TNT Sources Sought Q and A.pdf

No. Question Answer

1 Does the Government anticipate awarding to a single source or is there potential for an award to multiple vendors?

The Government intends to issue a single contract award for the design, construction, and commissioning of the Trinitrotoluene (TNT) facility.

Teaming arrangement are allowable, if determined necessary to fulfill the requirement. If teaming, it is requested that interested sources clearly identify any teaming arrangement in their sources sought response.

Has the Government determined the acquisition method and contract type for this requirement (construction, Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, etc.)?

The acquisition strategy has not been finalized. Recommendations for acquisition method and contract type may be included in response to this sources sought.

3 Does the Government anticipate MILCON being involved in any of the requirement? No.

4 Is the Government going to award off this response, or is it planning to release a Request for Proposal (RFP)?

The purpose of this sources sought is to conduct market research in order to support finalization of the Government's acquisition strategy.

5 If the TNT facility goes to the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP), will the facility operator be allowed to bid?

The Government has not made any determinations to restrict this acquisition.

The sources sought notice asks very detailed questions. Will a decision to move forward with the company/team with the best responses be made?

The purpose of the sources sought is to conduct market research in order to support finalization of the Government's acquisition strategy.

7 Will this be a one or two phase acquisition? The Government has not finalized its acquisition strategy.

8 Will this be procured/awarded as an Early Contractor Involvement contract? The Government has not finalized its acquisition strategy.

9 Is the Government considering use of an Other Transaction Authority for this requirement?

The acquisition strategy has not been finalized. The Government is willing to consider any potential contracting option to support execution of this requirement.

10 Does the Government intend to use an Undefinitzed Contract Action to execute this project?

The acquisition strategy has not been finalized. The Government is willing to consider any potential contracting option to support execution of this requirement.

W519TC-23-R-0122: TNT Facility Sources Sought Q&As 09 February 2024

11 Will the Government limit the competition/award to U.S.

companies? A determination to limit competition has not been made at this time.

12 Which Government organization will be leading the inspections, design approvals, etc.?

Project Director Joint Services (PD JS) and its technical team will lead inspections and review designs, but the designer of record is ultimately responsible for the design.

13 Will the Army Corps of Engineers be involved?

This effort will not include the Army Corps of Engineers. This effort will be contracted out of Army Contracting Command - Rock Island (ACC-RI).

The program manager for this effort is PD JS.

14 Will the Government potentially furnish some of the industrial equipment as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE)?

Interested parties are responsible for all TNT related facilities including production, waste treatment (other than explosive incinerator), acids/oleum, and raw material receipt/storage facilities.

The different locations that the Government is considering may have magazines, maintenance shops, laundry facilities, break rooms, etc., that may be used for TNT production.

15 If the contract is executed by ACC-RI, will program management also be conducted by ACC-RI? PD JS is the program manager for this requirement.

16 Why is the Army choosing now to re-invest in TNT? The Government has determined that having access to a CONUS TNT facility is necessary to support the overall ammunition program.

17 Who are the anticipated stakeholders for this requirement?

The anticipated stakeholders are Joint Program Executive Office Armaments & Ammunition, Joint Munitions Command, PD JS, ACC-RI, and the production managers that purchase product.

18 Will Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) be part of this contract? Yes, it is anticipated that this effort will include CUI.

19 What is the key driver for the TNT program in order of priority:

Schedule, Cost, Capability/Capacity, Scalability, etc.? Schedule is the primary driver behind this requirement.

Does the Government anticipate doing a Quality Assurance (QA) review during the construction phase, or is the design review more informational with the designer of record signing off with that information provided to the Government as a record?

PD JS and its technical team will lead inspections and review designs, but the designer of record is ultimately responsible for the design.

21 What does the Government foresee for ownership of land/property?

This is dependent on the selected facility location and the contracting vehicle. The Government's intent is it would also own all property and equipment.

22 Is the Government considering commercial TNT sales of excess materials?

The TNT facility’s priority will be the production of TNT to meet Government requirements. The Government may consider commercial use of excess capacity on a case-by-case basis.

