SOURCES SOUGHT FOR DISTRIBUTED EMBEDDED FUZING SYSTEM MARKET RESEARCH AND TECHNICAL EXCHANGE WITH INDUSTRY

1.0 The Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Ordnance Division (AFRL/RWM) and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Armament Directorate, Direct Attack Division, (AFLCMC/EBD) are collaborating to seek information on potential sources for an envisioned distributed embedded fuze system with shock-hardened components and a Systems Design Integrator, and to share information on USG-owned preliminary distributed embedded fuze system technical documents and hosting one-on-one technical exchanges between the USG and industry. 2.0 System Description/Requirements: An envisioned distributed embedded fuze system with shock-hardened components will be integrated in the 500-lb penetrator, the BLU-111 ECP (BLU-140/B), and encompass: shock-hardened embedded initiation systems (Fire-Sets embedded in the explosive fill or Forward Assemblies) and USG-owned Electronic Safe and Arm Module (ESAM) complying with USG-owned Interface Control Documents (ICD). The distributed embedded fuze system will comply with MIL-STD-1316F: SAFETY CRITERIA FOR FUZE DESIGN. 2.1 The Systems Design Integrator will assist the USG with initial concept design analysis, conduct trade studies to allow USG to assess tradeoffs, participate in the fabrication of prototypes, provide support for scaled and full-scale testing, conduct modeling and simulation to assess fuze structural design, analyze weapon performance, and to develop and maintain USG-owned ICDs and Technical Data Package (TDP), up to a Production Level TDP. The USG-owned ICDs will expand the Weapon Open Systems Architecture in order to maximize flexibility and minimize lifecycle costs. Note, the Systems Design Integrator will forfeit participating in any future production contracts. 2.2 The Sub-System Designers will design shock-hardened embedded initiation systems capable of meeting harsh penetration environments and/or propose and incorporate engineering changes to the USG-owned ESAM. This includes assisting with trade studies to allow USG to assess tradeoffs, participating in the fabrication of prototypes, providing support for scaled and full-scale testing, analyze weapon performance, and develop and maintain up to a Production Level Technical Data Package. 2.3 Interested parties for both the System Design Integrator and Sub-System Designer must establish subcontracts, associate contractor agreements, nondisclosure arrangements, and interfaces with other contractors to: 1) ensure manufacturing or modifications of the items and interfaces meet the TDP and ICD requirements; 2) enable free exchange of information, both proprietary and nonproprietary; and 3) resolve problems to prevent schedule delays, performance degradation, and/or increased costs. 3.0 Statement of Capabilities (SOC): Interested and capable sources are encouraged to respond to this announcement with a Statement of Capabilities that provides relevant evidence demonstrating knowledge and experience in the following areas as it pertains to satisfying the requirements in paragraph 2.0. The Statement of Capabilities should be submitted via PowerPoint presentation and at a minimum, provide evidence that the contractor: (a) Has engaged in or has the ability to engage in parts of the distributed embedded fuzing requirements i.e., USG-owned ESAM form-factor redesign, shock-hardened fire-set design (to include booster design and explosive initiation train design), weapon Load-and-Pack (LAP) design, warhead integration, testing capability, etc. (b) Possess or has access to or ability to gain access to the necessary equipment, data, personnel, facilities to fulfill the requirements of efforts of this type. (c) Any responses should also include the following: Indicate your company's category (e.g., a U.S. company, large or small business, and if a small business, whether they are a small business, 8(a) concern, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned business, HUB Zone small business, small disadvantaged business, or women-owned small business as defined by the planned NAICS code listed. Provide a brief history highlighting past relevant experience with design and/or manufacturing items similar to the USG-owned ESAM or forward assembly TDPs available through this announcement, to include number of years and experience. For each SOC item for which capabilities exists and do not exist, identify how you would satisfy the requirement. If you have developed a shock-hardened fire-set that can integrate into a 500-lb warhead, please indicate what shock-environment it can survive (Note: that this is a full description of the environment rather than simple expressions of magnitude) and what testing and evaluation has been conducted so the USG can assess its maturity. Also include any information regarding the power and communication requirements for these fire-sets are welcomed. Provide information if you have the capability to incorporate changes, modify electrical and mechanical designs, and maintain a Production Level technical data package. Explain how you would maintain the USG-owned ESAM TDP. Please identify testing capabilities and experience to meet the Joint Ordnance Test Procedures (JOTP)-52 and JOTP-53 in regards to the fire sets and/or ESAM. If not in-house, please specify third party testing capabilities. Indicate what risks or concerns you see with this envisioned acquisition of the proposed components, ordnance system level integration, and your suggested mitigation strategies. 3.1 Small businesses are encouraged to submit a Statement of Capabilities demonstrating their ability to conduct a portion of the requirements, even if they do not possess the capabilities for the entire requirement. 3.2 The Government will use this information to determine if there are interested and qualified sources. Those desiring to do business with the Air Force must be registered in the Government's System for Award Management system located at https://www.sam.gov. 3.3 Information associated with this effort is UNCLASSIFIED. If respondents wish to restrict distribution of Capability Statements, they must be marked appropriately. Interested parties should mark all responses accordingly prior to submission. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. Respondents are responsible for protecting and marking proprietary information at the appropriate level. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. 