Sources Sought: Cartridge 20MM Dummy M51A4N with MK7 MOD 1 Links

The NSWC IHEODTD is seeking sources for the production of the Cartridge 20MM Dummy M51A4N with MK7 MOD 1 Links for use in the Navy's MK15 Close-in Weapon System (CIWS). The dummy cartridge is yellow in color so that they can be distinguished from live ammunition and is used for demonstration and display purposes and during gun system loading/downloading exercises and dry cycling of the weapon for maintenance, weapon checkout, or gun crew training drills. The dummy is similar to the 20MM MK244 Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) and 20MM MK149 MOD 4 Discarding Sabot (DS) Cartridges in length, exterior profile, weight, and center of gravity location. The dummy round consists of a steel core surrounded by fiberglass reinforced nylon, is belted into MK 7 loading links and is completely inert and incapable of firing. The dummy cartridge shall be linked in a belt of 100 cartridges and packaged in a M548 ammunition can and palletized in a MK3 Metal container. THIS IS A NOTIFICATION FOR SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This sources sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. The U.S. Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this sources sought. Further, the U.S. Government is not at this time 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 sources sought; all costs associated with responding to this sources sought notice will be solely at the interested party's expense. Requests for solicitation will not receive a response. Not responding to this sources sought 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. The U.S. Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this market survey. Purpose The purpose of this Source Sought Synopsis is to identify potential sources for the manufacture and delivery of the Cartridge 20MM Dummy M51A4N with MARK 7 (MK) MOD 1 Links. Potential sources should have design, production engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance expertise and skills for this cartridge. The manufacture of these cartridges includes components, assembly and packaging. Contractor test capabilities for conducting First Article and Lot Acceptance testing of the cartridge are desired. Planned Acquisition The U.S. Government plans to award a Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract for a period of performance of FY18 through FY23. Should a contract be pursued, the U.S. Government will award an estimated quantity of 95,200 cartridges during the first procurement year with the option to make an affirmative determination to exercise future quantities of 25,000 cartridges per year; a total estimated quantity of 245,000 cartridges for the entire acquisition. Capability Statement/Requirements The respondents shall consider the following requirements: -Machining of stainless steel (ASTM A582, Type 303, Condition A: Annealed) with diamond knurling. -Injection molding of glass reinforced nylon (Nylon 66, 33% Fiberglass Reinforced, Toughened, ASTM D4066: PA0160G33) to meet centering and wall thickness variation requirements. -Cartridge assemblies must be capable of being cycled through the CIWS. -Cartridges capable of being linked (100-round belt) with MK7 links, packed in M548 Containers, and palletized on MK3 metal pallets. Requested Information The respondents shall provide the following information: -A description of the item(s) that may be offered, should the government pursue procurement of these supplies. -Past performance in manufacturing of the requested and/or similar supplies. -A description of technical and manufacturing capabilities as applicable to this item. -A description of facilities, personnel, and testing capabilities and experience. -A description of production rate flexibility, including maximum production rate attainable and minimum sustainable rate. -Company size (please identify as either Large, Foreign, Small, Small Disadvantaged, 8(a), Woman-Owned Small Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone concern, Veteran-Owned Small Business, or Service-Disabled Small Business). All interested sources shall also provide the organization name, address, point of contact, phone number, fax number, e-mail address, DUNS number, and CAGE Code. Other Important Considerations An interested party should avoid including any classified, business confidential, and/or proprietary information in its response. However, if an interested supplier must submit such information, the information must be clearly marked. The U. S. Government will review the information and safeguard it appropriately. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information that is provided in response to this Sources Sought nor will it compensate any respondents for the development of such information. Contact Information Responses shall be provided via email to the Contract Specialist, Wayne Brown, at wayne.r.brown@navy.mil no later than 30 days from the date of this notice NLT than COB at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on 29 December 2017.