23 If intermediate products are also used commercially, can those be sold commercially?

The Government may consider commercial sales of intermediate products on a case-by-case basis.

24 Is there a facility to dispose of the off-spec explosives generated during production?

The locations that are currently being considered may have open burn/open detonate permits; however, the Government does not want to expand open burning of waste materials. The Government’s sources sought notice does not require interested parties to incorporate a waste incinerator into its response.

Depending on the location to be selected by the Government for the TNT facility, will the Government provide access to that location's Baseline Facility Assessment and Baseline Environmental Condition Assessment so that environmental risk assessment/mitigation plans and waste stream management activities can be developed and estimated?

Following selection of a location for the TNT facility, the Government intends to provide interested parties all available documentation.

26 In the Future Years Defense Program, has the money been allocated for product and the facility? The Government is unable to comment on future requirements.

27 Does the Army plan to fund this potential requirement via any other mechanism than through supplemental funding? The planned source of funding is the Fiscal Year 2024 Supplemental.

Does the Government have a budget for this potential requirement? Does this funding amount include process equipment and furniture, fixtures, and equipment?

Budgetary information will not be provided.

29 What are the Government's requirements for Intellectual Property (IP) rights?

The Government intends to secure unlimited rights to all IP. The Government may be willing to explore additional strategies identified by interested parties in their sources sought response so long as they fully support the creation and sustainment of a competitive environment, from program inception through sustainment; as well as provide the rights necessary for operation, maintenance, modernization of the TNT facility.

30 What if some of the material used in the manufacturing process is produced overseas? What are the restrictions on that?

The Government intends to require all raw materials be manufactured within the Continental United States (CONUS). If required materials are not produced CONUS, the respondent should provide a plan to establish CONUS manufacturing of all precursors and reagents required to make

TNT.

Clarification on sources sought question #5, "Provide a breakdown of manufacturing and engineering personnel required (numbers, experience, specialized skill sets)." Is the Government seeking a breakdown of the personnel to operate the facility? Or personnel for the tasks under the sources sought?

The Government is referring to the required personnel to operate the facility.

Is it safe to assume the Government would designate an operator that is already on the site selected, for example on existing GOCOs?

This should not be assumed. The Government's acquisition strategy for the TNT operating contract has not been decided.

33 On a Government facility, who provides emergency services? Emergency services on Government facilities are typically a part of the facility operation contract.

34 Does the Government have an anticipated plant lifecycle or expected lifespan?

The Government standard is 50 years for buildings and 20 years for process equipment.

35 Is this a short term need or long-term commitment?

The Government anticipates supporting TNT requirements utilizing the constructed facility. The Government cannot provide commitments for future requirements.

The October iteration of the sources sought was design, construct, and operate. The January iteration was more about design and construct. Was that a conscious thought to take the operation away? Is this now only a design/construct requirement?

The updated iteration was not to remove the request of the October notice, it was released in an attempt to focus on the TNT production technologies to support execution of the immediate anticipated requirement for design, construction, and commissioning of a TNT facility.

37 If operation is part of the overall delivery, what is the anticipated duration of the facility operation contract?

The acquisition strategy with regard to facility operation has not been determined.

Is there an opportunity to still be the operator since that language was removed from the updated sources sought? How will the operations contract be handled going forward after commissioning?

The Government’s intent was not to remove the first published sources sought notice, however its intention was to update and focus primarily on the technologies available for TNT production. Therefore, if an interested party can operate the facility following design, construction, and commissioning, the Government requests that information also be included within responses. The acquisition strategy for the operating contract has not been finalized.

The sources sought requires environmental permitting and compliance but does not define the various regulations that are required to be met. Each state has variations to their permitting requirements. Can the Government provide a short list of potential sites that are being considered for the TNT facility? Or, will the Government permit the contractor to provide a general overview of requirements, subject to individual state law?

