Sources Sought Synopsis BBU-35 and BBU-36 2025.pdf

REQUIREMENT TITLE: BBU-35A/B & BBU-36A/B Impulse Cartridges

BBU-35 NSN/PART NUMBER: NSN: 1377-01-642-1574, P/N: 7729436-30

BBU-36 NSN/PART NUMBER: NSN: 1377-01-640-6470, P/N: 7730680-30

SOLICITATION NUMBER: TBD

NOTICE TYPE: Sources Sought Synopsis

NOTICE: This is not a solicitation, but rather a Sources Sought Synopsis to determine potential sources for information and planning purposes only.

PURPOSE

The following constitutes a Sources Sought Synopsis. The purpose of this Sources Sought is to conduct market research to determine if responsible sources exist, to assist in determining if this effort can be competitive and/or a total Small Business Set-Aside. The Government is performing market research to identify potential contractors who have the skills, experience, and knowledge required to successfully produce the BBU-35 Impulse Cartridge, (NSN: 1377-01-642-1574, P/N: 7729436-30, DODIC: MG62) and BBU-36 Impulse Cartridge, (NSN: 1377-01-640-6470, P/N: 7730680-30, DODIC: MG11) for an anticipated procurement.

The proposed North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code is 325920 Explosive Manufacturing with a corresponding size standard of 750 employees. The Government will use this information to determine the best acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government requests that interested parties respond to this notice if applicable and identify your small business status to the identified NAICS code. Additionally, please provide any anticipated teaming arrangements, along with a description of similar services offered to the Government and to commercial customers for the past three years. Any responses involving teaming agreements should delineate between the work that will be accomplished by the prime and the work accomplished by the teaming partners.

BACKGROUND

The BBU-35A/B and BBU-36A/B are used to eject various chaff and flare countermeasures from aircraft.

Information relative to the previous awards is as follows:

- IDIQ and C contracts have been used in the past.

- Vendors can be qualified by similarity and/or prototype testing.

- Actions data to resolve deficient data issues is not applicable.

- Issues in past production have been parts obsolescence, product traceability, resource availability, performance, and schedule.

- Changes in the market place include shifting from foreign to domestic bulk energetics suppliers.

DESCRIPTION

The BBU-35A/B and BBU-36A/B are impulse cartridges comprised of a cylindrical aluminum case containing a firing electrode, bridge-wire, and propellant.

REQUIRED SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

The BBU-35A/B performance requirements are found in the BBU-35A/B specification.

The requirements are military unique. HMX, the main charge, is a long-lead time material which may impact contract performance and delivery requirements.

The BBU-36A/B performance requirements are found in the BBU-36A/B specification.

The requirements are military unique. The main charge is 2400 smokeless powder and is a long lead item which may impact contract performance and delivery requirements.

PRODUCT DATA

Configuration control of this product is under the government. The technical data on file with Hill Air Force Base is of high quality and sufficiently thorough to sustain the acquisition of these products.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS & CERTIFICATION

REQUIREMENTS

Known environmental regulations or product certification requirements necessary to manufacture, produce, store, or distribute the product have already been addressed.

COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

These impulse cartridges do not meet the definitions of commercial nor non-developmental items per FAR Part 2. The government does not have a mutual defense cooperation agreement for these items and the items are currently in use. These items are not used by the general public or by non-governmental entities for purposes other than governmental purposes.

INDUSTRY STANDARDS

Applicable industry standards, regulations, and process guides will be adhered to. These are military items produced only by qualified vendors. Technical experts from aforementioned companies and government technicians/engineers consult frequently to resolve issues and suggest product improvements.

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS & TECHNOLOGY INSERTION OPPORTUNITIES

The government is not able to produce these items, and the vendor base is limited. There are no known parts obsolescence issues.

SCOPE

All Statements of Interest should include the following additional data:

1. Company name, CAGE code, address, point of contact (POC), telephone number, fax number, email address to contact for any necessary clarification, to receive additional information, for additional data required by the analysis, and for information on any necessary non-disclosure agreements

2. Company's business size, to include number of employees and number of years in the industry.

3. Applicable business size and/or socioeconomic statuses (i.e. Large Business, Small Business, Emerging Small Business, SBA Certified 8A Program Participant, SBA Certified HUB Zone Firm, Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business). Note: Small businesses that possess the required capability are encouraged to submit responses to this notice.

4. Possible teaming arrangements and delineation between the work that will be accomplished by the prime and the work accomplished by teaming partners.

5. Description of company's concept(s) for meeting the top-level required system capabilities listed at the beginning of this SSS.

6. Existing support and/or maintenance philosophies.

7. Description of type(s) of engineering work that is subcontracted.

8. Surge capability to provide a significant increase in support (e.g. rapidly identify, equip and employ resources) in the event of a surge in number, size, or complexity of projects.

9. Company's ability to manage and secure up to SECRET information.

10. Description of certified AS/ISO Quality standards.

11. Manufacturing capabilities to include capacity given current and future workload;

Concerns with obtaining materials and/or components.

12. Description of facilities and equipment possessed to be able to perform capabilities and functions listed at the beginning of this SSS to include:

a. A dedicated cartridge production line

b. An ability to accept material on site

c. The ability to control the processing environment (Temperature and Heat) within the contractor’s facility

13. Testing - First Article Testing (FAT) and Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT):

a. What is your proposed lead-time requirement for FAT?

b. What is the contactor's ability to perform testing onsite (range and equipment)? If not on-site, what support would be needed from the Government or a sub-contractor?

14. Information received will be considered for the purpose of determining industry interest in the upcoming procurement. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this source sought. Any information submitted by respondents to this notice is strictly voluntary. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to Ellis Swenson, ellis.swenson@us.af.mil, 801-777-0083 and Ryan Walker, ryan.walker.3@us.af.mil, 801-775-8080.

Responding parties are requested to provide no more than 20 pages via e-mail to Ellis Swenson at ellis.swenson@us.af.mil and Ryan Walker at ryan.walker.3@us.af.mil.

NOTE: Please limit your response to related efforts no older than the past 10 years. This SSS is issued for the purpose of determining market interest, feasibility, and capability of sources and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Quotes (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice. The Government is only seeking possible sources and mailto:ellis.swenson@us.af.mil mailto:ryan.walker.3@us.af.mil information for future needs. All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to this notice will not be returned. No reimbursement will be made for any costs to provide, develop, or relay information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests. Information contained herein is based on the best information available at the time of publication, is subject to revision, and is not binding upon the Government. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement if a requirement materializes. Based on the responses to Sources Sought Notice/Market Research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition. Multiple awards may be made.

All small business set-aside categories will be considered.. All contractors interested in any potential future solicitation must be registered in System for Award Management (www.sam.gov).

http://www.sam.gov/