Burster Tube Assembly, Expulsion Charge Assembly, and Expelling Charge Assembly

Fiscal Year (FY) 22-26: Artillery - 155mm M825A1 White Phosphorus Self-Supporting Burster Tube Assembly and Expulsion Charge Assembly, 155mm M1123/M1124 Expulsion Charge Assembly, the 155mm M116A1 Expelling Charge Assembly, and the 105mm M84A1 Expelling Charge Assembly Sources Sought The U.S. Army Contracting Command-Rock Island (ACC-RI), Rock Island, IL 61299-0001 on behalf of the Office of the Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (OPM-CAS), is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of the production and delivery of the 155mm M825A1 White Phosphorus Self-Supporting Burster Tube Assembly, the M825A1 Expulsion Charge Assembly, the 155mm M1123/M1124 Expulsion Charge Assembly, the 155mm M116A1 Expelling Charge Assembly, and the 105mm M84A1 Expelling Charge Assembly. The full detail of these items are listed below. The purpose of this sources sought is to obtain current information on the capability of businesses to produce and deliver these products to the warfighter in the FY22-FY26 timeframe. The Government Technical Data Package (TDP) associated with the this requirement is classified as Distribution Statement D, Distribution authorized to the Department of Defense (DoD) and US DoD Contractors Only. These documents contain technical data whose EXPORT is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act -Title 22, U.S.C., SEC 2751, ET SEQ or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as Amended, titled, 50 U.S.C. App 2240 Et Seq. Violations of these export laws are subject to severe penalties. Dissemination shall be in accordance with provisions of DoD Directive 5230.25. If interested sources want to become certified in order to receive the Technical Information for this sources sought notice, they must fill out a registration form to become Data Custodians for their Company. This information can be found at: https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/Services/JCP/DD2345Instructions/ and https://public.logisticsinformationservice.dla.mil/PublicHome/jcp/default.aspx# To obtain the Technical Information for this sources sought notice, the interested source must request explicit access through the "attachments/links" tab in Beta.Sam.gov under sources sought Notice ID W52P1J-21-R-BTAECA. An interested source must have an approved DD form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement, on file with the Joint Certification Program (JCP) in order to be granted access to the Technical Information. Restricted technical data will not be available to an interested source who has not been certified. M825A1 Self-Supporting Burster Tube Assembly Projectile Burster (15-12-272) Self-Supporting Burster Tube (12977168) Burster Pellet (15-12-441) Washer (12977169) Plug (12977170) Spring Pin (12977171) Burster Loading, Assembly and Packaging Specification (MIL-B-64000C) ITEM DESCRIPTION: The 155mm M825A1 White Phosphorous Projectile requires the Projectile Burster, which is a self-supporting burster tube assembly, for proper performance. The self-supporting feature is critical to securing high explosive during transportation vibration and gun launch. This burster tube is made of high strength stainless steel and welded to a stainless steel washer. The welded joint requires a pull test for compliance. The tube is about 18 1/2 inch in length, about 1/3 of an inch in diameter, and has a wall thickness of about 3/100 of an inch. The washer is about 1 1/3 inch in diameter and 1/10 of an inch thick. The washer has a central hole about 1/3 of an inch in diameter with features to weld the tube. Two adjacent holes about 1/5 of an inch in diameter are needed for alignment during assembly. The M825A1 Self-Supporting Burster Tube is press loaded with composition A-5 in its final delivered configuration. Additional parts required include a spring pin and plug. The spring pin has a diameter of about 1/5 of an inch and 1/5 of an inch length. The plug is stainless steel with a diameter of about 1/4 of an inch and a length of about 1/5 of an inch.The composition A-5 explosive is pelletized and reconsolidated in the burster tube to the desired density. Proper certification for storage, handling and processing of explosive must be available. Periodic explosive pellet measurements, weight and density will be required. The aft end of the burster tube requires installation of the plug which is crimped into position and requires a minimum push-out load. The explosive energetic requires x-ray inspection for voids, cracks, separations, or foreign matter. CRITICAL PROCESSES/SKILLS: An acceptable source must be able to display the skills of their employees and established expertise in completing essential operations of manufacturing the M825A1 Self-Supporting Burster Tube Assembly. Essential operations to include weld qualification, welding, weld inspection, heat treatment, tensile testing, machining and processing of metal parts (lathes, punches, drills, etc.), protective coatings and packaging, explosive pressing and loading. Experience in dealing with similar systems/technical operation critical to the welded tube assembly, including a properly trained workforce with proper engineering support and the ability to control dimensional and functional design requirements. 