13--Award to General Dynamics-Ordnance & Tactical Systems, Marion, IL

The US Army Field Support Command (AFSC) is seeking interested and qualified sources capable of producing (1) 25mm M793 TP-T cartridges (2) 25mm M910 TDPS-T cartridges (3) 25mm M794 Dummy cartridges and (4) 30mm M788 TP Cartridges. This requirement is for the Governments fiscal years 2007  2011. It is anticipated that this procurement will be limited to the National Technology Industrial Base. Interested sources will be required to produce all rounds. The M793 and M910 will be procured to perform ance specifications. The M794 and M788 will be procured to a US Government technical data package (TDP). The M788 TDP is classified Distribution X - Limited distribution. Distribution Statements X means the TDP cannot be distributed on the Internet and contains technical data whose export is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, USC, Sec 2751 et seq) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended, Title 50, USC App 2401, et seq. Violations of these export laws are subject to severe criminal penalties. Disseminate IAW provision of DOD Directive 5230.25. Special equipment is required to produce these cartridges. The manufacturing process for these cartridges encompasses, but is not limited to: (1) machining of projectile body metal parts, (2) production of propellants and trace mixes, (3) molding of plastic sabots and nose caps, (4) cartridge case priming and loading w/propellant and (5) load, assemble, and pack-out (LAP) of the completed cartridges. For each step of the manufacturi ng process, sophisticated test and measuring equipment is required to ensure the final products comply with Government requirements. Experience in ballistic testing, expertise in the formulation and production of propellant, and process engineering experi ence relative to the LAP of these cartridges is essential. An approved ballistic test range, M242 MANN barrels, M230 MANN barrels, M242 automatic guns and M230 automatic guns are required to perform first article and lot acceptance tests on these cartridg es. Production support equipment includes material handling systems, tool room equipment, furnaces for heat treat and annealing, metal forming and machining equipment, anodize and phosphate systems, ultrasonic test equipment and metrology and metallurgy l aboratories. Production of the various cartridges is very complex and requires sophisticated industrial capabilities. Obtaining the critical skills (i.e. ammunition process/design engineers, set-up mechanics and operators familiar with the programming an d operation of ammunition component sub-assembly production equipment, quality control engineers, ultra sonic technicians, metallurgists, ballistics test personnel, etc.) needed to manufacture and provide high quality ammunition in a timely manner may take time. Due to the customers demand for timely deliveries, the producers must be able to successfully conduct/complete a First Article Acceptance Test within 120 days after award, with the first production delivery due within 180 days after award. Minimu m annual capacity required to meet the requirements of this contract will be 750,000 M788 cartridges and 1.5 million M793/M910/M794 cartridges. Interested US/Canadian firms who feel they are capable of manufacturing all of the above-listed cartridges are i nvited to indicate their interest by providing the Government a brief summary of their companys capabilities, facilities, personnel and past manufacturing experience as it relates to the above criteria. Information must be submitted to HQ, AFSC, ATTN: AM SFS-CCA-F/Amy VanSickle, 1 Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, IL 61299-6500, contact@example.gov. Please respond no later than 30 December 2005 and identify 25mm and 30mm Medium Caliber Ammunition Sources Sought/Market Research as the subject of you r response. This is a market survey for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal or an obligation on the part of the Governm ent. The Government does not intend to award a contract on this basis of this market survey or otherwise pay for information solicited.