Notice Type: Request for Information – Next Generation Dearmer/Disrupter Suite of Systems for Precision De-Arming/De-Fuzing of Military Ordnance and Disruption of Improvised Threats. Classification Code: A – Research & Development Contracting Office Address: N00174 Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, 4081 North Jackson Road, Indian Head, MD THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, we are not at this time seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked PROPRIETARY will be handled accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Proprietary information or trade secrets should be clearly identified. Description: The Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD), Indian Head, Maryland is requesting information on equipment, tools, procedures, and/or methods for precision de-arming/de-fuzing of military ordnance and disruption of improvised threats. From this point forward the equipment, tools, techniques, procedures, methods or combination thereof shall be referred to as, “the system.” A family or suite of items is acceptable in the system. The system shall provide Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians the ability to de-arm/de-fuze military ordnance and disrupt improvised threats, to reduce hazards, prevent high order detonation and allow movement of threat to a safe disposal area. Currently used de-arm/disrupt capabilities are delivered by transmission of a kinetic impact to puncture, shear, jam, or remove components in the initiation fire train with the goal to prevent high order detonation and allow for movement to safe disposal area. The system shall remotely deliver energy, a force, or any other method to de-arm/de-fuze military ordnance and disrupt improvised threats. This RFI solicits vendors' information that fully explains their technology’s features, capabilities, and performance. Commercial, non-developmental, and developmental systems may be included in the information provided. The Government is interested in the state of technology for all related systems in development; systems that do not meet or have not been tested for all of the listed performance parameters may be included. Non-developmental systems are preferred. Developmental systems shall be available within approximately 2 years from this RFI publication date. Submissions: Information may be submitted in the form of white papers, test reports, PowerPoint presentations, brochures, and specifications sheets. Please limit your response to no more than 15 pages, excluding any title and cover pages. Replies are requested no later than 45 days from posting date. All responses must include the RFI number in the email subject line. Each submission must include a cover page identifying the name of business, cage code, DUNS number, business size, RFI number, unique title, technology area(s), names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of technical/business point of contacts. Technical Description Format All interested sources shall respond by providing capability statements outlining technical specifications and a technical summary. The capability statement shall include the following information: 1. System: Name and model (if known). 2. System picture, diagram, line drawing, or conceptual drawing: Image of system, preferably a view that gives a fair representation of the system size. 3. Technology : Provide a brief description of the technology used by this product consisting of the technology title and ten or fewer descriptive sentences. 4. System Parameters: Provide specifics on how the system meets the twelve parameters identified in the System Parameters section below (or a portion of the parameters). 5. Describe: Describe the system’s effectiveness and the expected end result (i.e. detonation, deflagration, etc.) against military ordnance or improvised threats. 6. Limitations/Hazards/Special Requirements: State any special limitations, hazards and/or special requirements such as radiation sources or toxic chemicals and their respective levels/hazard information. 7. Special Features/Capabilities: Summarize any special features or capabilities not contained herein that improve the overall ability of the system to precision de-arm/de-fuze military ordnance and disrupt of initiation trains of improvised threats. 8. Validated Test Results: Summary of vendor and/or third party certifications and/or documented results of vendor test targets, testing and test protocols (additional published technical documentation may be submitted separately and do count toward page count). 9. Narrative of System Employment Concepts : Including the conceptual mechanism by which the system precision de-arms/de-fuzes military ordnance and disrupts initiation trains of improvised threats, and detailed employment techniques/methods. 10. Operation/Training : Include requirements to maintain continuous operations. Include level of training necessary for operator to be qualified to operate (if required) and maintain the system. 11. Time Requirements: Describe the time required to operate the system with the goal of limiting exposure by personnel to explosive hazards (i.e. emplacement by a single technician during a single approach to the munition item, limited employment time near the munition item, and a remote means of initiation). 12. Consumables: Detail any items that are consumed by the system for operation or may require replacing over time to maintain performance. 