Attachment_6__-_Questions_&_Answers.pdf

MULTICALIBER RFP QUESTIONS

.223 80 GRAIN

1. Question- Will contractors who submit product and a written proposal receive any feedback with regard to testing of product and competitiveness of pricing proposal?

Answer- The awardee or awardees will be determined as set forth in the solicitation.

Unsuccessful offerors will be notified after award. Interim updates or evaluation results will not be provided. The Marine Corps intends to make contract award(s) without Discussions, but reserves the discretion to initiate Discussions if it is determined by the Contracting Officer to be in the Government’s best interest after considering the evaluation results for the proposals initially submitted. If Discussions occur, such feedback may be provided with an opportunity to submit a revised proposal.

Unsuccessful offerors may request a debriefing.

2. Question- When/where will testing be conducted? Are contractors allowed to witness the sample submission testing?

Answer- Testing will be conducted at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Weapons Training Batallion, Quantico VA. Testing will be scheduled as soon as practicable after receipt of proposals based on testing schedule. Offerors will not be permitted to witness testing.

3. Question- When will the contractor be notified of selection or non-selection?

Answer - See answer to Question 1. Notices of contract award decisions are typically provided within 5 days of an award decision.

4. Question-What is the turnaround from contractor notification of selection to a delivery order issuance?

Answer- The first Delivery Order will be placed at the same time as award of the base IDIQ contract.

5. Question- Re: 2.3.2 Does factory polishing of annealing discoloration from the case disqualify a manufacturer’s brass case from consideration? The annealing qualities are still present, just not visible.

Answer - No, factory polishing of annealing discoloration would not disqualify a vendor, however offerors’ proposal must document that annealing was performed during production.

RFP # M67854-18-R-5210

Multi-Caliber Match Ammunition

Attachment 6, Questions and Answers

6. Question [Comment] - Re: 2.4.5.2.A Specifies a bullet 80 ±5 grains, with a secant or hybrid ogive, and a G7 form factor of less than 1.000. This reduces the available candidates to the Hornady 75 BTHP, the Hornady 75 & 80 ELD-M, and the Sierra 80 MatchKing. The Berger bullet selections are either VLD type bullets, not the specified secant or hybrid type, or the G7 form factor is in excess of 1.000.

Answer- The referenced paragraph remains unchanged. The acceptability of any particular projectile will not be determined prior to evaluation of submitted proposals.

7. Question [Concern] - Re: 2.4.5.3.A Specifies an average maximum chamber pressure of 65,000 PSI. In the RFI last October, the specification then was SAAMI standard of 55,000 PSI for a standard atmosphere. The 65,000 PSI value represents, in our opinion, a very unsafe operating pressure, especially when subjected to the 120º high temperature testing. The Wylde chamber is not designed to handle this pressure. The Wylde chamber in addition to the

5.56 NATO chamber both have limits of 55,000 PSI. We hope you see the risk with this specification.

Answer- This risk was considered with the team prior to solicitation. A decision was made to allow the manufacturers to have more leeway with the pressures (hence the higher number). The current M855 specification allows for worst case chamber pressure of 64,700 PSI. Current proof pressures are approximately 70,000 PSI for issue weapons.

8. Question [Concern] - Re: 2.4.5.3.B Specifies a velocity range of 2850 to 2950 fps at the muzzle. While this is attainable from a 24” SAAMI standard test barrel, we do not believe this is possible with a 20” service rifle barrel with a 55,000 PSI limitation.

Answer- MARCORSYSCOM understands that the maximum allowable SAAMI pressure for a .223 Remington cartridge is 55,000 PSI, however due to the user requirement to have a projectile that retains a velocity of at least 1,700 fps at 600 yards it was determined that additional pressure was allowable in order to meet the velocity requirement. Based on the proof pressures that are utilized in the qualification and testing of the weapons (73,000 PSI per MIL-DTL-32530), MARCORSYSCOM believes that the risk presented by utilizing cartridges built to this pressure is acceptable. That being said, MARCORSYSCOM believes that the selected vendor will take every possible step to reduce the peak pressure of the ammunition while satisfying the performance requirements of this RFP.

RFP # M67854-18-R-5210

Multi-Caliber Match Ammunition

Attachment 6, Questions and Answers

9. Question [Concern] - Re: 2.3 & 6.3.B Specifies a 600 yard downrange velocity of 1700 fps. The only 80 grain bullet that will meet this is the Hornady 80 grain ELD-M when subject to your minimum velocity specification of 2850 fps, presumably from a 20” service rifle barrel. We don’t see this realistically attainable from any loading with a 55,000 PSI limitation.

Answer- USG response to #8 addresses this concern.

10. Question [Concern] - We have a great many reservations about this cartridge performance specification. It appears to have great risk. Recent information from the USAMU indicates that they are considering returning to the 80 grain Sierra MatchKing loaded at 2740 fps from a service rifle barrel due to the outstanding accuracy and group sizing not experienced with other loadings, especially at 600 yards.

Answer- USG response to #8 addresses this concern. The Marine Corps has considered the technical risks associated with the solicited specifications and believes that one or more potential sources can meet those.