INTRODUCTION: This is a Sources Sought (SS) being issued by the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), Armaments Center (AC), Munitions Engineering & Technology Center (METC), Fuze and Precision Armaments Directorate (FPAD). This SS requests capability statements from potential contractors on their ability to upgrade manufacturing capability, in terms of production line processes, for Piston Actuators (PA). BACKGROUND: PA’s are electro-explosive devices designed for one-time use in the safe and arm device of munition fuzing systems. The PA’s are designed to assist in the arming of projectiles by extending a piston, which can be used for piercing a pressurized vessel, ejecting flares, unlatching devices, mechanical arming, etc. FPAD, on behalf of Project Manager, Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM-MAS) is interested in contractors with manufacturing capability for PA’s that can be electrically initiated. These actuators are electrically actuated and will operate within milliseconds of receiving the appropriate impulse stimulus. .\ FPAD is seeking capability statements for contractors with the ability to enhance a PA production line in areas of throughput, cost, operator safety, scrap rate, manufacturing readiness level, performance, and peak force. These enhancements are necessary to support Milestone C decisions on production programs for the XM1182 and XM1204. The XM1182 and XM1204 are developmental airburst ammo rounds, 30mm and 50mm, respectively. Both rounds contain electronic time fuzing, set immediately prior to launch with a user-selectable range setting. Both are currently under development for use in existing and developmental 30mm and 50mmm weapon systems. REQUIREMENTS: The capability statement should provide the following: Demonstrate ownership of an existing production line that has been active within the last 90 days capable of producing PA’s for the XM1204 and XM1182. Demonstrate existing capability to perform bridge wire welding and precision application of liquid energetic compounds for PA production. Demonstrate existing capability to work with small energetic materials and components. Demonstrate ability to meet all applicable safety, environmental, and security regulations for PA production in support of XM1204 and XM1182 efforts. Provide a top level plan to implement process enhancements such as automation to improve high risk PA production processes with the goal of meeting a maximum cost of $35 per unit, a minimum of 20,000 units per month throughput, and improve safety. Provide a top level list of technologies used and describe how this will be feasibly achieved. Demonstrate ability to implement process improvements to a qualified and proven line within (2) years of award date to support XM1182 and XM1204 efforts. Describe any potential coordination with suppliers necessary to meet objectives. Provide a Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) cost. NOTICE OF LIABILITY: This is not a formal solicitation. This is a SS for market research purposes. Any response to this SS is at the sole-discretion of the contractor. No remittance payment will be made for any information sent in response to this SS. Information submitted in response to this SS may be used for procurement planning purposes. The information received by the Government will not be released to third parties. Interested parties should be cognizant of the “beta.sam.gov” portal, and of the acquisition process to ensure responsiveness to any opportunities related to issuance of a formal solicitation. The website for Beta.Sam is as follows - https://sam.gov/. At this time, a formal solicitation is not definitive. ADMINISTRATIVE: Request that all responses include the following information: Full Company Name (Legal Entity): Cage Code: Website (if applicable): Contact Information: The point of contact for response is Mark P. Zator, DEVCOM AC, METC, FPAD, and Procurement Coordinator. Email address is :
[email protected]. Phone is: 973-724-8121