NSWC IHD CRADA partners to support the CAD/PAD Joint Program Office

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), CAD/PAD Joint Program Office (JPO) seeks Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) partners that possess expertise, capabilities, and experience in the design and manufacture of cartridge actuated devices (CAD), propellant actuated devices (PAD), gas operated devices, electro-explosive devices, energetic devices and ordnance technologies. NSWC IHD CAD/PAD JPO is seeking partners to collaborate on second sourcing efforts, product or process improvement efforts, obsolescence mitigation efforts, new technology implementation efforts, cost reduction efforts, manufacturing processes efforts and other associated efforts within the CAD/PAD field of energetic technologies.

Areas of particular interest include electronic or pyrotechnic time delay initiators and linear energetic products such as severance assemblies, Mild Detonating Cords, and other detonation transfer lines. Certain CADs are also of high interest for second sourcing efforts. Additional types of energetic devices the CAD/PAD JPO supports, although not fully encompassing, are inflators, fire extinguisher cartridges, rocket catapults, rocket motors, thermal batteries, percussion primers, reefing line cutters, impulse cartridges, thrusters, detonators, release devices, countermeasures, and subassemblies, including energetic materials.

This notice serves as request for information (RFI) seeking information from companies or academic institutions interested in collaboration in innovative design, material development, and engineering solutions with respect to NSWC IHD CAD/PAD JPO portfolio technologies. The company or academic institution should also possess the capabilities to support collaborative development of new engineering or materiel solutions. Computer modeling and analysis capabilities are a plus. Any company that believes it has the ability to perform the engineering, development, or production requirements listed above can identify its capabilities by submitting the information electronically to Benjamin.m.kerlin.civ@us.navy.mil or to Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division CAD/PAD JPO, Benjamin Kerlin, Code JP5, Building D323, 3817 Strauss Avenue, Indian Head MD 20640. The information submitted should include a capabilities statement, breakdown of personnel and facilities available, and relevant past work in similar areas. Responses are requested by 31 December 2025. After reviewing the responses, NSWC IHD CAD/PAD JPO may request a meeting or teleconference with responding companies to gain further insight into their capabilities. NSWC IHD CAD/PAD JPO is not obligated to hold these meetings with any or all respondents. If NSWC IHD CAD/PAD JPO decides to meet with a company, it will only meet with those that responded to this notice. NSWC IHD CAD/PAD JPO will not reimburse costs for participation in these meetings or teleconferences. NSWC IHD CAD/PAD JPO does not intend to pay for the information received. This is neither a Request for Proposals nor an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of selecting a CRADA Partner having the ability and capability to Partner with NSWC IHD CAD/PAD JPO.