Aircraft Countermeasure Flares

The United States (US) Army Contracting Command - New Jersey (ACC-NJ) on behalf of the Project Manager for Close Combat Systems (PM CCS) Picatinny Arsenal, NJ is issuing this Sources Sought Notice as a means of conducting market research.  The result of this market research may be used to establish an acquisition strategy and method of procurement, if a requirement materializes. 

PM CCS is seeking potential sources to fabricate, inspect, test, and deliver new or alternative/replacement solutions to the current Aircraft Countermeasure Flares currently deployed by the Army.  These countermeasures have the potential to be used to protect the US Army (and potentially other services) rotary wing aircraft from Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) guided threats.  Initial delivery would be for approximately 10,000-20,000 units within eight to twelve months after award and, subject to the availability of funds, an estimated delivery of 833-1,667 units per month for a maximum contract length of five years.  The flares will need to meet Army requirements for airworthiness, effectiveness, reliability, interface and interoperability, environment, shelf and service life.  These requirements are still in the developmental phase.  These flares are to replace or supplement the currently deployed countermeasure solution and are essential to provide Army aircraft protection against current and advanced surface-to-air and air-to-air EO/IR guided threats. The contractor must be able to meet an expedited delivery schedule utilizing a Non-Developmental Item (NDI). 

Interested sources that can provide the above listed services, in whole or part, are encouraged to respond with the following:

1. Level of flare development, i.e.: lab scale, prototype, production ready.

2. Video of the item deploying off an airframe

3. Estimated output in any spectrum in which the manufacturer has measured

4. Time-intensity plots of the flare IR output (Watts/steradian) in the mid and near IR regions measured statically and dynamically (flight conditions for a helicopter traveling at an airspeed of 120 knots or any other dynamic test data).

5. Visible spectra measurement in the photopic region: Candela vs. time when measured with a photocell with an f'1 of 3.00 or less.

6. Flare trajectory, ejection velocity and set-back force.

7. Effectiveness of the flare against infrared and/or EO/IR guided surface-to-air missile threats.

8. Estimated cost for the flare in test quantities of 3000-5000 units as well as unit price for production quantities.

9. Which airframe(s)/aircraft the item has been cleared on.

10. Insensitive Munitions test data.

Included in the submission should be the current major manufacturing processes, critical skills and equipment, and current production capabilities, which should include the maximum production rate attainable and minimum sustaining rate. The organization’s facilities, equipment, unique capabilities, environmental concerns, storage, shipping, receiving and other support functions, such as testing capabilities for conducting acceptance testing of the end product should also be identified. It is also requested that respondents provide an estimated unit cost for 10,000 and 20,000 each units.

RESPONSE SUBMISSION DETAILS

Responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be electronically submitted to the Contract Specialists listed below in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF). Responses must reference the number of this Sources Sought Notice, W15QKN-24-Z-10N0 in the subject line of the e-mail and on all enclosed documents. All responses should include the following: Company name, address, Cage Code, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), Point of Contact, Company Ownership (public, private, joint venture), Business Classification, and primary points of contact (POC) with email addresses, fax numbers, and telephone numbers.

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

All submissions, written comments, or questions shall be submitted to the ACC-NJ Contract Specialist, Zachary Smith, no later than 1500 Eastern Daylight Time (EST) on 30 July 2024. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged. No feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions.

Information and materials submitted in response to this Notice WILL NOT be returned. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL.

All data received in response to this Notice that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government. Additionally, any information submitted by respondents to this Sources Sought Notice is strictly voluntary. Information and materials submitted in response to this notice WILL NOT be returned.

Respondents can include additional information, such as brochures, reports, or any other specific information that would enhance the Governments evaluation of the current market conditions for a service contract of this nature.

DISCLAIMER

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE (MARKET SURVEY) IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS NOTICE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ)/INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)/REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) OR A PROMISE TO ISSUE AN RFQ, IFB OR RFP IN THE FUTURE.  THIS NOTICE DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTRACT FOR ANY SUPPLY OR SERVICE.  FURTHER, THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT SEEKING QUOTES, BIDS OR PROPOSALS AT THIS TIME AND WILL NOT ACCEPT UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE. NO AWARD WILL BE MADE AS A RESULT OF THIS NOTICE. THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT, IN WHOLE, OR IN PART, ANY PRIVATE SECTOR INPUT THAT RESULTS FROM THIS NOTICE. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT OBLIGATED TO NOTIFY RESPONDENTS OF THE RESULTS OF THIS NOTICE. THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED OR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contracting Office

THE US ARMY CONTRACTING COMMAND – NEW JERSEY (ACC-NJ)

Building 10, Phipps Road

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000

Primary Point of Contact:

Zachary Smith, Contract Specialist:

Zachary.m.smith112.civ@army.mil