13 -- INFRARED COUNTERMEASURE FLARES

Notice Date

January 3, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S. Army Operations Support Command, Attn: AMSOS-ACA-R, Bldg. 350, 5th Floor, Rock Island, IL 61299-6000

ZIP Code

61299-6000

Response Due

February 7, 2001

Point of Contact

Contract Specialist: Judy DeGeeter (309) 782-2089, Procuring Contracting Officer: Mary S. Adams (309) 782-4841

E-Mail Address

click here to contact the contracting office via e-mail. (degeeterj@osc.army.mil)

Description

The purpose of this Sources Sought/Market Research is to identify PRODUCTION SOURCES for the following infrared countermeasure flares: 1)ALA-17/B, NSN:1370-01-209-8783(LY12), P/N:9395763. The ALA-17/B is used for protection of the B-52 bomber against infrared heat-seeking missiles. It is one of the largest and most difficult infrared flare to produce and has very exacting Lot Acceptance Test parameters. The flare cartridge is an assembly of two aluminum tubes connected in tandem and sealed with roll-crimped caps to form an upper and lower pellet container. Each flare cartridge weights about 5.5 pounds, is 11.8 inches long and 2.7 inches in diameter. Each pellet is individually ignited by two electric squibs (M2 squib assembly) wired in tandem for redundancy. The pellets are ejected from the cartridge cases by the pressure generated upon pellet ignition. 2)M206, NSN:1370-01-048-2138(L410), P/N:9311623. The M206 is used for protection of helicopters and low altitude aircraft (AH-1S; CH-47, OV-1D; UH-1; RUY-21; EH-60; RV-1; UH-60 series, AH-64; RC-12; OH-58) from infrared heat-seeking missiles. The M206 can also be used on A-10 and C-130 aircraft for a mix of low and higher altitude use. It is an integral (one-piece) flare consisting of a magnesium and teflon pellet in a 1" x1" x8" metal case. The M206 flares are dispensed from the AN/ALE-40 series of dispensers. 3)MJU-7A/B, NSN:1370-01-296-8395(L463), P/N:8856664. The MJU-7A/B is used for protection on the F-16, A-10 and C-130 aircraft against infrared heat-seeking missiles. It is an integral (one-piece) flare consisting of a magnesium and teflon pellet in a 1" x2" x8" metal case. The MJU-7A/B flares are dispensed from the AN/ALE-40 series of dispensers. 4)MJU-10/B, NSN:1370-01-263-1602(L461) P/N:8766185. The MJU-10/B is used for protection of the F-15, C-5 and C-17 aircraft from infrared heat-seeking missiles. It is an integral (one-piece) flare consisting of a magnesium and teflon pellet in a 2" x2.5"x 8" metal case. It is dispensed from the AN-ALE-45 and AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser system. Any producer of the above infrared countermeasure flares must have personnel trained, skilled, and experienced in the handling of very sensitive hazardous pyrotechnic formulations that produce extreme heat when ignited, i.e., magnesium-teflon composition. Also required are equipment designed and tooled for production of very sensitive/volatile hazardous materials, i.e., explosive mixers, consolidation presses, and ovens. Facilities must meet proper fire/explosive safety requirements, such as deluge systems, remote operations, sufficient storage and manufacturing space to meet quantity distance requirements. Unique processes used in the manufacture of these items are pyrotechnic mixing and pressing of explosive materials. Additionally, any contractor must have clearance to work with classified documents, as portions of the technical data package are classified. It is also anticipated that any procurement of the above items would be restricted to domestic producers as a minimum. Five year-projected requirements of the above flares are limited as follows: ITEM FY02 FY03 FY04 FY05 FY06 ALA17/B 5,300 11,500 11,300 11,100 10,900 M206 50,800 564,000 566,400 440,800 476,700 MJU7A/B 490,500 322,100 358,700 170,400 167,600 MJU10/B 0 6,500 6,400 23,000 30,100 The customer for the above projections is the United States Air Force. The above projected quantities are considered medium risk or higher and are subject to reduction or complete deletion. It is required that only companies SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN PRODUCING the above infrared countermeasure flares respond to this sources sought/market research. FAILURE TO PROCURE THE ABOVE ITEMS FROM A FULLY QUALIFIED SOURCE COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE PART, DEGRADATION OF AIRCRAFT MISSION CAPABILITY, OR LOSS OF AIRCRAFT AND CREW. Prospective manufacturers are to send a description of their capabilities and qualifications to HQ. OSC, ATTN: AMSOS-CCM-F, 1 Rock Island Arsenal, IL 61299-6000. Please respond NO LATER THAN 07 FEBRUARY 2001 and identify "Infrared Countermeasure Flares Sources Sought/Market Research" as the subject of your response.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010105/13SOL002.HTM (W-003 SN50A0K1)