High Pressure Cartridge Case compatible for Small Caliber Ammunition (5. 56mm - . 50 Caliber)

DESCRIPTION:  The U.S. Army Contracting Command – New Jersey, on behalf of Project Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM MAS), Picatinny Arsenal, NJ is submitting this request for information (RFI) for small arms munitions manufacturers that have developed or have emerging capabilities for high pressure cartridge case compatible for small caliber ammunition (5.56mm - .50 Caliber).  The US Government intends to use this information to inform future opportunities.

REQUIREMENTS:  This RFI seeks submissions from CONUS (Continental United States) contractors identifying its ability to 1) design high pressure cartridges cases for small caliber ammunition per caliber (5.56mm - .50 Caliber) 2) to manufacture at rates in excess of 1 million per year and 3) meet or exceed the following performance characteristics:

1. Chamber pressure: The average chamber pressure of the sample cartridge, conditioned at 70F shall be not exceed 85,000 pounds per square inch (PSI).  The chamber pressure of an individual sample test cartridge or the average chamber pressure plus three standard deviations of chamber pressure shall not exceed 90,000 PSI.
2. Chamber pressure at hot extreme temperature. The average chamber pressure of the cartridges at 125F shall not be greater than 90,000 PSI nor vary by more than plus (+) 8,500 PSI or minus (-) 15,000 PSI from the average chamber pressure of the cartridges at ambient.
3. Chamber pressure at cold extreme temperature. The average chamber pressure of the cartridges at -65F shall not be greater than 90,000 PSI nor vary by more than plus (+) 8,500 PSI or minus (-) 15,000 PSI from the average chamber pressure of the cartridges at ambient.
4. Function and Casualty: The sample cartridges subjected to 70F, 125F, 160F -65 shall function without casualty in its intended weapon system. (i.e., 5.56mm out of M249/M4/M16, .338NM/Mk22)
5. Case survivability: survive firing when cartridge is exposed to frost or water.

SUBMISSION Information:

All responses shall be prepared in MS Word or PDF (Portable Document Format) or equivalent and shall contain information stated below to support the company’s ability to manufacture, inspect, test and deliver high pressure cartridge cases.   Interested sources should submit the following information: 

• Name of company and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code
• Point of Contract name, telephone number and e-mail address
• Company address, phone number and website (if applicable)
• Business type/size information; If a small business, please indicate any applicable socio-economic status such as: Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), 8(a), HUB Zone, etc.
• Identify of interest in this potential opportunity as a subcontractor
• A brief summary of the capabilities with supporting data/documentation, description of facilities/equipment, manufacturing processes, inspection and testing capability, personnel, past experience, and current capacity per caliber, per month with assumptions about number of shifts, other production factors that may affect monthly capacities and manufacturing lead time.
• Details on what specifications the high-pressure cartridge cases have been evaluated against and ability to integrate high pressure technology to various calibers.
• Type of test methodology used to prove cartridge performance.
• Results of any previous testing and conditions of testing and evaluations completed on the high-pressure cartridge cases.
• If a developmental item is proposed, present a timeframe for developing the technology maturity (achieving TRL 6).
• Identification of any key suppliers that would be utilized in the manufacturing of the Cartridge cases (both military and/or non-military).
• A summary of current safety certifications and ability to handle, store, and transport energetic materials.
• Provide an estimated production (unit) cost, if pricing is available. Please provide any information regarding quantity price breaks.
• Description of cartridge case materials
• A summary of any patents associated with the proposed case design
• Overall weight of the empty unprimed cartridge case
• A summary of testing history, results, and plans for future testing efforts.

In addition to the above, it is requested that respondents provide the following information:

• If the respondent currently has products that meet the above key performance requirements available through any other contract vehicle, identify the products available and contract information.

Please identify any proprietary information submitted. A respondent to this RFI must have the majority of the skills and facilities that are required to manufacture this item. If a respondent does not have these resources (technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, then it must demonstrate its ability to obtain them in a reasonable time period. If a respondent chooses to utilize the services of sub-tier vendors or subcontractors, those vendors or subcontractors must also meet the same resource criteria as the prime contractor.

This level of detail is necessary to substantiate and initiate future acquisition strategies.  Submissions shall be submitted electronically and are requested in as MS Word or PDF files (or equivalent) to: Nicole Mayol, nicole.l.mayol.civ@army.mil, no later than 05:00pm on 29 May 2025. Telephone inquiries will NOT be accepted.

DISCLAIMER:

This is an RFI issued solely for information-gathering, market research and planning purposes; this RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. The U.S. Government will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI. Submission of an abstract to this RFI is not required to propose to any Broad Agency Announcements or research announcements on this topic that might appear in the future. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Responses to this RFI do not bind the U.S. Government to any further actions related to this topic including requests for amplifications or follow-on proposals from vendors responding to this RFI.

Submissions containing proprietary / classified data must be clearly marked and follow all current procedures, protocols, and applicable regulations regarding such material. Contact the email POC with any questions prior to all submission. It is the responsibility of the responding interested party to clearly define to the Government what is considered proprietary data and mark all material appropriately. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION AND DOES NOT OBLIGATE THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION.