Purchase BLU-109/B and BLU-122B Warhead Case Test Assets & Test Hardware

Synopsis Purchase, 7 BLU-109/B Warhead Case Test Assets & Test Hardware The Air Armament Center, 808th Armament Systems Group, 685th Armament Systems Squadron is contemplating the sole source award of a purchase order to Rand Machine Products, Inc., 2072 Allen Street Extension, Falconer, NY, 14733. It is intended that the award be made to support the on-going test and qualification of Insensitive Munitions (IM) and design enhancements to accommodate AFX-757 explosive fill in the BLU-109 penetrator warhead. A November/December 2009 award is anticipated for the procurement of test hardware and seven (7) altered BLU-109/B warhead cases: Four (4) BLU-109 Warhead Cases are to be configured as BLU-109C/B Case Assemblies, Empty (200827956-010). One (1) BLU-109 Warhead Case is to be configured as a BLU-109Y/B 6-Hole Nose Vent, Case Assembly, Empty (X68509003-010). One (1) BLU-109 Warhead Case is to be configured as a BLU-109Z/B Nose Hole Vent, Case Assembly, Empty (X68509004-010). One (1) BLU-109 Warhead Case is to be configured as a BLU-109Z/B Nose Hole Vent, Case Assembly, Modified, Empty (X68509004-030). BLU-109Y/B and BLU-109Z/B cases will be used for testing conceptual IM improvements in accordance with MIL-STD-2105and MIL-STD-810. The BLU-109C/B case will be used to back fill test hardware inventory. The BLU-109C/B configurations are based on the preexisting BLU-109/B case configuration with the incorporation of the following improved components: Aft Fuzeliner, Aft Fuzeliner Retainer, Charging Tube Fitting, Charging Tube Nut, Charging Tube, 9-Hole Vented Aft Closure, and Aft Closure Retaining Ring Assembly. The BLU-109 Y/B and Z/B are base on modified BLU-109/B case configurations with the incorporation of the aforementioned improved components. The procurement of 7 empty BLU-109 warhead cases can only be met by Rand Machine Products because of their experience/qualification in the manufacturing of penetrator internal parts in support of Ellwood National Forge and their exclusive expertise in the manufacturing of the Eutectic Closure Retainer Ring Assembly. Additionally Rand's tooling, fixtures, inspection, and machine programming further enhances it's justification as sole source for the test assets and test hardware. The aforementioned capabilities will allow deliveries in time to meet our testing schedule. Without Rand's support in this effort the Penetrator and IM program efforts would have to stop testing until a new contract is competed and a new vendor is qualified. The Government estimates that this can take one year and would adversely impact the testing schedule and overall Program Plan by an additional one year. Rand's previous manufacturing support of 685 ARSS IM/BLU-121 test asset procurements and BLU-117, BLU-109, and BLU-122 production contracts has consistently proven to be technically sound, cost effective, and timely. Test hardware component parts will be used in support of IM test efforts on as needed basis. Eutectic, DELRIN, & UHMWP/TIVAR nuts will be evaluated by the contractor to ascertain threat strength at elevated temperatures. BLU-109 Salt Fog Test Fixture and remaining test hardware to be used in Government IM testing on as needed basis. Hardware shall be manufactured in accordance with (IAW) drawings. The contractor shall remove the hardware corresponding to those items listed above (Test Hardware Component Parts) from the eight (8) Government provided BLU-109/B warhead cases and install the improved hardware components IAW Empty Case Assemblies, Empty, BLU-109C/B, Y/B, Z/B, and Salt Fog Test Fixture. The contractor shall perform periodic inspections of the assemblies and the hardware it is manufacturing to ensure compliance with associated drawing(s). Inspection data shall be available for review upon request. A firm fixed price type purchase order is contemplated. It is estimated that the purchase order will have a period of performance of 12 months. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. All responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The clause at 5352.201-9101, Ombudsman, is applicable to this procurement. An Ombudsman has been appointed to address concerns of offerors or potential offerors. The Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program manager or contracting officer, but communicates contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman shall maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Matters of routine or administrative nature concerning this acquisition should not be addressed to the Ombudsman, but rather to the points of contact identified below. The AAC Ombudsman is Col Arnold W Bunch, AAC/CV, (850) 882-5422. The Alternate Ombudsman is Col Lawrence G Avery, Jr., (850) 882-5422. Contact Michelle Dillard at (850) 883-3885 or michelle.dillard@eglin.af.mil for further information about this procurement.