1.0 PURPOSE

The United States Department of War, AEDC Program Management Office, on behalf of the 846th Test Squadron (846TS), is issuing this RFI to conduct market research focused on identifying existing, in-production, in depot, or recently produced (within the last 5-10 years) Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs). The primary goal is to leverage readily available SRMs to reduce operational and acquisition cost and schedule for Sled Testing at the Holloman High Speed Test Track (HHSTT).

Table 1: Thrust Class Parameters

Thrust Class Thrust Class Title

Average Thrust Range

(Klb)

Total Time (s)

S Small 37-60 ≤2.0

M Medium 60-80 ≤2.4

L Large 80-200 ≤2.5

HP High Performing ≥139 ≤1.543*

2.0 BACKGROUND

The 846TS operates the HHSTT, a national asset for testing systems in a realistic, high-g, and dynamically stressful environment. The operational environment of rocket sleds imposes extreme structural and dynamic loads on all components, including the motors themselves, which are fundamentally different from the loads experienced in free-flight applications.

3.0 SCOPE AND REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

This RFI is exclusively focused on existing SRMs that could meet the requirements for the 4 Thrust Classes provided. Responses proposing new, clean-sheet motor designs are considered outside the scope of this RFI.

Respondents should focus on how their existing assets align with the requirements.

3.1 Key Requirements Summary

To assist in identifying candidate motors, the primary Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) and Key System Attributes (KSAs) for the Small, Medium, Large, and High Performing SRMs are summarized below.

Table 2: Small SRM Key Performance Parameters (KPPs)

Small

Key Performance Parameter (KPP) Threshold

1 Average Thrust (Klb) 37 – 60 2 Burn Time (s) ≤2.0 3 Total Impulse (Klb*s) 74 – 120

# Key System Attributes (KSA) 1 Diameter (in) 8.5 – 9.0 2 Length (in) 98 – 103 3 Pre-Fire Weight (lb) 395 – 410

4 Post-Fire Weight (lb) 85 – 90

Table 3: Medium SRM Key Performance Parameters (KPPs)

Medium

Key Performance Parameter (KPP) Threshold

1 Average Thrust (Klb) 60-80 2 Burn Time (s) ≤2.4 3 Total Impulse (Klb*s) 144-192

1 Diameter (in) 16-16.5 2 Length (in) 135-170 3 Pre-Fire Weight (lb) 930-1020 4 Post-Fire Weight (lb) 310-326

Table 4: Large SRM Key Performance Parameters (KPPs)

Large

Key Performance Parameter (KPP) Threshold

1 Average Thrust (Klb) 80 - 200 2 Burn Time (s) ≤2.5 3 Total Impulse (Klb*s) 200-500

1 Diameter (in) 17.5 - 18.0 2 Length (in) 157 - 162 3 Pre-Fire Weight (lb) 2,000 - 2,060 4 Post-Fire Weight (lb) 523 - 550

Table 5: High Performing SRM Key Performance Parameters (KPPs)

High Performing

Key Performance Parameter (KPP) Threshold

1 Average Thrust (Klb) ≥139 2 Total Time (s) ≤1.543 3 Total Impulse (Klb*s) ≥ 214

1 Diameter (in) 16.12 2 Length (in) 136.44 3 Pre-Fire Weight (lb) 1,120 4 Post-Fire Weight (lb) 266 ±6.5

Burn Time is the portion of the thrust-time curve where useful thrust is produced.

Total Impulse is the area under the thrust curve of the motor thrust profile.

*Total Time is the time from initiation of current to the ignitor, time zero, to the point where the thrust returns to zero. Ignition delay is included in the total time required.

While the diameter and length of the small, medium, and large motors are a trade space, it is critical that the diameter of the HP SRM be as minimal as possible to have the highest thrust density (thrust per frontal area) for the highest speeds required.

-Please provide any possible motors that are within ±30% of these specifications, specifically looking at sizes, but also includes performance.

4.0 INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM INDUSTRY

Interested parties are requested to provide a comprehensive response addressing the following areas for their existing/recently produced SRMs.

4.1. Company Information:

• Respondents must include the following information within their response.

