91--REQUEST FOR LUBRICATION SAMPLES FOR SMALL ARMS WEAPONS IN A DESERT ENVIRONMENT

The Army Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, has formed a multi-service team to screen and test lubricant samples for small arms weapons when used in a desert environment. RDECOM is soliciting samples from potential sources of lubricants for small arms military weapons. The Army will use these samples to conduct an initial screening of the lubricant, then a full performance test of those that pass the initial screening phase. Sample lubricants should be specifically designed for sand, dust, and/or desert environments. Upon the review of initial email requests (see below), the Government will contact suppliers to provide 5 gallons of lubrication or grease products and/or 1 gallon of dry film lubrication products to the address and code listed below. Product samples are to be from one lot to ensure consistency. This request for samples is for screening and testing purposes only and shall not be construed as a request for proposal (RFP) or as an obligat ion on the part of the Government to acquire or procure any products or services. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request for samples or otherwise pay for the samples or information solicited. No entitlement to payme nt of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of any items under this request or the Government's use of such samples or information. The Government desires commercially available lubricants (COTS) as well as any new technologies or state-of-the-art lubricants. The government desires a weapon lubricant that will improve small arms weapon performance when operating in desert environments. The required capabilities of a desert lubricant are listed below. Th reshold requirements are listed as (T), and Objective requirements are listed as (O). Product must be a lubricant (T), cleaner (O), and corrosion preventer (O). Product must be compatible with existing Army Cleaner-Lubricant-Preservative (CLP) (T) which will continue to be used as a cleaner and preservative and other approved small arms lubricants (O). Product must effectively operate in a broad spectrum of desert environmental conditions. The objective requirement is for the desert lubricant to provide as good as or better lubrication in a representative desert environment than CLP in an ambient dust-free environment as measured by military standard reliable firing of 630 rounds of M865/M856 and all types of small arms ammunition. The threshold require ment is for a minimal degradation in reliability when firing with the lubricant in a desert environment as compared to CLP firings in the ambient environment. This threshold requirement will be quantified after the evaluation of the results of the baselin e lubricant test, which is currently ongoing. The objective desert capability solution must provide for improved lubrication while maintaining a cleaning and corrosion prevention capability through the reliable military standard firing of 630 rounds of M8 55/M856 (O), in representative desert environments (O), and all types of ammunition (O) than CLP in a sterile and desert environment. The product must include Soldier suitable packaging (T) and minimize additional Soldier load (T) (reference MIL-STD-290 P ackaging, Packing and Marking of petroleum products). Soldiers must be able to apply desert lubricant on their weapons without special baths, tools, or other pre-application or post-application procedures, or a requirement to fire the weapon to make the l ubricant effective in a desert environment. The desert lubricant shall not have any adverse affect on the health of personnel when the product is used properly. Product must be compatible with all Soldier and equipment transportation loads, for example, compatible with MOLLE vests and Alice Soldier Load Bearing Equipment carrying/storing systems. Desert lubrication must survive extreme hot and cold transportat ion and storage environments. The product shall be compatible with current protective finishes and materials (metallic and non-metallic) on U.S. small arms fielded systems. The Government encourages significant participation from small business concerns and socio-economic businesses. The Government prefers that no proprietary or confidential business data be submitted in response to this request. However, responses to this request that indicate that the samples or information therein are proprietary or re present confidential business information will be received and held in confidence for U.S. Government use only. On or before January 23, 2004, interested suppliers are requested to send an email requesting to participate in this effort. Suppliers must als o provide, via email, information on product submissions that lists exactly what will be shipped, specific application procedures for the proposed solution, an indication of whether the solution is for lubrication only (T) or lubrication, cleaning, and cor rosion prevention (O), any additional relevant technical data, material safety data sheet(s), and any other supplemental information that may assist the Government in this process, including optimal application instructions for the product. This initial e mail request shall be sent to the Contracting Officer at contact@example.gov and must cite W911QX-04-GLD-02 in the subject line. The Government will review the initial request and will coordinate the shipment of sample products with the individual s upplier. The Government will also forward a brief agreement to be signed by both the Government and the supplier prior to shipment of any product samples. It is expected that product samples will be requested around January 30, 2004, but should not be sen t until the Government requests shipment. Samples shall be packed to commercial shipping standards and must cite the solicitation number on all samples. Sample submittals should include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss the product with government representatives. All correspondence concerning this request should refer to RDECOM announcement number W911QX-04-GLD-02. The anticipated period of performance of this effort is February 2004 to April 2 004. The NAICS code for this request is 324191; the SIC code is 2992. This request for sample announcement constitutes the only communication of this request. Samples are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This action is is sued as a request for product samples for screening, testing, and evaluation. The Government will generate a summary report of the screening and testing results that will be provided to participating suppliers as consideration for providing products sample s. The announcement number is W911QX-04-GLD-02. This process is being conducted under the test procedures for commercial practices under the authority of FAR 13.5. Suppliers are responsible for all shipping and insurance costs to the FOB point of Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. The Government will take title to the product submissions upon receipt and inspection. (Note: samples may be subject to x-ray scanning, so su ppliers are asked to advise if any products degrade as a result of x-ray screening.) The Government is not responsible for loss or damage of product submissions and residual and late product samples will not be returned. The Government will make separate requests for the shipment of samples products. Suppliers will be directed to ship to Commander, US Army Aberdeen Test Center, 400 Colleran Rd, Attn: CSTE-DTC-AT-WC-M (Materials Lab B400), Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005. Each submission must cite the a nnouncement number W911QX-04-GLD-02. The mailing address for the contracting officer is U.S. Army Research Laboratories, Aberdeen Branch, Bldg. 434, Suite 200, AMSRD-ACC-AA, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005.