Model 84 Charpy V-Notch (CVN) Impact Tester Annual Calibration and Verification Services
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSEA.NAVSEA SHIPYARD.PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD GF · Response deadline: Fri, 06 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine is seeking annual calibration and verification services for its Model 84 Charpy V-Notch (CVN) Impact Tester. This equipment is used to perform Charpy impact testing—a standardized materials test that measures the energy absorbed by a material during fracture. The test helps determine a material's toughness, particularly at low temperatures, which is critical for assessing the structural integrity of metals used in naval vessels and other defense applications.
This type of work falls under NAICS 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing), which covers services related to precision instruments and testing equipment. Calibration and verification of impact testers requires specialized metrology expertise and adherence to recognized standards such as ASTM E23, the standard test method for notched bar impact testing of metallic materials. The annual nature of this requirement suggests recurring calibration needs to maintain measurement traceability and equipment certification.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE NAVY.NAVSEA.NAVSEA SHIPYARD.PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD GF |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | N3904027Q5873 |
| NAICS | 334519 |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside - Total |
| Response deadline | November 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM ET |
| Place of performance | Kittery, ME |
Who can bid
This opportunity is set aside for Small Business Set Aside - Total, meaning only certified small businesses under NAICS size standards may compete. For NAICS 334519, the Small Business Administration size standard is 1,000 employees; your business must have no more than 1,000 employees to qualify. No specific socioeconomic set-aside (such as SDVOSB or HUBZone) applies.
Bidders should have demonstrated capability in precision equipment calibration, particularly for mechanical testing instruments. While not stated in the metadata, calibration services for Department of Defense facilities typically require compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 or equivalent accreditation, and technicians must understand military quality assurance requirements. Businesses unfamiliar with defense contracting should ensure they have or can obtain any necessary security clearances or facility access credentials for performing work on a sensitive military installation like Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
How to put together a competitive bid
For this calibration services requirement, focus your proposal on technical capability and proven performance history:
- Demonstrate specific CVN impact tester experience: Highlight any prior Model 84 calibrations or equivalent Charpy testing equipment. Include customer references from comparable defense or industrial clients.
- Document your quality system: Describe your ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation scope, measurement uncertainty budgets, and traceability to NIST or other national standards. List any A2LA or NVLAP accreditations.
- Address turnaround and logistics: Propose how you will handle equipment transport or on-site service at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, including any security clearance requirements for personnel. see the solicitation for specific delivery or scheduling constraints.
- Competitive pricing strategy: For service contracts under simplified acquisition thresholds or using commercial procedures, focus on labor rates, travel costs (if applicable), and any markup structures.
- Past performance documentation: Prepare Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) records or other verified past performance references.
The short response window—only four days from posting to deadline—suggests this may be a simplified acquisition or a recompete where the government expects rapid turnaround. Ensure your SAM.gov registration and representations are current before attempting to access the full solicitation.
Next steps
Download the full solicitation immediately at SAM.gov using solicitation number N3904027Q5873 to review exact technical specifications, calibration standards references, and submission requirements.
Verify your small business status in SAM.gov and confirm your NAICS 334519 relevancy.
Note the deadline carefully: Responses are due November 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM Eastern Time—the early morning cutoff means electronic submission should occur the previous day to avoid last-minute system issues.
Contact the contracting officer promptly with any questions; the compressed timeline leaves minimal room for clarifications.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →