.2 Model, develop, and test such materials. The Contractor shall model, develop, and test such materials.

3.2.3 High Energy Laser Materials

3.2.3.1 High energy laser survivability of composites. The Contractor shall conduct high energy laser, and other directed energy sources, testing of composites and other materials.

3.2.3.2 Fabricate samples and improve laser survivability. The Contractor shall fabricate coatings, composites, and other structures, making improvements to previous materials based on data and/or samples supplied from other sources.

3.2.3.3 Characterize damage. The Contractor shall design and implement data collection methods to characterize material damage by such radiation.

3.2.4 Anti-fouling Materials

3.2.4.1 Self-decontaminating or antifouling systems. The Contractor shall test and improve self-decontaminating or antifouling coating systems for military applications. The

Contractor shall answer queries from Department of Defense, DoD contractor, or foreign military personnel, regarding the performance of such materials.

3.2.4.2 Synthesize reagents for coating systems. The contractor shall synthesize, purify and characterize organic and organometallic reactive species for incorporation into coating systems and/or fibers and fabric.

3.2.4.3 Methods to evaluate the performance of the coatings. The contractor shall develop and employ methods to evaluate the performance of the coatings.

3.2.5 Corrosion Kinetics

3.2.5.1 Corrosion Research. The Contractor shall investigate aqueous environment corrosion of materials that may employ a polymer and/or elastomer matrix or coating on steel, carbon fiber, or other structural materials. Corrosion kinetics will be characterized, to evaluate the service lifetime of such materials.

3.2.5.2 Field Corrosion Research. The Contractor shall conduct field research, which may be at shipyards or elsewhere, to investigate, support, or verify corrosion kinetics in military devices or systems.

3.2.5.3 Develop new NDE Detection Methods of Corrosion. The Contractor shall conduct research to develop new means to characterize corrosion kinetics, of engineering

December 2015 Page 6 of 6 materials damaged by corrosion in aqueous environments. The Contractor shall investigate radiography, ultrasound, conductivity, or any other method to measure corrosion kinetics, with emphasis on imaging methods.

3.2.5.4 Advise on current practices. The Contractor shall evaluate current corrosion control practices on military systems, and recommend improvements based on commercial practices, new developments, and stated policy goals. The Contractor shall submit recommended changes to regulations, technical documentation, and instructions.

3.3 Facility Requirements

The Contractor shall provide a facility within fifteen (15) miles of NRL-Washington with the following adjacent rooms:

3.3.1 Climate-controlled facility to house Government Furnished Equipment and other test samples and equipment purchased. The facility must have at least 1000 ft2 with ceiling height of at least

16 ft with suitable lighting, water and electrical hook-ups for laboratory use.

3.3.2 Separate climate-controlled office space with high speed internet connection, computers, printers, desk and chairs for four Contractor workers, and a copier.

3.3.3 Meeting room accommodating ten people, with suitable furnishings and equipment.

3.3.4 Storage room with at least 500 ft2 of storage.

APPENDIX A: LIST OF ACRONYMS

CDRL Contract Data Requirements List

COR Contracting Officer's Representative

DoD Department of Defense

NDE Nondestructive Examination

NRL Naval Research Laboratory

R&D Research and Development

SCD Sonar Composite Dome

SDRW Sonar Dome Rubber Window

SOW Statement of Work

SRD Sonar Rubber Dome