Rectangular polymer ammunition containers

RECTANGULAR POLYMER AMMUNITION CONTAINERS

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes. This is not a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), the Government does not presently intend to award a contract, but wants to obtain price, delivery, other market information, or capabilities for planning purposes. Responses to these notices are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.  

INFORMATION REQUESTED: DEVCOM Armaments Center, Picatinny, NJ is conducting market research to identify domestic products, suppliers, designers and manufacturers of polymer shipping and storage containers, primarily for use on small caliber ammunition. 

These polymer alternatives to legacy metal rectangular containers (designated M2A2 & M19A1), will be stored within a larger outer metal container (steel outer pack) of custom dimensions to meet long term palletization, shipping and storage requirements as well as provide increased transportation efficiency.  The inner polymer containers (polymer inner packs) are expected to be lightweight, have a latching closure and carry handle(s), of relevant color/gloss spectrum, provide moisture protection/a waterproof seal, accept ink marking applications. 

The polymer inner pack must be capable of protecting its ammunition over a wide range of extreme temperatures from -65F to +160F for storage and air transport, and -40F to +160F for rigorous operational handling and ground vehicle transport.  In addition, they must be capable of protecting ammunition for up to 20 years of indoor storage while spending most of that time in the steel outer pack.  When removed from the steel outer pack, they must be capable of protecting ammo for up to 1 month of outdoor storage in the harshest environments. 

Approx container size is 12” x 6” x 7”h (and smaller) with threshold weight of being less than 2.8 lbs.  Internal contents are expected to be between 20 and 30 lbs.  Injection molding is preferred; however other manufacturing methods are being considered.   MIL-STD-1904C, Test Standards for Level A and Level B Packaging for Conventional Ammunition provides details of requirements for the packaged ammunition system.  Yearly production is expected to start at approximately 250K and may reach up to 1M or more if adoption across multiple small caliber ammo families is achieved.  

KEY REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY:

• Size: ~12” x 6” x 7” (or smaller)
• Weight: < 2.8 lbs (holds 20-30lbs of ammo)
• Temperature Range: -65F to +160F (storage/air transport), -40F to +160F (handling/ground transport)
• Durability: 20 years indoor storage (in outer pack), 1 month outdoor storage.
• Features: Lightweight, latching closure, carry handle(s), moisture/water-resistant, ink marking capability.
• Manufacturing: Injection molding preferred, but open to other methods.
• Standard: Should meet requirements of MIL-STD-1904C (Level A & B). 
• Volume: Initial 250K units/year, potentially up to 1M+.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: There are no page limitations. Interested sources must

respond with:

• Company Name and Parent Company (If Applicable)

• Business Address: Street, City, State, and Zip Code

• Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code

• Unique Entity Identifier (ID)

• Information on current commercial products(s)/technologies and how they might address this emerging Military requirement.

• Information regarding the firm's experience, personnel, and facilities.

• Technical information/specifications/qualifications (i.e., technical literature, data, test reports, illustrations, photographs, patents, etc.), level of product maturity (i.e., is the product in the research, development or production phase?), product history (i.e., who is the product used by and in what applications?), relevant company background/experience.

• Price list, and/or potential costs, as well as delivery capabilities.

• Indicate whether they are a Small Business, Other than Small Business, Woman Owned

Business, Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women

Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled

Veteran Owned Small Business, SBA Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, SBA

Certified 8(a) Firm and/or SBA Certified HUBZone Firm.