CRADA Coop Research and Development Agrrement

DESCRIPTION: The Army Contracting Command - New Jersey, on behalf of the Office of the Project Manager for Maneuver Ammunition Systems (OPM-MAS), is seeking sources interested in entering into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Government on one or more of the following: - 5.56mm Rifle Marking Cartridges (for use in the M4 and M16 weapons): A quantity of 60,000 rounds (30,000 of each color) will be required to be submitted. - 5.56mm Saw Linked Marking Cartridges (for use in the M249 weapon): A quantity of 100,000 rounds (50,000 of each color) will be required to be submitted. - 9mm Marking Cartridges (for use in the M9, M11, and M4 (upper receiver kit) weapons): A quantity of 81,000 rounds (40,500 of each color) will be required to be submitted. The marking cartridges (blue/red) stated above will be used with the Close Combat Mission Capability Kit (CCMCK). The CCMCK is a user installed temporary weapon conversion system that allows the Soldier to employ an individual weapon (5.56mm - M4/M16/M249 and 9mm - M9/M11/M4 upper receiver kit) at short range using low velocity marking ammunition while precluding the weapon from firing standard service ammunition. The marking cartridges shall have lead-free primers and be a reduced-energy, non-lethal cartridge that leaves a bright, water-soluble color marking compound on target upon impact. The visible impact left by the marking compound will allow for an accurate assessment of simulated lethality and shot placement. In exchange for providing the cartridges, the Government will bear the cost to test the cartridges in accordance with the performance specifications and each offeror will be provided the results of their test. The cartridges will be subject to Proof of Principle (PoP) including preliminary life cycle testing. NOTE: Testing of the sample rounds will be immediately and permanently suspended in the event that a critical and/or major failure occurs. Offerors can pay to have the remaining ammo shipped back. The information gathered during testing will be used to support the qualification of additional sources. The Army is not requiring current sources to participate for calibers for which they are already qualified. SPECIFICATION: The ammunition must be compatible with the current US Army qualified CCMCK weapon conversion system for each 9mm and 5.56mm. No additional weapon conversions or modifications outside of the current CCMCK system will be allowed. The Government will provide performance specifications for both the 5.56mm and 9mm that include all qualification testing listed upon request. Sources interested in supplying the marking ammunition should adequately describe their experience in small caliber production and testing, demonstrate high rate production, annual production capacity, and verification status of their proposed design. Those sources not having a previously verified design should also submit any backup data to support claims that their design will conform to the performance specification requirements. The CRADA Partner will provide a quantity of the marking rounds listed above to the appropriate Government location for testing (date/location TBD). The contractor is responsible for acquiring the appropriate documents for shipment of the cartridges. PLANNED ACQUISITION: This notice is being issued for informational purposes only. The Government is only seeking interested sources to fulfill the requirements indicated above. SUBMISSION INFORMATION: All responsible, interested sources responding to this notice shall include information regarding their company name, address, company size (including #of employees), capability, facilities, and past performance, along with sketches, drawings, specifications, brochures, current estimated unit cost per million, monthly production capability, and/or test results within 45 days of this notice. Interested sources are encouraged to submit the requested information within 45 days of this notice to: U.S. Army Contracting Command - New Jersey, Bldg. 10, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806, Attn: David Schutzer, dave.e.schutzer.civ@mail.mil, Contract Specialist, (973) 724-4065. All information is to be submitted via email, at no cost or obligation to the Government and information provided will not be returned. Note: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION AND DOES NOT OBLIGATE THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION. This is a Request for Information (RFI) for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal, nor as an obligation on the part of the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for information solicited. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary. Please identify any proprietary information submitted. The Government may utilize the information received to develop the acquisition strategy for future requirements. Any of the information stated above is subject to change.