NLTA_Specifications_for_Sources_Sought.docx

Section C – Description/Specifications

1. SCOPE

1.1 This specification establishes the product and performance requirements for Non-Lethal Training Ammunition (NLTA) for use in training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), and includes, but is not limited to cartridges of the following calibers:

Reduced Hazard Marking Cartridges 9mm Non-Lethal Marking Cartridge 5.56mm Non-Lethal Marking Cartridge .38 caliber

1.2 Ammunition covered by this Specification shall meet the standards as to rim diameter and rim thickness set forth by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) for commercial ammunition except for where a specific requirement is stated in this Specification. Where a specific requirement is stated in this Specification, this Specification shall take precedence over the SAAMI standard.

1.2.1 Among other specific requirements, requirements for toxicity are stated in this specification.

1.3 In addition to SAAMI ammunition specifications, testing procedures and testing apparatuses either specified or recommended by SAAMI for commercial ammunition production are to be considered specified for the purposes of ammunition production under this contract.

1.4 Where SAAMI has no requirement and where no specification is given herein, the manufacturer will utilize accepted industry practices.

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 Government Documents. The following documents of the latest issues shown form a part of the specification to the extent specified herein. In the event of a conflict between this specification and other documents referenced herein, requirements of this specification shall apply when applicable to special characteristics of NLTA.

2.2 Non-Government Documents. Copies of industry and technical society publications required by suppliers in connection with specific procurement functions should be obtained directly from the source. If not available, advise contracting activity. In the event of conflict between this specification and other documents referenced herein, the requirements of this specification shall apply.

ANSI/ASQC A8402-1994 Quality Management and Quality Assurance - Vocabulary

ASTM B19-86 Cartridge Brass Sheet, Strip, Plate, Bar, and Disk (Blanks)

ANSI/ASQC Z1.4-1993 Sampling Procedures and tables for Inspection by Attribute

3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1 General.

3.1.1 Item Definition. NLTA required will be used to perform specific functions. The following terms will identify specific types of NLTA. It should be noted that these definitions are not necessarily uniform throughout the ammunition industry nor should they be considered technical definitions. Definitions should be considered only for the purpose of this document.

3.1.1.1 Non-Lethal Training Ammunition (NLTA). This term applies to any type of reduced energy training ammunition that was designed for use against human targets during realistic training except where noted. If used properly in accordance with manufacturers’ supplied guidelines and equipment (conversion kits and personal protective gear, if any), this type of product should not incur permanent health risks to participants.

3.1.1.3 Reduced Hazard Ammunition is ammunition either NLTA or service that is manufactured of reduced hazard components, as described herein.

3.1.1.4 This request is for NLTA - reduced hazard. The caliber/gauges of the ammunition shall be as described herein. However, FLETC reserves the right to add additional calibers/gauges of ammunition with appropriate contract modifications.

3.1.2 Precedence. The cartridges shall comply in order of precedence with the contract, this specification and documents herein.

3.2 Components. No component of the round shall have been used previously. Reloaded or remanufactured ammunition is unacceptable. Also see paragraphs 3.3.2 - 3.3.3 of this specification for Environmental Health and Safety references.

3.2.1 Projectile. The projectile shall not contain lead. The projectile shall be of such design that it does not produce accelerated bore erosion or build up in barrel when compared to service ammunition and will not damage metal, glass, paint marking targets, vehicle finishes/plastic components (i.e. light covers, dashboards etc.) or personal protective gear, when used according to manufacturer’s specifications.

3.2.1.1 The diameter of the projectiles (except Shotshell) along the cylindrical bore bearing surface shall be in accordance with the barrel manufacturer’s specifications for the caliber projectile diameter in question.

3.2.2 Cartridge Case. For handgun and rifle ammunition the cartridge case shall be constructed of copper alloy or other materials in accordance with ASTM B 19-86. The cartridge case shall meet the external dimensional requirements of the specific SAAMI specification for the caliber cartridge case in question. A vent hole shall be present in the primer pocket of the cartridge case.

