Attachment 0003 - NATO SOW.pdf

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Production Test Statement of Work (SOW)

1. NATO PRODUCTION TEST SAMPLES

1.1 The contractor shall be responsible for the delivery of a representative sample(s) of ammunition to the NATO North American Regional Test Center (NARTC) located at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Missouri for NATO Production Testing. This is required in order to determine if the United States (U.S.)

ammunition designs, that are currently qualified to be used by NATO Member Forces, continue to meet the NATO standards for battlefield interchangeability, and merit the application of the NATO Symbol of Interchangeability required in accordance with the following NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAG), Allied Ordnance Publications (AOP), and Allied Engineering Publication (AEP).

STANAG/AOP 4172 – Technical Performance Specification Providing for the Interchangeability of 5.56mm x 45 Ammunition and Links

STANAG/AOP 2310 – Technical Performance Specification Providing for the Interchangeability of 7.62mm x 51 Ammunition and Links

STANAG/AOP 4383 – Technical Performance Specification Providing for the Interchangeability of 12.7mm x 99 Ammunition and Links

STANAG 4823 & AEP-97 – Multi-Calibre Manual of Proof and Inspection NATO Small Arms and Ammunition

1.2 The following U.S. ammunition designs are currently NATO Qualified:

5.56mm, M855 Ball 5.56mm, M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) Ball 5.56mm, M856 Tracer 7.62mm, M62 Tracer 7.62mm, M62A1 Tracer 7.62mm, M80 Ball Caliber .50, M17 Tracer Caliber .50, M33 Ball

1.2.1 The following U.S. ammunition designs are NOT currently NATO Qualified:

5.56mm, M856A1 Tracer 7.62mm, M80A1 (EPR) Ball

While there are other U.S. ammunition designs that are NOT currently NATO Qualified, these ammunition designs may become NATO Qualified during the contract period and these designs, relevant to this contract, would then be subjected to the same requirements. The contractor is responsible to ensure that their production of the cartridge designs that are currently NATO Qualified or become NATO Qualified prior to or during the life of the contract retain this status.

1.3 A NATO Production Test (PT) sample shall be submitted for testing once every

ATTACHMENT 0003 / RFP W52P1J-20-R-0046

twelve months for each of the NATO Qualified ammunition designs listed above that are in production to maintain the NATO Symbol of Interchangeability (cloverleaf). The annually submitted sample shall be from the same month of production as that of the previous sample for the length of the contract. Failure to submit samples within the specified timeframe may result in the Government direction to discontinue marking with the NATO Symbol of Interchangeability and/or removal of markings at the contractor’s expense.

1.4 The ammunition sample submitted for PT shall be from a representative sample, from a normal production lot of not less than 100,000 cartridges of ball ammunition (50,000 of all other types) that has passed all national proof and inspection requirements. If the ammunition sample is from a start-up production, then the NATO PT sample shall be submitted from the first full production lot after it has been accepted by the Government.

1.5 The submission of ammunition samples for PT shall be authorized by the Project Manager for Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM MAS) Configuration Manager who shall certify that no changes have been made to the build standard of the ammunition design that obtained Qualification Approval/NATO design number and that the ammunition is from the same production facility. The sample submitted shall be from lots which have passed national proof and inspection requirements and are considered as part of the deliverables.

1.6 When more than one manufacturer or sub-vendor is producing cartridges of a U.S.

NATO Qualified design, a production sample from each manufacturing source shall be submitted to the NARTC for a separate PT. The contractor is required to ensure that any sub-vendors manufacturing complete cartridges must also submit a NATO PT samples to the NARTC in a timely manner.

1.7 The ammunition quantity required and configuration to be delivered under this contract shall be in accordance with the following table (to the nearest complete box or convenient delivery quantity (i.e. “Best Commercial Practices”)). The single rounds may be packed in clip/carton pack as applicable. The ammunition must be packaged so as to preclude damage in normal handling and transportation. In addition to any other markings required by this contract, the packaging for each sample shall be marked, “FOR NATO TESTING” and must also include; item nomenclature, lot number, manufacturer and quantity per package.

1.8 After approval is granted by the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO), the contractor shall begin marking the outer box with the NATO Symbol of Interchangeability (cloverleaf).

1.9 A failure of the ammunition to meet the applicable requirements may result in invocation of warranty pursuant to FAR 52.246-17 “Warranty of Supplies of a Non-Complex Nature”. At a minimum, the failure will result in suspension of the use of the NATO Symbol of Interchangeability, the removal of the symbol from existing stocks or from production since the last successful PT, or the need for requalification. If the sample(s) fail to meet the requirements, i.e., if the submitted cartridges fail NATO PTs, the contractor shall be responsible for removing the NATO Symbol of Interchangeability (cloverleaf) from each outer

Caliber Type Single Rounds

Linked Rounds

Total Rounds

5.56mm Ball 7K 6K 13K 5.56mm Tracer 7K 6K 13K 7.62mm Ball 3K 2K 5K 7.62mm Tracer 3K 2K 5K 12.7mm Ball 2K 3K 5K 12.7mm Tracer 2K 3K 5K box at whatever site(s) the boxes are located, unless otherwise authorized by the PCO. In addition, the contractor shall be responsible for submitting new samples at their expense.

1.9.1 In the event of a NATO test failure to meet the applicable requirements, the contractor shall coordinate with PM MAS, NATO NARTC staff, U.S. Head of Delegation, Combat Capabilities Development Command Armament Center, and other Government offices to engage in a thorough failure analysis and resubmission of samples. The contractor will hold a joint meeting with the Government within 30 calendar days of the failure notification to review the status and plan of action for the investigation.

1.10 The deliveries for each of these sample(s) are to be made F.O.B. Origin and shipped to the following address:

NATO North American Regional Test Center (NARTC) Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) Highways #7 & #78 Independence, Missouri 64051 UNITED STATES ATTN: SJMLC-BS / Building #8

1.11 The contractor shall submit the following supporting documentation prior to and along with the sample of the subject cartridge design to be tested:

A completed Request for NATO Qualification Approval or Production Test Form (AEP-97), Volume 2, Annex 2-g). Please contact the U.S. Delegate for assistance in completing the attached form.

A copy of the Certificate of Conformity for the propellant and primer composition chemical analysis confirming that the compositions meet the build standard and tolerances defined in the technical data package for the subject cartridge.

A copy of the complete national lot acceptance test results.

A copy of the signed DD 250 Form (Material Inspection and Receiving Report)

A copy of the Ammunition Data Card (ADC)

Notification of when sample shipment is initiated by the contractor.

The above requested information shall also be submitted electronically to the following individuals:

U.S. Delegate NARTC Superintendent NARTC Proof Officer PM MAS Configuration Manager

The above contact information will be provided by the PCO after contract award.

April 30, 2020