REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT - Upper Receiver Group - Improved (URG-I) Cold Hammer Forged (CHF) 11.5 Carbine Length and 14.5 Mid-Length Barrels

N0016420SNB73 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT - Upper Receiver Group - Improved (URG-I) Cold Hammer Forged (CHF) 11.5 Carbine Length and 14.5 Mid-Length Barrels - FSC 1005 - NAICS 332994 Issued Date: JUL 13 2020 - Closing Date: JUL 24 2020 MARKET SURVEY - SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS: The Government is issuing this RFI/sources sought announcement as part of a market survey. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division is seeking information from small businesses pertaining to 11.5 Carbine Length and 14.5 Mid-Length Barrels for the URG-I. The required barrels are for use with the current M4A1 carbines utilized by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). This effort is underway to gauge potential interest, establish the current state of industry, and assist in specification refinement and validation resulting in a competitive, five-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract. Additionally, this Sources Sought announces the Governments intent to pursue an interim contract for barrels on a sole source basis from Daniel Defense Inc., 101 Warfighter Way, Black Creek, GA 31308 in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(B). The URG-Is with barrels from Daniels Defense are currently in operation and due to operation tempo fielding schedules cannot be interrupted. The Governments full intent is to award a two-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to Daniels Defense Inc. to allow time for sufficient competition and testing requirements. This RFI/Sources Sought will be used in planning for a five-year IDIQ contract following the expiration of the pending two-year sole-sourced IDIQ. The Government is interested in devices with the following capabilities or combination of capabilities: 11.5" URG-I CHF Barrel Barrel is manufactured using cold hammer forging methods. Barrel is chambered for 5.56 NATO cartridge per US ARMY Barrel Drawing #12991850. Barrel measures 11.50 inches, when measured from bolt face to muzzle crown. Barrel has a 1:7" twist rate. Barrel has a barrel extension that properly interfaces with a Mil-Spec M4 bolt per US ARMY Bolt Drawing #8448510. Barrel extension is compatible with M4 style upper receiver per US ARMY Receiver, Upper Drawing #12972670 and Geissele MK16 Barrel Nut, P/N 02-502. Barrel with nothing else installed weighing no more than 1.41 lbs. Barrel is compatible with Geissele MK16 Handguard 10.5", P/N 05-1073 and neither barrel or gas block contact the rail when properly installed and during normal SOF use. All M-LOK slots on Geissele MK16 Handguard 10.5", P/N 05-1073 are NOT obstructed by barrel and/or gas block. Barrel utilizes a carbine length gas tube, measuring 7.8 inches from bolt face to center of gas port. Barrel is not matched to supplied gas block and uses a low profile gas block. Muzzle threads are 1/2-28 per US ARMY Barrel Drawing #12991849. Barrel has a initial unsuppressed muzzle velocity of at least 2,596 fps when using M855A1 ammunition. Barrel can fire 240 rounds at cyclic rate of fire without catastrophic failure. Barrel has a 35,000 (+/- 1000) round barrel life with no more than 200 fps loss in muzzle velocity from initial muzzle velocity. Barrel is capable of maintaining 7.0 inch (or less) extreme spread at 100 yards for entire life of the barrel. Barrel/gas block have a corrosion-resistant finish for use in all SOF climates. Barrel is supplied in standard individual packaging to include: Bar Code with readable text to include; Nomenclature, NSN (Government Provided), P/N, Date of manufacture, CAGEC. Barrel is marked with data to include: P/N, Caliber, twist rate, Date of manufacture or marking that identifies batch /production run. (Open for vendor discussion) 14.5" URG-I CHF Barrel Barrel is manufactured using cold hammer forging methods. Barrel is chambered for 5.56 NATO cartridge per US ARMY Barrel Drawing #12991850. Barrel measures 14.50 inches, when measured from bolt face to muzzle crown. Barrel has a 1:7" twist rate. Barrel has a barrel extension that properly interfaces with a Mil-Spec M4 bolt per US ARMY Bolt Drawing #8448510. Barrel extension is compatible with M4 style upper receiver per US ARMY Receiver, Upper Drawing #12972670 and Geissele MK16 Barrel Nut, P/N 02-502. Barrel with nothing else installed weighing no more than 1.68 lbs. Barrel is compatible with Geissele MK16 Handguard 