RFI - Self-Propelled System Performance Demonstration 2024 v7 13mar2024.docx

DISTRIBUTION A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

OPSEC #: XXX

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION:

Project Manager Self Propelled Howitzer Systems

1. PROGRAM: PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE GROUND COMBAT SYSTEMS (PEO GCS); PROJECT MANAGER SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER SYSTEMS (PM SPHS); PRODUCT MANAGER EXTENDED RANGE CANNON ARTILLERY (PDM ERCA)

2. SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER ARTILLERY SYSTEM PERFORMANCE DEMONSTRATION

3. DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this RFI is for the United States Government (USG) to seek out information regarding vendor capability to support a Self-Propelled Howitzer System (SPHS) Performance Demonstration. The USG will host a Demonstration in Summer 2024 to observe the capabilities of current, non-developmental, 155mm artillery systems.

Any information received in response to this survey will be used by the USG to aid its planning for the Performance Demonstration and potential competitive Request for Project Proposal (RPP). This notice does not constitute an Invitation to Bid or Request for Proposal and is not to be construed as a solicitation, and no award shall be made based on this notice. A negative response to this survey does not exclude any vendor from any future solicitation. There is no formal solicitation available at this time, no solicitation will be issued against this notice, and this request for information does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation.

Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary with no obligation incurred by the USG. The USG will not reimburse contractors for any cost incurred for participation in responding to this RFI. All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the USG.

SPHS Performance Demonstration Project Overview

Multiple contractors shall be invited to participate in the USG hosted SPHS Performance Demonstration. The demonstration will assess the complete material solution offered by the contractor for 155mm self-propelled artillery, including, but not limited to, the Self-Propelled Howitzer firing platform, the resupply vehicle, propellant, projectiles, fuzes, and support equipment.

The demonstration will consist of two categories: Operational and Supportability. The objective of each is described as follows:

· Operational: Conduct demonstrations of the system’s capabilities – basic performance of the system and any unique capabilities identified by the contractors – via USG-defined scenarios intended to reflect combat missions in a general support role. Scenarios include but are not limited to the following:

· Maximum Range - Point target and area effects

· Maximum Rate of Fire

· Mission cycle time including rearm maneuvers using the contractor-provided components.

· Edge-case mobility – focused subset of performance and terrain maneuvers

· Supportability: Demonstrate basic maintenance and support of the system as well as any unique aspects of maintenance and supportability via passive observations.

The total ammunition need will be dependent on the vendor’s capability but is expected to be no more than 50 rounds.

The demonstration is expected to take place over four (4) months, with contractors staggered. Contractor hardware will be due at the USG test site at the beginning of an assigned demonstration window expected to be in Summer 2024. The system, defined below, shall remain at the USG test site for the assigned test schedule. The USG will provide test ranges and the consumables listed in Table 1 below. The contractor shall be responsible for any consumables not listed. The USG is interested in observing the systems demonstrated in their operationally relevant, combat configuration. The contractor shall provide personnel to setup/tear-down, conduct vehicle operations, and perform maintenance tasks. The contractor shall be responsible for providing tools for maintenance and ammunition to execute the demonstration as directed by the USG. The contractor is responsible for managing the transportation of its hardware to and from the USG test site.

Table 1: Available Consumables

The following definitions are provided for clarity:

· System: Any combination of technologies that support the self-propelled artillery mission. This may include vehicles, ammunition, sets/kits/tools, personnel, etc.

· Resupply vehicle: Any vehicle or support system that is unique to interfacing with a self-propelled howitzer. This vehicle would provide the self-propelled howitzer with at least projectiles and propellant but may also provide other classes of consumables to support the vehicle.

· Design Authority: The organization that is wholly responsible for a system’s technical design and holds authority for all changes to the design.

4. RESPONSES

Response Format: All responses must be Unclassified. Electronic responses are required in any of the following formats: Microsoft Word 2016 or later, or Adobe Acrobat. The document shall not exceed ten (10) page limit. The maximum size of each e-mail message should be no more than ten (10) megabytes. You may use multiple e-mail messages. The subject line shall be “Self-Propelled Howitzer System RFI Responses.” All interested firms, that can perform this effort, regardless of size, are encouraged to respond to this RFI.

It is not necessary to respond to this RFI to be eligible for future awards, including the anticipated RPP.

Responses shall be furnished to the USG no later than 1700 EST on the Response Date designated in the announcement on SAM. Responses received after this time may not be considered.

Do not submit responses via SAM. Please submit electronic responses to this survey, as well as questions for clarification to Robyn Holmes, at robyn.f.holmes.civ@army.mil.

