Engineering Technical Support Services
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is conducting a Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought (SS) to identify potential sources capable of providing Engineering Technical Support Services for specialized research and development equipment. This is not a request for proposals; responses will be treated as information only. The effort supports the Naval Center for Space Technology, Space Systems Development Division, at the NRL Pomonkey Facility in La Plata, Maryland, and an associated OCONUS facility. Responses will inform a potential small business set-aside decision. Responses are due March 20, 2026.
Purpose & Scope of Work
NRL seeks engineering and technical support services for the design, development, system upgrades, implementation, maintenance, and technical documentation of specialized R&D assets. This includes:
- Hardware design
- System development and upgrades
- Equipment implementation
- Maintenance and sustainment support
- Technical documentation
The specialized equipment includes parabolic antenna systems (1m to 30m), RF subsystems (10 MHz to 31,000 MHz), copper and fiber infrastructure, site-wide telecommunications, video systems, technical systems climate control, UPS systems, backup generators, and facility access control systems. These systems are manufactured by vendors like L3 Datron, Viasat, and General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies Inc.
Anticipated Contract Details
NRL anticipates a level of effort contract, performed on a Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) or Firm Fixed Price (FFP) basis, with a total duration of five years (one 12-month base year and four 12-month option years). The competition strategy is currently full and open, but NRL encourages Federal multiple award schedule holders and/or small businesses to respond, as results may lead to a small business set-aside.
Key Requirements & Deliverables
Bidders should review the attached draft Statement of Work (SOW), Contract Data Requirement List (CDRL), Personnel Qualifications, and Distribution of Labor. The CDRL (Attachment No. 2) specifies deliverables such as:
- Monthly Cost and On-Site Labor Reports (Data Item No. A001)
- Formal and Informal Technical Reports and Documents (Data Item No. A002), including technical reports, documentation, drawings, designs, and test reports.
Personnel Qualifications
The draft Personnel Qualifications (Attachment No. 3) outlines specific experience requirements for key roles:
- Radio Frequency & Microwave Systems Technician: 25+ years experience, including 20 years climbing towers, expertise in RF/microwave theory and antenna systems.
- Electromechanical Specialist: 10+ years experience, including 10 years climbing towers, broad knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles.
- Modelmaker: 10 years as Modelmaker/designer/fabricator plus 6 years as machinist apprentice, precision work (0.0005 inches tolerance).
- Antenna Support Personnel: 5+ years in antenna construction, 2 years climbing towers.
The Distribution of Labor (Attachment No. 4) provides anticipated direct labor hours (8,610 hours/year) for cost proposal guidance.
Response Instructions
Interested parties should submit a response including:
- Cover Sheet with company details, socio-economic status, NAICS, DUNS, CAGE, and POC.
- Indication of GSA or SeaPort Multiple Award Contracts Holder status.
- Technical description of proposed capability (max five pages).
- Subcontracting possibilities or in-house performance.
- List of assumptions.
- Past performance information for similar contracts within the last 24 months.
Responses are due March 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Submissions should be emailed to Richard Waterstreet (richard.j.waterstreet2.civ@us.navy.mil) and Erica Turner (erica.n.turner9.civ@us.navy.mil) with "N00173-26-RFI-EN02" in the subject line.