13.5", P/N 05-650 and neither barrel or gas block contact the rail when properly installed and during normal SOF use. All M-LOK slots on Geissele MK16 Handguard 13.5", P/N 05-650 are NOT obstructed by barrel and/or gas block. Barrel utilizes a mid-length gas tube, measuring 9.8 inches from bolt face to center of gas port. Barrel is not matched to supplied gas block and uses a low profile gas block. Muzzle threads are 1/2-28 per US ARMY Barrel Drawing #12991849. Barrel has a initial unsuppressed muzzle velocity of at least 2,818 fps when using M855A1 ammunition. Barrel can fire 240 rounds at cyclic rate of fire without catastrophic failure. Barrel has a 35,000 (+/- 1000) round barrel life with no more than 200 fps loss in muzzle velocity from initial muzzle velocity. Barrel is capable of maintaining 7.0 inch (or less) extreme spread at 100 yards for entire life of the barrel. Barrel/gas block have a corrosion-resistant finish for use in all SOF climates. Barrel is supplied in standard individual packaging to include: Bar Code with readable text to include; Nomenclature, NSN (Government Provided), P/N, Date of manufacture, CAGEC. Barrel is marked with data to include: P/N, Caliber, twist rate, Date of manufacture or marking that identifies batch /production run. (Open for vendor discussion) NSWC Crane is interested in receiving feedback and product information from industry. A technical description of the product(s), such as physical characteristics, operational features, performance/test data, and photographs are of particular interest to assist in establishing the state of industry. This submission may be in the form of commercial product literature, operating instructions, and/or supplemental technical documentation that define the item(s) and associated hardware. Potential sources should also provide any test results on the item(s) if applicable. Submissions may be sent by any government or non-governmental entity including commercial firms, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science and/or engineering (universities), or by consortia comprising such concerns. All interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit an abbreviated synopsis or white paper, preferably in the form of a - Quad Chart. This white paper should not exceed 3 pages per item, with an executive summary (short paragraph) on the effort, the technical description of the effort, any previous test results, a preliminary production/delivery schedule consisting of production lead times, and maximum monthly deliver quantities for both barrel types, identification of risks, place of manufacture, current Technology Readiness Level (TRL), packaging, and a cost estimate over five years. Offerors should submit the white papers electronically prior to 3:00 p.m. on 24 July 2020 in order to be evaluated. White papers may be submitted any time prior to expiration of this announcement. In addition to the above submission all interested parties are requested to fill out and return the attached market research questionnaire included with this announcement. Responses from Small and Small Disadvantaged Business firms are highly encouraged. Firms responding should indicate if they are a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, 8(a) firms, historically black colleges or universities, and minority institutions. Responses to the RFI shall include the following: Submitter's Name Street Address, City, State, NINE-Digit zip code Point of Contact (POC) POC Telephone and facsimile numbers Announcement Number: N0016420SNB73 Contractors must be properly registered in the Government System for Award Management database (SAM). Offerors may obtain information on SAM registration and annual confirmation requirements by calling 1-866-606-8220, or via the Internet at www.sam.gov. At the current time, NO FUNDING IS AVAILABLE for contractual efforts. This sources sought synopsis does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract. The US Government is in no way liable to pay for or reimburse any companies or entities that respond to this announcement. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed. White papers may be submitted any time prior to expiration of this announcement. The following e-mail point of contact is provided for information and for submission of white papers: Mr. Andrew Ficklin, andrew.ficklin@navy.mil and Leslie Graber-Heshelman, leslie.graberheshelman@navy.mil. All changes that occur will be posted to the Beta.SAM.gov website. Please refer to announcement number N0016420SNB73 in all correspondence and communications.