Ethane Constant Conductance Heat Pipes

This is a request for information (RFI) issued by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for information and planning purposes only. No awards will be made from the responses to this announcement. However, responses may be used to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy for a future acquisition. There is no solicitation available at this time. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NRL shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought notice or NRL's use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement. The intent of this RFI is to gauge industry interest, capabilities and relevant heritage experience to design, fabricate, and test flight-qualified ethane constant conductance heat pipes. It is the goal of the NRL to maximize relevant heritage experience, and minimize risk and cost to the JMAPS Program. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is requesting information and a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate of cost and delivery schedule for the design, fabrication, and testing of two (2) flight-qualified Ethane constant conductance heat pipes (CCHPs) for the Focal Plane Array (FPA) of the Joint Milli-Arcsecond Pathfinder Survey (JMAPS) spacecraft in accordance with the specifications referenced herein. Only one Ethane CCHP is required for flight. Hence, the other CCHP will be considered a flight spare. The specifications are export controlled under the International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR). As such, in order to receive the referenced specifications, potential Contractors must complete the attached certification with proof of status as a U.S. Person (as defined in 22 C.F.R. Part 120.15) and submit it via e-mail to Ms. Lisa Fleming, at lisa.fleming@nrl.navy.mil. Upon confirmation of eligibility, potential offerors will be sent preliminary copies of the specifications. The specifications must be safeguarded and protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable U.S. export control laws and regulations. Should the Government decide to procure this hardware, examples of likely key evaluation criteria for a future RFP are: 1) Relevant corporate and key personnel heritage experience and know-how, 2) Relevant heritage hardware performance, 3) Cost/cost realism/past cost performance, 4) Schedule/past schedule performance. If a solicitation is issued, it is anticipated that it will call for a fixed price contract. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the NRL to acquire any products or services. The NRL does not intend to award a contract based on this RFI or otherwise pay for the information requested. Submission of a response to this RFI is voluntary. The voluntary submission of a response to this RFI shall not obligate the NRL to pay or entitle the submitter to any compensation. All information and data received in response to this RFI that are marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be protected as such. Questions shall be directed to Lisa Fleming, NRL Code 3230.LS via e-mail lisa.fleming@nrl.navy.mil. Responses to this RFI may be submitted in writing or by email no later than 12PM EST July 7, 2011. If submitted via email (PREFERRED), submit to lisa.fleming@nrl.navy.mil. If paper copies are sent, they must be received at the NRL address below, marked with the RFI number, due date and time. Naval Research Laboratory Contracting Division ATTN: Lisa Fleming, Code 3230.LS 4555 Overlook, Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20375 Or UNCLASS e-mail (PREFERRED): lisa.fleming@nrl.navy.mil The U.S. Postal Service continues to irradiate letters, flats, Express and Priority mail with stamps for postage and other packages with stamps for postage destined to government agencies in the Zip Code ranges 202 through 205. Due to potential delays in receiving mail, offerors are encouraged to use alternatives to the mail when submitting proposals. Other business opportunities for NRL are available at our website http://heron.nrl.navy.mil/contracts/rfplist.htm. Responses received after July 7, 2011 will not be reviewed.