Ultrasonic Probes for In Situ Monitoring of Manufacturing Processes

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Ultrasonic Probes for In Situ Monitoring of Manufacturing Processes United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center Description The United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center in support of the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments & Ammunition is seeking information from potential sources, including Government, Commercial, and Academic entities on how an interested vendor could develop and test ultrasonic technology for the use in the Energetics manufacturing and characterization. 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 promise to issue an RFP or in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Issuance of this notice does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure these items or to issue a solicitation. Responses to this notice cannot be accepted as offers. Further, the Army is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government arises as a result of submitting responses to this RFI or the Government's use of submitted information; 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. Any information the vendor considers proprietary or confidential business information should be clearly marked as such. Responses to this RFI that indicate information therein is proprietary or represents confidential business information will be received and held in confidence for use by U.S. Government and support contractors as described herein. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change. The Government is under no obligation to revise any aspect of this RFI should any information herein change. The Government will provide any additional information and issue any additional requests for information at its sole discretion. Background Many material manufacturing processes currently are - black boxes where inputs and outputs are known, but the process itself is poorly understood. This is because probing them is difficult at the required time resolution. Furthermore, the material itself can add difficulties. For example, when the material in question is energetic or otherwise volatile, hazards associated with probing the material with high energy become important considerations. Fortunately, ultrasonic technology has proven itself to be capable of addressing these concerns while providing a wealth of information about a variety of manufacturing processes. Ultrasonic probes measure both speed of sound and attenuation at various frequencies, which combined can allow for the following properties to be measured: 1. Young's modulus, 2. porosity, 3. voids, 4. component concentration changes 5. glass transition and crystallization, 6. particle/crystal size, 7. pressability, 8. thermal characterization (e.g. expansion) 9. phase changes Ultrasonic probes also require little energy and can be used with even the most delicate and hazardous materials. Ultrasound also has the added benefit of passing through metals which can be challenging for other types of measurement techniques, such as those based on optics. The government is seeking information from interested Government, Commercial, and Academic vendors as to whether the government needs can be currently addressed adequately. The vendor(s) should be able to produce an ultrasonic probe, demonstrate that it is effective and safe for use in energetics manufacturing (class 1 /div 1 certification) and show that it is effective for use on energetic materials, and importantly, in representative manufacturing environments. Use of subcontractors is acceptable for this effort. Exact, or near exact duplication of manufacturing environment and energetic formulations of interest is critical. Energetic formulations of interest include LX-14, Comp A-5, Comp B, and PBXN-5. Gun/Rocket/Pyrotechnic formulations are also critical. Requested Information Name of Manufacturer, CAGE, address, POC Experience with Energetics manufacturing Experience with ultrasonics Proposed use of subcontractors Ability to replicate energetic manufacturing and formulations of interest Ability to demonstrate reliability and safety of probe. Very general proposal detailing how a sample project could be undertaken. Response Format Instructions Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. Responses to this RFI shall be UNCLASSIFIED. White papers shall be submitted in Microsoft Word format. White Papers shall be no more than ten (10) pages, excluding Section One. Each side of a double-sided page counts when printed. Pages submitted in excess of the response page limit will not be read or reviewed. 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. Section One should include the following at a minimum. RFI title and response title. Administrative information Company Name Mailing Address Overnight Delivery Address (if different from mailing address) Point of Contact CAGE Code DUNS Number Phone Number and E-mail Address Web Page URL North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes Small Business (Y/N): Veteran Owned Small Business (Y/N): Woman Owned Small Business (Y/N): Service Disabled Small Business (Y/N): Small Disadvantaged Business (Y/N): Central Contractor Registration (Y/N): 8(a) Certified (Y/N): Company Ownership (U.S.), (Y/N): HUBZONE Certified (Y/N): Note: Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19 for detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. Recommended contracting strategy. 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 541512, Computer Systems Design Services. The facility security clearance of the offeror. Section Two should include the following at a minimum: Background including experience with Energetics manufacturing and ultrasonics. Capabilities including: 1) ability to replicate energetic manufacturing and formulations of interest, and 2) ability to demonstrate reliability and safety of probe. Proposed use of subcontractors. General overview detailing how a sample project could be undertaken. 5.0 Submission Instruction Submissions shall be submitted electronically via email to the following address. Vendors can choose to send the email encrypted or unencrypted. If a Vendor chooses to encrypt the email, send a separate email follow up with the encrypted password to rajen.b.patel.civ@mail.mil. NOTES: Do not send hardcopies of Responses (including facsimiles), as only electronic submissions will be accepted and reviewed. Do not attach ZIP files or lock or encrypt the file you submit, or attach password-protected files. The Government will scan all files submitted and if a virus is detected, it may be grounds for rejection of the Response. The Response should be a single file, including Gantt or other work plan charts and attachments/enclosures. Send each Response separately. Cost data is not required in the response to this RFI. Responses to this RFI must be sent via email to rajen.b.patel.civ@mail.mil no later than 01 April 2021. When submitting questions, include the following in the subject line of your email: - RFI Ultrasonic Probes Questions. 6.0 Industry Discussions CCDC-AC 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. 7.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide Ultrasonic Probes for In Situ Monitoring of Manufacturing Processes. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Army 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. NOTICE: Vendors are advised the Government may utilize support contractors/non-Government personnel to assist in collecting and reviewing market information. Proprietary information submitted in response this RFI will be protected from unauthorized disclosure as required by Subsection 27 of the Office of Procurement Policy Act as amended (41 U.S.C. 423) (hereinafter referred to as - the Act) as implemented in the FAR. These companies are bound contractually by Organizational Conflict of Interest and non-disclosure clauses with respect to proprietary information. Supporting contractor personnel are procurement officials within the meaning of the Act and will take all necessary action to preclude unauthorized use or disclosure of vendor's proprietary data. Please acknowledge, in your response, your understanding and acceptance of support contractor personnel having access to the information you are submitting.