SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Integrated Underwater Hull Shield
- Notice Date
- 4/1/2011
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave. S.W., Washington, District of Columbia, 20375
- ZIP Code
- 20375
- Solicitation Number
- NRL-11-MR03
- Archive Date
- 6/3/2012
- Point of Contact
- Melissa E. Rivera-Weedin, Phone: 2024043558
- E-Mail Address
-
Melissa.Rivera-Weedin@nrl.navy.mil
(Melissa.Rivera-Weedin@nrl.navy.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This publication constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) and no formal Request for Proposals (RFP), solicitation, or additional information regarding this request will be issued. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) will not issue paper copies of this request. The responses to this RFI will be considered in the planning and definition of Maintenance Free Ship Technologies programs. This is not a commitment to fund any effort submitted in response to this request. The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with the development and submission of materials in response to this request. The underwater hulls of U. S. Navy ships have three (3) key components for corrosion and biological fouling control: •(1) Cathodic Protection (CP) to protect exposed metallic materials •(2) An anti-corrosion coating (AC) system to reduce exposed bare metallic surface area •(3) An anti-fouling (AF) coating system to minimize the effects of biological growth that increases drag and correspondingly fuel consumption. From a hull maintenance perspective, each is an independent system having a straight forward function and purpose. The goal of the Maintenance Free Ship Technologies program is to eliminate the need for paint and corrosion related maintenance by technological advancements that combine these three (3) components into one integrated underwater hull system which has been identified, in concept, as the Integrated Underwater Hull Shield (IUHS). It is the purpose of this RFI to identify component technologies for the IUHS. Navy hulls generally utilize an impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system to provide sufficient levels of protection throughout the ship life-cycle. ICCP technology has only recently moved from simple analog power supply systems to more advanced computerized systems and simple power supply components. While the basic functionality of the ICCP system has changed little relative to the cathodic protection function, new developments in software control and computational aspects offer a multitude of new capabilities for prognostics, enhanced control, and force protection through real-time underwater sensing. Current ICCP systems may be effective as stand-alone corrosion control systems using simple point source anodes, but they have a significant and measurable contribution to the non-acoustic signature. The approach proposed here is for replacement for the current ICCP system that would incorporate CP protection, eliminate AF and AC hull coatings and the attendant dry-docking for recoating. Advanced control capabilities would be required and may be exercised to operate the integrated system in CP or AF modes independently or concurrently. Anti-corrosion (AC) and Anti-fouling (AF) coatings are standard systems applied to every hull and have a combined life of 10-12 years. Since longer lasting AC coatings are readily available, underwater hull husbandry (cleaning and recoating) is mostly governed by the life of the AF coating system. Hull cleaning occurs periodically during the 10-12 year period to rejuvenate the AF surfaces in order to reduce the effects of biological growth induced drag. Both the recoating and the periodic cleanings are costly and have become increasingly important with rising fuel costs and emphasis on Navy energy usage. In addition, components of existing AF coatings have been subject to increased regulation. Tri-butyl tin AF systems were globally banned due to concerns of persistent environmental toxicity and current ablative copper systems which is in use by the Navy. This remains under scrutiny by the EPA and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). While new technology, such as silicone easy release systems and co-biocide resins are under development, no effective and lasting system has been identified. The IUHS will have an antifoulant (AF) component: The system is envisioned to operate in the AF mode periodically such that low levels of brominated halogens (highly biocidal) are generated at the hull anode surfaces at a defined rate and time. Testing has shown the even 0.2 ppm for only two hours per day is an effective treatment. Note, this concept is currently used for the biofouling control of U.S. Navy ships. The IUHS should not produce a higher level of promainated halogens than the existing systems. Some key technologies of interest that are anticipated to be necessary for the implementation of IUHS are: •(1) Dynamic system control that provides control of anodes and other system components •(2) Materials for permanent anodes •(3) Electrical disinfection system •(4) Electrolytic antifouling systems •(5) Diagnostic/prognostic tools for the integrated system and for individual components •(6) Multipurpose anodes design •(7) Anode grouping concepts and design including ability to provide coverage and address electrical connectivity issues •(8) Control for concurrent vs. selective operation (single model or multiple mode operation of the integrated system) •· All three prevention modes running •· Selective prevention modes running according to conditions This list is not meant to be exhaustive in nature. NRL is interested in white papers that address both the entire IUHS and components of the IUHS. Collaboration and teaming between groups is encouraged to achieve the technical goals and manufacturing capability. In concert with consideration of new technology and designs, the Navy has established goals which will also govern the development options. While Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or 5 systems are not necessary, the development plans have been established with the intent of making prototype technologies available for testing purposes during the Fiscal Year 2012. An Industry Day will be held on Tuesday May 3, 2011 to provide additional information and discussion on this topic. Details and registration information may be found at https://secure.onr.navy.mil/events/regdetail.asp?cid=732. Attendance is voluntary and not required to respond to this RFI. Registration is required to attend the Industry Day. Time will be allowed during the industry day for potential offerors to interface with other interested commercial and academic parties. Time will be allowed during the industry day for one-on-one discussions with Navy technical representatives. Submissions To minimize costs to potential contractors in responding to the subject announcement, each contractor is encouraged to submit an initial White Paper of no more than five (5) pages in length for each specific technology offered. A single source may submit multiple White Papers. White Papers may be submitted via e-mail to the Points of Contact Listed below. Alternatively, hard copies (1 original + 2 copies) may be mailed to the Points of Contact. All White Papers must be received by the requested due date (3 June 2011). Technology maturity and manufacturing capability shall be included. Each source should also provide a two (2) page maximum resume or c urriculum vitae for the Principal Investigator. Immediate questions and responses to this sources sought should be transmitted via email to Melissa.Rivera-Weedin@nrl.navy.mil in either Microsoft Word or pdf format. All responses shall be received on or before the response date noted above, 12:00 Noon, Eastern time. If paper copies are sent, they must be received at Naval Research Laboratory, Attn: Melissa Rivera-Weedin (Code 3220.mr), 4555 Overlook Ave, SW, Washington, D.C. 20375-5320. The package should be marked with the RFI Number, due date and time. The U.S. Postal Service continues to irradiate letters, flats, Express and Priority Mail with stamps for postage and other packages with stamps for postage destined to government agencies in the ZIP Code ranges 202 through 205. Due to potential delays in receiving mail, offerors are encouraged to use alternatives to the mail when submitting proposals. Other business opportunities for NRL are available at our website http://heron.nrl.navy.mil/contracts/rfplist.htm
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DON/ONR/N00173/NRL-11-MR03/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Contractor's Facility, United States
- Record
- SN02415165-W 20110403/110401234540-a0f02bf103cd63fb43ef48a690b9e072 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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