Sources Sought Notice Shaped Charges.pdf

The United States (U.S.) Army Contracting Command-Rock Island (ACC-RI), on behalf of the Office of the Project Manager, Close Combat Systems (PM CCS), is issuing this Sources Sought Notice as a means of conducting market research to identify potential sources having an interest and the industry technologies available for the production and supply under a five-year, Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (ID/IQ) type contract for the following items:

Charge, Demolition, Shaped: 15LB, M2A4.

Department of Defense Identification Code (DODIC) M421, NSN: 1375-01-023-7994

Charge, Demolition, Shaped: 40LB, M3A1.

DODIC M420, NSN: 1375-00-088-6691

This market survey is to obtain information from potential sources within the US and Canada to manufacture the M421and M420.

The manufacture of these charges requires special skills and facilities. Melt pour loading of high explosives is a critical technology. Critical skills include laboratory personnel, explosive operators, quality assurance, environmental, and research and development.

Critical facilities include temperature-controlled cooling bays, melt pour systems, real time x-rays/x-ray technicians. X-rays are important to determine whether the melt-pour casting contains cracks, voids, porosity, or separation. Defects can cause malfunctioning of the charge.

The Contractor will be required to successfully conduct First Article Testing (FAT) and Lot Acceptance Tests (LAT) on these items. The charges are procured to USG Technical Data Packages (TDP). The entire USG TDPs will not be provided in support of this market research; however top-level drawings and packaging drawings identified below are available for interested sources to review. The requested top-level drawings and Military Specifications will be issued uncertified. The full certified TDP(s) will be available if a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) is released at a later date. All contractors interested in this potential future solicitation must be registered in the System of Award Management (SAM) in order to be eligible for award.

Shape Charge Description:

Shaped Demolition Charge's primary use is for boring holes in earth, metal, masonry, concrete, and paved and unpaved roads. When the charge is detonated, the explosive is converted to a compressed gas. The gas exerts pressure in the form of a shockwave.

The main charge converts the shaped liner into a high-speed jet, which penetrates the target. The M2A4, 15 lb Shaped Charge penetrates reinforced concrete to a depth of about 3 feet, with the diameter of a hole tapering from about 2.75 inches at the mouth.

The M3A1, 40 lb Shaped Charge penetrates reinforced concrete to a depth of about 5 feet, with the diameter of a hole tapering from 3.5 inches at the mouth.

M2A4, 15 lb Shaped Demolition Charge (DODIC: M421), (NSN: 1375-01-023-7994) Item Top Drawing: 8861565 & Item Top Packaging Drawing: 9281170

In support of Contractor acceptance testing (FAT/LAT), M6 Blasting Cap may be provided as GFM.

The M2A1 consists of approximately 10 pounds Composition B, which is loaded using a melt-pour process. It also contains approximately 50-gram Composition A-3 booster charge. The explosive charge is enclosed in a molded fiberglass container with a glass cone liner and a tin-plated steel closing cap. The shape charge is 14 15/16 inches high and 7 inches in diameter, including the standoff. The shaped charge assembly also has a carrying strap made of cotton webbing and a detachable molded fiberglass 6 inches standoff. Each charge with the standoff is packed in a fiberboard box with foam cushions. Then the fiberboard box is put in a barrier bag. 4 charges are packed in a wooden box per drawing 9281170.

M3A1, 40 lb Shaped Demolition Charge (DODIC: M420), (NSN: 1375-00-088-6691) Item Top Drawing: 8858390 & Item Top Packaging Drawing: 7549165

In support of Contractor acceptance testing (FAT/LAT), M6 Blasting Cap may be provided as GFM.

The M3A1 consists of approximately 30.5 pounds of Composition B, which is loaded using a melt-pour process. It also contains approximately 50-gram Composition A-3 booster charge. The charge is 15 1/2 inches high and 9 inches in diameter, not including the standoff. The explosive charge is enclosed in a seam welded or drawn sheet steel container along with a formed 10-inch diameter steel conical liner. The liner is assembled using a crimp, in conjunction with an adhesive/sealant. Brackets are spot welded to the outer surface of the shaped charge to affix the carry strap made from cotton webbing. A drawn brass detonator well is soldered to a tin-coated steel closing cap which is press fit into the container after loading. The shaped charge assembly includes a detachable welded three-legged steel stand. Finished assemblies are covered in a barrier material and packed in wooden boxes per drawing 7549165.

Interested companies who have the necessary capabilities should respond by submitting the following information:

1. To be considered to qualify for this effort, one must show the ability to achieve successful FAT 12 months after contract award and delivery 18 month after contract award.

2. A respondent to this Sources Sought Notice shall demonstrate strong:

• Evidence of existing facilities, item specified manufacturing equipment and capability required to manufacture.

• Technical and manufacturing capability

• Past performance (manufacturing experience) to support the production manufacturing, assembly, inspection, testing, packaging, shipping, and delivery of the subject items.

3. A brief summary of your company's capabilities (no more than 15 pages) includes a description of:

a. Facilities, business size information as it applies to NAICS code:

332993-Ammunition.

b. Personnel

c. Related manufacturing experience (similar items),

d. Estimated maximum monthly production quantities (and whether manufacturing resources required to produce this item are shared with other items/production lines)

e. Include an estimated delivery timeline of each lot. Expedited deliveries may be needed under urgent requirements.

f. The minimum procurement quantity (MPQ) required for economical production (DODIC: M420, M421)

4. A rough order of magnitude (ROM) for each item (DODIC: M420, M421) at MQP.

If a respondent does not have adequate resources (technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, the respondent must describe and demonstrate the ability to obtain those resources, as well as the timeframe for obtaining.

If a respondent chooses to utilize the services of sub-tier vendors and/or subcontractors, those vendors or subcontractors must also meet these criteria as stated above.

All contractors interested in the potential future solicitation for these items must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM).

Any response to this Sources Sought Notice should include the following:

1. Company's name 2. Address

3. Cage Code 4. UEI,

5. Point of Contact 6. Company Ownership (public, private, joint venture)

7. Business Classification / Socio-Economic Status (NAICS 332993)

8. Phone number 9. E-mail address.

All submissions, written comments, or questions shall be submitted to Mr. Shawn Kerr, shawn.e.kerr6.civ@army.mil and Ms. Megan Kirby, megan.m.kirby.civ@army.mil no later than 1400 hrs Central Standard Time (CST) on April 3, 2024.

This is a Sources Sought Notice for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal or as any other obligation on the part of the Government to acquire this item. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of any responses to this notice or otherwise pay for information solicited herein. The Government will utilize the information provided only to assist in developing an acquisition strategy for future requirements for the 15LB /40LB Shaped.

Please identify any proprietary information submitted. All information submitted will be held in a confidential status.