The Government is currently primarily considering Government-Owned Government-Operated (GOGO) and GOCO facilities. Interested parties may provide a general overview of the permitting and compliance requirements under Federal air, water, and hazardous waste regulations.

Obtaining permits for air discharges and any hazardous waste treatment is part of this project.

40 Would the Government take the lead on National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) requirements?

The Government intends to conduct a NEPA assessment as soon as it selects the location for the TNT facility. The Government does not expect NEPA to be a schedule driver compared to the other required environmental permitting.

In terms of timelines, sometimes utilities and environmental processes can be extremely elongated. As we go down this path, will this be a teaming effort?

The Government anticipates working with the contractor as a team effort to accomplish these activities.

42 Will there be Part B Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permit requirements?

If an interested party recommends an approach that produces U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency hazardous wastes such as red/pink water or other listed characteristic wastes, then yes, a RCRA Part B hazardous waste permit will be required.

43 Will there be air permit requirements? Yes, air permits will be required.

Clarification on sources sought question #3: Overall annual throughput including operational availability basis of the calculation.

Note that the Government typically considers 85% operational availability against design capacity to be reasonable for explosives manufacturing lines.

Production capacity requirement of 5M lbs./year refers to the quantity at 85% operational availability, and not the design requirement?

Yes.

Is it the Government's intent to award the annual production quantity of 5M pounds of TNT via a multi-year contract after facility standup?

The Government's anticipated requirement contained within this sources sought notice is for the design, construction, and commissioning of a TNT facility that can produce 5M pounds of TNT annually. The Government does not intend to award a TNT production contract at this time.

Is it the Army's expectation for the facility operator to handle all aspects of TNT production or will the Army provide required precursor materials?

The operator of the TNT facility would be responsible for all required raw materials to produce TNT.

What are commissioning and acceptance/protocols process? For example, if the contractor had multiple lines and brought one up while the others were being finished.

The Government typically requires an integrated water test that demonstrates the entire system being controlled automatically. Then, some series of product trials to demonstrate the ability of the system to create the product that is required. A full commissioning test would demonstrate that the whole facility is functional. Finally, the Government would require an endurance demonstration that would show the capability of the whole facility. If an interested party has a recommended approach for staging commissioning and transition to production for multiple lines it is requested that information is provided in its response.

48 Is the production volume listed on the sources sought still current? Yes, the identified production capability of 5M pounds is still current.

49 Does the Government have a desired product form to be produced?

A majority of the Government requirements are flake. The TNT must meet military specification regardless of form. The Government recommends that interested parties state which product(s) they are capable of producing.

50 Is the 85% capacity for 365 days a year? Interested parties are required to be able to produce 5M pounds of TNT within a calendar year.

Does a master plan exist for the new TNT production facility? If so, can this be shared? If not, will one be required to integrate this TNT production facility into existing facility operations?

A master plan for the new TNT production facility is not available. Any future master plan requirements will be dependent on the finalized acquisition strategy.

52 Will there be a need to scale TNT production beyond 5M pounds/year?

For the purposes of this sources sought notice, the Government requests information regarding a TNT facility that can produce 5M pounds/year. In the future, the Government may consider scaling beyond this capacity, but that has not been decided at this time.

Does the Government anticipate a staged startup capacity? What is the immediate requirement for Ortho-Nitrotoluene (ONT) out of the box?

The Government does not have an answer for this at this time as the initial year production requirements are currently unknown. Interested parties for the purposes of this sources sought notice should plan for annual requirements of 5M pounds in the first year following successful commissioning of the facility.

54 Is the Government set on a starting material? The Government is willing to considering all TNT production technology options.

55 Is there a preference for a continuous versus a batch process? The Government does not have a preference regarding a continuous or batch process.

Is there any room to do development for more advanced technology on the side to incorporate into production at a later time?

The Government is not pursuing development of advanced technologies for future implementation at this time.

The sources sought requires an Explosive Safety Site Plan (ESSP). It is requested that the Government confirm that this plan is to be created based on the requirements of DOD Manual 4145.26, DoD Contractor’s Safety Manual for Ammunition and Explosives.

