Columbia Bearing Support Structure

This is not a Request for Proposal and award of a contract will not be made as a result of this Request for Information (RFI). Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) requests assistance from industry for conducting market research for the manufacturing & delivery of the COLUMBIA (CLB) Bearing Support Structure (BSS) Inseparable Assembly. The purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research by soliciting industry comments and feedback.

Market research will determine potential socio-economic small and large businesses interested in, and capable of, providing the support services identified herein. This posting is issued in accordance with the requirements of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul Part 10. Responses should include the following:

1. Cover letter, not to exceed one (1) page that includes:

(a) Organization name, CAGE Code, and address (b) Point of contact name and contact information (c) Size and type of organization, including if applicable U.S. small business or other status (d) Brief statement of interest that indicates the organization’s interest in applying as a prime or subcontractor.

2. Interested parties shall provide a response (not to exceed 25 pages) to the following questions:

a) The BSS drawing “COLUMBIA Class BSS Inseparable Assembly, DWG C24521200C” assumes standard weld procedures. Is there an alternative welding method(s) (i.e. Robotic, electron beam, friction stir, electro slag) recommended to be used in the production of the BSS? If yes, please see additional questions provided below:

i. How long do you anticipate to qualify the weld procedures, including Government review time? ii. What inspection methods would be required and are they NAVSEA approved?

b) How will you engage foreign vendors and suppliers of either Monel forgings or Monel ingot?

c) The Government will require all sub-vendors of significant material (over $100,000) to be named. Does this present any hardships?

d) Currently the projected period of performance/required manufacturing timeline for the seven (7) BSS’s in this contract will be 30 months for each BSS. Does this timeline present any hardships? If so, what type of hardships and what would you recommend? The Draft Statement of Work and Drawings/PERs are available as part of this announcement. The drawings and PERs are considered a controlled document and is ONLY available to Contractors with an approved Joint Certification Program (JCP).