M456 and M458 detonating cords

SOURCES SOUGHT FOR M456 AND M458 DETONATING CORDS

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Rock Island (ACC-RI), on behalf of the Office of the Project Manager for Close Combat Systems (OPM-CCS) is conducting a Market Survey to identify potential sources capable of manufacturing and delivering 3000 FT – CORD, DETONATING: TYPE I, CLASS E, M456 (Department of Defense Identification Code M456, NSN 1375-00-180-9356), the CORD, DETONATING, REINFORCED, M456 (Department of Defense Identification Code M456, NSN 1375-00-028-5168), and 3000 FT – DUMMY CORD, DETONATING: INERT, M458 (Department of Defense Identification Code M458, NSN 1375-00-621-8373).

Based on the responses to this Sources Sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition. Multiple awards may be made. All small business set-aside categories will be considered. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions.

DISCLAIMER

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) TO BE SUBMITTED. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

PROGRAM/SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

DODIC: M456

3000 FT – CORD, DETONATING: TYPE I, CLASS E

P/N 13042069 / NSN: 1375-00-180-9356

Type I Class E Detonating Cord consists of a minimum core of 50 grains per foot of PETN per MIL-DTL-387 with an optional center string, protected by layers of material: an optional paper liner, braided or counter wrapped textile, and an olive drab plastic sheath. The cord has a maximum diameter of 0.235 inches. The cord has a detonating velocity of not less than 5,900 meters per second and is waterproof.

DODIC: M456

CORD, DETONATING, REINFORCED

P/N 2114302 / NSN: 1375-00-028-5168

Type I Class M Detonating Cord (Reinforced) consists of the same construction as Type I Class E with an additional, outer layer of wax coated textile, while having a maximum diameter of 0.225 inches.[MB1] 

DODIC: M458

DUMMY CORD, DETONATING: INERT

P/N 13042070 / NSN: 1375-00-621-8373

Type III Inert Detonating Cord is similar to Type 1, Class E in construction and external appearance and consists of an asphalt coated cotton tube sheathed in an outer cover of smooth plastic-coated rayon. However, it is inert loaded with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filler and the plastic outer coat is either blue or bronze.

The primary use of Detonating Cord is to prime and detonate other explosive charges, although it is also used in urban breaching operations. The M458 Inert Detonating Cord is used in demonstration and training for demolitions and does not perform any ballistic function.

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES:

The Government requires the manufacture, inspection, testing, and delivery of the three types of Detonating Cord in accordance with the Government owned Technical Data Packages (TDPs). The respondent must have available most of the skills, facilities, and equipment to manufacture, test/inspect, and deliver the Detonating Cord. Specific manufacturing capabilities include but are not limited to explosive and pyrotechnic processing, loading and Load Assemble Pack (LAP) of the final products. First Article Testing (FAT) as well as Conformance/Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT) at the component and end-item level to include physical measurements and functional testing will be required. If a respondent does not have the adequate resources (technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, the respondent must be able to describe and demonstrate their ability to obtain these resources in a timely fashion. If a respondent chooses to utilize the services of sub-tier vendors or subcontractors, those vendors or subcontractors must also meet these criteria. The intent of this Sources Sought is to identify and assess sources capable of manufacturing, packaging, inspecting, testing, and delivering the Detonating Cords.

ELIGIBILITY

The applicable 2022 North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 325920 – Explosives Manufacturing with a Small Business Size Standard of 750 employees. The Product Service Code (PSC) is 1375 – Demolition Materials. Please indicate your organization’s Small Business status including certification of HUBZone, Veteran Owned and Woman Owned status in your response. 

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Interested businesses should submit a capabilities statement package, demonstrating ability to provide the product/system listed in this Sources Sought Technical Description. Submission should be in the contractor’s format, no less than 10-point font. No phone or email solicitations with regards to the status of the RFP will be accepted prior to its release. Respondents shall not be obligated to provide the services described herein and it is understood by the United States Government that the cost estimates provided as a result of this request are “best” estimates only.

Note: due to current global supply chain issues 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.

Your response to this Sources Sought, including any capabilities statement, shall be electronically submitted to the Contract Specialist, Colin Sommers, in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF), via email colin.m.sommers.civ@army.milno later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on September 30, 2026 and reference this synopsis number in the subject line of the e-mail and on all enclosed documents. Email submittals are restricted to a maximum file size of eight (8) Megabytes (MB).  In the event that the email submission is larger than 8MB, separate into several emails or contact the contract specialist for additional instructions. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL.

If your organization has the potential capacity to provide the required product/system, please provide the following information: 1) Organization name, address, primary points of contact (POCs) and their email address, fax, website address, telephone number, and type of ownership for the organization; and 2) Tailored capability statements addressing the requirements of this notice, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements. All data received in response to this Sources Sought that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside of the Government.