Response_to_Vendors_Questions.docx

Request for Proposal (RFP) 70CMSW18R00000003 Response to Vendors Questions

1. Vendor Question:

Would the Government consider extending the proposal due date?

Government’s Response:

Yes, the Government hereby extends the proposal due date to Friday, May 25, 2018 at 5:00pm EST.

2. Vendor Question:

Due to the chamber variances between 223 and 5.56, would you consider opening this RFP to 5.56 ammunition to ensure you have adequate pressure to function the firearms specified?

Government’s Response:

No.

3. Vendor Question:

Since this requirement specifies 223 rem SAAMI test barrel. What twist rate is the 223 SAAMI barrel?

Government’s Response:

Per ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4-2015 page 264, test barrel shall be 24”, 1-12” twist. Understanding that many manufacturers are deviating from SAAMI-recognized .223 Remington pressure/velocity-measuring systems, the offerors have the option to test pressure and velocity in a 5.56x45mm NATO chambered 1-7” or 1-12” twist test barrel. The SOW Sections 3.10 and 4.9 will be amended to show that DHS will test velocity and standard deviation through a 5.56x45mm NATO caliber 11.5” 1:7” twist barrel. The maximum pressure shall still conform to the SAAMI .223 Remington limit.

4. Vendor Question:

Is there a gyroscopic stability factor that must be met from the test barrel?

Government’s Response:

There is no stability requirement for velocity or pressure through the test barrel. Section 3.11.1 Precision Grouping specifies “Projectiles shall exhibit no keyholing through the target or evidence of excessive yaw.

5. Vendor Question:

Reference 3.10, what happens if you are unable to meet the threshold of 30 FPS or less?

Government’s Response:

The failure of a threshold is a failure to meet the minimum requirement and testing of the sample will be stopped.

6. Vendor Question:

Will bullet stability be evaluated from the 223 SAAMI test barrel? If so, what are the requirements in regards to performance thresholds?

Government’s Response:

There is no stability requirement for velocity or pressure through the test barrel. Section 3.11.1 Precision Grouping specifies “Projectiles shall exhibit no keyholing through the target or evidence of excessive yaw.”

7. Vendor Question:

Reference 4.12, assuming the ammunition meets the requirements for velocity and pressure in the 223 SAAMI test barrel, how are you going to ensure that the new 5.56 rifles function with the approved ammunition before LAT?

Government’s Response:

Solicitation, FAT, and LAT will all have function fire testing through firearms detailed in Section 4.12.

8. Vendor Question:

Why are 223 Remington SAAMI pressure and velocity specifications being used to determine performance through a 5.56 NATO chambered platform?

Government’s Response:

The SAAMI specification is an industry recognized standard and our test methods and equipment are generally designed to test to this standard. Page 26 of ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4-2015 reflects that industry is testing pressure and velocity of .223 Remington caliber in the bullet weight ranges specified. Per SAAMI, there are no safety issues firing .223 Remington through 5.56x45mm chambered firearms.

9. Vendor Question:

Would you consider conducting pressure and velocity testing through a 5.56 NATO chamber? If not, why?

Government’s Response:

Yes. See #2 above.

10. Vendor Question:

Please clarify what chamber dimensions you want ammunition produced for (.223 Rem or 5.56x45mm).

Government’s Response:

Section 3.7 specifies physical cartridge dimensions as defined in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4-2015 for .223 Remington caliber ammunition. Chamber dimensions of the 11.5” and 14.5” M4 firearms are 5.56x45mm NATO. Chamber dimension of the ICE Mk12 rifle is .223 Remington Wylde. The SOW will be amended to show additional details of the firearm chamber design.

11. Vendor Question:

You state in 3.8 Pressure, “Max Pressure shall conform to limits established for .223 Rem and you state in 3.10 Velocity, “The standard deviation when fired through a .223 Rem SAAMI test barrel”. HOWEVER, you state in 3.11.1 Test Barrel that “accuracy testing will be done from a 5.56mm NATO test barrel, specifically a 5.56x45mm NATO test barrel that is 11.5” and using 1:7” twist rate and you state in 4.11 Terminal Ballistics that all firing will be done with using 11.5”, 1:7” twist rate 5.56x45mm NATO test barrel. The SAAMI chamber pressure limits for .223 Rem and 5.56x45mm NATO could certainly have an effect on the results of velocity, accuracy and terminal ballistics.

Government’s Response:

See #2 and #9 above.