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The Naval Research Lab (NRL) is posting a Request for Information (RFI) and seeking potential sources for planning purposes only. This notice is not a formal Request for Proposal (RFP). No awards will be made from the responses to this announcement. The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with the development and submission of materials in response to this request. There is no solicitation available at this time. However, should a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NRL shall arise as a result of a response to this notice or NRL’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement. Inquiries for additional information other than that provided herein will receive no response.

Objective:

The Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Spacecraft Engineering Division is inquiring for potential sources that are capable of providing the below requirements:

The requirement is an RF-induction heated chemical vapor infiltration reactor capable of infiltrating C and SiC fiber preforms with C, SiC, M (MCl or MC, where M = Hf, Zr, Ti, Ta) and boron chloride to generate matrices for fiber reinforced ultra-high temperature ceramic composites. The system must be turn-key including gas delivery, chlorinators, by-product neutralization and post processing and other safety features.

Performance requirements and required features are:

• Process control software, which provides a user interface, real time process control, data logging, recipe generation and recipe editing


• Mass flow controlled gas lines


• Methyltrichlorosilane (CH3SiCl3) Precursor Handler


• Process chamber capable of processing parts 8”x8”x12” parts
  
  
  
  • Water cooled and vacuum rated chamber
  
  
  • Corrosion-resistant exhaust lines
  
  
  • Internal chlorinator, with space reserved for adding two chlorinators in the future
  
  
  • High purity heating elements capable of withstanding the corrosive environment
  
  
  • Uniform heating through working volume, with max T = 1600C
  
  
  • Vacuum system allowing for low pressure operation from 5-500 torr, and base pressure of
    
  
  


• Appropriate filters, gas valving, lines and fittings


• RF induction heated process chamber, with susceptor temperature monitored via thermocouples


• Safety features e.g. safety interlocks, leak detection, temperature alerts, manual resets and exhausted enclosures


• External gas delivery systems for CH4, H2, BCl3, NH3


• Exhaust gas conditioning system to continuously wet scrub and remove particles from the CVI process exhaust gas.


• On-site installation and start-up


• Factory training on system start-up, operation and maintenance


• Shipping to NRL

Contractor Response:

This is an initial posting related to this potential requirement. The intent of this Source Sought is to gauge industry interest, small business interest, capabilities and relevant experience to support NRL personnel in providing the supplies listed above. A small business set-aside decision may be made as a result of the responses to this RFI.

If your organization has the capability of providing these supplies NRL asks that interested parties, at a minimum, supply the following information in the form of a Capabilities Statement:

1. Business name and address;


2. Name of company representative, business title and email;


3. Telephone number, address, and e-mail address of POC


4. Large or Small Business Size and Type of Small Business (if applicable);


5. Cage Code;


6. UEID Number;


7. Interested businesses should submit a brief Capabilities Statement package (no more than five pages) demonstrating their ability to provide the supplies required under this posting. Demonstrated past performance providing similar supplies should be detailed, if applicable.

Submission of Information:

All information and data received in response to this posting marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be protected as such. Please include this notice number on all documents and email correspondence. Classified Material shall not be submitted. Please transmit responses by e-mail to Graham Irby, Contract Specialist, at Graham.Irby@nrl.navy.mil in either Microsoft Office or .pdf format. All responses must be received on or before the time specified in the announcement.

This is not a request for proposals. Phone solicitations or emails regarding the status of this sources sought will receive no response.

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