US Army ARDEC, AMSTA-AR-PCW-C, Building 10, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000

81 -- LIGHTWEIGHT PACKING SYSTEM FOR 120MM MORTAR AMMUNITION POC Contact: Michael G. Ungerer (201)724-4075 email=mungerer, Contracting Officer: Carol A. Klapal (201)724-3274. Sources Sought for Non-Development Item (NDI) Product Information. The U.S. Army is conducting a market survey for literature regarding an NDI Lightweight Packaging System for 120mm mortar ammunition. The proposed packaging system must be safe, effective, reliable, and compatible with the U.S. Army's entire family of 120mm ammunition. The following summarizes what is sought: A packaging system to allow for the carrying of two 120mm cartridges, which may either consist of a dual pack (two cartridges per container) or two monopack containers that may be carried concurrently. Packaging must provide an internal cushioning and support system inside the container for the rounds to protect them during their entire logistical lifecycle. The container must be capable of being opened and reclosed with quick and easy access to the ammunition inside without the use of special tools and while wearing artic mittens. The container, loaded with the cartridge, must retain a hermetic (3 psi) seal after a simulated logistic cycle, including repeated drops (in six orientations: top, bottom, side, side 90 degrees to previous drop, corner, and edge) from a height of three feet onto a steel impact surface, secured and loose vibration and stacking of its outer configured cube (equivalent to a sixteen foot high column of identical loaded containers). The container must not spill its contents and must be able to be opened after a single drop (in orientations stated above) from a height of seven feet onto a steel impact surface. Testing will be conducted at temperatures ranging from -65 degrees F to +160 degrees F. The container performance shall not degrade as a result of exposure to adverse environments. The container and internal supports must weigh no more than 27 lbs. for a dual pack and no more than 13.5 lbs. for a monopack. The packaging system, whether monopack or dual pack, shall incorporate palletized load stacking aids and handles or other carrying aids. It is desired that a method of carrying two cartridges concurrently be devised in the case of the monopack. Internal dimensions shall be approximately 4.5 inches in diameter b 30 inches in length for a monopack container with appropriate increases in size (to accommodate two complete cartridges) for a dual pack container. Dual pack containers must consist of a separate inner pack for each of the complete cartridges. Monopack or inner pack outside dimensions must not exceed the dimensions of the storage magazines (5.75 inches high by 5.75 inches deep by 32 inches long). The outer containers must not corrode in adverse environments (acidic, salt air, damp, etc.) and be able to be decontaminated of nuclear, biological, and chemical contaminants using standard military methods (DS2, STB, etc.). The outer container material shall have a flame spread index of 25 or less when tested in accordance with ASTM D162 and a smoke density less than 200 when tested in accordance with ASTM D662. The packaging system must be capable of passing the Performance Oriented Packaging Testing as outlined in section 178.600 of U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49. The cost of the entire packaging system shall not exceed $58.70 for a dual pack or $29.35 for a monopack. Please send all responses to PM Mortars, U.S. Army ARDEC, Building 171N Attn. AMCPM-MO/ D. Carrigan, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000. The closing for receipt of responses is October 31, 1995. (0285)

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