Responses Shall Include:

Please provide the following information, if applicable, for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

1) Company/Institute name

2) Address

3) Point of Contact

4) Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code

5) Data Universal Numbering System Number

6) Phone Number

7) E-mail Address

8) Web page URL

9) Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 332994. Based on the NAICS Code, state whether your company qualifies as:

a. Small Business (Yes/No)

b. Woman Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

c. Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes/No)

d. 8(a) Certified (Yes/No)

e. HUB Zone Certified (Yes/No)

f. Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

g. Service Disabled Small Business (Yes/No)

h. Central Contractor Registration (Yes/No)

i. Statement describing company as domestically or foreign owned (if foreign owned, please indicate country of ownership).

10) If the respondent is foreign owned or will furnish information owned by a foreign government, please describe the mechanisms that allow you to engage with the US Army.

11) Do you already have a Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement (DD2345) or plan to establish a DD2345 before the RPP is released?

INFORMATION SOUGHT:

Please address all questions. If a question is not applicable, use N/A. Interested vendors/participants are requested to respond no later than 19 April 2024.

4.1. General Questions

4.1.1. Are you currently a National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) member?

4.1.2. Provide a brief description of your system’s capabilities and the nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Also include:

4.1.2.1. Provide general overview of system.

4.1.2.2. What material solutions are included in the demonstration system? (vehicles, ammo, etc.)

4.1.2.3. Does the participant have design authority (defined below Table 1 above) over all components in the system (howitzer, ammo, rearm vehicle, etc.)? If not, who are your partners?

4.1.2.4. Who is the manufacturer and what locations are used for the manufacturing of the major components of your system?

4.1.2.5. Describe the minimum and maximum range and projectile effects that are currently demonstrated in your cannon system. Please denote any combination that is developmental versus fielded.

4.1.3. Briefly describe your cannon system, including but not limited to caliber, chamber size, recoil system, service pressure, breech type, and gun mount system. Provide overall vehicle dimensions and weights. If multiple vehicles would be used at the demonstration include information for each vehicle.

4.1.4. Briefly describe the maturity of your self-propelled howitzer, ammunition, rearm/resupply vehicle, and related elements, as applicable to your system. Describe where material is/are in the lifecycle, for example development through initial fielding, safety testing,

4.1.5. What special capabilities does your system offer? Would you like to demonstrate any of those?

4.2. Performance Demonstration

4.2.1. Based on a performance demo at a US test site, what is your process for transporting hardware and ammunition to a US test site? Include process steps: transportation methods, timeline, customs requirements, security. When is the earliest your system could arrive at a US test site? Are there opportunities to expedite?

4.2.2. What obstacles would prevent your company from participating in a SPHS Performance Demonstration at a US Test site during Summer 2024?

4.2.3. Briefly describe any mobility capabilities you would be interested in demonstrating with your system. Are there any mobility restrictions with your system that you would not be willing to demonstrate?

4.2.4. Is your system compatible with F-24 (STANAG 3747) or JP-8 (MIL-DTL-83133) and can it safely operate during the demonstration? Please consider that the demonstration will likely occur in hot ambient conditions.

4.2.5. The USG is interested in seeing the systems demonstrated in their operationally relevant, combat configuration. Are you able to supply the equipment to fully outfit the vehicle in its maximum combat weight? For example: armor, crew gear, inert ammunition, on-board tools, on-board spares, etc. (These items are referred to as Basic Issue Items (BII) or Components of End Item (COEI) in US Army terms). If not, list missing items and their associated weight.

4.2.6. How many personnel would you require at the test site to support your system and what role will they serve in the demonstration? How many of those people would crew the vehicle? Can you provide evidence that those people acting as crew are trained to operate the system?

4.2.7. Do you anticipate any issues with demonstrating your system in the desert-like conditions in summer months?

4.2.8. Describe the type of support, maintenance equipment, and tools you will need to bring to support the demonstration. How much space is required? What additional support is desired? (I.e. electrical power for tools, compressed air, overhead cranes or forklifts, etc.)

4.2.9. Would you be willing to demonstrate your routine maintenance during the demonstration? Are you willing to allow US representatives to observe preventative maintenance checks and services (PMCS) procedures or perform diagnostic maintenance?

4.2.10. Would you be able and willing to remove and replace the armament assembly at the demo?

4.2.11. Would you be interested in demonstrating use of any US 155mm ammunition – propellent, projectiles, and/or fuzes? If so, which types of ammunition and can you provide evidence you can safely demonstrate that ammo?

4.2.12. How many vehicles would you expect to bring to the demonstration and what roles do they serve?

4.2.13. Can you bring sample training materials to the demonstration for USG review? Can you bring samples of your user or operator maintenance instruction to the demonstration for USG review?

4.3. Test and Evaluation

4.3.1. Can you include radio equipment (commercial or otherwise) with the vehicle to facilitate sending and receipt of missions during demonstration? If so, would you be able to share spectrum information for demonstration purposes?