3.2.2.1 Shotshell. Shotshell-type cases may be used to encapsulate handgun NLTA marking cartridge calibers or flash powder. The Shotshell should be clearly identified as NLTA and not easily confused with live fire rounds.

3.2.2.2 Head stamp. The cartridge case/shell head stamp marking shall consist of the Identification Code of the Manufacturer.

3.2.3 Propellant. Each cartridge/shell shall contain smokeless propellant free of lead or other heavy metals that produces a minimum of smoke. Nominal charge weight shall be established by the manufacture to meet performance requirements. Propellant should be clean burning so as to minimize firearm maintenance and to prevent fouling caused malfunctions. A minimum of powder residue or other by-products is desirable.

3.2.4 Primer Sensitivity. Primer sensitivity shall be such as to prevent misfires. Primer sensitivity shall be tested in accordance with SAAMI recommended equipment and procedures and comply with the performance standards for each cartridge. Misfires are considered field failures per paragraph 3.4 and listed in paragraph 6.1.1 through 6.1.9.

3.2.5 Waterproofing compounds. A waterproofing compound may be applied.

3.2.5.1 The projectile may be sealed so as to prevent the degradation of performance by exposure to humidity levels ranging from 0% to 100%. Lack of sealing the projectile does not disqualify any product as long as storage life is not degraded to less than 2 years storage from date of shipment. Ammunition delivered must have a minimum remaining shelf life of twenty-two (22) months from date of delivery.

3.2.5.2 A Primer sealant is recommended. If a sealant is used, the sealant shall be clear (transparent) or of a red or blue color.

3.3 Complete Cartridge. The vendor must certify that all ammunition supplied under any resultant contract will be fit for use and that any ammunition furnished is representative of all ammunition deliverable under this contract.

3.3.1 Marking Substance. Substance shall be designed to be easily removable from clothing with any commercial grade soap and water. The marking substance shall not permanently stain equipment such as holsters, belts, radios, firearms, etc.

3.3.2 Environmental Health and Safety. The cartridge shall utilize components that are reduced hazard. Any trace of prohibited substances, beyond Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) established by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall be cause for disqualification.

3.3.2.1 Supplied ammunition shall not expose the shooter (the person firing the ammunition) to toxic materials, at or above the threshold limit values (TLV), as listed by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit values, or OSHA as listed in Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.26

3.3.2.2 No ammunition component shall, upon being fired, generate a hazardous waste as listed under Title 40 CFR, Parts 260-261 except as follows:

3.3.2.2.1 After cartridge discharge, a small amount of unburned propellant comparable in amount to that of lead consummated service ammunition is acceptable. Excessive amounts of unburned propellant are not acceptable.

3.3.3 The manufacturer shall provide a complete list of the components of the cartridge sufficient to determine that the case, primer, propellant, and projectile are reduced hazard and produce reduced hazard by-products. This information shall be provided in the form of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each component offered. MSDS must be provided initially in response to this offer and at any time a component listed in a previous MSDS is changed. MSDS must be provided by the manufacture prior to or included with any shipment of new submissions of NLTA-reduced hazard to the FLETC Firearms Division.

3.3.4 On-Site Air Quality Testing Conducted by the FLETC

3.3.4.1 In addition to any laboratory testing, field testing may be conducted on FLETC ranges during the exclusive use of NLTA furnished under any resulting contract in connection with this requirement, as shown below.

3.3.4.2 All air sampling will be conducted using National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH), OSHA, or ACGIH methods.

3.3.4.3 Contractors may conduct air quality testing. If the Government receives a Lot of ammunition that creates toxic levels above the Permissible Exposure Limits, referenced above, the Government reserves the right to request replacement of the Lot or to require the contractor to conduct tests on the ammunition in the rejected Lot in accordance with the criterion listed in paragraph 3.3.4.1 and 3.3.4.2 above, before any new lots are accepted.

The report of the cartridge discharge should be below the level at which hearing protection is required.

