RFI Sources Sought Geiger-Mueller (GM) tubes

The Department of the Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) is conducting a Sources Sought notice to identify potential contractors capable of designing, building, testing, documenting, and delivering prototype Geiger-Mueller (GM) tubes for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. This is an exploratory market research effort issued under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, conducted prior to the formal solicitation to determine industry interest and capability to meet the Government's needs. Key technical requirements for the GM tubes include a sensitivity of 270 cpm at 1 mR/h for Cesium-137, an operating voltage of 460V, a plateau length of 420-520 volts, and a maximum plateau slope of 30%/100V, with operation capability between -20 to +60 degrees Celsius and a chromium/iron cathode. Interested parties must submit responses electronically by January 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. to michael.s.brodie7.civ@us.navy.mil, including company information, DUNS number, SAM UEI, CAGE code, and demonstration of capability to meet minimum requirements. Importantly, this Sources Sought notice does not constitute a formal Request for Quotation or commitment to contract; it serves solely as an information-gathering tool for procurement planning purposes.

This opportunity is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside, restricting competition to small business entities classified under NAICS code 334419 (Other Electronic Component Manufacturing). The procurement specifies an initial delivery of three GM tubes within 180 days after contract award, with an optional follow-on delivery of five additional tubes 90 days after option exercise, providing flexibility in future quantities. Each delivered tube will undergo Navy testing using ARCADES software at 70 R/h and 30 mR/h exposure levels to ensure a Sensitivity Factor between 5.0 and 7.0 before acceptance. The work is classified as Unclassified with no travel requirements or government-furnished equipment anticipated, and delivery is required to the Naval Surface Warfare Center in West Bethesda, Maryland. While no specific budget or award value is disclosed in this market research notice, interested small businesses should prepare technical and capability documentation addressing their qualifications to meet the detailed GM tube specifications outlined in the attached Product Specification document.