M772 & M776 Mechanical Time Super Quick (MTSQ) Fuze

The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Rock Island (ACC-RI) on behalf of the Office of the Project Manager for Combat Ammunition Systems is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of manufacturing, assembling, inspecting, testing, packaging and shipping the M772 and M776 Mechanical Time Super Quick (MTSQ) Fuzes. This is a market survey for information purposes only and not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or announcement of a solicitation. 

Item Description:  The M772 MTSQ Fuze is used in production of the 81mm M819 Red Phosphorous Smoke Mortar Cartridge and 81mm M816/M853A1 Illuminating Mortar Cartridges.  The M776 MTSQ Fuze is used in production of the 60mm M721/M767 Illuminating Mortar Cartridges and 120mm M930/M983 Illuminating Mortar Cartridges. This time initiated fuze has a clockwork timing mechanism that can be set from 4 to 55 seconds in 0.5 second increments. The functioning of the M772 and M776 fuzes are identical.  They only differ in size and shape of the fuze body. These time-initiated fuzes are loaded with a detonator and black powder.  They are composed of an impact device, a time setting device, clockwork, safety device, and firing train with an overall mass of 950 ± 40 grams. The fuze safety pin is fastened in the locking sleeve, which is part of the pulse-released safety device, and thus any release of the pulse-released safety device is prevented at extreme high loads.

The pulse-released safety device keeps the rotor in the out-of-line position (independent of the removal of the fuze safety pin) and prevents the clockwork from running down. The position of the rotor and the detonator ensures that the firing train of the fuze is pyrotechnically interrupted.

The pulse-released safety device consists of the safety pins with pressure springs, the balls, and the locking sleeve with pressure spring.

The two safety pins retain an anchor, thus preventing the clockwork from running down. Therefore, the engaging lever cannot be caught in the engaging slot at the spring housing, which is protected by the covering flap. The spring-loaded striker bushing is prevented from hitting the percussion needle by means of the release lever, which is retained in this position by the engaging lever. The rotor is kept in the out-of-line position by means of the locking shaft, being itself caught in clockwork.

Requirements:  The potential production requirement, subject to change, shall be a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract to support the U.S. Army, and Marine Corps requirements in the FY24-FY28 timeframe. The M772 and M776 MTSQ Fuzes have historically been produced and purchased from a single foreign supplier. The U.S. Government can only provide a top-level assembly drawing and military specification for each fuze type; a performance specification does not exist for either fuze type. The estimated M772 and M776 MTSQ Fuze combined quantity to be purchased over the five (5) year period is up to 183,000 total.

Submission Information: A response to this Sources Sought Announcement should show adequate technical and manufacturing capability and satisfactory past performance in the Fuze manufacturing industry. If a respondent does not have adequate resources (technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, the respondent must be able to demonstrate that they can obtain such, necessary to fabricate, assemble and inspect the required quantities of Fuzes and obtain the necessary equipment, facilities and tooling required to fabricate and deliver at a high rate of production. This may include an indication of willingness to self-invest in setting up a required production line.  

Interested contractors should submit the following information:

1. Name of company, address and CAGE code
2. Point of Contact’s, name, telephone number, and email address
3. Business size information
4. Location of the facility or proposed facility
5. A summary of their company’s capabilities, including parent organizations, name/address/point of contact identification, capabilities
6. A description of facilities/equipment, manufacturing processes, inspection capability, personnel
7. Manufacturing past experience with Fuzes within the last 10 years
8. Information relative to proven monthly production at a minimum rate of 5,000 fuzes per month   
9. Either possess or has the ability to acquire facilities with sufficient safety clearance to handle, store, and transport energetic materials
10. Possible partnering/teaming arrangements

This market research is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as an RFP 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 market research or otherwise pay for the information provided. This is only a market survey notice, not a pre-solicitation notice. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary and at no cost to the U.S. Government. Please identify any proprietary information submitted. Proprietary responses will be protected in accordance with documentation markings.

Information submissions must be received by Thursday, March 28, 2024. All responses to this notice shall be submitted electronically to ACC-RI Contract Specialist Brooke Cabor at brooke.l.cabor.civ@army.mil. All contractors interested in the potential future solicitation must be registered in the System for Award Management. The U.S. Government will not consider marketing brochures adequate information in response to this notice and reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part any private sector input as a result of this market survey. All information provided will not be returned and will be held as contractor confidential information. 

The U.S. Government will accept written questions to ACC-RI Contract Specialist Brooke Cabor (brooke.l.cabor.civ@army.mil) by email ONLY. TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.