13--30mm x 173mm, MK239 Mod0 Target Practice Traced (TP-T) Cartridges.

DESCRIPTION: The U. S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center, on behalf of the office of the Project Manager, Maneuver Ammunition Systems is seeking to identify potential sources capable of manufacturing 30mm x 173 Target Practice-Traced (TP-T) (AA90) cartridges (DODIC AA90), MK15 Links, MK239 in a 15 round belt packaged 30 per M592 Metal container and palletized. It is designed to function in the 30mm MK44 Automatic Chain Gun and is used for training purposes. It is a linked configuration consisting of an aluminum cartridge case, flashtube, M36A2 percussion primer, propellant, a hardened steel projectile body containing, and tracer. Cartridge performance requirements include Function and Casualty, Muzzle Velocity, Chamber Pressure, Action Time, Accuracy, Environmental Conditions, and Waterproofness. Specific production capabilities include: prime case machine to insert the flashtube assembly and percussion primer into the cartridge case; propellant loader to weigh propellant and charge the cartridge case; projectile trace; cartridge assembly loader to insert the projectile body into the cartridge case, crimp, and gage cartridge chamber and height; pack-out equipment to assemble cartridges into tubes and load into containers; and ballistic test facilities and equipment for measuring velocity, pressure, action time, time of flight, etc. Specific skills required include: ammunition process/design engineers, set-up mechanics familiar with ammunition component and LAP production equipment; personnel for programming and operation of LAP manufacturing equipment; certified inspectors, quality control engineers, and ballistics test personnel for in-process and final inspection, pack-out, First Article Test (FAT) and Lot Acceptance Test (LAT) ballistics testing, and shipment of ammunition products; machine operators for set-up and operation of various metal forming and machine tool production manufacturing equipment; personnel with expertise to control heat treat, quench, temper of metal products to obtain ductility and hardness requirements; personnel familiar with phosphate and anodizing systems; ultrasonic technicians; metallurgists to test raw materials throughout the process to a finished product; personnel with extensive expertise in the manufacture and handling of propellant and explosives; and skills needed to maintain several items of unique or special type pieces of the equipment and facilities. A respondent's production capacity must be sufficient to manufacture a range quantity of approximately 25,000 to 100,000 cartridges per year with deliveries beginning 9 months after contract award. SPECIFICATIONS: This will be procured to a performance specification. PLANNED ACQUISITION: A Firm Fixed Price Contract for Fiscal Year (FY2011) with one (1) option year (FY2012) is contemplated. The contemplated FY2011 and FY2012 acquisition will serve as a bridge contract to cover requirements for the MK239, which will subsequently be part of a contemplated medium caliber systems acquisition in FY2013-FY2017. Submission Information: Interested U.S./Canadian firms who feel they are capable of manufacturing the 30mm MK239 TP-T Cartridges are invited to indicate their interest by providing the Government a brief summary of its company's capabilities, including a brief description of facilities, personnel and past manufacturing experience as it relates to the above criteria. In addition, information should be provided regarding suppliers for critical components. Information must be submitted to Mr. Jeff Kilgard at the Rock Island Contracting Center via email address: contact@example.gov Please respond NO LATER THAN 18 Feb 2011, and identify "30MM MK239 Mod 0 TP-T Cartridge Sources Sought/Market Research" as the subject of your response. This is a market survey for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this market survey or otherwise pay for information solicited. The information you provide will only be utilized to develop the acquisition approach for future requirements.