Navy Production Capacity Improvement Program

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT FOR the Navy Production Capacity Improvement Project. This is a pre-solicitation synopsis which is not a request for competitive proposals. The work will involve an initiative to upgrade and refurbish the existing domestic heavy forging capacity to support the Department of Defense (DoD) requirements. The awardee is expected to comply with government performance specifications and quality levels, and to fully qualify the upgraded and refurbished production capabilities. The DPA Title III Program Office intends to award a contract or a Technology Investment Agreement, as appropriate, on the basis of less than full and open competition for this requirement to Lehigh Heavy Forge Corporation, 275 Emery Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Under the authority of Title III of the Defense Production Act (DPA) (50 U.S.C. App. Section 2061 et seq.), the Title III Program Office is contemplating this procurement to support the heavy forging requirements of the DoD by addressing items that impact cost, quality, yields, and delivery. This initiative will focus on upgrading and refurbishing, as necessary, the production equipment and supporting infrastructure for heavy forged parts of interest to the DoD. Heavy forging production includes the forging of ingots of up to 300 tons and 130 inches in diameter. The primary military applications for heavy forgings include propulsion shafts, pressure vessels, and bull-gear ring forgings to support the US Navy for both their surface and subsurface vessels. Heavy forging production to support the DoD requires a 10,000 ton open die press, the supporting internal infrastructure, an established supply chain for vacuum stream degassed ingots, and specialized transportation. Additionally, qualification work with Government agencies will be required to ensure government product requirements are met. Note: For this program, the offeror must be a domestic, high volume producer of heavy forgings, and must be able to demonstrate significant marketing/customer sales experience in the production and sales of heavy forgings to the DoD. The period of performance for the procurement is anticipated to be 27 months. Key tasks will include: Development and implementation of production improvement plans addressing cost, quality, yields, and delivery; Continued support to the DoD customer product specifications and qualifications; Analysis of the US military heavy forging marketplace; and Development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic business plan and a marketing plan that addresses both Government and commercial applications. The Government intends to issue an award for these requirements on a Sole Source basis per FAR 6.302-1(a)(1), "Only One Responsible Source" or "DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations 37.400 (b)," based on the aforementioned requirements, as well as an assessment of technical and programmatic risk to the Government. Offerors who are capable of meeting the requirements stated above shall fully identify their interest and submit, in writing (either electronically or mail), to the POC(s) listed above, information documenting their qualifications and capabilities to meet the requirements stated above within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. This documentation shall specify the offeror's area of expertise and experience. It shall identify the offeror's current production capabilities and capacities for production of heavy forgings, including the required infrastructure to support the production of heavy forgings for the DoD. Documentation shall include a listing of products and services currently offered along with market share. The documentation shall identify relevant production experience, and a listing of both DoD and other customers that currently utilize the offeror's heavy forged products. Responses received after 15 days or without the required information will be considered non-responsive to the synopsis, and will not be considered. Direct all questions pertaining to this acquisition to the contracting point of contacts listed above in this announcement. Only one responsible source per capability of interest and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements as per the authority under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). All responsible sources may submit information, which shall be considered by the agency. See Numbered Note 22.*****