Laboratory and at sea acoustic techniques

Added: Jul 14, 2016 3:50 pm Modified: Sep 19, 2016 3:28 pmTrack Changes

The purpose of this notice is to annonce the posting of Amendment 0001 of the solicitation with revised Attachment -2 Personnel Qualifications.

Added: Jul 14, 2016 3:50 pm Modified: Sep 13, 2016 5:06 pmTrack Changes

The purpose of this notice is to post questions and answers from potential offerors.

Anticipate posting of Amendment 0001 in the next few days.

Added: Jul 14, 2016 3:50 pm Modified: Aug 18, 2016 3:48 pmTrack Changes

The purpose of this notice is to announce the posting of the solicitation.

Added: Jul 14, 2016 3:50 pm BACKGROUND
The Physical Acoustics Branch at Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) carries out theoretical and experimental studies of acousto-elastic systems and parameters by means of physical techniques, and of physical systems and parameters by means of acousto-elastic techniques. The Branch's main laboratory capability is on the Washington DC campus of NRL. The theoretical programs are carried out in acoustics, in acousto-elastic interactions and in structural acoustics. A primary area of focus is acousto-elastic scattering and radiation. In this regard techniques are utilized to model the elastic vibration of fluid-loaded structures and the resulting scattered and radiated fields. In particular there is an interest in modeling the response of complex structures of arbitrary geometry over a frequency range for which such modeling has not previously been possible. This entails the development of radically new approaches and formulations. Other topics currently of interest include: 1) inverse scattering, and optimization, and 2) image enhancement, detection, identification, and automated target recognition.

The experimental programs are carried out in a laboratory setting with a number of at-sea and field components involving technology demonstration objectives. The Government owned experimental facilities include large indoor water tanks and associated instrumentation and computer networks for acoustic studies. It also includes electronic and mechanical fabrication and design work spaces, clean rooms, and associated computer network computational capabilities. Regarding computational capabilities, access to national high performance computing capabilities are also employed. A large component of the work is carried out in two holographically-based acoustic pool facilities developed and operated by NRL, and its low temperature phonon-microstructure laboratory. Major focuses include structural acoustics of large scale, complex systems and the elasto-dynamics of micro-structures. The fundamental studies are complemented by more applied programs, which include programs on fiber-optic sensors, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (NEMS) sensing/processing, high-Q oscillators, target model studies, submarine acoustics, unmanned underwater vehicle acoustics (UUVs), seismic/acoustic intruder detection and detection of sea mine deployments, buried mine identification, Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) identification, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection, anechoic coating, acoustic visualization, and ship/aircraft interior acoustic noise reduction.

In carrying out the above programs, the Physical Acoustics Branch invents, develops, implements, and upgrades a number of acoustic measurement techniques and facilities. Examples include: the Branch's new structural acoustics air facility and acoustic pool facilities with their associated robotic scanners, near field holography processing systems, and digital processing and display equipment; the Branch's low temperature micro-structures laboratory; the Branch's state-of-the-art scanning Lase Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) and Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscope (NSOM) capabilities; the Branch's fiber optic/electro-optic sensor system laboratory; several unique at-sea measurements systems; and the Branch's computer network servicing these various facilities.

1.2. SCOPE

This statement of work (SOW) defines the tasks, deliverables, and general goals for carrying out the programs for laboratory and at sea based acoustics techniques studies for the NRL in Washington, DC, (NRL-DC) in the areas described below:

1. Upgrades and improvements to acoustic laboratories and computer programs
2. Non-contact motion measurement techniques
3. Software development, testing, and demonstration
4. Measurement of acousto-elastic, acousto-magnetic, acousto-electric, and acousto-optic material properties
5. Testing of new formalisms
6. Data visualization techniques
7. Perform engineering efforts during scuba exercises
8. Micro-nano structures studies
9. High-order adaptive finite element algorithm and model development for large-scale applications
10. Properly instrumented UUV's for acoustic studies
11. Technology transfer
12. Documentation and training
13. Geometry and mesh-generation for physics-based analyses and design
Efforts in support of the tasks delineated in Section 3, Requirements, below will be conducted in coordination with Principal Investigator (PI) led research teams that may include Government Scientists and Engineers, and other Contractors. Quality and timeliness of the provider's contribution to the work will be evaluated in terms of its impact on the success of the overall project.

3.1. UPGRADES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO ACOUSTIC LABORATORIES AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS
3.2. NON-CONTACT MOTION MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES
3.3. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT, TESTING, AND DEMONSTRATION
3.4. MEASUREMENT OF ACOUSTO-ELASTIC, ACOUSTO-MAGNETIC, ACOUSTO-ELECTRIC, AND ACOUSTO-OPTIC MATERIAL PROPERTIES
3.5. TESTING OF NEW FORMALISMS
3.6. DATA VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUES
3.7. PERFORM ENGINEERING EFFORTS DURING SCUBA EXERCISES
3.8. MICRO-NANO STRUCTURES STUDIES
3.9. HIGH-ORDER ADAPTIVE FINITE ELEMENT ALGORITHM AND MODEL DEVELOPMENT FOR LARGE-SCALE APPLICATIONS
3.10. PROPERLY INSTRUMENTED UUV'S FOR ACOUSTIC STUDIES
3.11. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
3.12. DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING
3.13. GEOMETRY AND MESH-GENERATION FOR PHYSICS-BASED ANALYSES AND DESIGN

The solicitation and a detailed statement of work and other supporting information including contract data requirements will be posted approximately 15 days from the posting of this notice.

Based on a survey of the market, the government has determined that the services to be acquired do not meet the definition of a commercial item. Therefore, the government does not intend to use the procedures as outlined in FAR Part 12 for this acquisition.

It is anticipated that a Cost Plus Fixed Fee -Term type contract with a 12 month base period and four 12-month options periods will be awarded as a result of this solicitation.

This solicitation is issued under full and open competition.

The current contract, N00173-11-C-6003, was awarded to SOTERA Defense Solutions, Inc.

NRL uses Electronic Commerce (EC) to issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and amendments to RFPs. Paper copies of the RFP will not be provided. The actual closing date for proposals will be stated in the solicitation when issued.

All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.

Other business opportunities for NRL are available at our website: http://heron.nrl.navy.mil/rfplist.htm.