N00164-15-S-NB03 - BROAD AREA CRADA ANNOUNCEMENT (BACA) FOR COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES IN CHARACTERIZATION AND MICROCALORIMETRY ANALYSIS OF HYDROXYLAMMONIUM NITRATE (HAN) BASED ENERGETIC MATERIALS - PSC AC2 - NAICS 325180 ISSUE DATE 30 OCT 2014 - CLOSING DATE 14 NOV 2014 - TIME 4:00PM EASTERN Special Notice: The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), through its Specialized Munitions Division is the premier DoD facility for energetic material compatibility and storage studies involving heat flow calorimetry (HFC). Additionally, the Specialized Munitions Division collaborates with academia and industry on projects that create jointly beneficial partnerships. NSWC Crane is interested in joint research and development in the characterization and microcalorimetry analysis of Hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) based energetic materials. NSWC Crane seeks Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) partners that possess the expertise, capabilities, facilities, and experience in this area to explore R&D opportunities with the Specialized Munitions Division. The specific areas to be explored are as follows: 1. Evaluation of metallic or nonmetallic specimens in contact with the energetic materials and effects on bulk properties of the energetic material, or effects on interactions with the coupons. Reported Methods, Instrumentation, and Procedure will be identified and/or modified for reliable prediction of safe storage and age-life assessment of HAN-based energetic formulations using calorimetric techniques. 2. Summarize recommended practices for analysis of coupons and HAN energetic compositions for their suitability and compatibility as tankage, components, or wetted parts in service for storage or use over time. 3. Identify and perform initial testing of HFC methods suitable for safe storage of energetic compositions. Perform energetic composition compatibility assessments with metallic and nonmetallic coupons using the jointly developed methods and means. This synopsis serves as a sources sought for CRADA participants and seeks information from companies capable of providing expertise, capabilities, facilities and experience in any of these fields and applications with respect to a CRADA effort. Any group that believes it has the ability to perform collaboration with NSWC Crane in these areas can identify its capabilities by submitting the information to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Science & Technology Division (Code QXN), Attn: Mr. Darrell Hewins, Bldg 2044, 300 Hwy 361, Crane, IN 47522 or
[email protected]. Responses are requested by close of business November 14, 2014. After reviewing the responses, NSWC Crane may request a meeting or teleconference with responding parties to gain further insight into their capabilities. NSWC Crane is not obligated to hold these meetings with any or all respondents. If NSWC Crane decides to meet with a party, it will only meet with those that responded to this notice. NSWC Crane will not reimburse costs for participation in these meetings or teleconferences. NSWC Crane reserves the right to enter into CRADA agreements with no, any or all respondents based upon NSWC Crane's judgment of the potential success of collaborative efforts. There may be a future acquisition directed to some or all of the capabilities which are the subject or focus of this research and development effort. Therefore NSWC Crane desires to avoid or mitigate unfair competitive advantages being conferred on any potential contractor or offeror as a result of CRADA efforts herein which actually or appear to compromise the integrity of the procurement process. In particular, NSWC Crane seeks to avoid or mitigate (1) -unequal access to information on Government needs and Warfighter evaluations of proprietary systems or improved versions resulting from this CRADA effort; (2) -impaired objectivity arising from CRADA partners' collaborative efforts with Government employees or Warfighters; and (3) -biased ground rules for a possible or potential future acquisition directed to a capability which may be a focus of this CRADA effort. This effort is expected to produce CRADA subject data deliverables which may be used to facilitate a possible follow-on acquisition using a Name Brand or Equal acquisition strategy, which is designed to ensure a fair competition while respecting the proprietary rights and previous investment of potential CRADA partners. This is not a procurement, nor a notice for such a procurement, and at this time there is no plan or funding for a follow-on procurement. The legal authority for this cooperative research effort is the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, codified in Title 15 United States Code, Section 3710a, et seq. Under a CRADA, the partner contributes funds, equipment, or in-kind services to the joint research effort, leveraging their efforts with those of the federal agency for a mission-related objective. At Government discretion, subject data deliverables and inventions delivered under any CRADA agreement may be used in future competitive acquisitions.