The Kraken

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Justification and Approval (J&A) for Other Than Full and Open Competition. It explains the rationale for awarding a sole-source contract for critical upgrades to the Disorientation Research Device (DRD), also known as 'The Kraken'.

• Contracting Activity: NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk.
• Requiring Activity: Naval Medical Research Unit - Dayton (NAMRU-D).
• Action: Sole source contract to Environmental Tectonics Corporation (ETC) for life cycle upgrades to the DRD.
• Reason for Sole Source: ETC is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and possesses the unique, proprietary expertise and technical documentation required for the DRD's design, engineering, and upgrades. The system is bespoke, and critical components are no longer manufactured or supported by third parties.
• Scope of Work: Critical updates to the DRD's I/O system, migrating from Interbus to EtherCAT, to mitigate risks associated with obsolete components and modernize the control network.
• Period of Performance: Action to be completed as soon as possible, funded with FY26 Navy Operations & Maintenance appropriations.
• Statutory Authority: 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) - available from only one responsible source.
• Future Competition: No plans to compete future contracts for these specific supplies/services at this time, but will assess if other sources emerge.

This document indicates that a sole-source contract is being pursued for essential maintenance and upgrades to a specialized research system. Bidders interested in similar specialized equipment maintenance or upgrades may find this information relevant for understanding sole-source justifications and the unique requirements of such systems.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the modernization of the U.S. Navy Medicine Disorientation Research Device (DRD), also known as "The Kraken." The objective is to replace the legacy Interbus fieldbus architecture with a deterministic EtherCAT-based solution. This effort aims to mitigate risks associated with obsolete Interbus components and ensure continued operational availability, safety, and maintainability of the research asset.

• Provide critical updates to the DRD's distributed I/O system, migrating from Interbus to EtherCAT.

• Preserve or improve existing system capabilities, safety functions, and performance characteristics.

• Provide final testing documents to verify pre-conversion capabilities and post-conversion functionality.

• Provide all necessary updated System Specification Documents.

• Designate a Program Manager or Point of Contact (POC) for communication.

• Conduct quarterly Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) and Program Management Reviews (PMRs).

• Submit an Integrated Program Management Report (IPMR) quarterly.

• Follow a quality system compliant with ISO 9001:2008 and SAE AS9100C.

• Implement security procedures to prevent unauthorized disclosure of controlled unclassified information.

• Contract Number: N0018926QB076

• Solicitation Number: N0018926QB076

• Solicitation Issue Date: June 11, 2026

• Offer Due Date: June 15, 2026, 12:00 PM

• NAICS Code: 541512

• Size Standard: USD 34,000,000.00

• Period of Performance: June 29, 2026, to June 28, 2027

• Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price

• Proposals are due by June 15, 2026.

• Specific submission instructions are detailed within the solicitation documents.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• The document includes numerous FAR and DFARS clauses incorporated by reference and in full text, covering various aspects such as payment, security, representations, and certifications.

• The document also specifies requirements for contractor access to federally controlled facilities, sensitive information, and IT systems, including background investigation requirements and Common Access Card (CAC) issuance.

• The document references a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) as an attachment.