This is a Request for Information issued by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), soliciting industry interest, input and capabilities for the development of rapid cure coatings for use by the US Navy for corrosion control and protection of shipboard ballast, fuel, Combined Holding Tanks (CHT) and potable water tanks. Significant Navy forces and resources are spent in the maintenance of the Ships within the Fleet. Current coatings technology being used by the US Navy for the preservation of tanks is limited primarily to two (2) component solvent-free epoxy coatings. These coatings have significant disadvantages, in that: a) current coatings require 8-12 hours (cure to walk-on) of controlled environmental conditions and ventilation to assure proper cure and minimal damage to freshly applied system. Such requirements place considerable time constraints on adjacent application and preservation activities do to risks associated with possible damage to freshly applied coating in neighboring tanks or spaces. b) the cumulative time requirements associated with conventional coatings results in a significant portion of current ship's availability period dedicated to the allowance of proper coating curing. c) the physical application parameters of existing coatings are not ideal when considering typical Navy shipyard locations and applications conditions. Therefore, the Navy, under the Office of Naval Research (ONR), has a desire to investigate the availability and/or development of "rapid cure" coatings for shipboard tank applications meeting these desired performance standards. Applicable coatings properties to include: application under current industrial practices, as are present in a shipbuilding and ship repair environment; application using commercially available plural component equipment, as is currently employed in industrial operations to include shipyards, general construction or infrastructure maintenance; Rapid Cure coating systems, consisting of rigid (non-elastomeric) epoxy, polyurea, polyurethane, or polyurethane hybrids, wherein, the cured system exhibits performance criteria to include the following properties: 1) performance criteria, as outlined in MIL-PRF-23236B (SH), 2) cure to walk-on times ranging from 5 seconds to 30 minutes at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, Fully cured for service optimally @ 1 day, at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, 3) solvent free (95 g/l or less), 4) free of aromatic amines (methylene dianiline), 5) minimum of 70 percent edge retention at 12 mils DFT on a 1.0 mm radius applied in one-pass, 6) simple plural component mix ratios (i.e., 1:1, or 2:1), 7) suitable for seawater ballast, fuel and potable water tank application (to include NSF approval), compensated fuel/seawater, and combined holding transfer(CHT) tanks. Additionally, systems designed for exterior applications are also being sought. Coatings of interest need to exhibit application and performance properties as generally demonstrated by the current commercial industrial coatings employed for the preservation of steel and aluminum surfaces against corrosion in a seawater environment. The coatings shall not require specialized surface preparation and or application criteria beyond those currently outlined in the U.S. Navy's, Naval Ship's Technical Manual (NSTM) chapter 631 or outlined in Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Standard 009-32 for abrasive blast cleaning and coating application. In addition the coatings shall possess the ability to provide optimum performance under the application range of 18-30 mils Dry Film Thickness (DFT). All coatings shall also have the option of a repair material for touch-up of damaged areas, as is required for areas where routine maintenance and or structural repairs have been performed. As a result, this Request for Information is being issued for the purpose of identifying those companies with appropriate expertise that might be interested in responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the collaborative development of corrosion control coatings, similar to those discussed in the aforementioned text. Additional information on the Navy's corrosion control coatings requirements can be obtained from Mr. Arthur A. Webb at NRL. Should an RFP be issued for the development of corrosion control coatings for the Navy, it is anticipated that costs for development would be shared between the Navy and the contractor. This notice is being issued to help determine whether the Navy should proceed with a formal request for proposals. Should interest be determined sufficient, a formal request for proposals may be forthcoming. Offers should address as a minimum the following criteria: (1) capability and experience in the formulation, production and/or development of rapid cure corrosion control coatings, and (2) understanding of application and performance issues regarding surface preparation and coating application conditions as present in a shipbuilding/repair environment. Offers are also requested to provide rough-order-of-magnitude estimates of the cost to develop the various coatings technologies, as well as estimated development time frame. Such estimates would be non-binding on the offers. This announcement is a request for information and no contract will be awarded pursuant to this announcement. The requested information is for planning purposes and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued nor will the government pay for the information solicited. All information and data received in response to this Request for Information marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be fully protected and held in strict confidence. Responses to this notice should be provided in writing to Naval Research Laboratory, ATTN: Mr. James Martin, Code 6138, P.O. Box 1759, Key West, FL 33040-1739 and copied to Naval Research Laboratory, ATTN: Mr. Arthur A. Webb, Code 6130, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375-5342. All responses must be in writing. The FAX number is (305) 293-4213 and the e-mail address is:
[email protected] and
[email protected]. No telephone responses will be accepted.