NLTA Section C DRAFT.pdf

Section C – Description/Specifications

1. INTRODUCTION

The Department of Homeland Security Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) operate in several locations throughout the US. Over 90 Partner Organizations utilize the FLETC for their basic and advanced training needs for Officers and Agents.

2. SCOPE

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. The need for marking cartridges in training exercises continues but it has also been decided that non-marking projectiles are needed. What is needed are the following calibers:

Marking and NON-Marking Cartridges 9mm Non-Lethal Marking Cartridge 9mm Non-Lethal Non-Marking Cartridge .223Rem/5.56mm Non-Lethal Marking Cartridge .223Rem/5.56mm Non-Lethal Non-Marking Cartridge

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

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

3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1 General

3.1.2 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.

3.1.3. 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 injury or health risks to participants.

3.1.4. This request is for NLTA: 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.

3.1.5 Components: No component of the round shall have been used previously. Reloaded or remanufactured ammunition is unacceptable.

3.1.6 Projectile: The projectile shall be of such design that it does not produce accelerated bore erosion or build up in barrel and will not damage metal, glass, vehicle finishes/plastic components (i.e. headlight/taillight covers, dashboards etc.) or personal protective gear, when used according to manufacturer's specifications.

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

3.2 Propellant: If a cartridge contains propellant, each shall contain smokeless propellant free of lead or other heavy metals that produces a minimum of smoke and does not exceed PEL standards for exposure to toxic materials. Nominal charge weight shall be established by the manufacture to meet performance requirements. Propellant should be clean burning to minimize firearm maintenance and to prevent fouling caused malfunctions. A minimum of powder residue or other by-products is desirable.

3.3 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 failures per Section 5 and listed in Section 9.

3.3.1 Waterproofing compounds: A waterproofing compound may be applied.

3.3.2 The projectile may be sealed 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 three (23) months from date of delivery.

3.3.2.1 A Primer sealant is recommended.

3.4 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.

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

4. HEALTH AND SAFETY

4.1 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.

4.2 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.

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

4.4 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.

4.5 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 Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each component offered. SDS must be provided initially in response to this offer and at any time a component listed in a previous SDS is changed. SDS must be provided by the manufacture prior to or included with any shipment of new submissions of NLTA to FLETC Firearms Division.

4.6 On-Site Air Quality Testing Conducted by the FLETC

4.6.1 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.

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

4.6.3 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.

5. FUNCTION AND CASUALTY

5.1 Function and Casualty: If the Government receives a lot of ammunition that does function properly the Government reserves the right to request replacement of the Lot. The field failure rate for failures attributable to ammunition can not exceed 5 per 500 rounds. Ammunition failures are described in Section 9. A copy of the relevant Firearms Division Ammunition Incident Report(s) may be provided to the contractor at the time of the ammunition Lot rejection.

6. NON-LETHAL CARTRIDGES

6.1 This NLTA must have an obvious, easily recognizable appearance different than that of live-fire ammunition.

6.2 Components: The marking projectiles shall be composed of a water-soluble color marking compound that when struck upon a target leave a mark to show where the projectile impacted. Any marking substance contained in the projectile shall not render a permanent or indelible stain on clothing or protective gear. Non-Marking projectiles should leave no mark.

6.3 Accuracy: The cartridge, when fired from a commercially available non-lethal dedicated or properly converted weapon system must hold a point of aim/point of impact group of 15 inches at 15 yards or better. This accuracy standard must be met for 50 consecutive rounds between cleanings.

6.4 Function: NLTA is expected to reliably function during normal training scenarios and inclement weather in the government's existing dedicated or properly converted weapon systems. The FLETC currently uses the Glock 19T (chambered in FOF/FX/UTX, Glock Gen 3+4 with conversion barrels for UTM MMR as well as FX/FOF/UTX , Sig P320 (W320C-9-DHS-Blue chambered in FX/FOF/UTX), Colt SMG rifles with FX/FOF/UTX conversion, and conversion bolts with AR15/M4 rifles designed for UTM MMR 5.56

6.5 Velocity: The projectile will not reach a velocity such that it will cause damage as specified in 3.1.3 and 3.1.6 from a minimum safe stand-off distance. Minimum safe stand-off distance, muzzle-to-muzzle, for all weapons is three feet.

