US Army ARDEC, AMSTA-AR-PC, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000

13 -- LOAD, ASSEMBLE AND PACK FOR 15MM MACS PROGRAM SOL DAAE30-99-R-0563 DUE 100899 POC Marianne Shuster, Contract Specialist, 973-724-4260 WEB: US ARMY TACOM-ARDEC Procurement Network, http://procnet.pica.army.mil/cbd/SRCSgt/090719990/090719990.htm. E-MAIL: Marianne C. Shuster, mshuster@pica.army.mil. The U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC is seeking sources to Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP) the 155MM M231 and M232 MACS propellant charge increments for production and material release through FY 02. This effort is part of the production program of the 155MM M231 and M232 propelling charge increments known as MACS (Modular Artillery Charge System). The 155MM MACS is a two-increment charge system that will provide enhanced performance for 155MM artillery. Multiples of the increments, M231 (Zones 1 & 2) and M232 (Zones 3 thru 6) will satisfy all zoning requirements for 155MM artillery. The 155MM MACS increments will be capable of being handled by automatic loading/resupply equipment as well as manually, which allows MACS increments to be used with currently fielded howitzers and future planned artillery systems. Research and development performed by the Government in recent years indicate that LAP of the 155MM MACS propelling charge increments on a production line is necessary to facilitate necessary quantities for future mass production and subsequent ballistic testing. The Government contemplates award of two production contracts. The following are more specific criteria for the LAP of the MACS propelling charge increments: a) The LAP of both the M231 and M232 MACS propelling charge increments which comprise each increment, then packing the increments in metal cans for shipment, and subsequent shipment to the required destinations. These operations involve the handling of energetic materials (Class 4.1C flammable solid -- to Class 1.1). The main components, which comprise each propelling charge increment, include the following: 1) Combustible cartridge case assembly consisting of body, cap, and center core tube, 2) Main charge propellant, 3) End igniter which consists of end igniter propellant contained in end igniter bags, 4) Core igniter which consists of core igniter propellant contained in a core igniter bag, 5) End seals, which cover the holes on both ends of the increments where the end igniters are placed. b) Operations include the following: 1) Sewing operations in order to close the loaded igniter bags, 2) Weighing operations in order to load the correct mass of igniter propellants and main charge propellants, 3) Vibration operations in order to load the correct mass of igniter propellants and main charge propellants, 4) Gluing operations in order to bond the combustible case cap to the body, 5) Labeling operations in order to provide identification for the increments, both on the increments, the metal shipping cans and shipping pallets, 6) The contractor shall be required to purchase all packaging materials necessary to Lap the propelling charge increments which include metal cans, sleeves, cushions, etc., 7) The contractor shall provide the end igniters and core igniters (referenced in para 3.a.3 and 3.a.4) necessary to LAP the propelling charge increments, 8) The contractor shall provide additive liners necessary to LAP M232 propelling charge increments. Potential approximate LAP deliveries of the M231 and M232 propelling charge increments are as follows: FY00 -- LAP 367,000 each M231; FY01 -- LAP 132,172 each M231, and 231,800 each M232; FY02 -- LAP 153,232 each M231, and 543,740 each M232. The contractor should have the following: a) Experience in efforts of similar complexity, such as the L.A.P. of other munitions for applications 120MM and larger, which incorporate rigid combustible cases, propellants and igniters, b) Experience with respect to propellant handling/storage and other hazardous handling/storage, c) Available on-site or near-site storage capacity to handle/store at least 500,000 pounds of energetic materials at one time. Firms with experience in the areas cited above should provide a summary of their company s capabilities including a description of facilities, personnel and past experience to meet this requirement by 8 October 1999. Request that all information be submitted via electronic mail to mshuster@pica.army.mil. Large files need to be compressed using WinZip (http://www.winzip.com). The MACS and its components are on the Militarily Critical Technologies List (MCTL), Aug 1996. Therefore, the MACS TDP is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act Title 22, U.S.C. Sec 2751) and is subject to DoD Directives 5230.24 and 5230.25. Respondents to this notice will not be notified either of the receipt or the assessment of the information submitted. This market survey is for information and planning purposes only, does not constitute a RFP, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. See numbered Notes 25 and 26. Posted 09/07/99 (D-SN376994). (0250)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0152 19990909\13-0004.SOL)