REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT(SS) – NULKA MK234 TCU, SCU, SCU ATE, AND CANISTER PRODUCTION AND SUSTAINMENT
DEPT OF DEFENSE
Notice type
Sources Sought
Solicitation #
N0016426SNB65
NAICS
334511
PSC
5865
Set-aside
No Set aside used
Posted
July 14, 2026
Response due
July 23, 2026
Place of performance
Crane, IN
What this opportunity is
The Department of Defense is seeking information on the production and sustainment of the NULKA MK234 TCU, SCU, SCU ATE, and canisters, classified under NAICS 334511 and PSC 5865. This opportunity is open to all businesses, as there is no set-aside for small businesses. As a Sources Sought notice, this is primarily for market research purposes, meaning interested parties should track the opportunity rather than submit bids at this stage.
Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.
Description
Amendment 0002
The purpose of this amendment is to extend the response date from Jul 10, 2026 10:00 AM EDT to Jul 23, 2026 10:00 AM EDT.
Amendment 0001
The purpose of this amendment is to answer questions received from Industry partners.
Question 1: For the Canister 'Build-to-Print' requirement and the TCU/SCU redesign efforts, will the Government-furnished TDP include complete drawings, specifications, and software with sufficient data rights (e.g., unlimited or Government Purpose Rights) to allow a respondent to manufacture, redesign, and sustain these subassemblies? Are there any proprietary or third-party IP restrictions on the TCU Motor, SCU DC Motor, or PCB electronics that a respondent should be aware of?
Answer 1: Companies will be permitted access to top-level control drawings per the guidance on the SAM.gov posting. If a company believes additional information or documents are required to develop a proposal, the company should provide the Contract Specialist a white paper detailing description, specifications, etc. that are needed.
Question 2: Does the Government anticipate awarding the four capability areas (TCU, SCU, SCU ATE, Canister) under a single contract/vehicle or via separate awards, and is there a preference for an integrated prime versus multiple specialized providers? Additionally, can the Government share its anticipated timeline for a follow-on solicitation (RFP) and the expected production/sustainment period of performance?
Answer 2: The Government will evaluate the Market Research results, vendors interest, vendors business size, and capabilities to determine the best strategy. During this Market Research phase all alternatives are open for consideration. No solicitation anticipated date can be provided at this time given the early Market Research stage. Vendors are encouraged to continue to monitor SAM.gov.
NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS SUBMISSION. This Request for Information/Sources Sought ( RFI/SS) shall NOT be considered as an RFP or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products. The Government is NOT seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred in responding to this RFI/SS or furnishing the requested information. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any questions submitted or information provided as a result of this notice. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of a Contractor's submission of responses to this RFI/SS, nor the Government's use of such information. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. Responses to this RFI/SS are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. NSWC Crane is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of submissions or of the information received, or to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this request for submission. This notice shall not be construed as a contract, a promise to contract, or a commitment of any kind by the Government. Specific responses will not disqualify or have an impact on participation and evaluation on future solicitations. Not responding to this RFI/SS does not preclude participation in any future solicitation.
Description:
This RFI/SS is being issued by the United States Navy (USN), Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, on behalf of the Nulka Joint Program Office (JPO). The Australian Program Office and the United States Program Office comprise the JPO.
The Government is conducting market research to determine industry interest and capability related to the Production and Sustainment of the following Nulka MK 234 Electronic Decoy Cartridge (EDC) subassemblies and support equipment:
Thrust Control Unit (TCU),
Spin Control Unit (SCU),
SCU Acceptance Test Equipment (ATE)
Canister
Note: Interested companies are not required to respond to all four capability areas/needs. Interested companies should respond to one, multiple, or all needs, at their discretion.
Background :
The Nulka MK 234 EDC was jointly developed by the US and Australian governments. Since commencement of that development, both the governments have maintained a JPO to manage the Nulka capability.
The Nulka MK 234 EDC supports both the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and USN ships with a self-defense capability against incoming radar-homing Anti-Ship Missiles (ASM).
This RFI/SS relates to the following subassemblies:
The SCU is mounted at the top of the Decoy and provides rotational control.
The TCU provides vectored thrust for height and speed vector control.
The Canister protects the decoy from the environment and acts as its launch tube.
References:
CUI - Nulka Top level TDP.pdf
Respondents shall have active SAM and JCP accounts to receive the TDP. CUI and transmissions restrictions and regulations are the responsibility of the recipient.
Statement of Needs:
The Nulka JPO is in need of the following
TCU
Redesign to overcome obsolescence
TCU Motor
Manufacture of redesigned TCU
Refer to the CUI – Nulka Top Level TDP.pdf attachment for quantities
Sustainment of current and redesigned TCU
Manufacture of ATE as captured in TDP
SCU
Redesign to overcome obsolescence
DC Motor
Various electronics on Printed Circuit Board
Manufacture of redesigned SCU
Refer to the CUI – Nulka Top Level TDP.pdf attachment for quantities
Sustainment of current and redesigned SCU
SCU ATE
Improve design to incorporate automation and data capture
Manufacture for production of SCUs and for Government sustainment use (3 units)
Ongoing engineering and technical support for issues, upgrades, etc.
Canister
Build-to-Print
Refer to the CUI – Nulka Top Level TDP.pdf attachment for quantities Sustainment and rep…
Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.
Pursue this opportunity with Mindy
See who holds it now, who else is bidding, and draft your response — grounded in real government data, not generic AI.
View the original notice on SAM.gov ↗