Lightweight Shoulder Launched Munition (SLM-LW) - Sources Sought

INTRODUCTION The U.S. Army Contracting Command - New Jersey (ACC-NJ) on behalf of the U.S. Army Capability Program Executive Ammunition & Energetics (CPE A&E), Office of the Project Manager Close Combat Systems (PM CCS) Picatinny Arsenal, NJ is issuing this Sources Sought Notice as a means of conducting market research to identify potential sources having an interest and industry technologies available for the production and delivery of lightweight shoulder launched munition (SLM-LW). USG Technical Data Packages (TDPs) will not be made available. This effort will be a program supporting Department of War ammunition stockpile and training requirements for SLM-LW. The period of performance (POP) of this requirement is expected to be five (5) years and may result in a Requirements Contract or Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity with Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Orders. The Government is seeking to identify potential sources interested in and capable of providing technologies to meet the Army s SLM-LW requirement. The SLM-LW will be single-shot, disposable, and capable of engaging multiple targets (light armor, earth/timber bunkers, reinforced concrete, adobe and triple brick structures). Potential sources will be able to support/provide the manufacturing, production, inspection, testing, packaging, shipping and delivery of a SLM-LW solution. This requirement includes the procurement of SLM-LW training devices and spare parts for trainer maintenance. Potential SLM-LW training devices include a SLM-LW sub-caliber trainer and inert Field Handling Trainer (FHT) to include operator s manuals and maintenance manuals. The training solution will serve to increase the Soldier's proficiency with the SLM-LW and ensure its successful integration into combat operations. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement, if a requirement materializes. Based on the responses to this Sources Sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition. Multiple awards may be made. All small business set-aside categories will be considered. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions. DISCLAIMER THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) TO BE SUBMITTED. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. PROGRAM BACKGROUND CPE A&E, PM CCS has a requirement for a lightweight SLM capability (tactical and trainer system) that will be operated by an individual Soldier in combat units at the Squad level. The required solution will be an improvement over existing SLM systems, namely a lighter weight. It will allow Soldiers to conduct urban operations with the ability to defeat an enemy protected by a variety of light-armored vehicles and structural targets with increased (behind the wall) lethality and less burden on the individual soldier. The required solution will be effective day or night at close ranges with an ability to safely engage targets from within enclosures. REQUIRED CAPABILITIES The SLM-LW tactical solution will have the following capabilities: The Government is looking for the lightest solution possible, with a total maximum carry weight of 15 lbs. The Government is looking for the most compact system with a maximum stowed system length of 42 inches or less. The system will have the capability to penetrate, defeat and incapacitate personnel within light armor, earth/timber bunkers, double-reinforced concrete, adobe and triple brick structures. The system will be a one-shot disposable system The system will be capable of engaging targets at a range of 30 meters up to 200 meters (or greater). The system must function under various environmental conditions, including the following temperature ranges: Operational temperature -40?F to +140?F and Storage temperature -50?F to +160?F.The preferred solution will have a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 8; however, if your solution is a TRL 7 please respond with efforts still required to achieve level 8. TRL 7 is defined as a prototype that has been tested in an actual operational environment. TRL 8 is defined as a full-up / final system that is completed and qualified through test and demonstration. The technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. In almost all cases, this TRL represents the end of true system development. Examples include developmental test and evaluation (DT&E) of the system in its intended weapon system to determine if it meets design specifications. The preferred solution will have a Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) of 8; however, if your solution is a MRL 7 please respond with efforts still required to achieve level 8. MRL 7 is defined as capability to produce systems, subsystems, or c components, in a production-representative environment. MRL 8 is defined as the pilot line capability that has been demonstrated; ready to begin Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP). This maturity level is associated with manufacturing readiness and entry into LRIP. All materials, manpower, tooling, test equipment, and facilities are proven on the pilot line and are available to meet the planned LRIP schedule. Special Test Equipment/ Special Inspection Equipment (STE/SIE) has been validated. Manufacturing and quality processes / procedures have been integrated and proven as a part of pilot line validation in accordance with validation plans. The Industrial Base has been assessed and shows industrial capability is established to support LRIP and Full Rate Production (FRP). System capable of being Fired From Enclosure (FFE). The ability to deliver a model based Technical Data Package (TDP) of the SLM-LW solution, to include the model format (e.g. PTC Creo) to support Materiel Release Requirements. SLM-LW requires a sub-caliber trainer system capable of replicating the tactical system for form, fit, and firing function as a trainer system using a sub-caliber tracer ammunition. Sub-caliber tracer ammunition should replicate/match the ballistics of the tactical round to enhance training transfer of gunner marksmanship from trainer to tactical system. A U.S. Department of War (DoW) qualified or commercially available ammunition is desired but not required. Field Handling trainer (FHT): An FHT system is an inert training device which replicates the form, fit, and functions to place SLM-LW into operation as a training device to train soldiers on the operations of the system and to use in non-live fire tactical training scenarios. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Any resulting contract is anticipated to have a security classification level of UNCLASSIFIED. Any resulting contract shall be compliant with the specialty metals restriction of the Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a and 2533b) in accordance with DFARS clauses 252.225-7008 and 252.225-7009. ELIGIBILITY The anticipated North American Industry Classification (NAICS) Code is 332993, Ammunition (Except Small Arms) Manufacturing with a Small Business Size Standard of 1,500 employees. The anticipated Product Service Code (PSC) is 1315 Ammunition, over 75mm through 125mm. Includes: Components except Fuzes and Primers; Pyrotechnic Cartridges and Projectiles; Chemical Warfare Cartridges and Projectiles. Excludes: Fuzes and Primers. SUBMISSION DETAILS Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package (no more than twelve (12) 8.5 X 11 inch pages, font no smaller than 10 point) demonstrating ability to provide the products/systems listed in this Technical Description / Required Capabilities as listed above. Responses must be submitted via e-mail in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF). Submissions should be in bullet format. No phone or email solicitations with regards to the status of the RFP will be accepted prior to its release. Respondents shall not be obligated to provide the services described herein . Responses must reference the number of this Sources Sought Notice in the subject line of the e-mail and on all enclosed documents. All responses should include the following: 1) Business size, 2) Organization name, address, website address, type of ownership for the organization, and primary points of contact (POC) with email addresses, fax numbers, and telephone numbers. 3) Tailored capability statements addressing the requirements of this notice, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. Identify if all…