REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT - Power & Control Cable PN: MS682119 Rev G.2.1

N0016421SNB88 - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT - Power & Control Cable PN: MS682119 Rev G.2.1 - FSC 6145 - NAICS 335929 Issue Date: 25 August 2021 - Closing Date: 24 September 2021 4:00 PM EST In accordance with Department of Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS) Procedures, Guidance, and Information (PGI) 206.302-1, the Government is issuing this Request for Information/Sources Sought (RFI/SS) announcement as part of market research. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) located in Crane, Indiana is conducting market research for vendors with the capabilities and facilities to provide a Power & Control Cables (PN: MS682119 Rev G.2.1) for the AN/SSX-1 & SEI sub-system of the AN/SLQ-32 variants. This cable will be utilized on all SSX-1 and SEI systems. The purpose of this RFI is to request market information from companies regarding their potential to meet the requirements as described herein. The Government is seeking companies with the capabilities and facilities to provide the Power & Control Cable (PN: MS682119 Rev G.2.1). This cable has to connect and interface with key components of the AN/SSX-1 & SEI system both topside, exposed to the elements and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), and onboard environments. This AN/SSX-1 & SEI system, including all cabling, requires production acceptance. This particular cable, from the same Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), is being used on previously installed systems. In addition, the Planning Yard approved Ship Installation Drawings (SID) needed to install systems aboard ships) already specify/require this specific cable on all remaining system installations. NSWC Crane intends to award a contract on a sole source basis to MIL-SPEC Wire & Cable Co., 125 Ira Rd, Syosset, NY 11791. This effort will be conducted on a sole source basis in accordance with the statutory authority 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The basis for restricting competition is due to the lack of a Technical Data Package (TDP) and Intellectual Property of the cable, which would take a minimum of two and a half years to develop and qualify another source. This would cause detrimental delays to the production of the cables utilized in the AN/SSX-1 & SEI systems and a duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. The duplicative costs and delay are necessitated from developing a TDP and test plans, performing factory and shipboard testing necessary to duplicate the performance and capabilities of the cable, and obtaining certification and board approvals. NSWC Crane is interested in receiving feedback and product information from industry. A technical description of the product(s), such as physical characteristics, operational features, and performance/test data are of particular interest to assist in establishing the state of industry. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which shall be considered by the agency. However, a determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this RFI/Sources Sought is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Interested parties must be properly registered in the Government System for Award Management database (SAM) and the Joint Certification Program (JCP) to receive the controlled attachment. Interested parties may obtain information on SAM registration and annual confirmation of requirements by calling 1-866-606-8220, or via the internet at www.sam.gov. This is a Request for Information/Sources Sought Notice (RFI/SS) announcement to determine the availability and technical capability of businesses to provide the required supplies. Additionally, this notice is being published with the intent to conduct market research, determine the availability of small business participation as either prime or subcontractors, and promote competition. This RFI/SS is not a request for proposals and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals and no award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for information received in response to this notice. Sources choosing to respond to this notice are wholly responsible for any costs/expenses associated with submitting a response. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this sources sought notice. The information obtained from submitted responses may be used in development of an acquisition strategy and future solicitation. When/if the Government issues an RFP, interested parties will be expected to thoroughly address the requirements thereof regardless of the circumstances surrounding this sources sought. Background The AN/SSX-1 and the predecessor, SEI (Specific Emitter Identification) systems, are used on a variety of US Navy and the US Coast Guard ships providing an increased shipboard electronic signal detection capability that supports a variety of missions including maritime interdiction operations against weapon, chemical and drug smuggling. Both the AN/SSX-1 & SEI collect precision electronic parametric data and correlates it to specific transmissions from ships and aircraft searching for potential matches. AN/SSX-1 systems are deployed as standalone systems and are used in conjunction with AN/SLQ-32 (Electronic Countermeasure system) legacy variants, while the SEI is incorporated as part of the BLOCK 2 and BLOCK 3 upgrades to the US Navy's Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) AN/SLQ-32 electronic warfare anti-ship missile defense system. Responses Responses to the RFI/SS shall include the following: Submitter's Name Street Address, City, State, Zip Code Business Size Point of Contact (POC) POC Telephone Announcement Number: All interested parties are encouraged to submit company and product literature, a white paper no longer than 10 pages addressing the vendor's capabilities, relevant past performance as it relates to meeting the Government requirement, and/or other pertinent information (such as a description with performance parameters and a statement of current availability, physical/operational characteristics, summary of prior testing, test reports, a budgetary cost estimate, production units, production quantity breaks and a lead-time of the solution). If necessary, responses should include a detailed explanation as to why the Government should not procure this effort on a sole source basis as stated above and /or identify other Government contracts with similar efforts for the Government(s) consideration. Responses to this RFI/SS or questions may be submitted to the Technical Point of Contact any time prior to the expiration of this announcement with a copy to the Contracting POC. The Technical Point of Contact (POC) for this effort is Anthony Leslie, Anthony.a.leslie.civ@us.navy.mil. The Contracting POC for this effort is Joseph Johnson, Joseph.Johnson.civ@us.navy.mil. Please reference N00164-21-S-NB88 in the subject line of emails. Responses received after 24 September 2021 may not be considered in the Government's market research. If any part of the submittal is classified, please contact the Contracting POC for appropriate submission information. All information marked as proprietary information will be safeguarded to prevent disclosures to non-government personnel and entities. Your interest in the response is appreciated. Reference announcement number N00164-21-S-NB88 in all correspondence and communications.