Sources Sought for research, development, and testing of rocket propulsion technologies for application in US Army missile systems

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR SOLICITATION FOR PLANNING PURPOSES (May 2021) (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of acquiring information on research, development, and testing of rocket propulsion technologies for application in U.S. Army missile systems. Pursuant to FAR 15.2, this notice is being issued as a Request for Information. Any questions concerning this posting should be sent to the Contracts POC: Janet Childers, US Army Contracting Command-Redstone, CCAM-MZA-B, Redstone Arsenal, AL via email at janet.f.childers.civ@mail.mil. This is a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). The US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) is currently conducting market research only. No award is intended as a result of this synopsis nor does the Government intend to pay for information received. Responses to this notice are not an offer and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. RFI Responses will only be accepted from United States Companies and Organizations. Foreign Participation is not authorized for this effort. The DEVCOM AvMC has requirements for research, development, and testing of solid rocket propulsion technology for application in US Army missile systems as a continuance of the Technology Development Directorate's - Rocket Propulsion Technology (RPT) Program. Central to these requirements is a focus on enhanced performance, operational readiness, and airbreathing/alternative propulsion. Therefore, as part of these efforts, all technology development should address the specific issues of the goal at hand, whether that goal is enhanced performance, operational readiness, or airbreathing/alternative propulsion, without neglecting any of the other goals central to this requirement. Due to technology transition objectives, the Government seeks to identify companies that have capabilities in energetics research and propulsion component/subsystem development and the experience and facilities capabilities to perform testing and transition activities and full-rate production of tactical missile propulsion systems for Fires Support, Air/Missile Defense, Maneuver Forces, and Aviation/Vertical Lift. The purpose of this RFI is to gather information about the research, development, testing, and production capabilities of potential offerors in the following technology areas: nozzle & insulation materials, case design & fabrication, ignition technologies, energy/thrust management devices, improved propellant mechanical properties, physical burn-rate augmentation, ingredients/ballistics modifiers, propellant ballistics tailoring, alternate grain designs, simulation & optimization tools, predictive and analysis tools, insensitive munitions approaches, propulsion system affordability, novel processing/testing techniques, additive manufacturing, innovative propulsion system concepts, high speed propulsion, signature reduction/signature management, and integrated ordnance solutions To assist in market research associated with the research, development, and testing of propulsion technology and the associated production capabilities, the Government is requesting information from industry. Interested parties should submit unclassified white papers not to exceed 15 pages and no smaller than 12pt Times New Roman font. The white paper can be in a format selected by the respondent but should include the following: (1) a brief description of any projects that the respondent's company is or has been involved in that are similar in concept to what is described in this RFI, which should include any relevant lessons learned; (2) a brief description of the respondent company's facilities and relevant capabilities; and (3) any additional materials that are deemed appropriate by the respondent. The objective of this process is to assess potential offerors capable of achieving the stated objectives. Responses to this RFI or DoD SAFE Drop-off requests should be submitted by 17 May 2021 via e-mail or DoD SAFE to Cheryl R. Steely, FCDD-AMT-MPA, at cheryl.r.steely.civ@mail.mil. The Government requests that the Respondents deliver one electronic copy in contractor format Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint, or Adobe PDF format via email or DoD SAFE within 5 days of RFI release, or No Later Than (NLT) 1500 hours (CST), 17 May, 2021 for each submittal. All submissions should include RFI Solicitation Number W31P4Q-21-R-0075, company or institution name, company CAGE code and DUNS number, and point of contact information. Acknowledgement of receipt will be issued. Please do not submit any classified information. If response includes proprietary information, please mark it accordingly. All information submitted will be adequately safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR Part 15.207.