REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: Procurement of Shipboard Lithium Battery Charging Stations and Battery Storage Lockers

Background - The Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) is a Department of the Navy (DON) entity under Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) responsible for research and development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support organization for the Navy's ships, submarines, military watercraft and unmanned vehicles. NSWCPD Technical Code 335 is the branch responsible for providing in-service engineering support for shipboard lithium battery lockers. Large-form lithium batteries have been in use on Nay ships for a variety of purposes and have a high energy density, and require specialized storage to ensure safe, reliable operation and use. Specialized lockers have been designed in the past for the storage and charging of these batteries. Request for Information (RFI) - NSWCPD is seeking to identify potential sources who can fabricate, assemble, functionally test (i.e. for verification of operational use), package, document, mark and ship lithium battery lockers and charging stations, as well as spare parts, for naval ships. Applicable Navy technical data associated with the fabrication and assembly of these lockers are as follows: -1x2 Battery Charging Station (BCS), NAVSEA Drawing # 803-8603354C -1x3 Battery Storage Locker (BSL), NAVSEA Drawing # 803-8603355C -1x4 Battery Storage Locker (BSL), NAVSEA Drawing # 803-8603356B -Attachment A Door Welding Modifications (2023-03-15) PDF -American Welding Society (AWS) Standards including, but not limited to D1.1, D1.3, and D1.6 -MIL-STD-1689; Department of Defense Manufacturing Process Standard: Fabrication, Welding and Inspection of Ships Structure -ISO Standard: ISO 9001:2015 Any interested sources are invited to submit the following: (1) Statement providing the Company Name, Company Address, Cage Code, points of contact including name, phone number, fax number, and email address. (2) Prior/current corporate experience and/or experience performing efforts of similar size and scope and/or manufacturing similar items within the last three years, including contract number, organization supported, indication of whether as a prime or subcontractor, contract values, hours/dollars incurred to date, Government point of contact with current telephone number and email address, and a brief description of how the referenced contract relates to the services described herein. (3) As the Navy is seeking information about what materials, components, parts, subassemblies etc. - as described and detailed in the technical data above - can/will be acquired by industry, it is important that potential sources provide such information as well, responding to such questions as: (1) What challenges are seen with any of the materials, components, parts, subassemblies etc.; e.g. are there raw material shortages; unreliable suppliers; legal/regulatory concerns with potential suppliers? (2) What functional testing (in general means) can your firm demonstrate that all moving parts within the locker and associated equipment operate as designed per the Navy technical data. Specific items include operation of the door, door handle, safety pin, ventilation flap, and battery tray (reference the Navy technical data)? (3) Based on the technical data reviewed, and specific material requirements of the Navy, what are the potential lead times to assemble and manufacture the lockers? (4) During manufacture/fabrication of the lockers, are there any challenges foreseen with keeping fabricated lockers indoors - given their size per the technical data -- prior to delivery to the government? (5) Does your firm have a quality assurance program that is in accordance with at least a tailored version of ASQ/ANSI/ISO 9001:2015 for this need? (6) Does your firm have welding procedures well-defined and associated Personnel Qualification Requirements (PQR(s)) which meet requirements of MIL-STD-1689 and thus qualified to NAVSEA publication S9074-AQ-GIB-010/248? -OR- Can your firm provide evidence/documentation that welding procedures are qualified to AWS D1.3? (7) Can your firm identify methods or processes that may be suitable for ensuring the fully-assembled, packaged locker can be kept in packaging with moisture/humidity control? Proprietary data will be protected when so designated. Acknowledgement of receipt will not be made. Availability of any formal solicitation will be announced separately. Note: THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/SOURCES SOUGHT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR A PROPOSAL OR ANNOUNCEMENT OF A SOLICITATION. The requested information is for planning purposes and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. The Government WILL NOT PAY for any information received in response to this RFI, and the Government will not compensate the respondent for any cost incurred in developing the response to this RFI. Any/all information and data received in response to the sources sought marked or designated as corporate proprietary information will be fully protected and held in strict confidence. Responses: Responses to this Sources Sought notice are due no later than close of business on 20 April 2023. Unclassified responses shall be submitted via e-mail to Anthony Ricciardi at anthony.v.ricciardi2.civ@us.navy.mil. Verbal questions will not be accepted. Accordingly, questions shall not contain any classified information.