The ESSP will require Department of Defense (DoD) Explosive Safety Board approval and must comply with the DoD Contractors Safety Manual 4145.26, as well as the Defense Explosives Safety Regulation 6055.09 and Department of the Army Ammunition and Explosives Safety Standards

DA PAM 385-64.

Is the Government tracking any new requirements or future Army regulations this anticipated requirement may be subject to from a safety/environmental controls perspective beyond what currently exists?

The Government is not tracking any new requirements or future Army regulations that this anticipated requirement may be subject to beyond what currently exists. Please note that the 4145 DoD Contractor Safety Manual is being updated right now and the 2008 version will be used until the updated version is released.

59 Is TNT and its processing by traditional synthesis processes International Traffic in Arms Regulations controlled?

Respondents are responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

What engineering standards or certifications for use in fabrication of equipment used in energetic material synthesis and processing would be required for construction of the U.S. based TNT facility?

Interested parties shall identify its approach to engineering compliance and certification in its sources sought response.

61 With respect to cost and schedule estimates, is it permissible to leave some things contingent on the selected site?

If an interested party provides estimates that are contingent on certain facts and circumstances, it is requested that such information be clearly identified and articulated. All TNT production, waste treatment (other than explosive incinerator), acids/oleum, and raw material receipt/storage facilities should be included.

On the October sources sought posting there was a page limit, but a page limit is not identified for the updated sources sought. Is there still a page limit?

There is not a page limit for the updated sources sought notice.

Can the Government help interested parties understand what it means by “top level” related to an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) in the sources sought?

A “top level” IMS is requested for the Government to be able to understand a general timeline for the design, approval, construction, and commissioning of a TNT facility. Within the IMS, it is requested that interested parties illustrate all of the steps required to achieve the identified timelines.

Does the Government have a selected site for the TNT facility? Is there a desired region/congressional district? What site selection criteria will be used by the Government in the selection of a suitable site for TNT?

The Government has not selected a site for the TNT facility. The Government is currently primarily considering GOGO and GOCO facilities.

In order to select a site, the Government is considering aspects such as environmental permitting, quantity-distance arcs, and infrastructure/utilities. The Government notes that if interested parties have a commercial location for the TNT facility that is recommended, would meet the Government's needs, and is a viable option, it is requested that information be provided within its response to the source sought.

Has the Government evaluated the differences between siting at a Government versus commercial site in terms of explosive safety and environmental permitting, and how this affects overall program timelines?

Responses for siting at Government or privately-owned sites are welcome under this sources sought. Whichever approach the respondent identifies, its response should include the information requested in the sources sought notice to allow the Government to adequately assess the approach.

66 Is the Government considering Milan as a site? The Government is currently primarily considering GOGO and GOCO facilities.

Does the Government have a short list of desired or target siting locations, and is the Government anticipating construction at one facility or multiple?

The Government is currently primarily considering GOGO and GOCO facilities. The Government anticipates construction at one facility.

68 Is the Government considering greenfield or brownfield solutions in terms of the specific opportunity?

The Government is primarily looking at brownfield sites (GOCO or GOGO facilities) that have previous explosive operations or something else with commonality at the sites. As identified in the sources sought, the Government is also willing to consider a commercial option. If a commercial option is identified in its response, interested parties shall include all infrastructure necessary to support TNT production.

69 Can the Government share the shortlist of locations for the new TNT Production Facility? A shortlist of potential locations cannot be shared at this time.

Is there a chance that a site could be selected by the Government prior to the submission of industry responses to the TNT sources sought? If so, will this information be provided to potential offerors?

No. Industry may provide different options or ideas that will help the Government in its acquisition strategy or selection of the final site location.

71 Will the Government make any selection for technology providers and locations before the sources sought deadline? No.

72 Is the Government considering hosting an industry day? The Government may consider an industry day in the future, as necessary, to support the identified acquisition strategy.

The assumption is that the final product (TNT) will be stored in the existing magazines available at the Government determined location. What is the average size (net explosive weight) of the magazines?

