M1128 Base Bleed

Market Survey:  155mm M1128 HE Artillery, Base Bleed (Propellant Grain) Capacity:

Product Service Code: 1320 Ammunition, Over 125mm

NAICS Code: 332993- Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing

The U. S. Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ), Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, 07806-5000, on behalf of the Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (PM-CAS) is conducting market research to identify potential sources that are capable of manufacturing cast cure base bleed propellant grains to include, but not limited to, the M1128 projectile programs. The purpose of this market survey is to obtain current information on the capability of potential CONUS AND OCONUS sources to deliver base bleed propellant grain units.  This information will be used to identify capacity gaps in order to plan future contract strategies. Potential future production rates are to produce 5,000 Base Bleed grain assembly units per month, with an option/plan for 10,000 Base Bleed grains assembly units per month.

Base bleed grain assemblies in 155mm projectiles extend ranges of conventional artillery and are compatible with the M777A2 Lightweight Towed 155mm Howitzer and the M109A7 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer platforms. For base bleed projectiles, on gun launch, propellant gases enter the base burner cavity and ignite the dual tracer cups in the igniter assembly. The tracer cups then light the composite propellant grain and sustain the burning at muzzle exit. The base burner gases fill the low-pressure region at the base of the projectile, reducing the base drag and resulting in extended ranges. The base bleed grains are cast cure energetics coated in an inhibitor. The energetics are primarily composed of Ammonium Perchlorate (Oxidizer) and Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (R-45M) (Binder).

To be considered as a capable source for this effort, all interested parties must submit the requested information, which will assist the United States Government (USG) in developing its acquisition strategy, as follows:

1. Provide evidence of capabilities, specifically an ability to produce a combined production rate total of 5,000 and 10,000 base bleed grain assemblies (3.5 pounds each) units per month (considering conflicting workload from other programs) and any capability to surge further.
2. Provide plan to achieve a qualified and production ready capability and approved First Article Test (FAT) within 12 months after award.
3. Provide a rough order magnitude (ROM) cost to achieve the capability to meet minimum capacity of 5,000 and 10,000 base bleed assemblies per month in accordance with requirements contained in this announcement including a FAT activity. ROM shall include total estimated cost to achieve capability at capacity, estimated costs associated with non-recurring engineering (NRE), and total estimated construction/facility costs.         
4. The NRE may include design, development, and purchase of production processes and equipment (casting molds and fixtures, assembly line, x-ray and gages specific to base bleed production, etc).
5. Potential sources shall have existing propellant grain or rocket grain production capabilities and facilities in place. The Government has no intertest in facilitizing an additional or new infrastructure. However, it is understood that investment in facilities maybe required to increase capacity above their current capabilities. Therefore, any cost related to facility or infrastructure refurbishment and improvement shall be limited to roughly 10% of the overall ROM value.
6. Description of facilities, personnel (numbers, experience, specialized skill sets), key raw material sources, and environmental compliance as it relates to the above production efforts.
7. Please provide a description of your anticipated or in-place production process flow and clearly identify the limiting factor to increasing production rate beyond 5,000 or 10,000 per month.
8. Available on-site or near-site storage capacity to handle/store at least 3,000,000 pounds of energetic material at one time.
9. Past manufacturing experience with propellant or rocket grains or similar products within the last ten (10) years. Experience with respect to propellant handling/storage and other hazardous handling/storage. Experience with high volume production.
10. Provide evidence of In-house Quality Assurance System(s) to support the propellant grain production program. Provide details on x-ray capability and available x-ray technicians.
11. Provide company name, address, telephone number, email address, technical point of contact, and company size (please specify as either a Large Business, Foreign-Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a) concern, Woman-Owned Small Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone concern, Veteran-Owned Small Business, or Service-Disabled Small Business).

All companies interested in this notice must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM). Your response shall utilize Sources Sought Number W15QKN25X15LJ.

Technical Data Packages (TDPs) Drawings will be provided upon request pending receipt of all required documents and approval by PM-CAS. The drawings are marked Distribution D, therefore distribution will only be authorized to the Department of Defense (DoD) and United States DoD Contractors.  Foreign sources may receive the technical data pending PM CAS approval. PM CAS reserves the right to deny the release of technical data to any source at its discretion. The drawings will be provided upon request for information only.

DoD and U.S. DoD contractors interested in receiving a copy of the TDP are required to submit a signed and completed DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement; AMSTA-AR Form 1350, Technical Data Request Questionnaire; and Non-Disclosure Agreement for the Government's consideration.

Foreign sources must complete AMSTA-AR Form 1350, Technical Data Request Questionnaire; Non-Disclosure Agreement; and provide evidence of a current and valid license, or another applicable agreement, prior to obtaining the TDP. Foreign sources must also identify any required procedures for exporting items. The TDP contains 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, Title 50, U.S.C., App. 2401 et. seq. Violations of these export laws are subject to severe criminal penalties. Please identify any proprietary information submitted. All information provided will not be returned and will be held in confidential status.

If the TDP for this effort is provided, a Certificate of Destruction form shall be completed and submitted by any contractor in receipt of the TDP, upon this source sought notice closing.

This market survey is for informational and planning purposes only and shall NOT be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP).. Submissions for this notice must be provided by 15 April 2025 at (5:00) PM EDT at no cost to the USG by electronic mail (e-mail).

Contracting Officer: Mr. Christopher W. Brown . christopher.w.brown7.civ@army.mil CCNJ-CA

Contract Specialist: Ms. Mary P. O’Connell mary.p.oconnell3.civ@army.mil CCNJ-CA

All information provided will not be returned and will be protected in accordance with the identified markings. This market survey shall NOT be construed as an RFP.

TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.