The NSRP Advanced Shipbuilding Enterprise (ASE) Program is interested in receiving proposals (technical and cost) on the research effort described below. The NSRP ASE program goal is to reduce the cost of building and maintaining U.S. Navy warships. To accomplish this, NSRP ASE is focused on industry-wide implementation of solutions to common cost drivers - solutions to consensus priority issues that exhibit a compelling business case to improve the efficiency of the U.S. Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry. Solutions include both leverage of best commercial practices and creation of industry-specific initiatives. Aggressive technology transfer to, and buy-in by, multiple U.S. shipyards is a requirement of all funded efforts. Successful projects are those that clearly reduce total ownership costs with benefits that can be delivered by varied combinations of cost reductions in acquisition and fleet life-cycle costs, thereby enabling the Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan: Identification of specific cost reduction manifestation is an important element of NSRP ASE. The complete Research Announcement (RA) is posted at www.nsrp.org along with associated proposal guidance, forms, and sample contracts. This announcement is issued to solicit proposals for research, development and implementation of best practices across the following major initiative areas in U.S. shipyards: Shipyard Production Process Technologies; Business Process Technologies; Product Design and Material Technologies; Systems Technology; Facilities, Tooling, and Risk Management; and Crosscut Initiatives. These major initiatives are described in detail in the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) located at www.nsrp.org. Offerors are strongly advised to read the SIP in order to gain a greater understanding of the sub-initiative areas detailed below. Because the program major initiatives are closely tied to each other, proposals may be submitted with a scope that represents integrated efforts across several major initiative and/or sub-initiative areas. The Research Announcement will be modified as necessary to reflect changes in industry and/or government priorities. Potential proposers are reminded that there are several requirements incorporated in NSRP Research Announcements beginning in 2004 that bear particular attention, including cost share requirements and project metrics. Full Proposals in response to this RA must be received by January 23, 2008 12:00 PM (noon) Eastern Time, addressed to NSRP ASE Program Administrator, Advanced Technology Institute, 5300 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29418, Attn: Ms. Melanie Ridenhour, ATI Contracts Department. Questions related to this RA should be directed to the NSRP ASE Program Office, Advanced Technology Institute, Attn: Ms. Melanie Ridenhour, 5300 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29418, (843) 760-3366, E-mail
[email protected].