3.4. Function and Casualty. If the Government receives a lot of ammunition that does not function properly the Government reserves the right to request replacement of the Lot or to require the contractor to conduct tests on the ammunition in the Lot rejected. The field failure rate for failures attributable to ammunition is not more than 9 failures per 1,000 rounds. Ammunition failures are described in paragraph 6.1.1 through 6.1.8. A copy of relevant Firearms Division Ammunition Incident Report(s) may be provided to the contractor at the time of the ammunition Lot rejection.

3.5 Non-Lethal Marking Cartridges.

3.5.1 All components of the cartridge must be reduced hazard. These components include, but are not limited to primer, cartridge case, sabot and projectile. This NLTA reduced hazard must have an obvious, easily recognizable difference than that of live-fire ammunition.

3.5.2 Components: The projectiles shall be composed of a water-soluble color marking compound that when struck upon a target leave a mark readily visible from a minimum of 25 feet. Any marking substance contained in the projectile shall not render a permanent or indelible stain on clothing or protective gear.

3.5.3 Accuracy: The cartridge, when fired from a commercially available non-lethal dedicated or properly converted weapon system should hold a point of aim/point of impact group of eight inches at ten yards with a maximum effective range of 15 yards with no more than a four inch drop at 15 yards.

3.5.4 Function: Non-lethal ammunition is expected to reliably function during normal training scenarios and inclement weather in the government’s existing dedicated or properly converted weapon systems or equivalent. The FLETC currently uses the Glock 17T, and conversion barrels from UTM® and Simunition® in multiple weapon systems.

3.5.5 Velocity: The velocity of projectiles will fall within the range of 350 – 600 fps depending on the weapon system. The projectile will not reach a velocity such that it will cause damage as specified in 3.2.1 from a minimum safe stand-off distance. Minimum safe stand-off distances are as follows: handgun – three feet; shotgun – six feet; rifle – six feet.

3.6 Workmanship. Metallic components and the completed cartridge shall be free from folds, wrinkles, deep draw scratches, scaly metal, dents, burrs and other defects. All components and the completed cartridge shall be free of foreign material including, but not limited to, corrosion, dirt, oil, grease, smears of lacquer and metal chips.

4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

4.1 Responsibility for inspection. Unless otherwise specified herein, in the contract or in any delivery order, the supplier is responsible for the performance of all inspection and test requirements as specified herein. Except as otherwise specified, the supplier may utilize his own facilities or any commercial facility acceptable to the FLETC. The FLETC reserves the right to perform any of the inspections and tests set forth in this specification where such inspections and tests are deemed necessary to ensure that supplies and services conform to prescribed requirements.

4.1.1 Responsibility for Compliance. All items shall meet all requirements of sections 3 and 5. The inspections set forth in this specification shall become a part of the contractor's overall inspection system or quality program. The absence of specific inspection requirements in the specification shall not relieve the contractor of the responsibility of ensuring that all products or supplies submitted to the FLETC for acceptance comply with all requirements of the contract. Sampling inspection, as part of manufacturing operations, is an acceptable practice to ascertain conformance to requirements, however, this does not authorize submission of known defective material, either indicated or actual, nor does it commit the FLETC to accept defective material.

4.1.2 Quality Assurance Terms and Definitions. Reference shall be made to ANSI / ASQC A8402-1994 for definitions of quality assurance terms.

4.1.3 Lot Formation. Each lot shall be assigned a lot number in accordance with the contractors established lot numbering system. Only one type and weight of propellant shall be used in a lot of cartridges. Each cartridge lot shall contain no more than two lots of primers and one lot of propellant.

4.1.4 Primer Lots. A primer lot shall consist of a specific product, made on consecutive work shifts, with no break in the production of that specific product.

4.2 Inspection Provisions. Unless otherwise specified, each lot of components and each lot of cartridges shall be inspected in accordance with 4.2.2 through 5.1 as applicable.

4.2.2. Workmanship. Cartridges and components shall be visually inspected to determine compliance with the requirements of 3.2.2.1, 3.2.2.2, 3.2.5.1, 3.5.1 and 3.6. NTLA sent to the FLETC Firearms Division may have had a 100% visual inspection for defects by the contractor.

