Description:
OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sustainment
OBJECTIVE: NAVSEA is seeking proposals for commercial technology to address Navy needs regarding sustainment and obsolescence.
DESCRIPTION: NAVSEA requests proposals for existing technology demonstration platforms, prototypes, and commercial products that will reliably and safely get Navy assets back in the field as quickly as possible. For Phase I awardees, NAVSEA will provide an operational context which technologies will be assessed against and provide feedback and guidance on enhancements to align with the Fleet’s warfighting objectives. The proposing small business concern should have an existing solution, either hardware and/or software, which can be evaluated through operational experimentation with end users.
As stated in the instruction, only one proposal from a single small business concern will be accepted for this topic.
Areas of focus for potential projects include, but are not limited to:
1. Material Quality, Readiness, and Availability
2. AI/ML Generated Work Instructions
3. Additive Manufacturing Tools and Processes Advancements (afloat and ashore applications)
4. Cold Spray Technology Advancements
5. Shipyard and Maintenance Operational Logistics Improvements
6. Rapid Manufacturing to address urgent part obsolescence needs
7. Digital Twins for system lifecycle sustainability and design evolution
PHASE I: The DoN is planning to issue multiple Phase I awards for this topic but reserves the right to issue no awards. Each Phase I proposal must include a Base and Option period of performance. The Phase I Base must have a period of performance of four (4) months at a cost not to exceed $75,000. The Phase I Option must have a period of performance of six (6) months at a cost not to exceed $100,000.
Phase I feasibility will describe the existing proposed technology, existing DoN system(s) to improve, modifications required, anticipated improvements to existing capabilities, impacts to current logistics, if any (i.e., transportation, storage, maintenance, safety, etc.), and transition approach to the DON system. Results of Phase I will be detailed in a final technical report (Final Report).
The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype solution in Phase II.
Phase I deliverables include:
• Kick-Off Briefing, due 15 days from start of Base award
• Final Report, due 120 days from start of Base award
• Quad Chart, due 120 days from start of Base award
• Initial Phase II Proposal, due 120 days from start of Base award
PHASE II: All Phase I awardees may submit an Initial Phase II proposal for evaluation and selection. The evaluation criteria for Phase II are the same as Phase I (as stated in this BAA). The Phase I Final Report and Initial Phase II Proposal will be used to evaluate the small business concern’s potential to adapt commercial products to fill a capability gap, improve performance, or modernize an existing capability for DoN and transition the technology to Phase III. Details on the due date, content, and submission requirements of the Initial Phase II Proposal will be provided by the awarding SYSCOM either in the Phase I contract or by subsequent notification.
The scope of the Phase II effort will be specific to each project but is generally expected to develop a functional prototype to demonstrate the capability, develop transition plan including production and fielding approach (including updated logistics and safety consideration) and further commercialization (non-DoD).
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Field capability and logistics support. Since the Navy is seeking commercial technologies, these technologies already have commercial applications.
REFERENCES:
- CSO Serial Four - Sustainable Acquisition and Procurement. https://www.secnav.navy.mil/Climate/Shared%20Documents/CSO%20Serial%20Four%20-%20Sustainable%20Acquisition%20and%20Procurement.pdf
- Navy’s data-driven approach to sustainment finds huge room for improvement in ship maintenance. https://federalnewsnetwork.com/on-dod/2022/06/navys-data-driven-approach-to-sustainment-finds-huge-room-for-improvement-in-ship-maintenance/
- Manufacturing woes could sink US sub fleet. Can 3D printing save it?. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2023/11/06/manufacturing-woes-could-sink-us-sub-fleet-can-3d-printing-save-it/
KEYWORDS: Sustainment; Obsolescence; AI/ML; Additive Manufacturing; Cold Spray; Shipyard Maintenance; Rapid Manufacturing; Digital Twin
