Thermal Spray Coating to DDG 51 Shaft Sleeves

This REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) is being issued by the Department of the Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD). NSWCPD Code 427 has a requirement for services related to the application of a nano-agglomerated ceramic coating (Metco 6221) to the sleeves of waterborne propulsion shafts (qty: 4) via thermal spray process, specifically using a Metco SinplexPro plasma spray gun. This effort will support a key Test & Evaluation (T&E) milestone to evaluate the use of coatings to reduce the wear of bearing journals. Two (2x) Ready-For-Issue (RFI) propeller shafts, up to 70,000 lbs in weight, 54 feet in length, and with a large flange diameter up to 58” will each require one 70/30 Copper Nickel sleeve (up to 30” in diameter and 102” in length) to be undercut, surface prepped, coated, and finish ground. Additionally, two (2x) Ready-For-Issue (RFI) stern tube shafts, up to 68,000 lbs in weight, 52.5 feet in length, and with a large flange diameter up to 43.5” will each require one 70/30 Copper Nickel sleeve (up to 30” in diameter and 72” in length) to be undercut, surface prepped, coated, and finish ground. All four (4x) shafts will require re-application of preservation and be stored in original shipping container.

Areas we are interested in:

1.  Does the vendor have a lathe and rigging equipment to support the dimensions and weights of the propulsion shafts listed above?

2.  Does the vendor have a currently established thermal spray program and has the vendor executed repairs of rotating machinery using the thermal spray process?

3. Does the vendor possess the METCO SinplexPro plasma spray equipment required to be used for this effort?

4. If not, can the vendor get the equipment up and running in time to fit the timeline of a 04/2024 material delivery date (effort completed and shafts returned to the Navy)?