RFI_-_Market_Survey_CWB_19_Feb_2019.pdf

This Request for Information (RFI) is for market research purposes only and supersedes any previous RFIs for the Conformal Wearable Battery (CWB). Entities that responded to previous RFIs MUST also respond to this request with updated information. The purpose of this RFI is to: (a) identify potential sources of supply and (b) assist the Government in determining potential responsible sources as well as their technical and production capabilities. The Government does not guarantee that this RFI will result in a Request for Proposal (RFP) or contract award. The Government will not provide reimbursement for any costs incurred by vendors who respond to this RFI.

All questions relating to this notice shall be sent via email to Purchasing Agent, Kristin L.

Anderson at kristin.l.anderson24.civ@mail.mil

1. REQUIREMENT

The U.S. Army Program Manager Soldier Warrior (PM SWAR) and the Communications Electronics Research Development and Engineering Center's (CERDEC) Command Power and Integration (CPI) Directorate are conducting a Sources Sought market survey to identify sources with the interest and capability to provide the CWB. The total number of CWBs to be procured over the length of the contract is estimated to be up to 200,000 batteries with yearly procurements estimated to be between 7,000 to 25,000 batteries. The CWB is a warfighter wearable battery that is flexible so as to be able to conform to the surface of the soldier's torso. All of the technical requirements for the CWB can be found in MIL-PRF-32383 "Performance Specification, Batteries, Rechargeable, Sealed" dated 16 June 2011 and MIL- PRF-32383/4 "Performance Specification Sheet, Battery, Rechargeable, Sealed, Lithium-Ion, BB-2525 and BB-3535" draft dated 14 February 2019.

Requirements contained in these documents that are unique to the CWB include, but are not limited to, the following;

A specific coefficient of surface friction

Ability for concurrent charging and discharging

Flexibility and conformability requirements

Survive prolonged exposure to solar radiation

Survive penetration by nail and prevent the propagation of a thermal event to adjacent cells

Ability to be charged at low temperatures

Potential offerors are advised to review the cited military specification documents for all of the performance characteristics and associated testing.

INSTRUCTIONS TO POTENTIAL RESPONDENTS - DELIVERABLES: All interested parties shall respond to the RFI by submitting the below information no later than the close of business (COB) on 19 March 2019: Interested parties capable of meeting the current CWB requirements shall submit a written narrative which supports their company's claim of presently having the technology, qualifications, experience, and capabilities as they relate to the design, performance, test and production of a CWB.

Responses must be no longer than ten (10) pages in length single sided using Times New Roman font no smaller than size 11. Questions, Data sheets, existing commercial documentation and or product literature can also be submitted, and if included, do not count towards the ten (10) page maximum. The responder may use oversized pages (including “foldouts”) were appropriate to contain Graphic presentations. Oversize pages do not count as extra pages within the page limitations. Submitted responses should be in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format.

Additionally, any comments that the responder would like to provide relative to the Draft MIL-PRF-32383/4 are welcome, however they must be provided in a separate Microsoft Word attachment (that would not be counted in the 10 page limit) and should not include any proprietary information. Of particular interest to the Government are comments related to aspects of the specification/slash sheet that impact the unit cost and manufacturability of the CWB, to include the requirement of a connector that has the seventh pin as non-connected while maintaining the ability to pass all required tests. All submitted comments will be reviewed, but, comments back might not be provided to the vendor. Updates may occur in future MIL-PRF-32383/4 versions based on the comments provided.

Any interested companies in production of the CWB shall provide the following information:

1. Primary Point of Contact information:

Name

Company:

Address:

CAGE Code:

Phone Number:

Fax Numbers:

Email Address:

Suggested NAICS:

2. For more information, refer to http://www.sba.gov/content/table- small-business-size-standards. Indicate which of the categories applies to your company:

Large Business Concern

Small Business (SB) Concern 8(a)

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

Woman-Owned Small Business

Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)

Veteran-Owned Small Business

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business

2A. If you identify your company as a Small Business or any of the SB subcategories as stipulated in Question # 2, then is your company interested in becoming a prime contract for this effort?

2B. Under the current SB recertification regulations, do you anticipate your company remaining a small business, under your suggested NAICS? If you are a SB, answer questions 2c and 2D. All others skip to Question #3.

2C. If your company is awarded the contract, will you be able to perform at least 50% (percent) of the work?

2D. If you are a small business, can you go without a payment for 90 days?

3. Does your company currently possess at least a prototype design and production capabilities to meet the performance requirements stated in MIL-PRF-32383 and MIL-

PRF-32383/4?

__YES NO`

If you answered YES to Question # 3, please additionally provide specific capabilities and examples for how your company can meet these performance requirements. Also, please indicate if your product is commercially available along with the website where information relate to this product can be found. Also provide relevant contract numbers, and points of contact.

If you answered NO to Question # 3, please additionally list what capabilities are required and the timeline after award for them to become available.

The following information is also requested:

Timeline and major milestones from time of award to first production delivery

Current production capacity on a 1day-8hour-5days a week shift basis, If there is no current production capabilities, what equipment/processes or testing capabilities must be installed

Relevant experience in the production and testing of military batteries of similar complexity.

Relevant test data on CWBs or batteries of similar design

All information received shall be safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure. Responses must be unclassified. Responses that contain proprietary information, shall be appropriately marked. “The following contains proprietary information (name of responder) requests not be released to persons outside the Government and its direct support contractors, except for the purposes of review and evaluation.” All responsible sources may submit information in response to this RFI. Responses to this RFI are due no later than 4:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 19 March 2019 to kristin.l.anderson24.civ@mail.mil.Government will be utilizing non-government personnel that have Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) on file. Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors employing these individuals and supporting this effort are identified below.

Government- contractor support companies:

NCI Information System Inc., 7411 Alban Station Court, Springfield VA 22150

Crystal Clear Consulting, 969 Leeds Road, Elkton, MD 21921

General Technical Services, 1451 Route 34 South Suite 301, Wall Township NJ 07727

DISCLAIMER

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only as defined in FAR 15.201(e) to obtain information about Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs), capabilities and market information related to the technology of interest relating to CWBs, for planning purposes. Of particular interest are the technical, manufacturing, and market capabilities and barriers to establishing a viable business for the technology of interest. This RFI is not a request for competitive proposals; therefore, responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Companies that respond will not be paid for the information submitted.

No telephone calls will be accepted requesting a bid package or solicitation. There is no bid package or solicitation at this time.

Please note, the Government is not required to provide feedback to RFI responders.

Information posted in a solicitation will trump any previously information posted within this RFI.