Interested parties are not required to include any cost estimate associated with storing material on a Government installation. The Government is evaluating location options that have an approximate storage capacity of 2M pounds that will be available for the finished TNT product.

With quality assurance and quality control capability should this be standalone for lab analysis to maintain product spec and should not plan on sharing resources? Can the contractor anticipate the site will allow space/table distances for storage of final product and adequate space for inbound material, tank form, etc.?

Laboratory capability does not need to be included in the estimate. All sites have some capability with that; the Government is not considering this core TNT manufacturing/equipment. Yes, the Government is ensuring there is adequate space for storage. Clarification – construction of long term magazine storage is not part of the scope of this project. If the contractor needs staging space, then that is part of the scope. The respondent shall include any inbound material receipt and storage in their response.

75 The submission date is currently Saturday, 17 February 2024. Is this date accurate for submission?

The sources sought has been updated to revise the submission date to 20 February 2024.

It will be a challenge to have a capital cost and labor estimate by 17 February without some preliminary design. Would the government consider extending the sources sought notice due date?

The sources sought has been updated to revise the submission date to 20 February 2024. Additional extensions will not be considered.

Is there a particular technology that is preferred by the Government, in particular to reduce red water or pink water production?

The Government prefers a proven technology to reduce its overall program risk. If red or pink water is produced, interested parties are requested to characterize those waste streams in detail and describe how they will be treated in compliance with all applicable federal regulations.

What is the definition of “proven technology”? What type of information does the Government want to see with demonstrated capability to remove red or pink water? What is the evidentiary standard you want the contractor to show you?

With the main driver of this requirement being schedule, the Government is seeking to obtain TNT production capability as quickly as possible.

Therefore, a proven technology is preferred and defined as a production and waste treatment capability that has been successful at full rate production.

79 Are there plans for future or existing coproducts?

This sources sought notice does not cover future or existing coproducts;

however, interested parties are recommended to describe coproducts they intend to produce within responses.

80 Is there going to be any QA requirements for incoming materials for the production?

Yes, that is typical manufacturing process. However, the Government is not asking contractors to include the analytical laboratory as part of this estimate. If there are things the contractor needs that aren’t typical or considered more desirable for TNT production, please identify that in the sources sought response.

81 Does the Government have any preferred acids processes?

The Government wants to reconstitute the sulfuric outputs into oleum and recycle any recoverable nitric acid as well. The Government will consider all technology options for acids recovery and welcomes other options/recommendations.

82 Does the Government prefer to capture NOx vapors as a weak nitric and send it back to the NACSAC?

If an interested party has the capability to produce weak nitric acid from the NOx vapors, it is requested that information is provided within its response.

Any vapors that are generated must meet environmental regulation.

83 Will NEPA be required? If so, will it be an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?

NEPA will be required and the Government is anticipating it will be an EA for scheduling purposes. There is a chance it could be an EIS, but it is not expected at this time.

Is it an option for the contractor to tour the RFAAP facility or do site visits and/or receive guidance on equipment specifications, standard operating procedures, in order to manufacture TNT?

The Government has not determined a location for the TNT facility, thus there are no site visits to conduct at this time.

85 Is it more/less attractive to the Army if the contractor finds a solution using MNT or toluene?

Interested parties should provide the demonstrated, proven technical solution(s) it deems effective, implementable, and maintainable in the United States, and it should explain why it believes the recommended technical solution is the best option. The Government typically prefers the most cost effective approach, however, it must be ensured that there will be the long term production capability from CONUS materials and equipment.

86 What is the Government's preferred calculation for ONT to TNT? This calculation would not be determined until a TNT production technology is decided upon.

87 What is the desired packaging for ONT? Will be it be drums, ISO containers, rail cars, etc.? Interested parties should assume rail car.

88 What is the preferred purity specification for ONT? ONT purity specification would not be determined until a TNT production technology is decided upon.

89 Is there an existing military specification for ONT that the contractor should build on? The Government is currently unaware of a military specification for ONT.