155mm M825A1 Expulsion Charge Assembly Expulsion Charge Assembly (15-12-316) Charge Loading Assembly (15-12-315) Charge Assembly Bag (15-12-314) Propellant M10 (MIL-P-48099) Charge Assembly Bag (15-12-314) Laminated Basic Cut Cloth (15-12-338) Rolled Flange Eyelet (9272011) Tubular Rivet (9272012) Pull Wire (9272013) Expulsion Charge Cover (9272022) Expulsion Charge Assembly Specification (MIL-DTL-64003B) ITEM DESCRIPTION: The 155mm M825A1 White Phosphorous Projectile requires an expulsion charge assembly filled with M10 propellant. This assembly utilizes a laminated cloth bag which is impulse or ultrasonically sealed. Along this seal, a cotton or polyester thread is chain stitched along the long length and lock stitched along the short end. Once stitched, the bag has an open end and when flattened is about 2 1/2 inch wide by 6 3/4 inch long. The sealed end of bag is folded and a 1/8 inch hole is manufactured to install an eyelet and then clinched. The folded cloth bag is attached to the expulsion charge cover and the pull wire via an eyelet flange and tubular rivet. The charge cover is made of aluminum and stamped into a trapezoidal shaped cross section. The outer rim has a formed feature to secure the pull wire, which has a spring like characteristic. The cover is about 7/1000 of an inch thick and about 1 1/2 inch in diameter once formed with a 3/4 of an inch center hole. The part has a 9.3/100 of an inch hole and 4 notches along the outer rim as features for fitment and alignment. The pull wire has a helical pattern and is made of stainless steel spring wire. The overall pull wire diameter is about 1 1/2 inch, the length is about 2 1/2 inch; the coil diameter is 2.6/100 of an inch and has about 4 1/2 coils. Additional features are present for alignment and fitment. The charge loading assembly is filled with M10 propellant to the specified weight through the open end of the bag and heat sealed. The M10 must be tested for volatiles and moisture content. The final sealed assemblies are leak tested under water. CRITICAL PROCESSES/SKILLS: An acceptable source must be able to display the skills of their employees and established expertise in completing essential operations of manufacturing the M825A1 Expulsion Charge Assembly and handling/analyzing of M10 propellant. Essential operations to include propellant handling, propellant testing, cloth manufacture and stitching, impulse/ultrasonic/heat seal of laminated cloth, machining and processing of cloth/metal parts (lathes, punches, drills, etc.), and packaging. Experience in dealing with similar systems/technical operation critical to the sealed bag assembly and propellant, including a properly trained workforce with proper engineering support and the ability to control dimensional and functional design requirements. 155mm M1123/M1124 Expulsion Charge Assembly Expulsion Charge Assembly (9272019) Charge Loading Assembly (9272020) Propellant M10 (MIL-P-48099) Charge Assembly Bag (9272021) Laminated Basic Cut Cloth (9328663) Rolled Flange Eyelet (9272011) Tubular Rivet (9272012) Pull Wire (9272013) Expulsion Charge Cover (9272022) Expulsion Charge Assembly Specification (MIL-P-48749 & MIL-DTL-32486) ITEM DESCRIPTION: The 155mm M1123 ER IR and 155mm M1124 ER VL Illuminating Projectiles require an expulsion charge assembly filled with M10 propellant. This assembly utilizes a laminated cloth bag which is impulse or ultrasonically sealed. Along this seal, a polyester thread is chain stitched along the long length and lock stitched along the short end. Once stitched, the bag has an open end and when flattened is about 2 1/2 inch wide by 7 1/4 inch long. The sealed end of bag is folded and a 1/8 inch hole is manufactured to install an eyelet and then clinched. The folded cloth bag is attached to the expulsion charge cover and the pull wire via an eyelet flange and tubular rivet. The charge cover is made of aluminum and stamped into a trapezoidal shaped cross section. The outer rim has a formed feature to secure the pull wire, which has a spring like characteristic. The cover is about 7/1000 of an inch thick and about 1 1/2 inch in diameter once formed with a 3/4 of an inch center hole. The part has a 9.3/100 of an inch hole and 4 notches along the outer rim as features for fitment and alignment. The pull wire has a helical pattern and is made of stainless steel spring wire. The overall pull wire diameter is about 1 1/2 inch, the length is about 2 1/2 inch, the coil diameter is 2.6/100 of an inch and has about 4 1/2 coils. Additional features are present for alignment and fitment. The charge loading assembly is filled with M10 propellant to the specified weight through the open end of the bag and heat sealed. The M10 must be tested for volatiles and moisture content. The final sealed assemblies are leak tested under water. CRITICAL PROCESSES/SKILLS: An acceptable source must be able to display the skills of their employees and established expertise in completing essential operations of manufacturing the M1123/M1124 Expulsion Charge Assembly and handling/analyzing of M10 propellant. Essential operations to include propellant handling, propellant testing, cloth manufacture and stitching, impulse/ultrasonic/heat seal of laminated cloth, machining and processing of cloth/metal parts (lathes, punches, drills, etc.), and packaging. Experience in dealing with similar systems/technical operation critical to the sealed bag assembly and propellant, including a properly trained workforce with proper engineering support and the ability to control dimensional and functional design requirements. 