Description
SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS FOR Hydraulic Pusher Set Minuteman III (MMIII) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFNWC/NMSM BACKGROUND: The United States Air Force (AF) is considering the development of a new Hydraulic Pusher Set (HPS) for the Minuteman III weapon system. The AF would like to obtain information to understand if suppliers exist that are capable of fulfilling the requirements. There are two purposes to this Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) document: 1. The first purpose is to conduct market research to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities and experience to meet qualification requirements for the production of a modernized version of the current HPS. The proposed North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) code is 423830. If an alternate NAICS code is recommended, please provide the recommendation in the response. The AF will use this information to determine the best acquisition strategy for this procurement. The AF is interested in all businesses to include 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Hubzone, and Women-Owned small business concerns. The AF requests that interested parties respond to this notice if applicable and identify your business status to the identified NAICS code. See the section labeled “RESPONSES” for response requirements. Additionally, please provide any anticipated teaming arrangements. Any responses involving teaming agreements should delineate between the work that will be accomplished by the prime and the work accomplished by the teaming partners. 2. The second purpose is to obtain information about schedule, cost and other aspects of this potential procurement from the perspectives of development and implementation. NOTICE: This is not a solicitation but rather a Sources Sought Synopsis to obtain information for planning purposes only. Neither the release of this sources sought synopsis nor any responses to it guarantee a solicitation will be issued. Rather, the purpose of this sources sought is to determine potential sources for information and planning purposes only. A determination by the Government not to compete this solicitation is solely within the discretion of the Government. DESCRIPTION: The AF maintains ICBMs in the northern United States. The current HPS is used to support maintenance work at all Minuteman III Launch Facilities and is capable of opening the Launcher Closure Door (LCD) to expose the complete lockpin area and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) seal. A typical mission for the HPS consists of pulling the LCD open then pushing it closed after maintenance. When initially opening the LCD, the HPS applies a horizontal force of 110,000 pounds through the first 1 foot of travel then provides up to 45,000 pounds through approximately 24 feet of travel. The HPS is then turned off and left unattended in the open environment during the period that maintenance is performed. When closing the LCD, the HPS provides up to 45,000 pounds through approximately 24 feet of travel and then up to 110,000 pounds through the last foot of travel. In the event of a stuck LCD where 110,000 pounds of force is not sufficient to open the door, an additional pusher unit, interconnecting hydraulic hose set and yoke assembly are attached for tandem operation to free the LCD. The current HPS consists of five major components: Hydraulic Pusher Unit Hydraulic Pump Unit Yoke Assembly Interconnecting Hydraulic Hose Set Launcher Closure Door Arrester Assembly The hydraulic pusher unit provides enough horizontal force to the LCD to open and close it as required. The hydraulic pump unit is capable of supporting two hydraulic pusher units when necessary during the initial opening of the LCD. The hydraulic pusher unit moves by extending and retracting across a notched rail. As the actuator extends, the LCD is either pushed or pulled the distance of the actuators stroke. Retracting the actuator pulls the front assembly up to the next notch. A manual pump is provided as a secondary method of generating hydraulic power in the case of an electrical power failure. The current HPS also interfaces with the Launcher Closure Door Arrester (LCDA) Assembly to prevent free rolling of the LCD. The LCDA is a friction device that acts as a braking mechanism to prevent free rolling of the LCD. The LCDA interfaces with the Pusher Unit. The brake pads on the LCDA contact the rail, providing friction to decelerate the moving door. For reference, note the following NSNs and part numbers below: USAF NSN: 1450-01-388-5686, Part Number: 6050000, Description: Hydraulic Pusher Set USAF NSN: 4320-01-419-0663, Part Number: 6040001, Description: Hydraulic Pusher Unit USAF NSN: 4320-01-419-0660, Part Number: 6030000, Description: Hydraulic Pump Unit USAF NSN: 4320-01-419-0663, Part Number: 6020000, Description: Yoke Assembly USAF NSN: 4720-01-419-2215, Part Number: 6030001, Description: Interconnecting Hose Set USAF NSN: 1450-01-674-1358, Part Number: 201717898, Description: Launcher Closure Door Arrester Assembly USAF NSN: 1440-00-462-6353, Part Number: 25-46365, Description: Rail USAF NSN: N/A, Part Number: 25-46375, Description: Rail (Units) This potential procurement will not be a build-to-print acquisition, as the design can differ as long as the performance requirements are met. CAPABILITIES: Refer to the Prime Item Development Specification and Prime Item Fabrication Specification Document (S-133-04753) for the functional, performance and verification requirements of the current HPS. Refer to 25-46365 and 25-46375 for dimensions of all notched rail configurations that interface with the current HPS. In addition to the requirements of the current HPS, the new HPS should have the following functional and performance requirements integrated into its modernization: Operate with forward and reverse capability without manually rearranging the unit Reduce the number of separate components Require 20 minutes or less to set-up and 20 minutes or less to tear down after use. Reduce periodic maintenance requirements; preferably exceed the mean-time-to-repair (MTTR), mean-time-to-failure (MTTF) and mean-time-between-failure (MTBF) requirements of the PIDS and only require yearly inspection to ensure reliability Eliminate the requirement for additional equipment to free a stuck LCD without damaging the rail in the event where 110,000 pounds of force is not sufficient to open the LCD New HPS shall have an integrated braking system to ensure positive control of LCD while the HPS is in use, eliminating the need for the separate LCDA Assembly Shall be electrically powered and non-hydraulic, or, if hydraulic, use no more than 5 gallons of hydraulic fluid Reduce equipment weight to allow transportation, setup, complete operation and teardown by no more than two persons at a time Any other recommended changes to improve function, weight and transportability will be considered. The projected quantities may be in a range of 12 minimum and 18 maximum per year over approximately 5 years. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUESTED: Provide a rough schedule from contract award through qualification and implementation Provide an estimate cost range as a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) from contract award through qualification and implementation RESPONSES: Responsible and capable sources may identify their interest by providing a white paper capability statement with sufficient information to substantiate respondents have all of the capabilities listed in the CAPABILITIES section. All responses should be sent via email. Responses must be received no later than close of business on 12-Mar-2021. Please see the ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT section. The AF will consider responses to one or both of the purposes depending on company’s capability. ADDITIONAL NOTICES: Neither the release of this SSS nor any responses to it guarantee a solicitation will be issued. A determination by the AF not to compete this solicitation is solely within the discretion of the AF. The AF will not pay for either the effort or the associated costs to respond or for any information provided. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT: The distribution of the referenced technical documents (S-133-04753 and drawings) is limited to contractors with a DD 2345 certified by the Defense Logistics Information Service, Joint Certification Program (1-877-352-2255) and who have a legitimate business purpose. As such, technical documents cannot be provided to a contractor without a certification. Contractors who would like to become certified can find the form and instructions at: https://public.logisticsinformationservice.dla.mil/PublicHome/jcp/default.aspx Interested parties are advised that certification of a DD Form 2345 may take time, so completion and submission of that form as soon as possible is highly recommended.