Double Base Propellant Development

Double Base Propellant Development This is a Sources Sought Synopsis. This synopsis neither constitutes a Request for Proposal, nor does it restrict the Government from an ultimate acquisition approach. This synopsis should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose. Requests for solicitation will not receive a response. All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any input as a result of this market survey. The U.S. Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this market survey. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD) is seeking non-federal partners ("Collaborators") in industry and/or academia for consideration to enter into Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) (described in 15 USC 3710a) to cooperatively develop and produce Double Base Propellants for DoD operations. This notice is not a solicitation for a procurement contract, nor should this announcement be construed and implying any future solicitation by NSWC IHEODTD or any other government agency in this area. Large and small businesses may respond to this announcement if they possess the qualifications described. Potential Collaborators may partner with any other qualified non-federal parties. Multiple federal agencies may participate on behalf of, or in partnership with NSWC IHEODTD, including other federal laboratories, and other agencies of the United States government, as the United States government deems appropriate. The CRADA and its supporting information, discussion, and other collaborative activities are proposed to remain at the UNCLASSIFIED level. If classified information exchange is proposed by the Collaborator, Collaborator personnel must be appropriately cleared at the outset of the CRADA. CRADA partners will explore the technical feasibility, methods, and economics of developing and producing double base propellants. Utility and affordability of the use of double base propellants in non-DoD applications ("dual-use") is of interest, if such use may contribute to a more favorable total cost of ownership, or positive return on investment. How the DoD might take advantage of such dual-use double base propellants (contractually, etc.) is another element for collaboration. Through collaborative development and analysis, partners will develop an understanding of operational capabilities available today and those requiring additional development, economics, and overall feasibility/limitations of developing double base propellants. The parties may simulate the effectiveness of double base propellants; host government Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to cooperate with Collaborator SMEs to conduct simulations and analysis; and reach a better understanding of the feasibility, limitations, risks, and mitigation strategies for developing double base propellants in DoD/commercial applications. Output of the collaboration will be materials, methodologies, processes, and reports. CRADAs are defined in 15 USC 3710a(d), in part as "any agreement between one or more federal laboratories and one or more non-federal parties under which the Government, through its laboratories, provides personnel, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources with or without reimbursement (but not funds to the non-Federal parties) and the non-Federal parties provide funds, personnel, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources toward the conduct of specified research or development efforts which are consistent with the missions of the laboratory; except that such term does not include a procurement contract... " CRADAs are commonly effective for three years after signature by the parties (Collaborator(s) and NSWC IHEODTD). NSWC IHEODTD will choose one, multiple, or zero white papers based on Collaborator experience/capability to innovate, the technical qualifications of Collaborator and assigned personnel, past experience in engineering and development, economic analysis capability, and NSWC IHEODTD's interest and capacity to enter into such agreements;. Initial selection of white papers and subsequent discussions do not guarantee selection of any Collaborator by NSWC IHEODTD to enter into a CRADA. After initial selection, discussions will ensue separately with each selected Collaborator, seeking to reach mutual agreement between NSWC IHEODTD and the Collaborator(s) on objectives, duration, intellectual property, and resources to be applied by the parties in the proposed CRADA(s). The government may choose to visit pertinent facilities for a tour of Collaborator capabilities prior to final selection. No funding is available from the government to cover white paper development or submission costs, or to cover discussions, facility visits, or any other Collaborator costs. The NSWC IHEODTD template CRADA is available at http://www.onr.navy.mil/en/Science-Technology/Directorates/Transition/Technology-Transfer-T2/Partnership-Options/CRADA-handbook.aspx so potential Collaborators may understand its terms. The Collaborator(s) and government will draft and seek to finalize specific CRADA objectives and language collaboratively via discussions/mutual agreement after government white paper selection. Interested parties may respond with a white paper no later than 30 September 2014 (midnight EST) by unclassified email to christopher.wilhelm@navy.mil by submitting an UNCLASSIFIED written white paper in the following format. Submittals not following this format will not be considered: Microsoft Word or .pdf format of not more than 5 pages in length, on standard 8 X 11 inch page, with 1-inch margins at top, bottom, left, and right; in Time New Roman font of not less than 12-point size, with not more than 6 lines per inch. Pages numbered sequentially in the bottom footer including company name and designation of proprietary information as appropriate on each page. Clearly mark/identify any proprietary information, photos, and diagrams. Include the following information within the 5 page limit: - o Title (no separate title page is necessary; use space for useful white paper information) - o Company name and state of incorporation and incorporation of any parent entity (Companies with foreign ownership or parentage must identify the nation of incorporation of that non-U.S. entity). - o Description and location of any specialized facilities (other than typical office space) to be dedicated to the collaborative effort; a brief video overview of facilities and their capabilities, small enough in the file size to be emailed (typically 5 Mb or less) in addition to the 5 page textual white page input is an option. - o How your company meets NSWC IHEODTD's interests and could contribute to the formation of a CRADA partnership in this area; capability to develop double base propellants, work to mitigate risk of development, production, or operations; simulate, model, author reports, host meetings and exercises, perform economic analysis, and otherwise apply resources and expertise pertinent to long-term collaborative experimentation. - o Resources to be supplied by the Collaborator (facilities, overall personnel expertise, information systems, proprietary materials, prototypes, etc.). - o Describe any open source software and any third party software to be provided by the Collaborator. - o Resources requested from NSWC IHEODTD (skillsets, data, test facilities, etc.; no DoD funding is permitted). - o Background/experience in double base propellant development, engineering, economic and other analyses, test, and operation (with DoD points of contact and address/phone numbers as references, if available). - o Points of contact (name, point of contact, address, email, and phone) for notification of selection/non-selection and follow on discussions/visits (if chosen). NSWC IHEODTD and other government entities participating in white paper review and actual collaborative work under CRADAs may include in-house support contractors and members of Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). The NSWC IHEODTD Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) manager, and coordinator of NSWC IHEODTD T2 activities, is a government civilian employee. All responding sources must submit their responses no later than 30th of September 2014 to: Dr. Christopher Wilhelm Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division Customer Advocate for Science and Technology and Head of NSWC IHEODTD Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) 4247 S. Patterson Road, Indian Head MD 20640-5152 Responses can also be submitted by email to christopher.wilhelm@navy.mil. Large files need to be compressed using WinZip (http://www.winzip.com). This market survey is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or solicitation. This is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this market survey. Contracting Office Address N00174 Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division Attn: Jamie Brown, Contract Specialist 4072 North Jackson Road, Bldg. 1558 Indian Head, MD 20640-5035 jamie.l.brown1@navy.mil