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Request for Information – Special Notice N0016421SNB27 FSC: AC13 NAICS: 541611 Thoriated Tungsten Replacement for High Power Microwave Vacuum Tubes This announcement constitutes a Request for Informat... Request for Information – Special Notice N0016421SNB27 FSC: AC13 NAICS: 541611 Thoriated Tungsten Replacement for High Power Microwave Vacuum Tubes This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) for the purpose of determining market capability of sources and obtaining information. It does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Quote (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services discussed in this notice. Information on the specific topics of interest is provided in the following sections of this announcement. The federal government will not be responsible for any cost incurred by responders in furnishing this information. This solicitation does not guarantee a reward from the federal government. BACKGROUND The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division is responsible for the sustainment of deployed radar systems in the United States Navy (USN) Fleet. The Program Executive Office, Integrated Warfare System (PEO IWS 2.0), in Washington, DC manages and executes the Radar Restoration Program through NSWC Crane, Radar Technologies Division. Multiple deployed radar systems used by the Navy rely on microwave vacuum tubes containing an emissive thoriated tungsten (W-Th) filament cathode to amplify the radar signal. As vacuum tubes operate through time, the emissivity of the thoriated tungsten filaments decays due to the evaporation of the Th. The device’s lifetime is restored through full disassembly and filament replacement. W-Th is used in tube filaments due to its outstanding electron emission capabilities. The thorium oxide within the wire provides an effective source of electrons, and the tungsten allows the wire to operate at high temperatures without suffering deformations. Recent environmental and economic challenges in the emissive material industry (e.g. restricted availability of thorium oxide and the hazardous byproducts created in the production process) have created challenges in maintaining the domestic supply of high reliability, high temperature, W-Th wire. These supply chain difficulties have resulted in a need to investigate: Alternative domestic manufacturing processes for W-Th wire The development of wires with alternative chemistries and equivalent operational characteristics to replace W-Th wire The processes developed will facilitate the manufacture and sustainment of high power microwave devices currently utilizing W-Th wire until 2045, and potentially longer. TECHNICAL AREAS OF INTEREST Due to the supply chain difficulties and environmental challenges of processing thorium, the Navy is seeking alternative manufacturing methodologies for W-Th wire. The Navy is also seeking alternative environmentally friendly filament chemistries with similar operational characteristics to replace the W-Th wire that would minimize costs from domestic environmental regulation compliance. We are soliciting responses in the following two technical areas: Alternative W-TH Manufacturing Processes The Navy desires alternative processes for the manufacture of W-Th wire that provide the same performance as the existing wire, while minimizing the production of hazardous waste. Current versions of the wire are approximately one percent thorium oxide by weight. The remainder of the weight is tungsten with minimal amounts of impurities. Other additives to improve the performance of the wire are acceptable. The thorium oxide is currently finely distributed throughout the wire to provide consistent electron emission through its lifetime, but surface coatings with the same lifetime and performance are acceptable. The wire must have a low work function and be very resistant to deformation under extreme temperatures (currently 1600?). Alternative and Equivalent Wire Chemistries to Replace W-Th Also of interest to the Navy is developing an alternative, non-hazardous manufacturing process to produce a near equivalent to current W-Th chemistries. Alloys of cerium and lanthanum with tungsten wire have been prototyped in the past and are of interest. Other chemistries with equivalent performance and lifetime are also of interest. Submissions can include any novel capabilities covering any part of this product development process including modeling and simulation to manufacture and/or test. While the novel process or alternative material will be utilized in a variety of vacuum tube configurations, any potential solutions require the following: Equivalent performance to a W-Th wire to the following characteristics and/or operational conditions: Diameter: .006-.010 in Voltage: 6-8 Vac Current: 93.0 Amps to 106.0 Amps Operating Temperature: 1500?-1700? FORMAT Responses should not exceed 6 pages (including cover page) and should include: Company data including contact information, CAGE and DUNS Define which of the two technical challenges being addressed Technical Solution Notional Program Plan, Timeline and Challenges Associated with Approach Previous experience/capabilities with high power vacuum devices or thermionic materials (Include any relevant federal awards) Organizations are not prohibited from submitting multiple responses. SUBMISSION Please submit responses and/or questions to the Indiana Innovation Institute, the NavalX Midwest Tech Bridge Partnership Intermediary Agreement holder at TechBridge@IN3Indiana.com by Feb 26, 2021.