4.2.3. Packaging, packing, palletizing and marking. Prior to the packaging operation, examination of the cartridges shall be performed to ascertain that the cartridges conform to the requirements of 3.5 and 3.6. All non-conforming cartridges shall be rejected. Inspection of packaging, packing, palletizing and marking shall be in accordance with this specification. All palletized ammunition shall display 4 (sides) 8 ½ x 11” signs identifying ammunition as reduced hazard. These signs should be readily identifiable by a bright color. If an order is large enough, ammunition shall be sent 50,000 to 100,000 rounds per pallet. Ammunition shall be packaged in 500 or 1,000 round cases. Each individual box shall be clearly labeled "LOT NO. xxxxxxx".

4.2.4 Dimensional/Weight Verifications. Dimensional and weight requirements as specified in 3.2.1.1 and 3.2.2 shall be verified by contractor gages or by Standard Measuring Instruments (SMI).

4.2.5 Automatic Visual Inspection. The contractor shall verify presence of a primer pocket vent hole, and the presence of propellant charge by visual inspection or by automated equipment using probes or other sensing devices.

4.2.6 Certifications. Contractor shall maintain certificates of compliance for the material requirements of 3.2.1 through 3.2.5.1. Certifications shall be available upon request for each production lot.

4.2.7 Cartridge Tests. Certain tests may be described herein but not required. Tests, other than those required in order to conform to SAAMI Specifications, required for quality control, or specifically required herein, are not required.

4.3 Compliance Monitoring. Random samples may be pulled from any and all contract deliveries for testing in government-owned, properly converted weapons which include, but are not limited to, Sig Sauer P228/P229, Glock 17T, Colt SMG and Remington 870. These samples may be tested to determine compliance with any of the requirements of 3.1 through 5.1.

5. PACKAGING/STORAGE.

5.1 Packaging/Storage. The RH NLTA shall have a manufacturer's warranted shelf life of a minimum of two (2) years from the date of shipment when stored dry in the manufacturer's packaging. It is required that the manufacturer mark the exterior of each case with a "USE BY (Month & Year)" date that will be 3 months prior to the expiration of the shelf life. See paragraph 3.2.5.1 above.

6.1 Definitions.

6.1.1 Misfire: Failure of a cartridge to fire after the initiating impulse has been applied to the primer, normally due to:

6.1.1.1 The primer fails to fire when struck by the firing pin. Primer sensitivity shall be tested in accordance with SAAMI recommended equipment and procedures and comply with the performance standards for each cartridge.

6.1.1.2 The propellant does not ignite when the primer fires.

6.1.2 Hangfire: Any perceptible delay in the functioning of a cartridge after the initiating impulse has been applied to the primer.

6.1.3 Blown Primer: A blown primer is a primer which, when the cartridge is fired, is separated completely from the head of the cartridge case and both the head of the case and primer pocket are enlarged and deformed.

6.1.4 Pierced Primer: A perforation or rupture of the primer cup.

6.1.5 Longitudinal Split: A longitudinal separation of the cartridge case material produced by firing.

6.1.6 Circumferential Rupture: A circumferential separation of the cartridge case wall produced by firing. A partial rupture is one that extends less than 360 degrees around the case. A complete rupture is one that extends entirely around the case, separating the case into two parts.

6.1.7 Premature Cartridge Function: A premature function of the cartridge prior to intentional initiation of the firing mechanism of the weapon. Such failures usually occur during cycling of the weapon mechanism and prior to complete locking of the weapon's bolt.

6.1.8 Loose Primer: Independent movement of primer in cartridge case primer pocket or primer falls out of pocket.

6.1.9 Ammunition related malfunctions are defined as, but not limited to:

1) Deformed case

2) Inverted or missing primer

3) Projectile in bore

4) Inconsistent projectile seating, either deep or shallow which results in a failure to function or feed.

5) Excessive powder residue buildup in weapon sufficient to cause a failure to function.

6) Excessive marking compound in barrel

7) Excessive unburned powder

8) Excessive smoke