4.0 One-on-one technical exchange meetings: Any firms desiring a one-on-one technical exchange meeting with the Government in regards to available USG-owned preliminary distributed embedded fuze system TDPs and ICDs and to discuss their statement of capabilities need to indicate so with their response, including the topics to be covered in the meeting. Each company is limited to three (3) participants. More information on participation requirements is found in paragraph 8.0. 5.0 Government Advisors: Respondents to this announcement are advised that proprietary, confidential, or privileged commercial data submitted as part of your response may be released to non-Government advisors supporting the Government in this acquisition. Although the Government's contracts with these advisors require non-disclosure agreements, please indicate in your response to this synopsis if your firm has objections to the use of these advisors. Specify the specific basis of the objection, and the specific portions that the respondent objects to disclosure to non-Government advisors. 6.0 Other Information: The Government will post responses to questions that are broadly applicable to all potential offerors on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. 7.0 Government Owned Preliminary TDPs and ICDs: 7.1 Preliminary USG-owned TDPs and ICDs will be made available UPON REQUEST and are to be used solely as reference information for the purpose of submitting the Statement of Capabilities. TDPs and ICDs will be sent via DoD Safe. No manufacturing is authorized using the preliminary documents. 7.2 Preliminary fuze system TDPs and ICDs were developed under the Dialable Effects Munition (DEM) Joint Technology Capability Demonstration (JCTD), a precision height of burst area attack weapon with a perforation capability (non-hardened structures). These documents include the baseline USG-owned ESAM design (TDP and ICDs) that will be applied to the envisioned distributed embedded fuze system described in Section 2.0. The USG-owned Forward Assembly designs met or exceeded the DEM requirements for mechanical shock survivability (10 kg acceleration for 0.2 ms duration and >8 ksi quasi-static pressure) and initiation with AFX-139. These preliminary Forward Assembly designs are example TDPs and may not meet the embedded mechanical shock environment and/or initiation train associated with the system described in Section 2.0, which are still being defined at this time. The purpose of the distribution of the DEM Forward Assembly TDPs is to provide examples and possible initial designs that may be modified to meet future system requirements. 7.3 Preliminary TDPs and ICDs available: TDPs: DEM Electronic Safe & Arm Module (DESAM) electrical and mechanical TDPs DEM Forward Assembly electrical and mechanical TDPs PINE (Precision Initiation for Next-generation Engagement) PINYON (Precision Initiation assembly for Optimal Engagement) ICDs DESAM ICDs DESAM Electrical ICD DESAM Serial Communications ICD DESAM to Forward Assembly ICDs General DESAM to Forward Assembly ICD DESAM to PINE ICD DESAM to PINYON ICD 7.4 Preliminary TDPs and ICDs listed in 7.3 are marked with the following distribution and export control statements: DISTRIBUTION D. Distribution authorized to Department of Defense and U.S. DOD contractors only, Critical Technology, 15 March 2019 (or the latest revision date). Refer other requests for this document to AFRL/RWM, 101 W Eglin Blvd, Bldg 13, Eglin AFB, FL 32542. EXPORT CONTROL WARNING: This document contains technical data whose export is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S.C., Sec 2751, et. seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended, Title 50, U.S.C., App. 2401 et. seq. Violations of these export laws are subject to severe criminal penalties. Disseminate in accordance with provisions of DoD Directive 5230.25. DESTRUCTION NOTICE: Destroy by any method that will prevent disclosure of contents or reconstruction of this document. 8.0 Interested Parties: 8.1 Any vendors interested in responding to this announcement must provide an initial response by the date in paragraph 9.1, and include the following: 8.1.1 Company Name. 8.1.2 Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code, which will be used to validate the appropriate clearance to receive the technical data. 8.1.3 Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. 8.1.4 Point of contact with telephone, email and address contact information. 8.2. Firms must have a certified DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, which can be viewed in the Defense Logistics Information Service, Joint Certification Program website http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp. 8.3 Send requests for preliminary TDP's and ICD's to the contracting point of contact listed below in accordance to the timeline in paragraph 9.2. TDPs and ICDs requested will be sent directly to the contact listed under the applicable CAGE code/JCP certification number via DoD Safe. 8.4 One-on-one technical exchange meetings are limited to no more than three (3) representatives from each firm. In order to participate in the one-on-one meetings, each individual attendee must submit a JPAS Visit Request to SMO code: AFRL-RW. Names and JPAS visit requests must be submitted in accordance with paragraph 9.3. 9.0 Timeline: Interested respondents need to comply the timeline below. No late submissions will be accepted: 9.1 Initial response must be submitted in accordance with paragraph 8.1 to this announcement by 4:30 PM Central Time on 30 June 2020. 9.2 Requests for ICD and TDP documentation will NOT be accepted after 4:30 PM Central Time on the 30 June 2020 9.3 Vendor submissions of SOCs, questions, and requests for one-on-one Technical Exchanges (including representative names and JPAS submittals) must be submitted by 4:30 PM Central Time on 14 July 2020 9.3.1 One 14-day submission extension will be granted on a case-by-case basis for the submissions in paragraph 9.3; however, any extensions will be posted as an amendment to this notice and all interested parties will be given an opportunity to request an extension. All extensions will conclude on the same date as the first extension request. WARNING: This Notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and all information provided is subject to change. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This Notice does not commit the USAF to contract for any supply or service, whatsoever. Furthermore, the USAF is not, at this time, seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the USAF will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this Notice. The Government will not assume liability for costs incurred by any attendee for travel expenses or marketing efforts. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the responding party's expense.