Request for information (RFI)/sources sought - TR-333 hydrophone ceramic elements

N00164-16-R-GP20 - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT - TR-333 HYDROPHONE CERAMIC ELEMENTS - FSC 5845 - NAICS 334419

Issue Date: 09 FEB 2016 - Closing Date: 25 FEB 2016 - 2:00 PM EDT

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) - The Government is issuing this RFI/sources sought announcement as part of market research for TR-333 Hydrophone Ceramic Elements. These highly specialized elements are a piezoelectric part used in the production of TR-333 Hydrophones used in the SP24 TRIDENT Navigation Subsystem Sonar. See attached drawings 6745870 and 6029165 to review the technical requirements provided as Attachment 1 to this document. Vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and registered in the Joint Certification Program (JCP) in order to receive access to the drawings. Information about the JCP is located at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division located at Naval Support Activity, Crane, IN intends to award a sole source contract to the current certified source, EDO Western Corporation, 2645 S. 300 W. Salt Lake City, UT 84115, (CAGE 24338). This effort will be conducted on a sole source basis in accordance with the statutory authority 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1. The basis for restricting competition to the Hydrophone Ceramic Elements is to avoid roughly $3.6 million in cost duplication and prevent as much as three years unnecessary schedule impact. The program requires critical component suppliers to go through an extensive qualification plan, to include inspection, certification, first article testing, and operational testing. The Government has expended considerable effort and expense to develop the current certified source. The estimated cost to restore capability if a different vendor's Hydrophone Ceramic Element is procured is projected to be roughly $3.6 million higher than the proposed cost to utilize an existing certified source.

In accordance with Department of Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS) Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI) 206.302-1, the Government is accepting information from companies potentially capable of meeting the requirements as described above. Companies with the capabilities and facilities to provide components that meet the Government's requirement and certification requirements for TR-333 Hydrophone Ceramic Elements may respond. Responses shall address how the Government can offset the estimated $3.6 million in cost duplication and the schedule delay that are anticipated to result if a new source is utilized.

Responses shall include availability, budgetary cost estimate, and lead time of the solution.

All interested parties may submit company and product literature, a white paper no longer than 5 pages, and/or other pertinent information, such as a description with performance parameters and a statement of current availability, summary of prior testing, test reports, a budgetary estimate of test articles, production units, production quantity breaks, an explanation as to why the Government should not procure this effort on a sole source basis as stated above given the significant Government investment in the existing TR-333 Hydrophone Ceramic Elements.

Responses to the Market Survey shall include the following:

Submitter's Name
Street Address, City, State, Zip Code
Business Size
Point of Contact (POC)
POC Telephone
Announcement Number: N00164-16-D-GP20

Please include the purpose/explanation of the response to the Market Survey, i.e. to better understand the Government requirements; to potentially become a viable source for future requirements; to take exception to the anticipated sole source as your company currently meets all of the Government requirements and can successfully offset the projected cost duplication and schedule delays. The Government may contact RFI respondents to get clarification on the information submitted.

Contractors must be properly registered in the Government's System for Award Management (SAM) and in the Joint Certification Program (JCP) in order to receive the attachments. Offerors may obtain information on SAM registration and annual confirmation requirements by calling 1-866-606-8220 or via the Internet at https://www.sam.gov. Information about on JCP is located at http://www.dlis.dla.mil.

At the current time, NO FUNDING IS AVAILABLE for contractual efforts. This RFI/sources sought does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract. The US Government is in no way liable to pay for or reimburse any companies or entities that respond to this announcement. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed.

Market Survey information may be submitted to the Point of Contact (POC) any time prior to the expiration of this announcement. The POC for this effort is Mr. Matt Burch, matthew.burch@navy.mil or 812-854-5893. The mailing address is:

NAVSURFWARCENDIV Crane
Attention Matt Burch, Code 0222, Bldg 121
300 Highway 361, Crane, IN 47522-5001.

Responses to this RFI/sources sought may be emailed to the POC above.

If any part of the submittal is classified, please contact the POC for appropriate submission information.

All information marked as proprietary information will be safeguarded to prevent disclosures to non-government personnel and entities.