CXU-3 Signal Cartridge

Description(s): The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Rock Island, on behalf of the PM Close Combat Systems, is issuing a sources sought announcement in an effort to identify capable sources for the production and delivery of the F470 CTG SIGNAL PRAC BOMB CXU-3 A/B (smoke/cold) for the Fiscal Years (FY) 27-31. The U.S. Government's interest would be approximately 25,000-65,000 per year.  Any resulting contract will also contain First Article Test (FAT) requirements.

The configurations are as follows:

F470 CXU-3A/B CART SIG/NAVY – NSN: 1325-01-088-4217 (w/ metal pallet)

F470 CXU-3A/B CART SIG/AF – NSN: 1325-01-112-8170 (w/ wood pallet)

ITEM DESCRIPTION: These requirements support the United States Air Force and the United States Navy bombing missions.

The CXU-3A/B Signal Cartridge is a good visibility daytime use, fire-free signal cartridge. The aluminum cylinder surrounds a glass ampule, which contains approximately 1.0 ounces of Titanium Tetrachloride, a mildly toxic liquid that produces large volumes of white smoke when exposed to air or moisture. It weighs 2.50 ounces. Upon impact, the cartridge is driven forward against the firing pin, initiating the primer in the base of the cartridge. This action fires three grams of expelling charge, which in turn, shatters the ampule and propels it from the open end of the practice bomb. The resulting cloud of dense white smoke clearly marks the impact point of the practice bomb on the bombing range.

Bomb Configuration: The Signal Cartridge is used in the nose of the MK 76, BDU-33, MK 106, BDU-48, and Laser Guided Training Round (LGTR) Practice Bombs. With the Spotting Charge Adapter MK 89 MOD 0, the cartridge can be used in the tail section of the MK 80 Series Inert Bombs.

Components: The Signal Cartridge can be used with Spotting Charge Adapter MK 89 in the tail fuzewells of the BDU-45 Practice Bomb and MK 80 Series Inert.

CRITICAL PROCESSES/SKILLS: Manufacture of the F470 CXU-3A/B Signal Cartridge requires specialized equipment and facilities. Critical equipment and facilities may include: metal stamping and bending, metal crimping, extrusion, heat treatment, material handling systems, metal plating and passivation, hazardous material storage and handling, conventional machining equipment, Computer Numerically Controlled machining, coordinate measuring machines, gage calibration equipment, and coating/painting equipment. Critical skills needed for production of signal cartridges include component assembly and hazardous material handling, setup personnel, inspection and testing technicians, quality control engineers, and machinists.

RESPONSES: Interested companies who consider themselves capable of manufacturing the F470 Signal Cartridge CXU-3A/B (smoke/cold) are invited to indicate their interest by providing the U.S. Government with the following information:

1. Provide a brief summary of the company's capabilities (a description of the facilities, personnel experience, quality system, and past/current relevant manufacturing experience and processes), and their availability. If a respondent does not have adequate resources (facilities, technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, then they should demonstrate their ability to obtain those resources without significant delay. Any potential key subcontractors should also be addressed, by indicating which key components or processes would be subcontracted and provide a brief summary of potential key component and/or process subcontractors. Current major manufacturing processes and associated critical skill and equipment should also be provided.

2. Respondents should also include information about their facilities (size, age, condition, location and historical uses) and equipment (age, condition, efficiency and tooling).

3. Interested companies should provide any minimum production requirements and any production limitations; to include whether the U.S. Government's planned quantities as stated within this announcement meet or exceed minimum production requirements. Respondents should also note any significant lead times with equipment or materials associated with production of the F470 Signal Cartridge CXU-3A/B (smoke/cold). Respondents are requested to identify whether the F470 Signal Cartridge CXU-3A/B (smoke/cold) can be tested, produced, and delivered concurrently, or whether consecutive schedules are requested based upon current capabilities.

4. Respondents are requested to provide a Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) price for FY27-31 in accordance with the estimated quantities listed above. Respondents are also encouraged to provide a ROM on associated FAT(s).

5. Due to the current global supply chain and other factors, respondents are asked to identify any components or materials that may be subject to price volatility or scarcity and address what their firm is doing to mitigate risk related to obtaining materials, price impacts, and production stability.

