THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This is not a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, bids, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability, capability, expertise and potential collaboration in glass bubble, hollow glass sphere, and glass micro-balloon technologies of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement. Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method. The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification (service disabled veteran owned small business, veteran owned small business, HUBZone, 8(a), small disadvantage business, small business, or large business) relative to industries with experience in glass bubbles, hollow spheres, and lab equipment. Responses to this notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. Interested parties shall provide an overview of their firm's capabilities, expertise, how they can meet this requirement along with past experience including examples of projects similar in scope to this project. Each submittal shall also include the following business information: a. DUNS number b. Organization Name c. Organization Address d. Point of Contact (including name, title, addresses, telephone number, fax number and Email address) e. Business size f. Socio-economic status ( IF SDVOSB or VOSB - provide SDVOSB or VOSB CVE verification) g. Is it on GSA/FSS or SEWP Schedule? If yes, please provide the Contract #. Firms shall identify whether or not they are a small business or other than small business in accordance with the size standard. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. BACKGROUND OF REQUIREMENT FOR THE NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER (NSWC) CORONA: The innovative Projects Branch at NSWC, Corona is seeking to informally identify companies to collaborate with to perform research and development in the area of glass bubble, hollow glass sphere, glass micro-balloon technologies. A new method to create high strength cellular structures by heating hollow glass spheres has been developed by NSWC, Corona and provisionally patented US 13/428,740. Initial experimental results show benchmark energy absorbing capacity, high strength, and low density. Qualified collaborators MAY have an opportunity to partner with NSWC, Corona via a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). The ability to connect with Federal lab expertise, option to obtain rights to commercialize the results of government or joint R&D as well as development of cellular solids optimized for various military and non-military applications are expected outcomes of the CRADA. The legal authority for this cooperative research effort is the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, codified on 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. Responses to this notice will be used to determine capacity and expertise of commercial entities in the technology field. Potential collaborators will be evaluated on quality of hollow glass sphere material. High strength low density material is most desirable. Responses shall be e-mailed to
[email protected] .Responses must be received in writing no later than January 15, 2014, 4:00pm PST. This notice is to assist NSWC, Corona in determining qualified sources only. A solicitation is not currently available. If a solicitation is issued, it will be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this announcement. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice are not considered adequate responses to any future solicitation announcements. Responses to this notice are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of future solicitations.