M86 Projectile Burster for 120mm M929 White Phosphorous Smoke Mortar Cartridge Market Survey

On behalf of the Office of the Project Manager for Combat Ammunition Systems (PM CAS), the United States Army Contracting Command – New Jersey (ACC-NJ), located at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, is conducting market research to identify potential sources that are capable of production and delivery of the M86 Projectile Burster for the 120mm M929 White Phosphorous (WP) Smoke Mortar Cartridge.  The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to obtain current information on the capability of businesses to produce and deliver the M86 Projectile Burster to the appropriate Load, Assemble and Pack (LAP) facility in the FY26-FY31 timeframe. 

Item Description 

The M86 Projectile Burster is an aluminum alloy tube that is 13.7 inches long and 0.5 inches in diameter with a felt cushion attached to one end using adhesive/sealant, giving a maximum length of 13.97 inches, weighing approximately 0.05 lbs. empty and 0.19 lbs. when loaded with explosive.  The M86 Projectile Burster is loaded into the 120mm M929 WP Smoke Mortar Cartridge at a specific LAP facility.  During ballistic operation, as the cartridge approaches the target area, the fuze functions, initiating the M86 Projectile Burster, which then fragments the steel 120mm Mortar shell body and disperses felts wedges saturated with WP to create a smoke obscurant.  The M86 Projectile Burster is painted within the interior of the tube with a red primer paint per MIL-DTL-11414 and loaded with Composition B explosive per MIL-C-401, utilizing a melt-pour process.

Requirements

If awarded a contract, the provider(s) will be responsible for production, to include component acquisition, High Explosive loading, assembling, and quality control, 100% non-destructive radiographic inspection, packaging, storing, shipping, and delivery of end item to final U.S. Government (USG) designated storage location.

The Technical Data Package (TDP) for the M86 Projectile Burster is available upon request pending receipt of all required documents and approval by PM CAS.  The TDP is marked Distribution D, therefore distribution will only be authorized to the Department of Defense (DoD) and United States DoD contractors.  Contractors interested in receiving the TDP for information only 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 USG's consideration.

NOTE: The M86 Projectile Burster has a Top-Level Drawing available, as well as pertinent sub-assembly drawings.

Should a contract be awarded, the provider(s) will be responsible for providing the M86 Projectile Burster to the USG, in accordance with the current TDP.  None of the individual components needed to produce the M86 Projectile Burster will be provided as Government Furnished Material. 

Submission Information

Interested sources shall clearly identify technical and manufacturing capability to produce and deliver the M86 Projectile Burster.  If a respondent does not have adequate resources (technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, the respondent must be able to demonstrate its ability to obtain those resources.  Interested sources shall provide their top-level plan and any limitations for manufacturing the M86 Projectile Burster.  Respondents should provide the following information which will assist the USG in developing its acquisition strategy:

A)  Provide company name, address, Commercial and Government Entity code, telephone number, email address, technical point of contact, and company size (please specify as either a Large 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).  The applicable NAICS Code is 332993, Ammunition (except small arms) Manufacturing, with a size standard of 1,500 employees.

B)  Description of facilities, equipment, manufacturing processes, inspection capability, personnel (number of employees, experience, specialized skill sets), and evidence of sufficient safety clearances to handle, store, and transport energetic materials, components and explosively loaded fuzes

C)  Summary of systems integration experience, production capabilities (indicating at what specific rate per month), description of storage facilities and equipment, manufacturing processes, testing and inspection capability and personnel relevant to Mortar Ammunition production

D)  Description of Quality Management System

E)  Past experience on Mortar Ammunition, to include component testing, integration and coordination of necessary activities in support of production

F)  Ability to manage technical performance issues with end items and associated sub-assemblies

G)  Information that demonstrates ability to produce an end item first article sample for Government evaluation and approval 270 days after contract award (DACA) and initiate production delivery 365 DACA

H)  Either possess or has the ability to acquire facilities with sufficient safety clearance to handle, store, and transport energetic materials

I)  Possible partnering/teaming arrangements

NOTE: All contractors interested in the potential future solicitation must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).  Also, the USG 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.  Please identify any proprietary information submitted. Proprietary responses will be protected in accordance with documentation markings.

This market research is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the USG.  The USG does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this market research.  Also, the USG will not pay for the information submitted or for any costs associated with providing this information.  Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary and at no cost to the USG.  

Response Date and Point of Contract Information

All market information sought in this notification must be provided, via electronic mail, within 30 calendar days of the posting of this notice:  no later than Monday, 15 July 2024, by 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).  All submissions shall be submitted electronically to the Contract Specialist, Mr. Yery Ysabel at yery.j.ysabel.civ@army.mil, AND to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Aja Barnett at aja.m.barnett2.civ@army.mil.  TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

NOTE: The USG will ONLY accept written questions sent via EMAIL to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer stated above.  If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published.

All information provided will not be returned and will be held as contractor confidential information.