REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – Real Time Radiography for Solid Rocket Motor Static Firing

The Government is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) as part of market research for Real-Time Radiography (RTR) instrumentation during a solid rocket motor static firing at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), China Lake, California.

ALL qualified businesses are encouraged to respond.

The anticipated NAICS Code for this procurement is 541380. The Product Service Code is anticipated to be 6635.

Description: NAWCWD Code D551000 is seeking information on capabilities to capture video or near standard video rate Real-Time Radiography images of a solid rocket motor during static firing at NAWCWD, China Lake.

Background: NAWCWD routinely conducts static firings of solid rocket motors at China Lake. There is interest in applying Real-Time Radiographic (RTR) techniques to assess solid rocket motor propellant grain recession, insulation erosion, nozzle erosion, and aluminum/aluminum oxide residue (a.k.a, slag) agglomeration.

Period of Performance (Estimated): July 1, 2023 July 1, 2024

Limitations: Must be capable of capturing and processing Confidential information, at minimum (Secret preferred).

Security Requirements: Possess DD254 and capability to record and process Confidential (THR)/Secret (OBJ) information.

Summary: NAWCWD's intent is to obtain information for the potential procurement of services to provide Real-Time Radiography instrumentation during solid rocket motor static firings of rocket motors between 7 DIA and 24 DIA and 100 or more in length. The solid rocket motors are can be encased in metallic or composite motor cases and are filled with a rubberized solid propellant and insulation system. The rubber solid propellant is loaded with a solid oxidizer and often with 18% to 20% powdered aluminum for added performance. NAWCWD is interested in capturing and recording solid rocket combustion chamber start-up, burn back and tail-off conditions. Optimally, NAWCWD would like 2-2T resolution in either a metal or composite case for the range of diameters, a field of view of at least 1 foot and the potential to view 2 locations simultaneously during a single firing. Experience instrumenting similar rocket motor static firings and capturing/recording/transferring classified data to Government agencies is preferred.

At the current time, NO FUNDING IS AVAILABLE for contractual efforts. This RFI 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 in any form are not offers and the Government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement. The United States 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.

Email submissions in response to this RFI WILL be accepted, please submit to agapito.santana.civ@us.navy.mil, christopher.a.purvis6.civ@us.navy.mil, and juan.p.hernandez.civ@us.navy.mil. Fax submissions and telephone conversations in response to this RFI WILL NOT be accepted. Questions or comments regarding this notice may be addressed to Agapito Santana and Chris Purvis.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all submitted materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All government and contractor personal reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.