Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), Project Manager Ammunition (PM AMMO), is conducting market research to determine industry capabilities and interest for production of approximately 450,00 rounds of .45 Caliber 185 Grain Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) Jacketed Hallow Point (JHP) Match ammunition in support of the Marine Corps Shooting Team. This requirement is anticipated to be a three year effort. It is anticipated that ammunition requirements will include, but not be limited to, the following: COMPONENTS Projectile: 185 grain Jacketed Hollow Point, +/- .2 grain weight tolerance per lot. Cartridge Case: Factory specifications, new, unfired, and constructed of 260 Alloy Brass treated with a corrosion inhibitor. Case Length: .895 +/- .002" Case Wall Thickness: Tolerance of no more than .002" Propellant: Minimal residue, not overly sensitive to atmospheric conditions so as to severely degrade accuracy or cause substantial chamber pressure variables, while operating in less than ideal conditions (40F-70F/-20F) Powder Charging: Cases shall be charged by weight, not volume. Primer: Factory specification large pistol primers. DIMENSIONS/PRODUCTION Overall Cartridge Length: 1.190" (minimum SAAMI specification) to 1.220" +/.001". Bullet Seating: Bullets held by crimp only. No sealant or other sealing or anti-setback material to be used. PERFORMANCE Muzzle Velocity: Minimum 800 fps +/- 30 fps. Standard Deviation not to exceed 15 fps. Chamber Pressure: Not to exceed SAAMI specifications. Functionality: Must cycle reliably in a hand-fired, assembled, cleaned and lubricated 1911 Government match pistol in varying conditions, with no cartridge-caused weapon stoppages, no failures to extract, no hang-fires, and no misfires. No projectiles shall remain in the bore. Ammunition must burn clean and leave minimal residue, to include sooting, residue and unburned propellant. Accuracy: The average extreme spread of tested ammunition shall not exceed 3 inches, while extreme spread of any individual shot group may not exceed 3 ½ inches when measured at 50 yards and fired from a five inch test barrel. MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES Prospective manufacturers should be capable of producing lots of at least 25,000 rounds. Lots under this requirement will not exceed 50,000 rounds. A given lot will be manufactured in consecutive work shifts with no break in production. For the base year, it is anticipated that the requirement will be for 50,000 rounds to be delivered within 45 days of contract award, and 100,000 rounds within 120 days of award. Compliance with all applicable Local, State and Federal laws and regulations. Each of the following two years will require delivery of approximately 150,000 rounds within similar timeframes. I nterested firms should submit capabilities and experience descriptions, and any other relevant information to MARCORSYSCOM. Firms should also submit business size information. This information shall be submitted no later than 7 July 2015 to Marine Corps Systems Command, ATTN: Mark Sanderson, Contracting Officer, at
[email protected]. Submitted information will not be returned. All data received in response to this announcement marked or designated, as corporate or proprietary information will be protected from release outside the Government in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act provisions. This sources sought announcement is requested for informational purposes only. This is not a request for proposal (RFP), invitation for bid (IFB), request for quotation (RFQ), or an announcement of a solicitation. No solicitation document exists. The submission of this information is for planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the government to procure these items, nor does the Marine Corps intend to award on the basis of this sources sought/market research or otherwise pay for the information requested. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RFI and Government use of such information.