Thermal Protection System (TPS) GROUND TESTING

Type of Action:  Pre-Solicitation Synopsis

A previous Sources Sought Notice was issued under N0017822Q4405.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) intends to issue a solicitation for a sole source, follow-on, Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), Level of Effort contract with Southern Research Institute (SR) to perform thermo-mechanical and aero-thermal ground testing of Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials in ballistic reentry and reentry-like environments, and fabrication of flight hardware for the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) reentry systems work of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division’s Reentry Systems Office, A06.  This effort is intended to test reentry materials for the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK).

A draft Statement of Work (SOW) is attached to this notice.

This requirement will be solicited in accordance with the authority of 10 U.S. C 2304 (c) (1) and FAR Part 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), “Only One Responsible Source”.  The support is currently being provided to the Navy under contract N00178-18-C-4004 by SR, 2000 9th Avenue S, Birmingham, Alabama 35205-2708.

SR is the only known contractor who has the specialized, unique test hardware and capability to thermo-mechanically characterize advanced reentry materials to temperatures of 5500F and to aero-thermally test materials/subcomponents in the high heat flux/shear environments characteristic of ballistic reentry environments.  SR continues to be the only facility testing at the temperatures and heat flux ranges of interest for Navy ballistic reentry environments.  Under this requirement, new test results must be compared with previous test results.  New tests of materials must be performed in a like manner, using the same unique facilities, equipment, and technical expertise as was used in the previous tests.  Due to the complexity of the tests and the need for consistency between tests, it is essential that SR perform the work.

The contract will include a one year base period and four one year option periods.  The period of performance is anticipated to be for a total length of sixty (60) months, if all options are exercised.

Firms interested in subcontracting opportunities should contact Southern Research Institute directly.  It is anticipated that the solicitation will be issued on or around 28 October 2022 and will be open for at least 30 days.  Contract award is anticipated approximately around 1 June 2023.  Any questions regarding this Synopsis should be addressed to the Contract Specialist, Tim Kawamoto, at timothy.c.kawamoto.civ@us.navy.mil or the Contracting Officer, Daniel Belcher, at daniel.c.belcher3.civ@us.navy.mil.

ATTACHMENTS:

1) Draft SOW

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. Interested parties, however, may identify their interest and capability by responding to the requirement. The Government will consider all information received prior to the closing date of this synopsis. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract modification based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. No phone inquiries will be entertained. Responses shall be made in writing by E-mail, U.S. mail or facsimile to the attention of Mr. Timothy Kawamoto using the contact information provided in this synopsis.