October 19, 2026

Overview

The US Navy Fleet Readiness Center Southeast is seeking a company with the capability to supply on-site nitrogen generation that can be integrated with a high-pressure cold-spray system. A nitrogen generator eliminates the recurring costs associated with purchasing, transporting, and storing individual gas bottles. Once installed, the generator produces nitrogen on demand using compressed air, significantly reducing long-term expenses and ensuring that operations are never interrupted due to empty bottles or delayed deliveries. The generator will also eliminate occupational safety risks associated with handling and transporting high-pressure gas bottles.

Background

Projected gas flow rates with a high-pressure cold spray system are 1 bottle of nitrogen for every 7.5 minutes of spray time. Current repairs with the low-pressure cold spray system can require up to 6 hours of spray time per component. This translates to about three 16-packs of bottles or four 12-packs of bottles for 1 repair. Storing packs of gas bottles requires converting the already limited production space within the building and waiting on a gas vendor to frequently resupply. Bottles often have residual nitrogen left unused, leading to waste. A generator produces only the necessary nitrogen, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency. The current bulk liquid nitrogen tank on site is shared between multiple production shops and does not have the capacity to operate cold spray at high pressures (>200 psi) which limits the material properties of the coating and the type of workload the production shop can repair.

Objectives

The nitrogen generator must be fully integrated with a Centerline EPX high pressure cold spray system. This generator must have the capacity to supply enough nitrogen for cold spray run times of approximately 6 hours/day (5 days/week). The generator must be a stationary system installed inside of an ISO shipping container/Conex Box structure. The container that houses the generator system must be placed onto a government-furnished concrete pad (approximately 20 ft. wide x 24 ft. long), adjacent to the building exterior that houses the cold spray system. The interior of the container must be sufficiently insulated and waterproof to protect the equipment and operators from the external environment associated with a southern climate (high heat/humidity). Procurement must include on-site installation and training on the maintenance and operation of the generator system.

Summary List of Generator Requirements

• Nitrogen flow rate at point of use: 60 SCFM (max)
• Nitrogen Purity: 99.9%
• Nitrogen Supply Pressure: 700 psi max
• Run Time: 6 hours per day (5 days per week). The storage tanks must be capable of 6-hour runtime/day (5 days/week) and the ability to regenerate overnight to meet production demands.
• First year annual system filter maintenance kit
• ISO Shipping Container/Conex Box designed to protect the generator and operators from the elements
• Available concrete pad furnished by government: approximate size 20 ft. wide x 24 ft. long
• Power unavailable at location. 200A (amps) available 400 ft. away in the primary building. The vendor is required to extend and connect this power to the project site as part of the scope of their work.
• Available feed air pressure (compressed air): 110 psig

Submission Requirements

The white paper response should comprise a PDF document with NO MORE THAN 10 pages, not including a cover page, using the format below:

1. Describe a general approach including phases to accomplish the objectives
2. Describe assumptions
3. Provide a detailed approach to the objective
   • List of tasks
   • List of deliverables
4. Establish a high-level project schedule and estimated timing
5. Summarize recent and relevant experience in accomplishing similar evaluations and using modeling and simulation tools and processes
6. Provide URLs to corporate presentations including engineering, modeling and simulation, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing capabilities.

Deadline

Responses are due by COB November 13, 2026. All submissions should be in the form of a PDF file that is titled: SourcesSought.FRCSoutheast_Company Name

*** The intention of this Sources Sought is to contract the initiative through the Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities (CTMA) contract vehicle. It is important to note that this contract vehicle is a Cooperative Agreement, requiring an in-kind contribution and a CTMA final report. The program also does not allow fixed fee/profit. Please reach out to opportunities@ncms.org for any questions or concerns regarding these items.

Evaluation Criteria

• Technical Feasibility. How technically feasible is the proposed solution, given the present state of the technology? Solutions with a lower technological risk profile are favored.
• Responsiveness. How responsive is the proposed solution? Solutions responsive to the problem identified, without creating new problems, are favored.
• Viability. How viable is the proposed solution, given existing organizational and regulatory environments? Solutions compatible with existing DLA, DoD, and federal policies, processes, and procedures are favored.
• Desirability. How desirable is the proposed solution to the eventual end-user? Solutions easily adaptable, useful, and implementable are favored.
• Funding. Solutions with lower prices are favored.

Disclaimer and Other Legal Information

NCMS encourages the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs).

Responding to a Sources Sought, RFI or Survey does not guarantee that a CTMA Program initiative will result. By submitting a response, you are agreeing to allow NCMS to share your information with the United States government. All submissions containing proprietary information shall be marked accordingly.
Any industry or academia participant awarded a contract by a participating government sponsor pursuant to a Sources Sought, RFI, or Survey will be compensated, under the agreement, on a cost-reimbursable basis. Each project participant will be expected to share in the total project cost by contributing cash or in-kind resources.

Under the CTMA Program, the parties shall limit participation on the project to (1) U.S. citizens, (2) lawful permanent residents as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), (3) other protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) and (4) foreign citizens pursuant to valid export license or other approval in accordance with U.S. EXPORT CONTROLS , if such participation will involve visual inspection of the Technology, Intellectual Property or Technical Information, or oral exchanges of information about the foregoing. We also require the project participants to furnish NCMS, upon request, with proof of the citizenship status of its personnel participating on the project, including (1) U.S. citizens; (2) legal permanent residents; and (3) foreign nationals who are not permanent residents. In instances where it is necessary to involve foreign national employees in the visual inspection of the Technology, Intellectual Property, or Technical Information, or oral exchanges of information about the foregoing, the parties will be required to furnish to NCMS proof of appropriate valid export license, or technical assistance agreement, or exemption from licensing requirements (e.g. Canadian exemption) to the extent required by the International Traffic In Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). A copy of such license or agreement shall be furnished to NCMS before any disclosure of information to such foreign person. In the event a party believes that the subject matter of the project agreement is not covered by ITAR, that party may request a written waiver of the requirements of foreign national provision in the CTMA Agreement, which may be granted if the NCMS contracting officer agrees that ITAR does not cover the subject matter.

These requirements also apply to individuals who have dual citizenship status.