This is a DRAFT RFP in accordance with FAR 5.205(c). Comments or questions to this DRAFT RFP will not be answered.

The Office of Naval Research in Arlington, VA intends to procure research and development services for the operation of the Naval Shipbuilding and Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence III (NSAM III) under the Navy Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program. This requirement will be solicited as a full and open FAR Part 15 competitive source selection using best value tradeoff procedures. The Government anticipates a single award IDIQ cost plus fixed fee contract for a period of 60 months, consisting of a two year base period, and three – one year option periods; with an additional option to extend six months in accordance with FAR 52.217-8. The Government currently anticipates a solicitation release date on or about March 29, 2024. The NAICS code for this requirement is 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).

This notice is in accordance with FAR Section 5.205(c) and is not to be considered a request for proposal (RFP). All responsible sources may submit a proposal for consideration in response to the final request for proposal (RFP) when it is solicited. The RFP will be posted under solicitation number N0001424R0002. Paper copies of the RFP will not be physically issued, and telephone, faxed or emailed requests for the RFP will not be accepted. Once the RFP is issued, it is imperative to review the SAM.gov site frequently for any updates and/or amendments.

For purposes of this SAM.gov DRAFT RFP the following fields are required to post to SAM.gov:

A response date is a required field. However, no response to this DRAFT RFP is required.

Place of Performance City and State are required fields and listed as Arlington, VA. At time of proposal submission, responsible sources will propose place of performance.

The final Statement of Work (SOW) will be provided in the solicitation posting. This requirement is for the following services as described more thoroughly in the Draft SOW attached:

The core mission and function of the NSAM COE is to identify, develop, and facilitate the deployment of advance manufacturing technologies, to U.S. shipyards and other industrial facilities producing and supporting sustainment activities of naval platforms. These advanced shipbuilding and manufacturing technologies will help reduce the cost and time to build and sustain key naval platforms. The primary focus of the Center is expected to be on shipbuilding and shipyard improvements as reflected in the current Navy ManTech Investment Strategy which is focused largely on submarine, carrier, and surface combatant platforms. However, since the current ManTech Investment Strategy also includes the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, projects intended to help aircraft assembly and fabrication may be developed and executed through the NSAM COE as well. Based on the current Navy ManTech Investment Strategy, it is anticipated that 60-65% of projects and funding would be directed towards shipbuilding-related efforts, with the balance directed towards aircraft assembly, sustainment technologies and capability acceleration related efforts. However, as the Navy ManTech Investment Strategy is updated annually, the percentage of work assigned to various platforms is expected to vary over time.

In accomplishing its mission, the NSAM COE will work closely with the Navy’s acquisition community as well as Navy shipyards and other relevant industrial facilities to identify manufacturing technology issues that negatively impact shipyard or facility output or products, with respect to both cycle-time and cost. The NSAM COE will then solicit, select, award, and manage projects to address the identified cycletime and cost reduction issues.

Types of technology areas include in order of priority, but are not limited to, the following:

Design for Producibility/Design for Manufacturability

Model-based tools/processes, and approaches to optimize producibility in a digital manufacturing ecosystem (i.e. Digital Twin/Thread, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, ability to efficiently and effectively reuse and repurpose data for

production/repair and sustainment.)

Development of build/assembly strategies

Intelligent manufacturing planning and factory execution

Development of more efficient structural fabrication processes and/or product lines (i.e. 3D Printing, Hybrid Additive, Casting, Welding, etc..)

Elimination of inefficiencies in design optimization, material usage, labor utilization, work flow, by utilization of automation and robotics

Supply chain procedures and improvements, such as network centric manufacturing capabilities to facilitate resilient and adaptable supply chains

Modeling and Simulation technologies in support of the digital manufacturing ecosystem

Streamlining of outfitting operations

Prediction and reduction of weld distortion

Technologies for inspection and quality control.

Other applicable emerging manufacturing technologies

The Contractor will operate and manage the NSAM COE in its mission to develop naval platform-related manufacturing technologies and transition the technology for implementation in U.S. shipyards and other industrial facilities. In addition to

accomplishing the NSAM COE’s core mission, the Contractor shall manage, operate, sustain, and enhance the NSAM COE's ability to function as an ONR ManTech Center of Excellence.