6.6 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.

7. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS

7.1 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 as outlined above where such inspections and tests are deemed necessary to ensure that supplies and services conform to prescribed requirements. The government will conduct random sample checks to confirm products received are as approved per the complete Cartridge Section 3.4.

7.1.1. 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.

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

7.1.3. 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 one lot of primers and one lot of propellant.

7.1.4 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.

7.1.5 Inspection Provisions: Unless otherwise specified, each lot of components and each lot of cartridges shall be inspected as is applicable.

7.1.6 Workmanship: Cartridges and components shall be visually inspected to determine compliance with the requirements. NTLA sent to the FLETC Firearms Division may have had a 100% visual inspection for defects by the contractor.

7.2 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 established therein. 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 NLTA.

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 should be packaged in 500 or 1,000 round cases. Individual cartridges should be contained in trays located inside a box containing a maximum of 50 rounds. Loose, bulk packaging will not be accepted. Each individual box shall be clearly labeled "LOT NO. xxxxxxx". The lot number must also be printed on the outside of each case.

7.3 Dimensional/Weight Verifications: Dimensional and weight requirements as specified shall be verified by contractor gages or by Standard Measuring Instruments (SMI).

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

7.6 Certifications: Contractor shall maintain certificates of compliance for the material requirements of Sections 3 and 4. Certifications shall be available upon request for each production lot.

7.7 Compliance Monitoring: Random samples may be pulled from any and all contract deliveries for testing to ensure continued compliance with these specifications.

8. PACKAGING/STORAGE.

8.1 Packaging/Storage: The 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)" See paragraph 3.3.2 above.

9. DEFINITIONS:

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

9.2 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.

9.3 The propellant does not ignite when the primer fires.

9.4 Hang fire: Any perceptible delay in the functioning of a cartridge after the initiating impulse has been applied to the primer.

9.5 Blown Primer: A blown primer is a primer which, when the cartridge is fired, is separated completely from the primer pocket.

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

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

9.8 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.

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

1. Deformed case, case rim/Rolled case mouth/Bulged case

2. Inverted, sideways 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

9. Casing coming apart on firing or separating causing a malfunction

Part I - The Schedule Section D - Packaging and Marking

A. Packing and Packaging - All material shall be packed for shipment in such a manner that will insure acceptance by common carrier and safe delivery at destination. Shipping containers shall comply with the Interstate Commerce Commission Regulations, Uniform Freight Classification Rules, and/or regulations of other carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation. Packaging of all ammunition shipments shall be in accordance with all Federal regulation (non-military) regarding explosive materials. For all palletized ammunition, shipments shall be safely positioned on shipping pallets and shall be stretch wrapped and/or banded to ensure that contents are secure during movement of the pallet. Ammunition may be palletized in accordance with the best commercial practices; however, the cases must be marked clearly on at least two (2) exterior sides of each pallet.

Pallets containing ammunition that is stacked haphazardly or in uncountable layers may be rejected and returned to the vendor. For purposes of this contract, a box is defined as the smallest unit of packaging and a case is defined as the unit of packaging that contains the box. See Section C, paragraph 4.2.3 for additional information.

B. Marking- Each case shall be marked in accordance with Federal Standard 123 (Marking for domestic Shipment) on the outside surface with the nomenclature, quantity, lot number, and manufacturer's part or item number. Each case shall also be marked with a "USE BY (Month & Year)" date. The contract number and delivery order number shall also be marked on the outside surface of each exterior shipping container.

C. Lot Number- Within 10 days after award, the contractor shall provide to the Contracting Officer for approval a notice explaining the contractor's intended lot numbering system. The manufacturer must print, emboss or label the words "LOT NO." followed by the manufacturer's lot number on either the inside or outside surface of each box. The marking must be easily identified.

D. Packing List - A packing list or other suitable document shall accompany each shipment and shall show (a) name and address of vendor, (b) name and address of consignee, (c) Government contact and delivery order number, (d) Government bill of lading number covering shipment, if any, and (e) description of material shipped, including nomenclature, lot number(s), quantity (per lot), number of containers, and package number (if any).