Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Sole Source for an Acoustic Emission (AE) testing and monitoring System

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD), operating under the Department of the Navy Naval Sea Systems Command, has issued a Special Notice announcing its intent to sole source procure an Acoustic Emission (AE) testing and monitoring system. This procurement is specifically targeted at acquiring a prototype four-channel fiber-optic AE sensor system from Michigan State University (MSU), developed by Dr. Ming Han's research group. The system is designed for structural health monitoring of Navy assets including ships, submarines, and unmanned vehicles, with the capability to detect and monitor crack initiation and growth through innovative sensor technology. The acquisition is being processed under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) due to the proprietary nature of MSU's sensor design and unique technical capabilities. The Notice was posted on July 24, 2025, with associated documentation including the sole source justification and request for quotes.

The primary objective of this procurement is to obtain advanced acoustic emission monitoring technology that offers superior capabilities compared to current expensive and time-intensive crack monitoring methods used by the Navy Fleet. Contractors interested in submitting quotes must do so by 11:00 AM ET on August 4, 2025, with delivery required no later than August 30, 2025. Quote submissions must include specific documentation such as company letterhead, pricing, CAGE code, FOB destination, point of contact information, GSA contract number if applicable, business size classification, and pricing rounded to the nearest whole dollar. The procurement falls under NAICS code 334419 with a small business standard of 750 employees, and the contract includes requirements for onsite consultation services for installation and operation of the sensor system. The system components encompass laser sources, phase modulators, optical fibers, circulators, splitters, photoreceivers, RF components, and data acquisition systems, with delivery to NSWCCD's facility in West Bethesda, Maryland.