5.56 Marking Cartridges and Training

SOURCES SOUGHT REQUEST FOR INFORMATION M6785414SESM1 CARTRIDGE, 5.56MM BLUE MARKING LINKED, CARTRIDGE, 5.56MM RED MARKING LINKED, CARTRIDGE, 5.56MM BLUE MARKING SINGLE ROUND CARTRDGE, 5.56MM RED MARKING SINGLE ROUND AND NEW EQUIPMENT TRAINING MARKET RESEARCH REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS. The following is an RFI. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP). Responses to the RFI cannot be accepted by the Marine Corps to form a binding contract. This RFI discusses two requirements: marking cartridges and training. Interested parties may respond to either one or both parts. DESCRIPTION MARKING CARTRIDGES: The Marine Corps Systems Command's Program Manager for Ammunition (PM Ammo) is conducting a market survey to determine the availability of a family of 5.56mm marking cartridges (single and linked) to determine if they can be used with the M4/M16 Conversion Kit, NSN: 1005-20-002-4811 and the M249 Conversion Kit, NSN: 1005-21-921-3346 to meet the force-on-force training requirements of the Marine Corps. The intent of this RFI is to identify potential sources for the family of 5.56mm marking cartridges that will allow for Marines to safely use their current service weapons and conversion kits. SPECIFICATION MARKING CARTRIDGES: The family of 5.56 marking cartridges shall be interoperable with the current Marine Corps M4/M16 Conversion Kit, NSN: 1005-20-002-4811 and the M249 Conversion Kit, NSN: 1005-21-921-3346 without any other auxiliary equipment or configuration changes to the weapon. When fired, the low velocity, non-lethal, reduced energy impact of the ammunition on personnel shall make a noticeable biodegradable mark and will cause slight discomfort, similar to the commercialized CO2 paintball guns, but will not cause lasting injury. The cartridge must be capable of being stored at temperature extremes of -65 degrees Fahrenheit to +160 degrees Fahrenheit, and being operated between -25 degrees Fahrenheit and +125 degrees Fahrenheit. The Marine Corps will use the results of this announcement to determine what capabilities exist in the marketplace. DESCRIPTION TRAINING: The Marine Corps Systems Command's Program Manager for Ammunition (PM Ammo) is conducting a market survey to determine the availability of training of the principles of operation for the M4, M16 and the M249 weapons systems with conversion kits and appropriate safety equipment. Training locations will be CONUS and OCONUS. The Marine Corps will use the results of this announcement to determine what training capabilities exist in the marketplace. SUBMISSION INFORMATION: Responses to this RFI should not exceed twenty (20) pages and should be submitted within 30 days of this notice. Vendors responding to this RFI should submit a description of their training and cartridge capabilities along with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for the cartridges along with sketches, drawings, specifications, brochures and production capability. Vendors responding to the training portion of this RFI should include a description of training materials and aids. The Government will not provide any government furnished material (GFM) or equipment (GFE) for this market survey. Vendors shall submit data that support claims that their 5.56mm Marking Cartridge design will conform to the current Marine Corps 5.56 Conversion Kits. Vendors' response shall concentrate on the marking cartridges and training only; this market survey is not intended to seek alternative conversion kits or safety equipment but rather 5.56 marking rounds that can be used with the USMC existing conversion kits and safety equipment. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this effort is 332992, Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing; the Small Business Size Standard is 1,000 full time employees. Firms shall indicate their business size based upon NAICs code 332992 and identify a corporate point of contact. NOTE: This is a market survey, not a pre-solicitation notice. The Government will not pay or provide reimbursement for any costs incurred in the preparation or delivery of the request for information. The Government will not provide any Government Furnished Material/Equipment (GFM/GFE). Issuance of this notice does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure these items or to issue a solicitation. Any information that the vendor considers proprietary should be clearly marked as such. REQUESTED RESPONSE DATE: Responses to this sources sought notice maybe mailed or e-mailed. Mailed responses should be sent to: Commander, Marine Corps System Command, Attn: Ms. Laurel Baker, PM 116, 2200 Lester Street, Quantico, VA 22134; electronic mail should be sent to the Contracting Specialist, Ms. Laurel Baker at [email protected] , by 20 October, 2014. This notice may be updated as additional information becomes available. Please check the FBO site for updates to this announcement and register to receive e-mail notices of any updates to the FBO announcement. For more information on this RFI, please contact the above point of contact. E-mail communications are preferred.