155mm M116A1 Expelling Charge Assembly Expelling Charge Assembly (9352713) Expelling Charge Cup (9352714) Expelling Charge Disc (9352715) Black Powder (MIL-P-223) Expelling Charge Specification (MIL-C-46909D) ITEM DESCRIPTION: The 155mm M116A1 HC Smoke Cartridge requires an expelling charge assembly filled with black powder propellant. This assembly utilizes an ultrasonically sealed polyethylene plastic cup. The plastic cup has a trapezoidal cross sectional shape where the black powder is contained and a snap-on cover is used for the ultrasonic joint between the cup and cover. An energy director is located within the snap-on cover and cup and melted during ultrasonic sealing. The cup is open at the larger diameter side. The overall dimension of the larger diameter is about 3 1/10 inch and the smaller diameter is about 2 1/4 inch. The height of the cup is about 1 7.55/10 inch. The overall wall thickness of the cup is about 1/25 of an inch. The disc is about 3/100 of an inch thick and about 3 9/50 inch in diameter. The disc has a snap-on feature along the edge to mate with the energy director joint on the cup. The charge loading assembly is filled with black powder propellant to specified weight through the open end of the cup, then the disc snaps onto the cup and is ultrasonically sealed. The black powder must be tested for moisture content. The assemblies are leak tested under water. A compressive load test is required to further test joint integrity at a sampled rate. CRITICAL PROCESSES/SKILLS: An acceptable source must be able to display the skills of their employees and established expertise in completing essential operations of manufacturing the M116A1 Expulsion Charge Assembly and handling/analyzing of black powder propellant. Essential operations to include propellant handling, propellant testing, plastic injection molding manufacture and ultrasonic seal of plastics, processing of necessary tooling for molds (lathes, punches, drills, etc.), and packaging. Experience in dealing with similar systems/technical operation critical to the sealed cup/cover assembly and propellant, including a properly trained workforce with proper engineering support and the ability to control dimensional and functional design requirements. 105mm M84A1 Expelling Charge Assembly Expelling Charge Assembly (9207912) Expelling Charge Cup (9207913) Expelling Charge Disc (9207914) Black Powder (MIL-P-00223) Expelling Charge Specification (MIL-C-60327) ITEM DESCRIPTION: The 105mm M84A1 HC Smoke Cartridge requires an expelling charge assembly filled with black powder propellant. This assembly utilizes a heat sealed polyethylene plastic cup. The plastic cup has a cylindrical shape where the black powder is contained and a raised lip for the heat seal joint between the cup and disc. The overall diameter is about 2 7.45/10 inch with a height of 8.10/10 inch to the heat seal joint and 6.52/10 inch to the disc. The overall diameter includes 4 raised ribs that project out about 2.5/100 inch (1.3/10 inch wide). There are an additional 4 recessed ribs of same dimensions such that 8 ribs are equally spaced 45 degrees apart. The cup has a minimum thickness of 1/50 inch through an area of the circular surface. Similarly, the disc has an area with a 1.4/100 inch thickness. The disc fits within the cup before heat sealing. The charge loading assembly is filled with black powder propellant to the specified weight through the open end of the cup, then the disc fits within the cup and is heat sealed. The black powder must be tested for moisture content. CRITICAL PROCESSES/SKILLS: An acceptable source must be able to display the skills of their employees and established expertise in completing essential operations of manufacturing the M84A1 Expelling Charge Assembly and handling/analyzing of black powder propellant. Essential operations to include propellant handling, propellant testing, plastic injection molding manufacture and heat seal of plastics, processing of necessary tooling for molds (lathes, punches, drills, etc.), and packaging. Experience in dealing with similar systems/technical operation critical to the sealed cup/disc assembly and propellant, including a properly trained workforce with proper engineering support and the ability to control dimensional and functional design requirements. Interested sources shall clearly identify technical and manufacturing capability to produce and deliver the M825A1 Self Supporting Burster Tube Assembly, M825A1 Expulsion Charge Assembly, M1123/M1124 Expulsion Charge Assembly, M116A1 Expelling Charge Assembly, and M84A1 Expelling Charge Assembly. If a respondent does not have adequate resources (technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, the respondent must be able to demonstrate its ability to obtain those resources. Interested sources shall provide their top-level plan and any