The NAICS code for this item is 325998.  Please indicate your business size and socio-economic status in your response.  Also be sure to provide the company name, address, point of contact, phone number, e-mail address, DUNS number, and CAGE Code.  Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract resulting from a planned solicitation for these items.  Contractors may obtain information on SAM registration by visiting: https://www.acquistion.gov.

TECHNICAL DATA PACKAGES: The Technical Data Packages (TDPs) associated with the CXU-3A/B Signal Cartridges are classified as Distribution D, limited distribution.  The TDPs contain technical data whose export is restricted by the arms export control act, (Title 22, U.S.C., SEC 2751 ET SEQ.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended titled, 50 U.S.C. APP 2240, ET SEQ.  Violations of these export laws are subject to severe criminal penalties.  Disseminate IAW provision of DOD Directive 5230.25.

Interested vendors must be registered with the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program (JCP) to gain access to the TDPs (see www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/ for instruction and information). Access to the TDP will only be granted to those individuals who are listed as the Data Custodian (block 3) on the DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Requirement, which was required to be registered within the JCP. The Data Custodian is the sole representative identified to receive export controlled TDPs and drawings.

Each individual requiring access to the drawings must first have a Sam.gov account prior to accessing the controlled documents. To obtain the TDPs for this Sources Sought, interested vendors must request explicit access through the "attachments/links" tab in Sam.gov under W519TC-25-R-CXU3. 

This sources sought announcement is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal or as an obligation on the part of the U.S. Government.  The U.S. Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this sources sought announcement or otherwise pay for information solicited.  Industry responses to this sources sought will not represent binding offers, and the U.S. Government cannot accept an industry response to form a binding contract.  The U.S. Government intends to use any information submitted in response to this request to develop an acquisition strategy for future requirements of this item.  The U.S. Government will hold all information submitted in a confidential status.

For additional information regarding this announcement, please contact the Contract Specialist via email at callie.e.pangburn.civ@army.mil.

Industry responses are requested electronically no later than 24 September 2025 in order to be considered in the development of the acquisition strategy for these items.  Send all responses to Ms. Callie Pangburn at callie.e.pangburn.civ@army.mil.  All responses to this sources sought announcement should reference the solicitation number and subject: Sources Sought Response for CXU-3A/B Signal Cartridge.

Description(s): The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Rock Island, on behalf of the Project Director for Joint Bombs, is issuing a sources sought announcement in an effort to identify capable sources for the production and delivery of the F470 CTG SIGNAL PRAC BOMB CXU-3 A/B (smoke/cold) for the Fiscal Years (FY) 27-31. The U.S. Government's interest would be approximately 25,000-65,000 per year.  Any resulting contract will also contain First Article Test (FAT) requirements.

The configurations are as follows:

F470 CXU-3A/B CART SIG/NAVY – NSN: 1325-01-088-4217 (w/ metal pallet)

F470 CXU-3A/B CART SIG/AF – NSN: 1325-01-112-8170 (w/ wood pallet)

ITEM DESCRIPTION: These requirements support the United States Air Force and the United States Navy bombing missions.

The CXU-3A/B Signal Cartridge is a good visibility daytime use, fire-free signal cartridge. The aluminum cylinder surrounds a glass ampule, which contains approximately 1.0 ounces of Titanium Tetrachloride, a mildly toxic liquid that produces large volumes of white smoke when exposed to air or moisture. It weighs 2.50 ounces. Upon impact, the cartridge is driven forward against the firing pin, initiating the primer in the base of the cartridge. This action fires three grams of expelling charge, which in turn, shatters the ampule and propels it from the open end of the practice bomb. The resulting cloud of dense white smoke clearly marks the impact point of the practice bomb on the bombing range.

Bomb Configuration: The Signal Cartridge is used in the nose of the MK 76, BDU-33, MK 106, BDU-48, and Laser Guided Training Round (LGTR) Practice Bombs. With the Spotting Charge Adapter MK 89 MOD 0, the cartridge can be used in the tail section of the MK 80 Series Inert Bombs.

Components: The Signal Cartridge can be used with Spotting Charge Adapter MK 89 in the tail fuzewells of the BDU-45 Practice Bomb and MK 80 Series Inert.

