BBU-35A/B & BBU-36A/B Impulse Cartridges
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- FA8213-BBU-35and36-SSS
- Agency
-
AFLCMC Hill AFB
Lifecycle Management Center, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 325920 Explosives Manufacturing
- Place of performance
- Hill Air Force Base, Utah, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base is conducting market research to identify potential contractors capable of manufacturing BBU-35A/B and BBU-36A/B Impulse Cartridges, which are specialized military devices used to eject chaff and flare countermeasures from aircraft. These cartridges consist of cylindrical aluminum cases containing firing electrodes, bridge-wires, and propellant materials, with the BBU-35A/B utilizing HMX as the main charge and the BBU-36A/B using 2400 smokeless powder. The procurement falls under NAICS Code 325920 (Explosives Manufacturing) with a 750-employee size standard, and contractors must demonstrate capabilities including dedicated cartridge production lines, ability to handle SECRET information, and capacity to perform First Article Testing and Lot Acceptance Testing. Interested parties must be registered in SAM.gov and submit detailed capability responses of no more than 20 pages addressing company qualifications, manufacturing processes, teaming arrangements, and quality standards. The government has established a response deadline of September 15, 2025, with submissions directed to Ellis Swenson and Ryan Walker via email.
This sources sought notice does not currently specify a set-aside designation, as the government is using the market research to determine whether the procurement can be structured as a small business set-aside or requires full and open competition. No incumbent contractors or current suppliers are identified in the documentation, and no specific award values, budget ranges, or quantity requirements are disclosed at this pre-solicitation stage. The government is considering a combined Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract structure for both cartridge types, with potential for multiple awards depending on market response. The notice emphasizes that both HMX and 2400 smokeless powder are long-lead time materials that may impact contract performance and delivery schedules. The procurement targets the specific National Stock Numbers 1377-01-642-1574 for the BBU-35 and 1377-01-640-6470 for the BBU-36, with corresponding part numbers 7729436-30 and 7730680-30 respectively.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The Government is conducting market research to determine if there are manufacturers capable of producing both the BBU-35A/B and BBU-36A/B for a combined IDIQ contract.
The BBU-35A/B and BBU-36A/B are impulse cartridges comprised of a cylindrical aluminum case containing a firing electrode, bridge-wire, and propellant.
The BBU-35A/B performance requirements are found in the BBU-35A/B specification. The requirements are military unique. HMX, the main charge, is a long-lead time material which may impact contract performance and delivery requirements.
The BBU-36A/B performance requirements are found in the BBU-36A/B specification. The requirements are military unique. The main charge is 2400 smokeless powder and is a long lead item which may impact contract performance and delivery requirements.
The purpose of this Sources Sought is to conduct market research to determine if responsible sources exist, to assist in determining if this effort can be competitive and/or a total Small Business Set-Aside. The Government is performing market research to identify potential contractors who have the skills, experience, and knowledge required to successfully produce the BBU-35 Impulse Cartridge, (NSN: 1377-01-642-1574, P/N: 7729436-30, DODIC: MG62) and BBU-36 Impulse Cartridge, (NSN: 1377-01-640-6470, P/N: 7730680-30, DODIC: MG11)
Update #1 ·
The BBU-35A/B and BBU-36A/B are impulse cartridges comprised of a cylindrical aluminum case containing a firing electrode, bridge-wire, and propellant.
The BBU-35A/B performance requirements are found in the BBU-35A/B specification. The requirements are military unique. HMX, the main charge, is a long-lead time material which may impact contract performance and delivery requirements.
The BBU-36A/B performance requirements are found in the BBU-36A/B specification. The requirements are military unique. The main charge is 2400 smokeless powder and is a long lead item which may impact contract performance and delivery requirements.
The purpose of this Sources Sought is to conduct market research to determine if responsible sources exist, to assist in determining if this effort can be competitive and/or a total Small Business Set-Aside. The Government is performing market research to identify potential contractors who have the skills, experience, and knowledge required to successfully produce the BBU-35 Impulse Cartridge, (NSN: 1377-01-642-1574, P/N: 7729436-30, DODIC: MG62) and BBU-36 Impulse Cartridge, (NSN: 1377-01-640-6470, P/N: 7730680-30, DODIC: MG11)
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Sources Sought Synopsis BBU-35 and BBU-36 2025.pdf |
Similar open opportunities
| Opportunity | Agency | Set-aside | Responses due |
|---|---|---|---|
| MJU-76/B Flare, Countermeasure | AFLCMC Hill AFB | No set-aside | |
| Solicitation Notice - ARD-446 & ARD-863 Impulse Cartridges Amendment 3 | AFLCMC Hill AFB | No set-aside | |
| KC-46 Fire Extinguisher Cartridges | AFLCMC Hill AFB | No set-aside | |
| MJU-68/b infrared countermeasure (ircm) flare | AFLCMC Hill AFB | No set-aside | |
| B-2 HSA | AFLCMC Hill AFB | No set-aside |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity