The purpose of this Sources Sought/Market Research is to identify potential sources capable of manufacturing Cartridge TP 20MM PGU-27A/B Reference Rounds BP. These reference rounds are to be built to current TDP and AMC Reg AMCR 715-505, Volume 8, Se ction 9, dated 31 October 1964. Medium caliber cartridges are composed of various components. Some of the main components are: cartridge cases (steel, brass, and aluminum), steel projectile bodies, primers (electric & percussion), tungsten penetrators, lin ks, black powder flashtube assemblies, fuzes, aluminum/plastic windscreens & nose caps, molded plastic sabots, fluted copper shaped charge liners, explosives (booster pellets, propellants, tracer pellets, high explosive mixtures and incendiary mixtures). T hese are just a few of the various components associated with medium caliber cartridges. The Government Technical Data packages contain the performance specification and top-level drawings. These technical data package (TDP) are classified Distribution X, Limited Distribution. Distribution Statement X means the TDP cannot be distributed on the Internet and contains technical data whose export is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act, (Title 22, U.S.C., Sec 2751 et seq.) or the Export Administration Ac t of 1979, as amended, Titled 50, U.S.C., App 2401, et seq. Violations of these export laws are subject to severe criminal penalties. Disseminate IAW provision of DOD Directive 5230.25. Offerors must be registered with the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Office to obtain a copy of the top two drawings (see www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp for instructions and information). After receipt of required certification, request a copy of the specification and top level drawings via e-mail to
[email protected], this reque st must include Cage Code, Company Name, Address, Phone, E-mail Address and Point of Contact. A respondent to this market survey must have available the facilities and skills required to manufacture and demonstrate via test that these cartridges meet all g overnment specification requirements. Specific production capabilities and skills required to manufacture the reference rounds include: specialized skills and equipment to produce and test the projectile body, in addition to fuzes, which are critical to so me of the cartridges; case prime machine to insert the percussion primer into the cartridge case; trace equipment for tracing the projectile; nose and body charging machines for adding explosive incendiary mix to the projectile body; sabot and projectile a ssembly equipment; cartridge Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP) equipment to weigh and load propellant, insert the projectile body/assembly into the cartridge case, crimp the case to the projectile body, gage cartridge chamber height, and link and pack-out the cartridges; ballistic test facilities and equipment for measuring velocity, pressure, action time, and dispersion; ability to load High Explosive Incendiary into the projectile; etc. Production support equipment includes material handling systems, tool r oom equipment, furnaces for heat treat and annealing, metal forming and machining equipment, adnodize and phosphate systems, ultrasonic test equipment, and metrology and metallurgy laboratories. Production of reference rounds is very complex and requires sophisticated industrial capabilities. Skills required to produce these cartridges include: ammunition process/design engineers; set-up mechanics and operators familiar with the programming and operation of ammunition component sub-assembly production equi pment and LAP production equipment identified above; toolmakers and machinists to support all production facilities/equipment; certified inspectors, quality control engineers, ultra sonic technicians, metallurgists; ballistics test personnel to perform in- process ballistic testing, First Article Test (FAT) and Lot Acceptance Test (LAT); machine operators for set-up and operation of various metal forming and machi ne tool production manufacturing equipment; personnel with expertise to control heat treat, quench, and temper of metal products in order to obtain ductility and hardness requirements; personnel familiar with phosphate and anodizing systems; ultrasonic tec hnicians; personnel with extensive expertise in the manufacture and handling of propellant; and personnel with the skills needed to maintain equipment and facilities unique or special to the manufacture of ammunition. Obtaining the critical skills needed to manufacture and provide high quality ammunition in a timely manner may take time. Due to customers demand for timely deliveries, the producers must be able to successfully conduct/complete a First Article Acceptance Test within 150 days after award, wi th the first production delivery due within 180 days after award. Government furnished material may include MK3 metal pallets and M548 ammo containers. Interested U.S./Canadian firms who feel they are capable of manufacturing the reference rounds are inv ited to indicate their interest in producing and also a brief summary of their companys capabilities, facilities, personnel and past manufacturing experience as it relates to the above criteria. Information must be submitted to: HQ, AFSC, ATTN: AMSFS-CCA- F/Sandy Connors, 1 Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, IL 61299-6000. If you want a copy of the above AMC Reg AMCR 715-505, Volume 8, Section 9, dated 31 October 1964 by e-mail please provide your request to
[email protected]. Please respond NO LATER THAN June 20, 2005 and identify Medium Caliber Sources Sought/Market Research as the subject of your response. This is a market survey for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Gover nment. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this market survey or otherwise pay for information solicited.