4.3.2. Can you provide firing tables and Fire Control Input databases for NATO Armaments Ballistic Kernel in support of US determination of range and safety fans for all firing tests?

4.3.3. The USG intends to collect a limited amount of data from instrumentation during the demonstration. The demonstration will mostly consist of visual observations and GPS position. Is there any other data that the respondent would recommend collecting?

4.3.4. Describe the Safety and Suitability evaluations that have been completed for your system. Please address at least the following subsystems:

4.3.4.1. Cannon. (You may reference NATO STANAG 4110 and 4224 for typical evaluation criteria for cannons.)

4.3.4.2. Propellant. (You may reference MIL-STD-2105)

4.3.4.3. Human Factors. (You may reference MIL-STD-1472)

4.3.5. Has your company or system previously tested at a US test facility? If yes, can you supply the test report(s) and data? Alternatively, can you provide the test report document identification and USG Point of Contact?

4.3.6. The USG typically looks for a Safety Assessment Report conforming to DI-SAFT-80102C, that addresses the process described in MIL-STD-882, System Safety. Are you able to provide a safety hazard and risk assessment, in this format or any similar format, prepared and available for test site review?

5. TENTATIVE TIMELINE:

6. DRAFT DEMONSTRATION SCREENING CRITERIA:

The USG may screen proposed systems based on current capabilities and maturity of systems. These are not discriminators for the RFI. These criteria may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Self-Propelled Artillery System availability (vendor is capable of supplying a firing platform, the rearm platform (optional), projectiles, fuzes, and propellant as well as crew and supportability personnel (trainers and maintainers) for Summer 2024.

2. Systems which do not utilize 155mm ammunition types will not be considered.

3. Systems which do not include a self-propelled chassis equipped with an artillery armament will not be considered.

4. Systems which cannot reliably and safely deliver conventional, high explosive rounds (without supplemental propulsion, i.e. rocket assisted) a minimum distance of 20 km will not be considered.

5. Offerors who cannot supply the necessary crew with appropriate training will not be considered.

6. Offerors who are not willing to allow detailed observation of their system during the demonstration, including video observation, may not be considered.

7. Offerors who cannot supply safety related information will not be considered.

8. Systems that utilize an armament (including at least the cannon, breach, and recoiling mechanism) that are developmental may not be considered at this time. Developmental is defined as requiring additional engineering, manufacturing development, or testing prior to being assessed by system operators (i.e. armed service members).

9. Systems that utilize ammunition that is developmental may not be considered at this time. Developmental is defined as requiring additional engineering, manufacturing development, or testing prior to being assessed by system operators (i.e. armed service members).

10. Systems which integrate mature subsystems (e.g. new integration of a mature armament on a mature chassis) but cannot prove that sufficient testing has been conducted to reasonably expect the system to be safe and reliable through the demonstration may not be considered. Preference will be given to systems that have previously been integrated and tested.

11. Preference will be given to systems that are in service with any military.

Previous integration of US Army specific radios, software, ammunition, or similar subsystems will not be used as a screening criterion but is of interest to the US Army.

7. DISCLAIMER:

This RFI is for informational purposes only. The information in this notice is subject to change and is not binding on the USG. This is not a solicitation for proposals and shall not be construed as a commitment by the USG to purchase enhancements, hardware, or services for the SPHS Performance Demonstration. Responses in any form are not considered offers and the USG is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement. Funds are NOT available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary.

Since this is not a solicitation for proposals, respondents WILL NOT be notified regarding information obtained related to this RFI. Responses will not be returned nor will detailed feedback be made available.

Proprietary Information. The USG acknowledges its obligations under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and 18 United States Code (U.S.C.) §1905 to protect confidential information provided to the USG. Pursuant to this statute, the USG is willing to accept any trade secrets or proprietary restrictions placed upon data presented in response to this survey and to protect such information from unauthorized disclosure, subject to the following:

• Data must be clearly marked PROPRIETARY and be accompanied by an explanatory text so that the USG is clearly notified on what data is proprietary.

• Mark only data that is truly PROPRIETARY.

• Do not mark data that is already in the public domain or is already in possession of the USG or third parties on an unclassified basis. Do not submit any classified data in response to this market survey.

• Proprietary data transmitted electronically must have the PROPRIETARY legend on both the cover of the transmittal e-mail as well as at the beginning of the file. Proprietary information contained within the correspondence shall use the legends: “PROPRIETARY PORTION BEGINS” and “PROPRIETARY PORTION ENDS.”

The USG is not responsible for the public disclosure of unmarked data received in response to this RFI. Accordingly, the respondent shall ensure that technical data provided in response to this RFI shall be appropriately marked (i.e. proprietary) to ensure proper USG handling of the data. Should the USG need to reproduce the protected data for distribution purposes between USG offices, all such data shall be reproduced with restrictive legends in place.