90 The sources sought says that material samples will not be accepted. Is that still the case? Yes, that is still the case.

91 Does the Government have an ONT chemical purity specification? Not at this time. That will come from the technology provider.

What is the basis for the schedule identified of 36 months and 48 months? What are the requirements for the schedule? Does the 36- 48 month timeline include the time required for the Government’s design review and approval? How long is design approval, and can the percentage schedule be compressed?

The main driver for this anticipated requirement is schedule. Therefore, the Government requires the TNT facility to be designed, constructed, and commissioned within the 36-48 month identified timeframe. This identified timeframe includes Government design reviews. The Government typically requires design reviews at the 30%, 60%, and 90% level. It is anticipated that the Government and the contractor will work closely together throughout the design process to limit approval timelines. The Government's timeline for comments on design reviews are typically 10-20 business days for each submittal.

93 Will the Government consider a time exceeding 48 months?

The main driver of this anticipated requirement is schedule; therefore, meeting the 36-48 month timeline is critical. If an interested party is unable to meet this schedule, it should be identified in its sources sought response and include an explanation within the IMS.

How does the timeline of 36-48 months play in with other EIS, environmental, infrastructure, and logistics, and tie into what the Government anticipates for the award schedule?

The 36-48 month timeline is from contract execution to commissioning and shall include all permitting, infrastructure, and logistics requirements.

What are next steps and timing after the submission of industry sources sought? Is there a timeline for the follow-on RFP and ultimately an award decision from the Government?

The Government intends to utilize the responses to the sources sought notice to support finalization of its acquisition strategy. A timeline for follow-on RFP and award is not available at this time.

96 What would the timeline be for construction and commissioning of an ONT facility?

For the purposes of this sources sought notice, interested parties are requested to provide a schedule that includes design, construction, and commissioning of a TNT facility within 36-48 months. As such, an ONT facility would also require to meet those schedule requirements so that the TNT facility could be in production following its successful commissioning.

In execution, will the Government authorize purchase of long lead equipment in advance of final design reviews in order to accelerate completion?

Schedule is the most important driver of this requirement. The Government is willing to consider all authorized options in order to accelerate completion.

Due to the location being unknown, the source of steam, gas, utility distribution center, etc. is also unknown. What is the responsibility of the interested party to establish piping and bring utilities from the source onto the TNT site?

Respondents should assume that all required utilities are available at the battery limits. It is the respondent's responsibility to extend utilities from the battery limits to the TNT production facilities.

99 Will the Government obtain permitting for associated utilities up to the battery limits? Yes.

100 Are there any specifications or capacity studies for utilities? Does this include the NACSAC facility?

Assume utilities the contractor requires are at the battery limits. The Government is responsible for providing them there. The Government needs to understand what the contractor needs.

This does not include the NACSAC, which if required, should be included in the sources sought response. If the contractor requires oleum, then the Government requests that an interested party include an oleum production facility in its response.

101 Does the Government have particular treatment technologies that are not desired for waste treatment?

The Government does not currently desire a particular treatment technology. The Government is willing to consider all treatment technology options as long as they can be permitted in the United States.

102 To the extent required, is it preferred to have all waste treatment facilities on-site or would shipping waste off-site be allowed?

Shipping waste off-site may be allowed if a reasonable plan is identified that includes a list of all entities willing to accept the waste.

103 What is the planned disposition of liquid waste - local municipality or direct discharge to a stream or other body of water?

Within its response, an interested party should include its waste characterizations and strategies for the disposal of all wastes in compliance with federal hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal regulations, as well as wastewater discharge regulations. If state regulations could potentially impact the strategy described and/or compliance with the intended schedule, depending on the state where the facility is located, such potential impacts should be addressed in the response..

104 Is the aim of the Government to reuse the water from the plant, or dispose of the water at the battery limits of the plant?

This is up to the interested party. If it is part of the interested party's process to clean the water for reuse, or if it is the process to dispose of the water at the battery limits, then it is requested for that to be described.