MACS M231/M232-series Combustible Cartridge Cases

The U. S. Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ), located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, in support of the Office of the Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (PM- CAS) is conducting market research to identify potential qualified sources capable of producing the M231/M232-series Combustible Case Assemblies to support 155mm Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) Load, Assemble & Pack (LAP). Potential qualified foreign sources can submit a response and can deliver samples for qualification testing from current facility, however the M231/M232-series Combustible Case Assemblies must ultimately be produced within the United States or Canada in the future in accordance with the US Technical Data Package (TDP).

The MACS consists of two (2) types of propelling charges, the M231 and the M232-series, and associated packaging.  It uses a "build-a-charge," incremental-based system; the M231 is used singularly or in pairs for Low Zones (1 & 2) and the M232-series is used in groups of 3, 4 or 5 charges for High Zones (3, 4 & 5).  The Combustible Case Assemblies are a key technology for MACS because they burn cleanly, have an exterior coating that enables the MACS to withstand limited out-of-pack exposure, and the rigid case allows the MACS to satisfy its Key Performance Parameter to be automatically handled and loaded.

The TDP will be provided upon request pending receipt of all required documents and approval by PM-CAS.  This TDP is marked Distribution D, therefore distribution will only be authorized to the Department of Defense (DoD) and United States DoD Contractors.  Contractors 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 (NDA) for the Government’s consideration. For non-DoD U.S. contractors, a high-level description of the Combustible Case Assembly will be made available upon request.

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

a) Provide evidence of capabilities including an ability to produce Combustible Case Assemblies at a rate of 75,000 units per month. If possible, please also provide evidence of capabilities at a rate of 125,000 units per months or more and any capability to surge (~150%) further.  

b) The ability to achieve First Article Test (FAT) and delivery of Production units starting no later than (NLT) 15 months after award;

c) Manufacturing experience of Combustible Case Assemblies or similar products within the last ten (10) years;

d) Description of facilities (commercial or Government-owned), personnel (numbers, experience, specialized skill sets), key raw material sources, and environmental compliance as it relates to the above production efforts;

e) Provide evidence of In-house Quality Assurance System(s) in order to support this production program;

f) 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).

g) Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for unit price of a quantity of 1,500,000 units or more a year.

h) Provide estimated infrastructure requirements/costs (building size, water, power, etc.) for a Combustible Case Assemblies manufacturing plant, if applicable.

1. ROM and cost of the delivery for 500 M231 and 1,000 M232A2 Combustible Case Assemblies to verify TDP compliance from current manufacturing facility.

All respondents should provide sufficient details to allow the USG to make a reasonable assessment of the respondent’s capabilities to produce the M231/M232-series MACS Combustible Case Assemblies.  This information is for informational and planning purposes only.  The USG will not pay for any information submitted or for any costs associated with providing this information. 

All contractors interested in this potential future solicitation must be registered in the System of Award Management (SAM).

This market survey is for information and planning purposes only and shall NOT be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP). Submissions for this notice must be provided within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of this publication at no cost to the USG by electronic mail (e-mail) to Ms. Alison Oggier at alison.r.oggier.civ@army.mil.  All inquiries shall be made via e-mail ONLY.  TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

All information provided will not be returned and will be held in confidential status.  If a formal solicitation is generated later, a solicitation notice will be published. 

Update: Responders, should show that they are capable of both 75,000 and 125,000 quantities a month. In addition, the surge rate should be on top of the 125,000/month quantities

The U. S. Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ), located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, in support of the Office of the Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (PM- CAS) is conducting market research to identify potential qualified sources capable of producing the M231/M232-series Combustible Case Assemblies to support 155mm Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) Load, Assemble & Pack (LAP). Potential qualified foreign sources can submit a response and can deliver samples for qualification testing from current facility, however the M231/M232-series Combustible Case Assemblies must ultimately be produced within the United States or Canada in the future in accordance with the US Technical Data Package (TDP).

The MACS consists of two (2) types of propelling charges, the M231 and the M232-series, and associated packaging.  It uses a "build-a-charge," incremental-based system; the M231 is used singularly or in pairs for Low Zones (1 & 2) and the M232-series is used in groups of 3, 4 or 5 charges for High Zones (3, 4 & 5).  The Combustible Case Assemblies are a key technology for MACS because they burn cleanly, have an exterior coating that enables the MACS to withstand limited out-of-pack exposure, and the rigid case allows the MACS to satisfy its Key Performance Parameter to be automatically handled and loaded.

The TDP will be provided upon request pending receipt of all required documents and approval by PM-CAS.  This TDP is marked Distribution D, therefore distribution will only be authorized to the Department of Defense (DoD) and United States DoD Contractors.  Contractors 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 (NDA) for the Government’s consideration. For non-DoD U.S. contractors, a high-level description of the Combustible Case Assembly will be made available upon request.

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

a) Provide evidence of capabilities including an ability to produce Combustible Case Assemblies at a rate of 75,000 units per month. If possible, please also provide evidence of capabilities at a rate of 125,000 units per months or more and any capability to surge (~150%) further.  

b) The ability to achieve First Article Test (FAT) and delivery of Production units starting no later than (NLT) 15 months after award;

c) Manufacturing experience of Combustible Case Assemblies or similar products within the last ten (10) years;

d) Description of facilities (commercial or Government-owned), personnel (numbers, experience, specialized skill sets), key raw material sources, and environmental compliance as it relates to the above production efforts;

e) Provide evidence of In-house Quality Assurance System(s) in order to support this production program;

f) 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).

g) Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for unit price of a quantity of 1,500,000 units or more a year.

h) Provide estimated infrastructure requirements/costs (building size, water, power, etc.) for a Combustible Case Assemblies manufacturing plant, if applicable.

1. ROM and cost of the delivery for 500 M231 and 1,000 M232A2 Combustible Case Assemblies to verify TDP compliance from current manufacturing facility.

All respondents should provide sufficient details to allow the USG to make a reasonable assessment of the respondent’s capabilities to produce the M231/M232-series MACS Combustible Case Assemblies.  This information is for informational and planning purposes only.  The USG will not pay for any information submitted or for any costs associated with providing this information. 

All contractors interested in this potential future solicitation must be registered in the System of Award Management (SAM).

This market survey is for information and planning purposes only and shall NOT be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP). Submissions for this notice must be provided within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of this publication at no cost to the USG by electronic mail (e-mail) to Ms. Alison Oggier at alison.r.oggier.civ@army.mil.  All inquiries shall be made via e-mail ONLY.  TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

All information provided will not be returned and will be held in confidential status.  If a formal solicitation is generated later, a solicitation notice will be published.