RFI: Additive Manufacturing of Heavy Metal Components in a Classified Environment

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Conventional Prompt Strike Program Office Description 1.1 The Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) in support of the Conventional Prompt Strike Program Office is seeking information from interested industry organizations with the capability to additively manufacture (AM) heavy metal components in a classified environment. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Navy is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be placed on SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. Background The U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) Program is developing a conventional intermediate-range hypersonic weapon system. CPS is interested in investigating the use of heavy metal additively manufactured components. 2.1 Planned Production and/or Services: This RFI is looking for a white paper from potential industry partners with the capability or near-capability to print AM components at the Secret Level. Potential future follow on work may include the development of an AM process to produce prototype test articles for evaluation by CPS. 2.2 Delivery Period: Delivery of white paper is due by 8/31/24. 2.3 Limitations: Not Applicable 2.4 Security Requirements: Submitted white papers should identify any proprietary information and processes. It is essential that the white paper describe the capability to produce at the Secret Level. Requested Information The Program Office is interested in identifying potential producers of classified AM heavy metal components. In furtherance of this goal, the Program Office is interested in white papers from interested parties that will include: The respondent's experience and expertise with metal additive manufacturing The respondent's experience and expertise with additive manufacturing of heavy metals, such as Tungsten If applicable and able, respondents shall include a list of Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Justice (DoJ) or Department of Homeland Security (DoHS) programs of record that currently employ their solution. Include a sponsor POC for each program, with email address and phone number. The respondent's experience with manufacturing classified components The respondent's facilities for additive manufacturing of classified components 4.0 Responses 4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. 4.2 White papers in Microsoft Word for Office format are due no later than 31 August 2024 10:00 EST. Responses shall be submitted via e-mail only to Jacob.Plowman.ctr@ssp.navy.mil. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 4.3 Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum: 4.3.1 Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. 4.3.2 Recommended contracting strategy. 4.3.3 Either, 1) copies of executed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with the contractors supporting SSP and SSP supported PEOs and DRPMs in technical evaluations, or, 2) a statement that the respondee will not allow the Government to release its proprietary data to the Government support contractors. In the absence of either of the foregoing, the Government will assume that the respondee does NOT agree to the release of its submission to Government support contractors. 4.3.4 Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 333249, Other Industrial Machine Manufacturing. - Small business concern means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR part 121. A small business concern for the purposes of this procurement is generally defined as a business, including its affiliates, averaging no more than 500 employees. Respondees are cautioned, however, that this is a general description only. Additional standards and conditions apply. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. 4.3.5 The facility security clearance of the offeror. The number of pages in Section 1 of the white paper shall not be included in the 10-page limitation, i.e., the 10-page limitation applies only to Section 2 of the white paper. 4.4 Section 2 of the white paper shall answer the issues addressed in Section 3 of this RFI and shall be limited to 10 pages. 5.0 Industry Discussions SSP representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential offerors. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, especially any development and certification risks. 6.0 Questions Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Samuel Bouchelle, Samuel.Bouchelle@ssp.navy.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers to SAM.gov; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 26 August 2024 will be answered. 7.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide classified AM heavy metal components. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Navy has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.