Lithium Battery Abusive Testing Capabilities
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 Department of War (DoW), through NSWC Crane, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify industry capabilities for Lithium Battery Abusive Testing. This RFI seeks information on robust testing services to evaluate battery performance under thermal, mechanical, and electrical abuse for military applications. The information gathered may lead to a Request for Solutions (RFS) and a Project Order award under the Expeditionary Missions Consortium (EMC2) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA).
Scope of Work
The DoW requires capabilities for abusive testing of lithium batteries, including cells, modules, and full battery propagation testing. Specific areas of interest include:
- Testing Services: Short circuit, overcharge, overdischarge, high-temperature, BMS, electrical safety device, propagation (cell-to-cell, module-to-module), crush, nail penetration, bullet penetration, and environmental testing (temperature, humidity, altitude, vibration, shock, acceleration).
- Test Capacity: Maximum voltage and battery size (dimensions, weight, kWh) for thermal, mechanical, and electrical abuse testing.
- Heat Release Rate Testing: Methodology, equipment, maximum battery size, and maximum heat energy (MW) measurable.
- Gas Analysis: Capabilities for identifying and quantifying flammable/toxic gases, generation rate, and total amount generated during battery failure, including maximum battery size for analysis.
Information Requested
Interested parties should provide details on their testing facilities (indoor/outdoor), specific testing services offered, test capacities, heat release rate testing, gas analysis capabilities, and business information. Business information includes testing standards (e.g., Navy S9310, UN 38.3), willingness to collaborate, business structure (independent vs. part of vendor/manufacturer), and any testing constraints.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
- Potential Follow-on: Project Order under EMC2 OTA (10 U.S.C. § 4022)
- Set-Aside: None specified for this RFI. Future RFS will require EMC2 Consortium membership.
- Response Due: May 13, 2026, 6:00 PM ET
- Published: February 25, 2026
Eligibility & Submission
Responses are limited to 10 pages, single-spaced, Times New Roman 10pt or larger, in Microsoft Word or PDF format. All information must be non-proprietary and unclassified. While any industry member can submit an RFI response, eligibility for any future RFS requires active membership in the EMC2 Consortium. Vendors are encouraged to visit https://emccrane.org/ to become a member.
Additional Notes
This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals.