ESBD_517634_1779130899162_SOL_EXH_F.7_Handgun Ammunition Testing Requirements.pdf

2026 HANDGUN AMMUNITION TESTING REQUIREMENTS

The respondent must submit an initial amount of 1000 rounds for each model submitted for testing.

The ammunition must be representative of current production ammunition that would be provided by the manufacturer. The Texas Department of Public Safety reserves, at its sole discretion, the right to reject any ammunition submissions that have been prepared, modified or otherwise altered for the testing process. The due date/time for the submittal of these items will be 30 days after the solicitation due date, which is to be delivered to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Contracting Officer will verify that the items were received in a timely manner in order to determine whether or not the offeror is compliant with solicitation requirements.

PHASE I

Phase I must consist of a review of the written technical proposal and SAAMI or NATO compliance. The following pass or fail methodology will be used and illustrate to what degree the Offeror’s technical proposal and samples meet the evaluation criteria:

1. Technical Proposal – (Pass/Fail)

Data must be complete and presented in the specified format.

2. SAAMI or NATO Compliance to Dimensional Specifications – (Pass/Fail)

Ammunition samples will be inspected for compliance with dimensional specifications in accordance with the recommended specifications of SAAMI or NATO. This will be done by randomly selecting 10 cartridges and physically inspecting them for compliance (Bullet pulled and bullet weight and powder weight inspected for compliance to specifications. If any of the randomly selected 10 cartridges is found to be out of SAAMI or NATO specification, the proposal will be eliminated from further consideration.

3. Penetration – Total Possible Points: 500

Service ammunition will undergo a comparative ballistic gelatin evaluation measuring depth of penetration, retained bullet weight, expansion, and the total number of shots over 12 inches. The purpose of the test protocol is to evaluate the terminal performance of the sample service ammunition into bare gelatin and into gelatin after defeating the intervening barriers outlined hereafter.

During this portion of testing the Bidder will provide ballistic gelatin and barriers listed in this section. The Bidder must be present during this testing portion.

All penetration testing is performed with a:

Sig Sauer P320 Full Size chambered in 9mm Luger

The Department desires that projectiles penetrate between 12 and 18 inches into ballistic gelatin and expand to an optimal diameter while retaining as much of the original weight as possible. Greater technical merit will be achieved by those samples demonstrating a consistent overall penetration average between 12 and 18 inches with the lowest standard deviation.

The test media used is nominal 10 percent ballistic gelatin (Kind and Knox or Vyse 250-A), mixed by weight (e.g., one pound of gelatin to nine pounds of water). The gelatin is stored at approximately 4 degrees Centigrade (39 degrees Fahrenheit).

Prior to the utilization of any block of gelatin, validation of the block will be tested to assure consistency of the gelatin mixture. This test consists of firing a .177 caliber steel sphere (BB) into the gelatin block at approximately 590 feet per second (fps) +/- 15 fps. This sphere must penetrate a minimum of 2.95 inches but no more than 3.74 inches.

Only those projectiles trapped in the gelatin blocks will be measured for penetration, expansion, and retaining weight. Any shot resulting in a projectile not trapped in the gelatin block(s) will be re-shot and will not adversely affect the score of the test sample. If a projectile is clearly defeated or deflected by intervening barriers, no credit will be given for that shot. No more than ten (10) shots will be allowed in any individual event of the six (6) event test.

Each test event consists of five (5) shots. A new gelatin block and new test materials are used when appropriate, to maintain the integrity of the test. The complete test consists of firing a minimum of thirty (30) shots. Each test event is discussed below.

Penetration is measured to the nearest 0.25-inch increment using the most substantial piece of projectile achieving the deepest penetration. This portion of the projectile is recovered, weighed, and measured for expansion by averaging its largest diameter with its smallest diameter.

NOTE: During ballistic gelatin testing, projectiles which have penetrated, for example, 12.5” into gelatin;

however, the projectile “rebounded” from the point of deepest penetration at times up to 1” resulting in a measurement of 11.5” – thus penalizing a projectile for a shot less than 12”. Since the projectile traveled 12.5” (which is shown by the bullet path in the gelatin) but rebounded as a result of the elastic nature of ballistic gelatin, the offeror will be credited with the point of deepest penetration in the gelatin by the most substantial piece of the projectile, thus crediting the earlier referenced projectile to a full 12.5” of penetration.

TEST EVENTS

Test Event 1 – Bare Gelatin: The gelatin block is bare and is shot at a range of ten (10) feet, measured from the muzzle to the front of the block.

Test Event 2 – Heavy Clothing: The gelatin block is covered with four layers of clothing: one layer of t-shirt material; one layer of dress shirt material; one layer of Polartec 200 and one layer of denim. The block is shot at ten (10) feet, measured from the muzzle to the front of the block.

Test Event 3 - Steel: Two (2) six-inch pieces of 20-gauge cold rolled steel are set three inches apart (representing an automobile door). The gelatin block is covered in light clothing and placed eighteen (18) inches behind the rear most piece of steel. The shot is made at a distance of ten (10) feet, measured from the muzzle to the front of the block of gelatin.

Test Event 4 - Wallboard: Two (2) six-inch pieces of ½ inch gypsum board are set 3.5 inches apart. The gelatin block is covered with light clothing and set eighteen (18) inches behind the rear most piece of gypsum board. The shot is made at ten (10) feet,measured from the muzzle to the front of the block of gelatin.

Test Event 5 - Plywood: One (1) six-inch piece of 23/32 inch sanded pine plywood is used. The gelatin block is covered with light clothing and is set eighteen (18) inches behind the rear surface of the plywood. The shot is made at ten (10) feet, measured from the muzzle to the front of the block of gelatin.

Test Event 6 - Automobile Glass: One (1) piece of A.S.1, ¼ inch, laminated automobile safety glass is set at an angle of 45 degrees away from the weapon and 15 degrees away from the line of the weapon, resulting in a compound angle of impact for the bullet upon the glass. The gelatin block is covered with light clothing and is set eighteen (18) inches behind the glass. The shot is made at ten (10) feet, measured from the muzzle to the front of the block of gelatin.

Penetration test materials list:

1) T-shirt material - Sew Classic Knit Interlock Fabric Solid, white (Item # 8043382). Available online from JoAnn Fabric and Craft stores, www.joann.com.

2) Dress shirt material - Symphony Broadcloth Cotton Fabric, white, (item # 636373). Available online from JoAnn Fabric and Craft stores, www.joann.com.

3) Polartec insulation - Polartec 200 Series, Fabric Style 7614, Fabric Color 9017 (Black).

Available online from Mill Direct Textiles, www.milldirecttextiles.com.

4) Denim - Sew Classics Bottom Weight Fabric Blue Textured Denim 12 oz., (item# 1287929).

Available from JoAnn Fabric and Craft stores, www.joann.com.

5) Gypsum board - Ultralight 1/2" x 4' x 8' gypsum board, USG Sheetrock. Available from The Home Depot, www.homedepot.com, item #14113411708.

6) Plywood - 23/32" x 4' x 8' BC Sanded Pine Plywood, available from The Home Depot, www.homedepot.com, item #166057.

7) Sheet metal - 20 ga (.036”), Cold Rolled and Annealed, 2B Finish. Available from Speedy Metals – Milwaukee, 2505 South 162nd Street, New Berlin, WI 53151, telephone (262) 784- 4140, www.speedymetals.com.

8) Automobile windshield - 15" x 18" panels of 1/4" Clear Laminated A.S.1 safety glass is available through Glass Distributors, Inc., 3800 Kenilworth Ave., Bladensburg, MD 20710, telephone number (301) 779-2430, www.glassdistributorsinc.com.

Penetration calculations:

A. The Overall Penetration Average will be awarded a point value which is multiplied by the corresponding point value for the Standard Deviation. This figure is then multiplied by 0.5, representing one half of the Penetration score.

Penetration Points

≥ 18.01" 5 16.00" - 18.00" 9

14.00" - 15.00" 10

12.00" - 13.99" 8

≤ 11.99" 1

Standard Deviation Points

0 - .50 1

0.51 - 1.00 0.9

1.01 - 1.50 0.8

1.51 - 2.00 0.7

2.01 - 2.50 0.6

2.51 - 3.00 0.5

3.01 - 3.50 0.4

3.51 - 4.00 0.3

4.01 - 4.50 0.2

≥4.51 0.1

B. The average percentage of bullet weight retained is awarded a corresponding point value which is multiplied by 0.1, representing one-tenth of the penetration score.

Retained Weight Points

98 - 100 10 96 - 97.9 9 94 - 95.9 8 92 - 93.9 7 90 - 91.9 6 88 - 89.9 5 86 - 87.9 4 84 - 85.9 3 82 - 83.9 2 80 - 81.9 1

≤ 79.9 0

C. Average bullet expansion is awarded a corresponding point value which is multiplied by 0.2, representing one-fifth of the penetration score.

Expansion (9mm Luger) Points

> 0.57" 10

0.540 - 0.569" 9

0.510 - 0.539" 8

0.480 - 0.509" 7

0.450 - 0.479" 6

0.420 - 0.449" 5

< 0.419" 1

D. The number of shots less than 12 inches is awarded a corresponding point value which is multiplied by 0.2, representing one-fifth of the penetration score.

Number of Shots < 12" Points

0 10 1 8 2 6 3 4 4 2 5 1 6 0

≥7 -5

(END OF PHASE I EVALUATIONS)

PHASE II

Phase II must consist of a pass or fail methodology will be used with factors 1-6. Any sample which fails to meet all requirements listed in factors 1-6 will be eliminated from further consideration. A point system will be assigned to factors 7-14.

All Phase II velocity testing is “Instrumental” and conducted using a velocity testing instrument.

1. Velocity in Sig Sauer P320 Full Size – (Pass/Fail)

Ten (10) rounds of submitted ammunition will be fired from a Sig Sauer P320 Full Size to determine if the average instrumental velocity falls within the Offeror’s specified window of optimal terminal performance. Any submission which fails to meet the Offeror’s specified window of optimal terminal performance will be eliminated from further consideration.

Note: Optimal Terminal Performance, for the purposes of this solicitation, is defined as follows: Lower limit should reflect the velocity where a projectile designed to expand would fail to expand when impacting a bare block of validated ballistic gelatin. Upper limit should reflect the velocity where, for example, a projectile could suffer structural damage inhibiting the projectile from performing as designed.

2. Average Instrumental Velocity – (Pass/Fail)

Ten (10) rounds will be fired in a Sig Sauer P320 Full Size. The average instrumental velocity of the ten rounds will be calculated and used to determine the Average Instrumental Velocity.

Any submission which fails to fall within the range of +/- 50 fps of the Average Instrumental Velocity will be eliminated from further consideration.

3. Accuracy – (Pass/Fail)

Five (5), five shot groups will be fired in a Sig Sauer P320 Full Size secured in a fixture. The best four (4) of the five-shot groups will be averaged. The remaining groups must not exceed 5” at 25 yards. Any submission with a group exceeding 5” will be eliminated from further consideration.

“Settling” shots prior to shooting for record are allowed.

4. Sustained Immersion in Water – (Pass/Fail)

Twenty (20) rounds of each submitted ammunition will be immersed to a depth of 1 meter in a container of tap water for 24 hours at room temperature. The ammunition will thereafter be fired for the purpose of determining the integrity of the sealants and must meet the following standards:

a. The average velocity of the immersed twenty round sample must be within 50 fps (+/-) of the average velocity calculated from Phase II, Test 3 (Average Instrumental Velocity) using the same weapon.

b. Each of the immersed 20 round sample must function the weapon as designed.

5. High Temperature – (Pass/Fail)

Twenty (20) rounds of each submitted ammunition will be exposed to 160-degree F temperature for a period of 4 hours. The ammunition will thereafter be fired for the purpose of determining the integrity of the sealants and must meet the following standards:

a. The average velocity of the twenty round sample must be within 50 fps (+/-) of the average velocity calculated from Phase II, Test 3 (Average Instrumental Velocity) using the same weapon.

b. Each of the 20-round sample must function the weapon as designed.

6. Cold Temperature – (Pass/Fail)

Twenty (20) rounds of each submitted ammunition will be exposed to -20-degree F temperature for a period of 4 hours. The ammunition will thereafter be fired for the purpose of determining the integrity of the sealants and must meet the following standards:

a. The average velocity of the twenty round sample must be within 50 fps (+/-) of the average velocity calculated from Phase II, Test 3 (Average Instrumental Velocity) using the same weapon.

b. Each of the 20-round sample must function the weapon as designed.

7. Accuracy – Total Possible: 100

Priority Factor: 10

The ammunition accuracy must be measured by firing two 10-shot groups. Each group size will be measured for extreme spread by determining the distance between the two most widely spaced bullet holes, measured from center-to-center in hundredths of an inch. Results of the groups will be averaged.

Handgun: two 10-shot groups, center to center, at 25 yards, when fired from a Sig Sauer P320 Full Size chambered in 9mm Luger. The size of each 10-shot group will be measured for extreme spread, measured center to center.

Cumulative group sizes will be averaged (extreme spread, center-to-center). The point value corresponding to the average group size will be multiplied by the priority factor of 10.

