Submarine Cabinet Sound Dampening Alternative

Navy Phase I SBIR Topic: DON26BZ05-NV080
Strategic Systems Programs (SSP)
Pre-release 8/5/26   Opens to accept proposals 8/26/26   Closes 9/23/26 12:00pm ET    [ View TPOC Information ]

DON26BZ05-NV080 TITLE: Submarine Cabinet Sound Dampening Alternative

COMPONENT TECHNOLOGY PRIORITY AREA(S): Advanced Materials;Sustainment

PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT: Level 2 (Self)

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. 

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate an advanced noise mitigation material that is superior to the current lead septum foam product.

DESCRIPTION: As part of the production of electronic cabinets and consoles, noise mitigation products are installed prior to the installation of the electronic components and cabling. The noise mitigation material of choice for decades has been lead septum foam. Reference 1 is the baseline 53711-3203197 lead septum product. This material is installed with a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) backing or adhesive to the inner walls of the enclosures. Depending on the complexity of the electronics assembly, in most applications it is difficult or impossible to remove and replace without first complete removal of the electronics and cabling. The electronic assemblies that require this product need to have minimal time offline. Additionally, reassembly of cable harnesses and wiring can result in electrical faults, so complete system testing after reassembly is required. The Navy needs a product that has performance characteristics equivalent or better than today’s lead septum foam product and with a longer life expectancy (exceeding forty years) than the current foam product being used to meet end-of-life of the COLUMBIA/Dreadnought platforms. This product must also meet the Structureborne Noise MILSPEC (MIL-STD-740-2) criteria for testing [Ref 2]]. This material will be installed in Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) Fire Control, NAV, and TEMPALT equipment cabinets onboard COLUMBIA/Dreadnought SSBNs.

In addition to identifying a material with an extended service life, the material attachment methods are expected to have a reduction in time to replace, compared to the 53711-3203197 baseline material.

The final product desired is a structureborne noise mitigation material with a defined efficient attachment method. The final product should be able to be reproduced in sheet sizes equivalent to 53711-3203197 baseline material to support needs from the Navy.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

PHASE I: Develop or select concept structureborne noise (SBN) materials that have performance characteristics and properties that are equivalent or better than the current lead septum foam product. Evaluate performance characteristics/properties that include noise mitigations, sound absorption, material shelf life, material density (i.e., weight), interface requirements, removal/replacement, low-smoke, and material envelope (size). (Note: Additional performance characteristics/properties can be evaluated if applicable.) Provide a trade study that identifies multiple conceptual design options that compare performance characteristics and properties against the baseline 53711-3203197 lead septum product. Work with SP23 to understand performance characteristics/properties desired for a final product. Identify risks to the proposed concept and develop Phase II plans that include ways to mitigate those risks. If the Phase I Option is exercised, include the initial performance characteristics/properties required to build/select a prototype solution in Phase II.

PHASE II: Select or produce a prototype SBN mitigation material for Navy evaluation. Work with the Navy to fully understand the interface requirements, the hardware, and the integration standards for the material being deployed. Provide testing scenarios that compare the 53711-3203197 baseline lead septum foam with the prototype material as outlined in the performance characteristics/properties detailed in Phase I. Establish a feedback loop with the Navy for implementing changes during prototype testing.

It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see the Description for details).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support on-site testing of Navy equipment that utilizes the new product and work with the Navy in the operational set up of the material, including troubleshooting plus resolving implementation and execution issues at various Navy and DoW laboratories.

In respect to dual use applications, the Virginia class and/or other underwater platforms that utilize SBN mitigation materials could benefit from this effort. Additionally, SSP NAV common cabinets and TEMPALT cabinets will also utilize SBN mitigation materials.

REFERENCES:

  1. "MILITARY STANDARD: STRUCTURE-BORNE VIBRATORY ACCELERATION MEASUREMENTS AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA OF SHIPBOARD EQUIPMENT (30 DEC 1986)." https://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0700-0799/MIL-STD-740-2_10380/
  2. Sound Controlling Blanket, Lead Septum Source Control Drawing. 53711-3203197
  3. National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual (NISP), 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq. (1993). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-B/chapter-XX/part-2004

KEYWORDS: Structureborne Noise; Sound Controlling Blanket; Lead Septum Foam; Sound Absorption; Sound Mitigation; Sound Dampening; Noise Reduction

TPOC 1 : SSP SBIR POC
ssp.sbir@ssp.navy.mil

** TOPIC NOTICE **

The Navy Topic above is an "unofficial" copy from the Navy Topics in the DoW FY-26 Release 5 SBIR BAA. Please see the official DoW Topic website at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/solicitation-documents/active-solicitations for any updates.

The DoW issued its Navy FY-26 Release 5 SBIR Topics pre-release on August 5, 2026 which opens to receive proposals on August 26, 2026, and closes September 23, 2026 (12:00pm ET).

Direct Contact with Topic Authors: During the pre-release period (August 5, through August 25, 2026) proposing firms have an opportunity to directly contact the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to ask technical questions about the specific BAA topic. The TPOC contact information is listed in each topic description. Once DoW begins accepting proposals on August 26, 2026 no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed unless the Topic Author is responding to a question submitted during the Pre-release period.

DoD On-line Q&A System: After the pre-release period, until September 9, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET, proposers may submit written questions through the DoW On-line Topic Q&A at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login/ by logging in and following instructions. In the Topic Q&A system, the questioner and respondent remain anonymous but all questions and answers are posted for general viewing.
NOTE: You must have registered in the DSIP system in order to ask an on-line topic question.

DoW Topics Search Tool: Visit the DoW Topic Search Tool at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ to find topics by keyword across all DoW Components participating in this BAA.

Help: If you have general questions about the DoD SBIR program, please contact the DoD SBIR Help Desk via email at DoDSBIRSupport@reisystems.com


[ Top  -  Return ]