SOURCES SOUGHT - LENS CLEANING SYTSTEM

This synopsis is being posted to both the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) page located at http://www.fbo.gov/ and the Navy Electronic Commerce on Line (NECO) site located at https://www.neco.navy.mil/ While it is understood that FBO is the single point of entry for posting of synopsis and solicitations to the internet, NECO is the alternative in case FBO is unavailable. Please feel free to use either site to access information posted by NSWC Crane. MARKET SURVEY – SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS - The United States Government (USG) is issuing this sources-sought announcement as part of a market survey. The Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane) is seeking inputs from parties interested in supplying a remotely operated lens cleaning system for potential incorporation into existing and future military tower mounted surveillance system programs. The lens cleaning system is needed to ensure unobstructed visibility, optimum utilization of optics performance, range, and help eliminate the operational down time with unplanned maintenance actions. The lens cleaning system must be able to provide on demand, non-abrasive cleaning for systems with lenses mounted on fixed or telescoping towers of various heights up to 107 feet. Lenses to be cleaned may operate in visible through long-wave infrared and should be expected to have coatings. Neither lenses nor coatings can be damaged during cleaning. Ideally the lens cleaning solution or supplemental reservoir would be located at the base of the tower to allow ease of access and replenishment of cleaning solutions to the system, and to reduce weight aloft. Specific areas of interest/requirements for the proposed system are provided as an attachment 1 to this announcement. All interested parties should submit an initial synopsis (commonly referred to as "white paper") following format outlined in attachment 1. Offerors should submit the white papers electronically to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane point of contact below NLT 02:00 PM EDT 22 July 2011. White papers may be submitted any time prior to expiration of this announcement. Submittals after this date will still be accepted, although there is no guarantee they will be evaluated. ALL RESPONSES SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL This announcement does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the Government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses to this notice cannot be accepted as offers. The U. S. Government is in no way liable to pay for or reimburse any companies or entities that respond to this announcement. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed. Nothing in this announcement constitutes an obligation on the part of the U.S. Government. Any information provided that is marked as proprietary information will be safeguarded to prevent disclosures to non-government personnel and entities. The Government may elect to visit, or host a visit, from any potential sources following the market survey. Your interest in this program is appreciated. Responses to this RFI should be submitted via email no later than 22 July 2011 to Robert Sandage (Technical Point of Contact) via e-mail: contact@example.gov (Technical Point of Contact), phone +1 (555) 000-0000; and a courtesy copy to Lorna Tribby (Contract Specialist) via e-mail : contact@example.gov, Phone +1 (555) 000-0000. Limit white paper responses to 15 pages written (Times New Roman, 12 font) or MS PowerPoint slides. If necessary, additional pages for technical drawings are allowed. Responses to all or part of the above RFI will be accepted. Proprietary information shall be clearly marked. The Government will NOT be responsible for any proprietary information not clearly marked. Responses to the RFI shall include the following: Submitter's Name Street Address, City, State, NINE-Digit zip code Point of Contact (POC) POC Telephone and facsimile numbers Announcement Number: N00164-11-S-NB08 Interested parties may also submit supplemental hardcopy materials such as brochures, CDs, etc. to Robert Sandage, Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Bldg. 3291, 300 Highway 361 Crane, IN. Additional material provided do not count towards the 15 page limit for the white paper submittal. Responses from Small and Small Disadvantaged Business firms are highly encouraged. Firms responding should indicate if they are a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, 8(a) firms, historically black colleges or universities, and minority institutions. Responses received after 18 July 2011 may not be considered in the government's analyses. You may submit corporate expertise information if you would like to be considered a possible interested source. We may contact RFI respondents to get clarification on the information submitted. The following point of contact is provided for information regarding technical issues: Mr. Robert Sandage, email contact@example.gov , phone +1 (555) 000-0000. NSWC Crane Contracting Office Point of Contact is contact@example.gov, Phone +1 (555) 000-0000.Please reference announcement number N00164-11-S-NB09 in all correspondence and communications.