CRITICAL PROCESSES/SKILLS: Manufacture of the F470 CXU-3A/B Signal Cartridge requires specialized equipment and facilities. Critical equipment and facilities may include: metal stamping and bending, metal crimping, extrusion, heat treatment, material handling systems, metal plating and passivation, hazardous material storage and handling, conventional machining equipment, Computer Numerically Controlled machining, coordinate measuring machines, gage calibration equipment, and coating/painting equipment. Critical skills needed for production of signal cartridges include component assembly and hazardous material handling, setup personnel, inspection and testing technicians, quality control engineers, and machinists.

RESPONSES: Interested companies who consider themselves capable of manufacturing the F470 Signal Cartridge CXU-3A/B (smoke/cold) are invited to indicate their interest by providing the U.S. Government with the following information:

1. Provide a brief summary of the company's capabilities (a description of the facilities, personnel experience, quality system, and past/current relevant manufacturing experience and processes), and their availability. If a respondent does not have adequate resources (facilities, technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, then they should demonstrate their ability to obtain those resources without significant delay. Any potential key subcontractors should also be addressed, by indicating which key components or processes would be subcontracted and provide a brief summary of potential key component and/or process subcontractors. Current major manufacturing processes and associated critical skill and equipment should also be provided.

2. Respondents should also include information about their facilities (size, age, condition, location and historical uses) and equipment (age, condition, efficiency and tooling).

3. Interested companies should provide any minimum production requirements and any production limitations; to include whether the U.S. Government's planned quantities as stated within this announcement meet or exceed minimum production requirements. Respondents should also note any significant lead times with equipment or materials associated with production of the F470 Signal Cartridge CXU-3A/B (smoke/cold). Respondents are requested to identify whether the F470 Signal Cartridge CXU-3A/B (smoke/cold) can be tested, produced, and delivered concurrently, or whether consecutive schedules are requested based upon current capabilities.

4. Respondents are requested to provide a Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) price for FY27-31 in accordance with the estimated quantities listed above. Respondents are also encouraged to provide a ROM on associated FAT(s).

5. Due to the current global supply chain and other factors, respondents are asked to identify any components or materials that may be subject to price volatility or scarcity and address what their firm is doing to mitigate risk related to obtaining materials, price impacts, and production stability.

The NAICS code for this item is 325998.  Please indicate your business size and socio-economic status in your response.  Also be sure to provide the company name, address, point of contact, phone number, e-mail address, DUNS number, and CAGE Code.  Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract resulting from a planned solicitation for these items.  Contractors may obtain information on SAM registration by visiting: https://www.acquistion.gov.

TECHNICAL DATA PACKAGES: The Technical Data Packages (TDPs) associated with the CXU-3A/B Signal Cartridges are classified as Distribution D, limited distribution.  The TDPs contain technical data whose export is restricted by the arms export control act, (Title 22, U.S.C., SEC 2751 ET SEQ.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended titled, 50 U.S.C. APP 2240, ET SEQ.  Violations of these export laws are subject to severe criminal penalties.  Disseminate IAW provision of DOD Directive 5230.25.

Interested vendors must be registered with the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program (JCP) to gain access to the TDPs (see www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/ for instruction and information). Access to the TDP will only be granted to those individuals who are listed as the Data Custodian (block 3) on the DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Requirement, which was required to be registered within the JCP. The Data Custodian is the sole representative identified to receive export controlled TDPs and drawings.

Each individual requiring access to the drawings must first have a Sam.gov account prior to accessing the controlled documents. To obtain the TDPs for this Sources Sought, interested vendors must request explicit access through the "attachments/links" tab in Sam.gov under W519TC-25-R-CXU3. 

This sources sought announcement is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal or as an obligation on the part of the U.S. Government.  The U.S. Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this sources sought announcement or otherwise pay for information solicited.  Industry responses to this sources sought will not represent binding offers, and the U.S. Government cannot accept an industry response to form a binding contract.  The U.S. Government intends to use any information submitted in response to this request to develop an acquisition strategy for future requirements of this item.  The U.S. Government will hold all information submitted in a confidential status.

For additional information regarding this announcement, please contact the Contract Specialist via email at callie.e.pangburn.civ@army.mil.

Industry responses are requested electronically no later than 24 September 2025 in order to be considered in the development of the acquisition strategy for these items.  Send all responses to Ms. Callie Pangburn at callie.e.pangburn.civ@army.mil.  All responses to this sources sought announcement should reference the solicitation number and subject: Sources Sought Response for CXU-3A/B Signal Cartridge.