SAM #N0016426SNB96

Sources Sought for Regenerative Battery Cycler to Replace NHR 9200 Cyclers at NSWC Crane

NSWC Crane Division is seeking information from industry regarding a regenerative battery cycler system to replace its current NHR 9200 cyclers. - The system must be capable of testing and cycling large-scale lead-acid battery banks, including VRLA chemistries, for mission-critical and maritime applications. - Key technical requirements: - Voltage range: 1-40V - Current range: 0-3000A - Charge power: up to 40kW - Discharge power: up to 60kW - Input: 480VAC, 3-phase - Air cooling preferred - Regenerative discharge efficiency ≥90% - AC ripple <0.5% RMS - Voltage regulation ±0.5% - System must be modular, bi-directional DC source/load, scalable in parallel channels, and support multiple control modes (CV, CC, CP, pulsing). - Must integrate with National Instruments (NI) CompactRIO controllers and be LabVIEW compatible with IVI driver support. - Safety features required: internal contactors, hardware interlocks, reverse-polarity checking, programmable protection, watchdog timer. - Turnkey solution required, including all hardware, control software, environmental sensor integration, and safety interlocks. - Warranty, preventive maintenance, calibration (ISO/IEC 17025:2017), and technical support must be included. - No specific OEMs or vendors named; responses should detail company capabilities, technical documentation, and past performance. - This is a sources sought notice, not a solicitation or RFP; no funding is currently available.

Description

MARKET SURVEY - SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS: The Government is issuing this RFl/sources sought announcement as part of market survey to identify qualified sources capable of providing a regenerative battery cycler to replace NHR 9200 cyclers. This equipment will be utilized to test, cycle, and evaluate large-scale lead-acid battery systems to include VRLA chemistries. used in mission-critical facility backup and maritime applications.  To enable seamless regenerative discharge and recharge cycles, the equipment must function as a bi-directional DC source and load.

The Contractor shall provide a turnkey testing system, including all necessary power hardware, control software, environmental sensor integration, and safety interlocks required to safely cycle high-capacity lead-acid battery banks.

Interested sources must demonstrate the capability to provide a system that meets or exceeds the following specifications:

Electrical & Performance Specifications

Parameter

Required Specification

Voltage Range

1 - 40V

Current Range

0 - 3000A (Charge and Discharge)

Power Range (Charge)

0 - 40 kW

Power Range (Discharge)

0 - 60 kW

Facility Input Power

480 VAC, 3-Phase, 60 Hz, 80A

Cooling

Air Cooling is preferred

Regenerative Power Efficiency

Regenerative discharge capabilities of at least 90%

AC Ripple Limitation

AC ripple voltage imposed on the DC bus must be less than 0.5% RMS of the float voltage

Voltage Regulation Precision

Maintain a steady-state DC output voltage regulation of +/- 0.5% (or tighter) across all operating ranges, independent of line voltage fluctuations or rapid load transitions.

Design & Integration Capabilities

Feature

Requirement

System Architecture

Bi-directional DC source/load and battery cycling equipment utilizing a modular design.

Parallel Channel Scaling

Capable of paralleling multiple channels to multiply the current capacity

Control Modes

System must support Constant Voltage (CV), Constant Current (CC), and Constant Power (CP) along with pulsing operational modes.

Hardware Integration

Must be fully compatible with National Instruments (NI) CompactRIO (cRIO) controllers and data acquisition (DAQ) systems.

Software Integration

Must be LabVIEW compatible and support standard integration utilizing Interchangeable Virtual Instrument (IVI) drivers.

The system must incorporate multiple independent layers of hardware and software safety controls to protect personnel, facility infrastructure, and the Unit Under Test (UUT). The system must meet or exceed the following safety capabilities:

Safety Feature

Requirement

Physical Isolation

Must feature internal, independent electromechanical safety contactors on the DC output channels.

Hardware Interlocks

Must include a dedicated, dual-channel external wired interlock loop for integration with thermal chambers or external safety gates, alongside a front-mounted physical Emergency Stop (E-Stop) Interlocks.

UUT Protection Circuits

Must feature integrated reverse-polarity checking and a soft-start pre-charge circuit to prevent in-rush current surges upon battery connection.

Programmable Protection

Software and firmware must allow users to define strict, fast-acting trip thresholds for Over-Voltage (OV), Under-Voltage (UV), Over-Current (OC), and Over-Power (OP).

Communication Fail-Safe

Must feature a programmable hardware watchdog timer that automatically shuts down the outputs and opens isolation contactors if communications with the master controller (e.g., cRIO) are interrupted.

Warranty and Maintenance:

Support Category

Requirement

Standard Warranty

Provide details on the standard OEM warranty (minimum 12 months preferred), including coverage details (parts, labor, and travel) and return-to-factory vs. on-site repair terms.

Preventive Maintenance

Describe available preventive maintenance agreements (PMAs), including the recommended frequency of on-site inspections, fan/filter replacements, and thermal checks.

Calibration Services

Detail the requirements and procedures for system calibration. The system must be capable of being calibrated to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. Specify if calibration can be performed on-site or if the unit must be returned to the manufacturer.

Technical Support

Provide information on available technical support structures, including guaranteed response times (e.g., 24/48-hour response), availability of remote diagnostics, and software update access.

The technical specifications listed represent the Government's target operational baseline. If interested sources cannot meet these exact thresholds (e.g., specific voltage, current, or power ranges), they are requested to submit their standard commercial capabilities, highlighting where their system deviates, and propose alternative configurations that could meet the overall mission objective of replacing the NHR 9200-60 with equivalent or upgraded equipment.

Responses should include the following:

Include your companies technical and manufacturing capabilities and quality certifications held. Lastly, please provide a history of your company and past performance on Government contracts if any.

This submission may be in the form of product literature, operating instructions, and/or supplemental technical documentation that define the item(s) and associated hardware. Potential sources should provide any delivery, shipping or warranty information.

Responses from Small and Small Disadvantaged Business firms are highly encouraged. Firms responding should indicate if they are a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, 8(a) firms, historically black colleges or universities, and minority institutions.

Responses to the RFI shall include the following:

Submitter's Name

Street Address, City, State, NINE-Digit zip code

Point of Contact (POC)

Cage Code

Size and Socioeconomic Status

POC Telephone and facsimile numbers

Announcement Number: N0016426SNB96

Contractors must be properly registered in the Government System for Award Management database (SAM). Offerors may obtain information on SAM registration and annual confirmation requirements by calling 1-866-606-8220, or via the Internet at www.sam.gov.

At the current time, NO FUNDING IS AVAILABLE for contractual efforts. This sources sought synopsis does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract. The US Government is in no way liable to pay for or reimburse any companies or entities that respond to this announcement. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed.

Please refer to announcement number N0016426SNB96 in all correspondence and communications. E-mail point of contact for information regarding the subject RFI is Amy Haworth; amy.n.haworth.civ@us.navy.mil and Andrew Ficklin; andrew.b.ficklin.civ@us.navy.mil.

All changes that occur will be posted to the beta.SAM.gov website.

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