13. Life Cycle Cost (if known): Life Cycle Cost, measured in $US includes: a) unit cost, b) annual maintenance and, c) consumable items for operations. Current Capabilities Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) forces currently use a variety of tools/explosive charges to render safe/neutralize ordnance and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s). This section will provide an overview of current capabilities. This section is provided as a guide but not a limitation on proposals. Render Safe/Neutralize Ordnance or IED’s Kinetic delivery of a large projectile – 300 gram, 1 inch in diameter, hardened steel projectile, 700 feet per second (fps), perforation of .60 inches of mild steel, 1.1 inches of aluminum. Kinetic delivery of a mid-range projectiles – 17 to 35 grams, .5 inch in diameter, lead, aluminum, steel, or frangible projectile, 2000 – 3000 feet per second (fps), perforation of .375 inches of mild steel, .75 inches of aluminum. Kinetic delivery of water or fluid – Fluids are used to disrupt soft cased/light metal items. Kinetic delivery of blast – Blast is used without a projectile to disrupt soft cased items. Kinetic delivery of shaped/cavity charge jet – A range of sizes to penetrate a range of targets including armor, concrete, dirt, ordnance containers to a variety of depths (target/depth list in not limiting). Kinetic delivery of Explosive Formed Penetrators (EFP) – EFP’s are used to deliver a large amount of kinetic energy in the form of a projectile to rip or shear heavy metal ordnance containers. Kinetic delivery of energy to unscrew a fuze from an ordnance item – Any ordnance fuzes are threaded into ordnance items, a method to unscrew the fuze can be used to disarm the ordnance item. System Parameters These twelve system parameters are supplied as guidance only and do not necessarily represent the minimum acceptable capabilities. The following are a definition of each parameter and the information requested for each parameter. Ensure each parameter response includes all requested information, as defined below. Range – 2-inches to 50 feet or greater, increased standoff is goal – the system may use multiple tools to meet the range requirement. List/provide the range of each tool. Render Safe Ordnance Fuzing – System must have the capability to shear, jam, remove, or prevent an ordnance fuzing initiation firing train from functioning, with the goal to prevent high order detonation and allow for movement to safe disposal area. • List/provide the method used to render safe ordnance fuzing. Neutralize Ordnance – Render ordnance ineffective or harmless by applying a force or effect - system may have the capability of neutralization of ordnance by remote detonation, low order detonation, or other means. • List/provide the method used to neutralize ordnance. Render Safe IED Fuzing – System must have the capability to shear, jam, or other means of preventing IED initiation firing trains from functioning to allow movement to safe disposal area. • List/provide the method used to render safe IED initiation firing trains. Neutralize IED’s – Render IED ineffective or harmless by applying a force or effect - system may have the capability of neutralization of IED’s by remote detonation or low order detonation. • List/provide the method used to remotely detonate IED’s. Repeatability – The system should be able to repeat the function of de-arming/de-fuzing of military ordnance and disruption of improvised threats. • List/provide the requirements of repeated use, the method used to reload, re-energize, and re-engage the target. • List/provide the operator requirements for repeated use. • List/provide the supplies needed for repeated use. • List/provide the location required for preparation of repeated use. (Example: operator loaded in safe area or system self-reload downrange) Portability List/provide the exterior dimensions in inches of the system when in an operational configuration and when packaged for storage and/or transportation. • List/provide the overall transportation configuration weight of the system in pounds. • List/provide the weights of the components that will be carried to the incident site for employment. Environmental Susceptibility – The ability of the system to withstand operating/storage conditions in extreme weather conditions including but not limited to temperature ranges from -35 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (operational), from -60 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (storage), rain, snow, sea salt, fog, and blowing sand. • Has the system been tested to extreme environmental conditions? If so, explain/describe. • List/describe how the system or storage container protects the system from extreme environmental conditions. Set-up Time – The time from when the transport case latches are opened to when the system is ready to be deployed in an operational configuration. This normally takes place in a safe area away from the threat, and then system is transported to the munition to be placed. The operator will return to the safe area to fire the system. The use of remotely operated robotic systems may be used to deliver the system. • List/describe any safety related steps that need to be taken during set up or while transporting after being set up. • List/describe any component that can be used to initiate the system remotely. • List/describe any component that can be used/delivered by robotic means. Time-on-Target – The time it takes to place the system and make final connections/adjustments to the system (if applicable). This is also known as the time in the immediate vicinity of the threat. • List/describe any special steps for emplacement. • List/describe safety zone distance applicable for the system itself (not taking into account the targeted munition). Aiming – The system should be able to render safe or neutralize a target with precision. • List/describe any method used to aim or employ the system. • List/describe any method used to remotely aim or employ the system. • List/describe precision of the system. (Example: system capable of hitting a .5-inch target at 50 feet). Detailed Modeling Information – Detailed information to include the geometry, dimensions, material, and explosives used in the system is requested. This information will be used by the government for CTH Hydrocode modeling to allow the system’s effectiveness to be modeled against the target threats. The absence of this information will not prevent the system from being evaluated. The absence of this information may not allow the effectiveness of operation to be fully evaluated; which may result in an inaccurate assessment of the system. Technical questions regarding this RFI may be directed to Keith Chamberlain, (301) 744-5182 or by email:
[email protected]. Interested firms / research entities are encouraged to provide submissions electronically to
[email protected] with a copy to
[email protected]. Replies must be received no later than 10:00 AM EDT, July 20, 2020. Large files need to be compressed using WinZip ( http://www.winzip.com ).