RFI_High Volume Battery Linev2.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT

Agency: Department of the Army

Office: Army Contracting Command (ACC) / Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD)

Notice Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought

Subject: High-Volume Battery Pack Component & Integration Sourcing: Direct

Manufacturer & Tier-1 Production Supply Chains

Classification Code: 6140 (Batteries, Rechargeable) / 6135 (Batteries, Nonrechargeable) / 5995 (Cable, Cord, and Wire Assemblies: Communication

Equipment) / 6150 (Miscellaneous Electric Power and Electrical Equipment)

NAICS Code(s): 335999 (All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and

Component Manufacturing) / 335911 (Storage Battery Manufacturing) / 334419

(Other Electronic Component Manufacturing)

1.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC), in coordination with Tobyhanna Army

Depot (TYAD), is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) as market research to identify qualified Original Component Manufacturers (OCMs), qualified converters/fabricators, and Tier-1 direct distributors capable of supplying sustained, large-scale production volumes of components, electrical interconnects, and structural insulation for small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS) battery pack assembly lines.

The primary objective is to gain insights into volume production capacity, minimum lead times, raw material allocations, domestic tooling/die-cutting capabilities, automated wire termination, packaging assurances, and transparent chain-of-custody protocols.

Disclaimer:

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL AND PLANNING

PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) TO BE

SUBMITTED. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE

CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY

FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO

AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE

AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL

DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

2.0 BACKGROUND & STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Modern tactical operations rely heavily on small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) to carry out reconnaissance, communications relay, and rapid logistics in demanding operational environments. At the core of every reliable flight is its power pack—meaning that high-density, dependable battery assemblies are essential to keeping critical equipment running without failure.

To meet this demand, Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is ramping up its production, assembly, and depot-level maintenance operations. Our focus is moving away from fragmented, transactional spot-buys and broker networks, and instead building dependable, direct partnerships with the original manufacturers and authorized

Tier-1 suppliers who actually stamp, convert, insulate, and assemble these parts.

At the same time, we have to ensure that our supply chain is secure and resilient.

We are looking for industry partners who have the tooling capacity, disciplined quality systems (such as ISO 9001, AS9100, or IATF 16949), and inventory flexibility to support steady high-volume runs and respond swiftly whenever surge production is required.

3.0 REPRESENTATIVE HIGH-VOLUME COMPONENT PROFILES

The Government requires sustained procurement of high-durability dielectric insulators, precision battery interconnect tabs, and high-reliability cable assemblies in sustained production quantities. Rather than general component classes, TYAD has identified five specific, high-runner parts currently active on the automated and semi-automated sUAS battery line.

Respondents should indicate their capability to fabricate, tool, package, or directly supply these exact components or drop-in Form-Fit-Function (FFF) equivalents.

Part Number Material Description Baseline Quantity

1) 40102103 PSA FISH PAPER BACKED .010" 360,556

2) D1-67370D-2 TAB, 0.01 NICKEL, 21700, 2X2 50,005

3) D1-67370D-3 TAB, 0.01 NICKEL, 21700, 2X1 20,002

4) D1-67441D ASSY, CABLE, XT60, FEMALE PIGTAIL 10,001

5) D1-67442D ASSY, CABLE, JST-XH, 6S PACK SIDE TAP 10,001

6) INR-21700-P42A 21700 LITHIUM ION CELL 4200MAH 45AMP 180,012

7) INR-21700-P45B 21700 LITHIUM ION CELL 4500MAH 45AMP 180,012

4.0 CORE CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

Respondents must address their capability to satisfy the following operational and manufacturing requirements as primary manufacturers, specialty converters, or authorized Tier-1 direct distribution partners:

Volume Manufacturing and Capacity Allocations:

Demonstrated high-volume manufacturing throughput, continuous die-cutting/converting, high-speed stamping, and automated wire harness crimping and termination.

Ability to maintain dedicated buffer stocks, Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI), or safety stock agreements to accommodate rapid defense surge requirements without multi-quarter lead-time degradation.

Sourcing Restrictions and Supply Chain Sovereignty:

Prohibited Foreign Sourcing: In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4872 and Department of Defense regulations, all materials, chemical elements, cell-level components, metals, and cable assemblies must not be sourced, refined, or manufactured in prohibited foreign nations, specifically the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the

Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the Democratic People’s

Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Specialty Metals Compliance: All delivered metallic components (including nickel sheet/tab material and specialty alloys) must be fully compliant with the specialty metals requirements of the Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a) and DFARS

252.225-7008 ("Restriction on Acquisition of Specialty Metals") and DFARS

252.225-7009 ("Restriction on Acquisition of Certain Articles Containing Specialty

Metals").

5.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION / CAPABILITY STATEMENT

Interested sources are requested to submit a capabilities statement package structured into the following sections:

Section A: Corporate Profile & Supply Tier Classification

Company Name, Physical Address, CAGE Code, and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Primary Points of Contact (Name, Title, Email Address, Telephone Number, and

Corporate Website).

Operational Tier Classification:

Tier 1A: Original Component Manufacturer (OCM) / Direct Precision Converter /

Tab Stamping Fabricator / Harness Manufacturer.

Tier 1B: Direct Authorized / Franchised Manufacturer Distributor with dedicated stockholding agreements.

Anticipated Subcontracting/Teaming: If partnering, describe the administrative and technical management structure.

Section B: Manufacturing Capacity & Technical Capability

Production Tooling & Capacity: Summary of current manufacturing footprint, stamping press rates, automated wire termination capabilities, automated die-cutting equipment, and maximum monthly throughput for components similar to those in Section 3.0.

Lead Times & Surge Flexibility: Standard lead times, minimum order quantities

(MOQ), and policies regarding buffer inventory / safety stock holding.

Equivalency / Alternate Solutions: If offering Form-Fit-Function (FFF) equivalents, provide technical cut-sheets, cross-reference matrices, and engineering data proving compatibility with 21700 cell pack geometry and high-drain sUAS electrical envelopes.

Section C: Supply Chain Traceability & Regulatory Compliance

Domestic & Trusted Sourcing: Confirmation of ability to supply products fully compliant with 10 U.S.C. 4872 (excluding PRC, Russia, Iran, DPRK supply chains).

Specialty Metals: Explicit verification of compliance with DFARS 252.225-7008 and

DFARS 252.225-7009.

Quality Accreditations: Copies or summaries of relevant certifications (ISO 9001, AS9100, IPC/WHMA-A-620, UL94 for flame-retardant fish paper/insulation).

6.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Format: Responses must be submitted electronically in searchable PDF or Microsoft

Word format. The capability statement package should not exceed ten (10) standard

8.5 x 11-inch pages (excluding formal cover page, corporate overview, and technical product specification cut-sheets). Standard 10-to-12 point font and 1-inch margins apply. Bulleted formatting for technical claims is encouraged.

Proprietary Data: All data received in response to this RFI marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be strictly protected from release outside the

Government in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Please clearly mark each applicable page.

Classification: Any potential resulting contract will be Unclassified. DO NOT

SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL.

Submission Deadline: All responses must be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m.

Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 11 November 2026.

Submission Method & Points of Contact (POC): Submissions must be delivered via email to the following points of contact, referencing this RFI title in the subject line:

Primary Contracting POC:

Heather M. Buffone —heather.m.buffone.civ@army.mil

Mikael T. Mead - mikael.t.mead.civ@army.mil