Group Size Points ≤ 2.00" 10

2.01 - 2.25" 9

2.26 - 2.50" 8

2.51 - 2.75" 7

2.76 - 3.00" 5

3.01 - 3.25" 4

3.26 - 3.50" 3

3.51 - 3.75" 2

3.76 - 4.00" 1

4.01 - 4.99" 0

≥ 5" -5

8. Instrumental Velocity – Total Possible: 80

Priority Factor: 8

Two (2) - ten (10) shot groups will be fired to determine the following:

a. Average velocity

b. Standard Deviation

c. High velocity

d. Low velocity

e. Extreme Spread

An average extreme spread ("ES") will be calculated using the ES from the two 10-shot groups. The corresponding point value will be awarded to the average ES. The point value achieved for Velocity will be multiplied by the Priority Factor of 8.

Velocity (ES) Points ≤ 25 fps 10 26 - 50 9 51 - 75 8

76 - 100 6 > 101 0

9. Muzzle Flash – Total Possible: 60

Priority Factor: 6

Five rounds of each sample will be fired from the above-mentioned barrel in a darkened range. The muzzle flash may be recorded by use of a high-speed video camera.

The cartridge for comparison is: Current service ammunition

A muzzle flash less than or equal to that of the currently issued service ammunition is desired. The point value achieved for Muzzle Flash will be multiplied by the Priority Factor of 6.

Muzzle Flash compared to Current

DPS Service Points

Less than 10 Equal to 5

Greater Than 0

10. Quality Control – Total Possible: 50

Priority Factor: 5

The number of quality control defects observed during Phase II testing will be assigned a respective point value and multiplied by the Priority Factor of 5.

Quality control defects include, but are not limited to:

Deformed case

Inverted primer

Inverted projectile

Split case mouth

Oversized cartridge

The point value achieved for the number of defects will be multiplied by the Priority Factor of 5.

Defects Points 0 10 1 5

≥ 2 0

At the conclusion of Phase II evaluations, the top two scoring submissions will advance to Phase III.

END OF PHASE II

An Offeror will receive written notification from the Contracting Officer of their selection to participate in Phase III testing. The Offeror will be required to submit 5,000 rounds of the same LOT/DAY CODE submitted for Phase I and Phase II testing. The 5,000 rounds of sample ammunition must be delivered to the Department within 10 calendar days of written notification.

If during any portion of Phase III evaluations, a sample submission is eliminated, the Department reserves the right to include the next highest scoring submission, from Phase II testing, into Phase III testing. If a determination is made to include another submission, the Contracting Officer will notify the Offeror and request the additional 5,000 rounds (as outlined in the above paragraph) be delivered to the Department within ten calendar days of written notification of selection.

PHASE III

Phase III, evaluation factor one (1) establishes a minimum reliability standard which must be met.

Points will be awarded based on functional reliability rates observed during live firing events. A sample that does not meet the minimum requirements under Phase III must be disqualified from further consideration.

1. Functional Reliability – Total Possible: 30

Ammunition will be fired through Department weapons for the purpose of evaluating the functional reliability of submitted sample ammunition. The weapons used for the functional reliability testing must consist of: Sig Sauer P320 Full Size chambered in 9mm Luger (5000 rounds) provided by the Department.

The shooting team must consist of a shooting team provided by the offeror.

Functional reliability testing will commence with an inspected, cleaned, and lubricated firearm. No more than 500 rounds may be fired in each weapon without the weapon being inspected, cleaned, and lubricated.

Ammunition related defects include, but are not limited to:

a. Deformed case

b. Inverted primer or bullet

c. Inert or defective primer

d. Squib load

e. Inconsistent bullet seating depth

f. Inconsistent powder charge

g. An excessive residue build up in the weapon

h. Excessive primer or bullet sealant

i. Cartridge not within SAAMI or NATO specifications

j. Blown primer (excluding weapon induced failures)

Malfunctions induced by the shooter or which are caused by a weapon failure or defect must not constitute an "ammunition related malfunction/defect" for purposes of this evaluation. Malfunctions which have an indeterminate cause will not constitute an "ammunition related malfunction/defect" for purposes of this evaluation.

The Department has observed in testing some samples which demonstrate a high number of “undetermined stoppages.” The Department may use these undetermined stoppages as a consideration in the best value determination.

Ammunition-related malfunctions can include, but are not limited to:

a. Failure to feed

b. Failure to chamber

c. Failure to lock

d. Failure to fire

e. Failure to unlock

f. Failure to extract

g. Failure to eject

Acceptable Defects / Malfunctions

0:5,000

Any submission which exceeds the acceptable ammunition defect/malfunction range will be eliminated from further consideration.

Phase II overall point total must be added to points received during Phase III for a combined final technical score.

END OF PHASE III