Loaded Cartridge Assembly (MC91) for MK 5 Mod ) Explosive Bolt

This announcement should not be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Navy does not intend to award a contract based on this Request for Information/Sources Sought Notice. THIS IS NOT A Request for a Proposal AND DOES NOT OBLIGATE THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE an RFP. This RFI is for U.S. Government planning purposes only and constitutes requests for exchange of information pursuant to FAR Part 10. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), Contracts Department, Code 02 is conducting Market Research on the Loaded Cartridge Assembly, DODIC MC91. NSWC IHD is conducting a market survey to identify sources/vendors capable of supplying the MC91 cartridge satisfying the following requirements:

1. The cartridge needs to meet the criteria specified by WS6061 and WS6052, ADL 2429839, their lower-tier documents, and be compatible with the MK 5 MOD 0 Explosive Bolt (M254), a critical component on the AN/BST-1 Buoy system. The Technical Data Package (TDP) contains technical data whose export is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S.C., Sec 2751, et seq.). To receive the TDP, interested vendors must submit a written request accompanied by an approved DD Form 2345 (Military Critical Technical Data Agreement), signed NDA, and active CAGE code.

2. Contractor must be able to stand up a manufacturing line and be able to support the U.S. Government by providing all deliveries within one year of award.

3. Procurement includes production units (QTY 100) as well as all associated destructive test samples required for qualification and acceptance. This procurement includes the manufacture, testing (including nondestructive testing (NDT/radiographic) capabilities), packaging, and delivery of the MC91 Cartridge Assembly.

Request your company provide responses to the following questionnaire:

1. Does your company have a production line available that can meet the requirements mentioned above? If yes, describe your company's history and experience with supplying this item (or similar cartridges for explosive bolts) including the total number supplied to date and how the facilities are ready to support USG requirements.
2. What is your company’s availability of inert metal parts or existing validated energetic loading lines?
3. If the MC91 cartridges are not currently in stock, when would they be available for delivery? How many days or months after an award?
4. Can your Company provide the rate of production the manufacturing facility is capable of per year?
5. Can your company provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) unit price estimate based on the stated quantity of 100 production units plus required test samples, along with estimated stepped pricing for higher production rates?
6. Do test reports exist that demonstrate the MC91 (or similar cartridges for explosive bolts) manufacturing accuracy and reliability? Actual reports are not required to be submitted as part of this request for information but will be accepted after your initial response to this request.
7. Are you able to supply documented ability of your company's MC91 cartridges to function reliably with the MK 5 MOD 0 Explosive Bolt?
8. Does your facility hold the necessary ATF licensing, Net Explosive Weight (NEW) storage capacity, and compliance with DoD 4145.26-M to manufacture, assemble, and store loaded MC91 cartridges?
9. Describe your inspection capabilities for energetic components, specifically hermetic seal testing (helium leak rate) and real-time radiography (X-ray) for internal explosive pellet/column alignment.
10. What are the lead times for primary energetic ingredients/mixes and specialized metal hardware required by WS6061 and WS6052? Are any materials obsolete or sole-sourced?
11. Does your company possess or capability to produce all tooling, crimping dies, and electrical/bridgewire resistance test fixtures required to manufacture this item, or would Government-Furnished Equipment/Tooling (GFE/GFT) be required?
12. Small Business Subcontracting & Nonmanufacturer Rule Compliance: If responding as a Small Business prime under NAICS 325920, please clarify your manufacturing approach:
    1. Does your company intend to perform at least 50% of the cost of manufacturing (excluding material costs) in-house at your own safety-approved facility?
    2. If you do not manufacture the cartridges in-house, do you intend to source the MC91 cartridges from another domestic small business manufacturer?
    3. If you intend to partner with a large business manufacturer, are you aware of the requirements to obtain an individual SBA Nonmanufacturer Rule (NMR) waiver prior to solicitation close?

All interested sources shall provide the organization name, address, point of contact, phone number, e-mail address, business size, Unique Entity ID, and CAGE Code. In addition, all interested sources shall provide a summary of their company’s capabilities and delivery timeframe and schedule. All responding sources must email their response submissions no later than 17:00 Eastern Time on November 9, 2026 to the Point of Contacts (POCs) listed below.  Submissions must be in PDF format and shall not exceed fifteen (15) pages in total.

1) NSWC IHD

Attn: Michael Persinger

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806

Michael.a.persinger2.civ@us.navy.mil

2) NSWC IHD

Attn: Gerardo Ilaria

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000

gerardo.ilaria.civ@us.navy.mil