• Company Name

• Address

• Point of Contact (Email and Phone Number)

• Federal CAGE Code

• Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)

• Business size (per NAICS)

• Web Page – URL

• Business Type (e.g. large business, small business, etc. See section 19.102 -https://www.acquisition.gov).

If possible, provide your DoW agency you are working with, contract number, the DoW Contracting Officer, DoW Program Manager and Program of Record.

4.2. Technical and Performance Compliance:

• Use the below attached “SRM RFI Template Matrix” template with the below information to provide information of the motor your company has related to the thrust class (leave blank if not available or provide separately if classified):

4.3. Structural Capability Assessment (Estimated re-analysis on Stress):

• Provide an estimated cost to re-analyze the provided SRM stress with a new load case. The load case would be specific for each class of SRM. So, once motors for further review are chosen, a load case can be provided for re-analysis.

• For the estimate consider the outputs for the Assessment:

• Requirements review to understands the load cases

• A presentation on the findings once the loads are analyzed

• An engineering report showing what the SRM Margin’s of Safety are based on the agreed upon loads

4.4. Production and Availability:

• Describe the current status of the production line for each candidate motor (e.g., currently in production, last produced 5 years ago, last produced 10 years ago, stock in depot).

• If motors are in production, provide methods as to which the Government could purchase units off the production line.

• Provide the expected timeframe of when these motors will be built. E.g. 2017 to 2028.

• Provide lot sizes (motors per lot per year) that were previously (or currently) are in production

• If the production line is not active, describe what would be required to restart production and the timeframe to do so

• If SRM’s are classified, discuss whether or not there could be a method to declassify the SRM for use at the HHSTT

4.5. Data Rights:

• Describe the Government's data rights associated with the proposed motor(s). Provide any data right hurdles that may cause issue in purchasing SRM’s, e.g. Raytheon owns the data rights.

5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses shall be limited to 10 pages submitted in the form of a .pdf via e-mail to the AFTC/PZI (Arnold) – OL Holloman Contract Specialists:

Chuck King and Brett Moore, AFTC/PZI (Arnold) – OL Holloman charles.king.42@us.af.mil and brett.moore.9@us.af.mil.

Deadline for responses is 3 weeks after posting. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information.

Please be advised that all submission become Government property and will not be returned.

Classified responses can be sent via JWICS. An unclassified Company info response should be submitted to the above contracting officer so that reviewers know of a classified response. In the unclassified response, please provide the class of motor that could be met (Small, Medium, Large, High- Performing). Classified responses via JWICS shall be sent to:

April Carson, AEDC/CX/IP, Tullahoma, TN april.carson@af.ic.gov

Bob Seastrom, HAF/TER, Pentagon robert.seastrom_ctr@af.ic.gov

6.0 DISCLAIMERS

This RFI is for market research and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Government is specifically interested in leveraging existing or recently produced motors to minimize development cost and schedule. Responses proposing new, developmental motor designs are outside mailto:charles.king.42@us.af.mil mailto:brett.moore.9@us.af.mil mailto:april.carson@af.ic.gov mailto:robert.seastrom_ctr@af.ic.gov the scope of this RFI. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

Attachments:

1. SRM RFI Template.xlsx

Potential NAICS Numbers:

1. 336415 Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing

2. 332994 Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing

3. 332313 Plate Work Manufacturing

4. 336412 Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing

5. 332993 Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing

6. 336414 Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing

7. 336419 Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

8. 325180 Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing

9. 325199 All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing

Attachment 1: SRM RFI Template Matrix

Information KPP's KSA's Information

Company Motor Class Motor Name Average Thrust (K-lb) Burn Time (s) Total Impulse (Klbs*s) Diameter (in)

Length

(in) Pre-Fire Weight (lb)

Post-Fire Weight (lb)

Design Safety Factor

Phase of Production *

Cost/Unit

Estimated re-analysis on Stress ($)

*If a provided SRM is retired, provide estimate of cost/schedule to turn production back on.

**For Cost per Unit, provide current production rate for estimated cost. E.g. $500k/unit @ 300/year