105mm, M393A3 High Explosive Plastic (HEP) Cartridges

Description:

The U.S. Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ), on behalf of the Office of the Project Manager, Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM-MAS), is seeking possible sources for the production of 105mm, M393A3 High Explosive Plastic (HEP) Cartridges. The M393A3 is a 105mm cartridge fired from the 105mm M68 / XM35 series cannon for the M10 Booker and utilizes a dual-safe fuze.  The M393A3 Cartridge is capable of defeating standard earth and timber bunkers and breaching double reinforced concrete walls so that infantry can pass through. Production facilities must be in place or require minimal effort to establish.  The M393A3 was approved for Type Classification Standard (TC-STD) on 5 August 2004.

The M393A3 HEP-T cartridge consists of a projectile body forged using AISI 1015/4135 type steel. The cartridge uses an M578A1 fuze, which is a modified version of the standard M578 fuze.  The fuze uses the existing M578 fuze body, however the M578A1 incorporates an M739 safe and arming device that provides both set-back and spin safety devices. The explosive charge is compressed composition A3, Type 2 with an inert wax filler placed at the forward end of the charge. The cartridge is equipped with a metal rotating band that is mechanically pressed onto the projectile after which it is machined to the final profile.  The propellant used for this cartridge is the standard M1 propellant charge loaded in a three-section charge bag equipped with a tin foil liner.  The cartridge case is the standard M150B1 steel model.  The primer is the standard M86 electric primer with a black powder charge.  The tracer is the M12 or equivalent, which provides illumination for more than 5 seconds.         

Specifications:

The M393A3 Cartridge will be procured to a performance specification (PRF14000051) marked Distribution Statement C (Distribution authorized to U.S. Government agencies and their contractors). 

Planned Acquisition:

A firm fixed price contract will be awarded depending on funding and need.  Annual production quantities will range from 3,500 to 6,500.  Deliveries shall be complete no more than 24 months from the time of award.

Submission Information:

THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION AND DOES NOT OBLIGATE THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION. Please be advised that the Government will not pay for any information submitted under this announcement. Interested companies should submit their qualifications and capabilities electronically within 30 days of this notice to: Jabrien Urbano at jabrien.r.urbano.civ@army.mil.  Interested companies should respond by providing the Government the following information:

(1) Name of company and CAGE Code;

(2) Point of Contacts name, telephone number and E-mail address;

(3) Company address;

(4) Business size information;

(5) Identification of whether you are interested in this opportunity as a prime or a subcontractor;

(6) A brief summary of the company’s capabilities that relate to ammunition (to include organizations, description of facilities, equipment, manufacturing process, inspection capability, skills, personnel) and potential subcontractors’ capabilities;

(7) A summary of established or potential partnering/teaming arrangements along with component / process applicability;

(8) A brief description of the risks associated with the production of key components including, but not limited to, explosive, fuze, and steel cartridge case; 

(9) Description of potentially required deviations from the configuration described above, along with the supporting rationale for the requested change (ex. obsolescence);  

(10) If a different fuze is submitted, details of the fuze safety environments;

Please identify any proprietary information submitted. A respondent to this survey must have majority of the skills and facilities that are required to manufacture this item.  If a respondent does not have these resources (technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, then it must demonstrate its ability to obtain them in a reasonable time period. If a respondent chooses to utilize the services of sub-tier vendors or subcontractors, those vendors or subcontractors must also meet the same resource criteria as the prime contractor.  

This is a market survey, not a pre-solicitation notice. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date a solicitation notice will be published.   All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the Government.