93--Enhanced Fiber Container Effort

This is a Market Survey Request. The U.S. Army Contracting Command - New Jersey (ACC-NJ), on behalf of The U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) is seeking sources capable of enhancing the design for spirally wound fiber containers (MIL-DTL-2439) used as inner packaging for 105mm artillery rounds and 120mm mortar ammunition. When removed from their outer pack, existing fiber containers provide poor moisture resistance, use pressure-sensitive sealing tape that cannot be reapplied after removal, and are prone to damage when individually handled in the field. Enhancements to the current fiber container design shall include: 1) replacing the single-use pressure sensitive sealing tape with a re-usable/re-sealable closure design that can be opened with a 15 sec timeframe; 2) increasing the moisture resistance of the container design. Currently, moisture enters the fiber tube through the neck seal, the crimped metal end caps, and the container wall; 3) increasing the durability of the container design when handled roughly; and 4) reducing the amount of dunnage used inside the container to form a tight pack. The enhanced container design shall meet the following design requirements: 1) keep the outer and inner dimensions of the current containers; 2) keep the internal support designs; and 3) provide a container surface with a firm grip when handled under adverse weather conditions. It is desired that the weight of the enhanced fiber container not exceed 110% the weight of the existing container, and the cost not exceed 120% the cost of the existing container. SUBMISSION INFORMATION: Interested sources shall submit their capabilities/qualification data to: U.S. Army Contracting Command - New Jersey, Attn: Mr. Austin Alpaugh, Contract Specialist, [email protected] no later than 5:00 PM EDT June 12, 2015. This is not a solicitation and does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation. In addition, the Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this notice. The Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this notice. All information is to be submitted via email, at no cost or obligation to the Government; information provided will not be returned.