Services in support of the Block Ia unitary warhead variant of the M982 Excalibu

The US Army Contracting Command Joint Munitions and Lethality ContractingCenter, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, in support of the Office of Project Manager,Combat Ammunition Systems anticipates issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP)(previously Pre-solicitation Notice W15QKN-08-R-0359) for Engineering Servicesin support of the Block Ia unitary warhead variant of the M982 Excalibur 155mmartillery projectile.

The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intendsto solicit and negotiate on a sole source basis with Raytheon Missile Systems,1151 E. Hermans Road, Tucson, AZ 85706, under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(A) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.The purpose of these services is to address various Excalibur Block Ia requirements to include: cost reduction initiatives, system engineering,producibility efforts, life cycle sustainment, technology refresh, trainingmodels, reliability growth, and development and qualification efforts relatedto potential international interoperability activities.

The Excalibur Program is for a Precision-Guided, Extended-Range family of155mm projectiles to deliver precise, lethal, cost effective fires at rangesof up to 35 km and greater. The 155mm Excalibur projectile will enable the maneuver commander to precisely defeat critical targets while minimizing collateral damage and unexploded ordnance. This program supports the requirements of the US and Swedish Armies. It uses an incremental developmentapproach with time-phased improvements in performance capabilities. The first release (Block Ia-1) began production in FY05 and is currently in production. The second release (Block Ia-2) is undergoing final performanceand operational testing and concurrently began production in FY07. The RFP will be for a period of performance of 24 months from the date ofaward with an additional three 12 month option periods. Altogether, the RFPwill consist of a total of 60 months with the period of performance of Individual Task Orders to be defined accordingly. This notice of intent isnot a request for competitive proposals. The Request for Proposal, which willaddress a requirement for the Excalibur Engineering Services, will be posted on or about 30 April 2009. The point of contact for this requirement is Robert Pipchick, CCJM-CA, Bldg. 9, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000. Email:robert.pipchick@us.army.mil. Numbered Note 22 applies to this acquisition.