THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes as the initiation of market research under FAR, Part 10, however does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) seeks information on small and medium caliber machine guns and cannons applicable to Aviation platforms for vertical lift aircraft that would enter service in the 2030 timeframe with a service life of 50 years. Requirement: The AMRDEC has begun a focused research program called Common Gun Study that will support development of a specification for an anticipated Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Program of Record. This RFI seeks to inform the Government of existing and promising small and medium caliber machine guns and cannons that could be available for application (TRL 6/7) in the FY22 timeframe that would provide the desired capabilities in a future vertical lift aircraft. Specifications of interest include, but are not limited to the following subsystem categories: Weapon Subsystem: - Maturity Level - Caliber type - Effective range - Open or closed bolt design? - Operation Type (i.e. Gas, recoil, electric, etc.) - Cooling type (i.e. passive/active cooling, air cooled, liquid cooled) - Mass of each configuration - Center of gravity (CG) data for each configuration - Recoil Load with brief overview of test configuration (i.e. test stand type, orientation, mounting location, location of measured recoil) - Recoiling Mass with test configuration overview - Single shot and multiple round accuracy/dispersion data with brief test overview (i.e. test stand and air vehicle data if available) - Muzzle energy (ammunition impulse) - Firing rate/frequency - Rounds per burst - Burst rate capability - Overall weapon dimensions - Sustained firing cadence (rate) - Service life (estimated or empirical if available) - Production costs (estimated or empirical if available) - Other unlisted characteristic of interest Ammunition Subsystem - Maturity Level - Characteristics of the cartridge and type - Capability for different round types such as lethal and non-lethal - Type of Link (if applicable) - Payload capacity (i.e. drum, magazine, etc.) - Drum / magazine dimensions, weights and CGs (full and empty) - Powering requirements (i.e. passive, AC/DC / wattage / voltage, etc.) - Other unlisted characteristic of interest Mount Subsystem - Maturity Level - Dimension(s), weight(s), and CG location(s) - Removable, movable, and/or fixed configuration - Recoil reducing performance - Service life (estimated or empirical data) - Powering requirements (passive system, AC/DC / wattage / voltage, etc.) - Other unlisted characteristic of interest Feed chute Subsystem - Maturity Level - Dimension(s), weight(s), and CG location(s) - Summaries of data acquired such as flexibility, performance, resistance to impulse loads and/or resistance to sustained loading conditions - Powering requirements (passive system, AC/DC / wattage / voltage, etc.) - Other unlisted characteristic of interest Unlisted or Conceptual Subsystem - Maturity Level - Details about the nontraditional technologies and how it could be applied - Innovated concepts and how it could be applied - Other unlisted characteristic of interest Machine guns and cannons for future aircraft such as an FVL must function as an integrated whole and allow rapid reconfiguration in the field. They must also be affordable in acquisition, operation, and sustainment, as well as in upgrade / technology refresh throughout the entire life cycle of the air vehicle. Applied Research under this announcement for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to pay for any information, or otherwise reimburse responders for any costs associated with their respective submissions in response to this RFI. All submissions will be treated as information only. Respondents will not be notified of the results of any review of this RFI; however, clarification of submissions may be requested by the Contracting Officer. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Army at this time, is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. Therefore it is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. Submission Instructions: Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this RFI by close of business March 21, 2016, in response to this RFI not exceeding 50 pages in length including all appendices with the organization name, address, website address, telephone number, and size and type of ownership for the organization. All questions/comments regarding this RFI should be submitted in writing to ann.m.calvin.civ@mail.mil via the AMRDEC Safe Access and File Exchange website (https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/SAFE/). The Government will provide feedback within seven (7) days of RFI closing date. Documents should be submitted in Microsoft Office format or as a portable document format (.pdf) file. If proprietary or copyrighted information is submitted, please include a statement authorizing the Government to copy and use it within the Government for comparison purposes. Appropriately marked proprietary information will be properly protected by the U.S. Government. Classified information should be submitted only if it significantly clarifies or broadens the scope of technology considered. If a classified response is necessary, please write the contracting point of contact for specific submittal instructions, and include company name and address, primary and one alternate point of contact, telephone and email address, cage code, and NAICS code. AMRDEC's SAFE site is not approved for transmission of classified information. Point of Contact(s): Kenneth E. Helms (Contracting Officer), e-mail kenneth.e.helms.civ@mail.mil (757) 878-5909; Ann M. Calvin (Contract Specialist), e-mail ann.m.calvin.civ@mail.mil (757) 878-5703,
