BST-1 Electrical Hull Penetrator and Transmitter Cable Assembly

This Sources Sought notice is being issued by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD), on behalf of the NSWCPD Division 45. The Government is seeking information regarding the procurement of a maximum of twenty (20) Electrical Hull Penetrators (EHP). Specifications are listed in the attached Sources Sought Notice.

SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES: Respondents shall provide capability statements with specific information regarding their ability to provide the required materials (described in the Sources Sought Attachment) to meet Division 45 needs.

NSWCPD will only accept unclassified, electronic submissions. Responses shall be submitted via email to [email protected] by 16:30 EST, 20 November 2026.

Responses shall list N64498-RFPREQ-PD-45-0176 in the subject line. No phone calls shall be accepted.

Government WILL NOT PAY for any information received, and the Government will not compensate the respondent for any cost incurred in developing the response to this notice. The Government will not release any information marked with a proprietary legend received in response to this notice to any firms, agencies or individuals outside the Government without written permission in accordance with the legend. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

This is a follow up Sources Sought Notice to an Industry Day Virtual Event held on 27 October 2026. During that event the following questions were asked. Below each question is the answer to said question.

• Question #1: Is this 10/27 conference a virtual event via a web link or on site at Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD)?
• Answer #1: This event will take place on Microsoft TEAMs. You need to register on Eventbrite to access the link.
• Question #2: For this PRE-SOL for Columbia Class BST-1 Electrical Hull Penetrators and Transmitter Cable Assemblies, do cable assembly manufacturers need to have SUBSAFE Level 1 or 2 certification for doing hull penetrator work?
• Answer #2: The Electric Hull Penetrators (EHP) is Level I material within the SUBSAFE boundary and any vendor does not need to be in NAVSEA Note5000.
• Question #3: I looked again at the link and there are no answers or questions posted let alone a specific statement about SubSafe Level 1 or 2. It does mention “ in accordance with applicable documents in Section 2.0 and the Statement of Work” but there is no such documents on the link.
• Answer #3: Again to Confirm, The Electric Hull Penetrators (EHP) is Level I material within the SUBSAFE boundary and any vendor does not need to be in NAVSEA Note5000. As for the Section 2.0 Documents and Statement of Work, those have not been provided to any vendors at this time. They will be provided at the time the official Request for Proposal (RFP) goes out. The anticipated date that the RFP goes out has not been determined yet.
• Question #4: We would request that the solicitation be issued as full and open given the NAICS code stated.
• Answer #4: Our team is still evaluating whether competing the contract as full and open or set aside is the best path forward.
• Question #5: Previously a vendor has been shown specifications for a cable used on BST-1 (BST-1 CABLE REQUIREMENTS PER 1197262 (PC 19). Is the cable still a 2SWF-2 (Modified) and if so, is a neoprene outer jacket still mandatory?
• Answer #5: The cable is still required to be LS2SWU-12 which includes a polyolefin outer jacket. Additionally, this cable will require exterior armor for EMI protection.
• Question #6: Question for you regarding Welding NDT. Do you need us to complete the Shipbuilder's LVL3 NDT?
• Answer #6: Personnel qualified to LVL 2 are permitted to perform the weld NDT, the NDT inspection must be approved by LVL 3 qualified personnel.
• Question #7: For the section where the pressure proof caps go on, are those welded to the main body and require a QQ-N-286 weld procedure?  Does NSWC-PD need to certify this weld procedure?
• Answer #7: Yes, the 4 receptacles are welded to the main body. The weld type is monel QQ-N-281 to k-monel QQ-N-286. For additional guidance on performing the weld, please refer to the latest revision of NAVSEA Tech Publication 278. The procedure developed using the guidance in 278 requires NSWCPD approval. NSWCPD would be looking for the vendor to submit their weld procedure specification (WPS), product quality report (PQR), and welder qualifications for approval.

Attached to this Sources Sought Notice are Two Documents:

1. A Breakdown of the sources sought notice in a word document and what is being requested with this notice
2. A distributable guidance that helps give newcomers an initial roadmap to preparing to support work producing Level I material.
3. An updated slideshow from the Industry Day Event with the questions asked and said answers during and immediately after the event.

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.  THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.  IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT.  RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A TASK ORDER AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.  NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.  ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.