limitations for manufacturing these assemblies. Respondents should provide the following information which will assist the U.S. Government (USG) in developing its acquisition strategy: 1. Provide a brief summary of the company's capabilities to include descriptions of the facilities, equipment, manufacturing processes, inspection capability, personnel experience (experience/specialized skill sets), quality system/certifications, environmental compliance, and past manufacturing experience to meet requirements. In developing this summary, keep in mind the critical processes/skills cited above for each item. 2. Describe if your company has produced the M825A1 Self Supporting Burster Tube Assembly, M825A1 Expulsion Charge Assembly, M1123/M1124 Expulsion Charge Assembly, M116A1 Expelling Charge Assembly, M84A1 Expelling Charge Assembly or similar items. a. What were the items and when were they produced? b. Who were they produced for and in what quantities? 3. Describe briefly any previous or current USG production or research and development contracts, including period(s) of performance and with which USG agency. Identify any performance issues and how they were addressed. 4. Please provide information regarding the following: a. Portion of production processes currently established vs. those to be developed. b. Any partnering agreements, additional facilities, quality assurance, new equipment, new tooling, or rehabilitation of existing equipment your company would require to produce all or part of the stated quantities. c. Your company's access to all the subject matter experts (SME) necessary to produce this item. Explain any significant experience those SMEs have manufacturing this or similar items. d. Any/all quality controls proposed by your company to ensure conformance to product quality requirements. 5. Discuss the feasibility of or alternatives to the preferred lead-time of no later than 240 days after contract award for First Article Test (FAT) Sample and no later than 270 days after award for production deliveries to commence. Please note if this is feasible for all assemblies simultaneously, and provide details on limitations, if any. 6. Discuss any production limitations or capacity issues and provide evidence of essential operations and capabilities to produce M825A1 Self Supporting Burster Tube Assembly at a rate no less than 4,000 per month, and M825A1 Expulsion Charge Assemblies, M1123/M1124 Expulsion Charge Assemblies, and M84A1 Expelling Charge Assemblies at a rate no less than 3,000 per month, and M116A1 Expelling Charge Assemblies at a rate no less than 1,000 per month. - Provide rough order of magnitude (ROM) prices for FY22 production quantity ranges of 10,000-18,000 and 18,001-24,000 M825A1 Self Supporting Burster Tube Assemblies and M825A1 Expulsion Charge Assemblies per year, as well as a ROM for FAT sample. - Provide ROM prices for FY22 production quantity ranges of 4,000-9,000 and 9,001-14,000 M1123/M124 Expulsion Charge Assemblies per year, as well as a ROM for FAT sample. - Provide ROM prices for FY23 production quantity ranges of 1,000-2,000 and 2,001-3,000 M116A1 Expelling Charge Assemblies, as well as a ROM for FAT sample. - Provide ROM prices for FY22 production quantity ranges of 3,000 - 8,000 and 8,001 - 15,000 M84A1 Expelling Charge Assemblies, as well as a ROM for FAT sample. 8. Submit the following with regard to your company: a. Company name, address, telephone number, email address, technical point of contact, CAGE code, and company size (please specify as either a Large Business, Foreign-Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a) concern, Woman-Owned Small Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone concern, Veteran-Owned Small Business, or Service-Disabled Small Business). b. Facilities: size, age, condition, location, and historical uses. c. Equipment relevant to execution of critical processes identified: age, condition, efficiency, and tooling. d. Identify and include a brief summary of any potential key sub-tier vendors or subcontractors and identify key components or processes that would be subcontracted. This market research is for reference and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the USG. The USG does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this market research or otherwise pay for the information provided. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary and at no cost to the USG. Please identify any proprietary information submitted. Proprietary responses will be protected in accordance with the markings. TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The USG will accept written questions by email. Email your questions to POC: Lisa Digney and Adam Geneva. The USG will not consider marketing brochures adequate information in response to this notice and reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any private sector input as a result of the Market Research notice. All information provided will not be returned and will be held as contractor confidential information. The requested information should be sent via email to: lisa.m.digney.civ@mail.mil and adam.m.geneva.civ@mail.mil no later than 1600 Central Time 11 December 2020. 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