Carderock Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Bethesda, Md 20084-5000

A -- MECHANICAL SHIP HULL PAINT APPLICATION SYSTEM FOR USE IN DRYDOCK SOL N00167-97-SS-R1 DUE 052797 POC Laura Rider, Code 3324, Contract Specialist, (301) 227-5821/Contracting Officer, Darrell Bachman The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, is requesting SOURCES SOUGHT information from qualified Paint System or Automation System Contractors having design and/or operational experience for an automated mechanical system which will spray Epoxy Anti-corrosive Paint and Ablative Anti-fouling Paint on ship hulls while in dry dock. The goal of the system is to apply an even thickness of paint to the entire hull surface. The dry dock paint application system will be moved along the dry dock floor while an automated spray head positions a paint spray nozzle (or array of nozzles) at the hull surface. Multiple coats of paint will be applied, therefore, the paint spray head may not touch the surface, so that prior coats of paint are not disturbed. The hull surface is non-uniform, therefore the system must be able to sense changes in hull surface characeristics and respond appropriately. The spray head must be kept at a constant offset distance from the hull, and moved such that the paint is applied evenly, according to Navy specifications. The system should be controllable so that areas of the hull may be targeted for paint application or avoided according to specified contraints. Respondents should supply the following information: (1) Experience: Provide examples of tasks performed within the last three years which demonstrate design and/or operational experience of automated mechanical systems which are related to spraying Epoxy Anti-corrosive Paint and Ablative Anti-fouling Paint on ship hulls while in dry dock; (2) Provide an assessment of the equipment available to meet the operational requirements of this application and provide a description of equipment which would be modified or made adaptable to meet the operational requirements of this application; (3) Provide an assessment of the technology available to meet these operational requirements. When responding, submit two copies and reference the sources sought number N00167-97-SS-R1. The requiring activity is in the planning process andis seeking information only from potential sources relative to the operational reqluirements of this application; therefore, there is no formal structured requirement at this time. Acknowledgment of receipt of response will not be made, and respondents to this notice will not be notified of the results of the Naval Surface Warfare Center's evaluation of the information submitted. This notice is for information purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreements. This requirement is listed under Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) COde 8711 and annual receipts of $9M is the maximum allowed for a concern, including its affiliates, to be considered a small business. All respondents are requrested to indicate their current size status: Large Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women-Owned Business, 8(a), or Historically Black College or University/Minority Institution (HBCU/MI) in their response. Submit responses to: Attn: Code 3324 (Laura Rider), Naval SurfaceWarfare Center, Carderock Division, 9500 MacArthur Boulevard, West Bethesda, MD 20084-5000. Technical questions can be addressed to Mr. Gerry Bohlander at (301) 227-4498 or (410) 293-3354. (0100)

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