Heavyweight Torpedo Afterbody Type II Cables

Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport, the design activity, has established a pre-award qualification requirement pursuant to FAR 9.2 for the following Heavyweight Torpedo Afterbody Type II Cables: 1HM 5995-01-264-7268, Cable Assembly, Spec, 6105293 1HM 5995-01-264-7269, Cable Assembly, Spec, 6105298 3HM 6150-01-264-7411, Cable Assembly, Spec, 5893729 3HM 6150-01-264-7412, Cable Assembly, Spec, 5893725 1HM 5995-01-264-7413, Cable Assembly, Spec, 5893735 3HD 5995-01-264-7414, Cable Assembly, Spec, 5893737 1HM 5995-01-264-7415, Cable Assembly, Spec, 5893739 3BM 5995-01-264-7416, Cable Assembly, Spec, 5893727 1HM 5995-01-268-3032, Cable Assembly, 5893731 1HM 5995-01-268-3033, Cable Assembly, 5893733 The agency has determined that The Type II Heavyweight Torpedo Afterbody Cables shall be designated as AMSC C, requiring engineering source approval prior to contract award in order to maintain the quality of the part.

Engineering source approval is provided by the In-Service Engineering Agent upon a vendor’s qualification in accordance with the Torpedo MK 48 ADCAP Critical Item Product Fabrication Specification, 5894148, for Type II Cable Assemblies (TYPE C2B). Existing unique design capability, engineering skills, and manufacturing knowledge by the qualified source(s) require acquisition of the part from the approved source(s).

An alternate source must qualify in accordance with the design control activity’s procedures, as approved by the cognizant Government engineering activity. The qualification procedures must be approved by the Government engineering activity having jurisdiction over the part in the intended application Engineering source approval is provided by the In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) upon a vendor’s facility qualification. Contractors must be approved prior to award. Awards will not be held up pending approvals.

The Type II Cables are part of a critical defense system that relies on their performance for the protection and safety of the submarine. In order to maintain forecasted stock levels of acceptable quality Type II cables to meet fleet demands, it is advantageous to maintain the HWT Type II Cables as AMSC C, requiring vendors to meet pre-qualification requirements in accordance with the Critical item fabrication specification.

Due to the stringent requirements, complexity to manufacture, and unique testing requirements, using a qualified vendor is required. Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapons Systems Support (NAVSUPWSS) intends to procure these Cable Assemblies in February 2024.. When the cables are procured, only sources that have been approved under the qualification requirements will be considered for the contract award.

Vendors interested in manufacturing these cable assemblies may submit a request for information to become a qualified source for procurement. Requests for information and access to the technical data package (specification and drawings) shall be submitted to NUWC Division Newport, 1176 Howell Street, Newport, RI 02841-1708. Interested sources will be required to have access to classified (confidential) information which will require the appropriate clearances.

To obtain the required clearances or to verify possession of appropriate clearances, vendors must contact the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) at https://www.dcsa.mil. Also, due to the military critical technology contained within the Technical Data Package, an approved DD2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement will be required as well. The DD2345 can be completed online at the Joint Certification Program online portal at https://www.dla.mil/logistics-operations/services/jcp/.

Award will not be held up pending approvals. All actions regarding the qualification process will be between the contractor seeking approval and the NUWC Division Newport. Any qualification for manufacture of the Type II cables will be done by the contractor and will not be accomplished under a Navy contract. The qualification requirements are included in the technical data package. The manufacture and test process is complex and time consuming and can as much as a year or more to complete.

When a product is submitted for qualification testing, the applicant must furnish any specific information that may be requested of the manufacturer before testing will begin. Once a contractor becomes qualified, NUWC Division Newport will notify NAVSUPWSS. At that time, the newly qualified firm will be included in the solicitation of any Type II Cables and will be considered for possible contract award.