Meltable Fuze Plug for Insensitive Munitions

The U.S. Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ) located at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, on behalf of the Office of the Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (PM CAS) is conducting a market survey to identify potential sources within the United States and Canada capable of producing and delivering the Meltable Fuze Plug (MFP) for Insensitive Munitions (IM). The purpose of this market survey is to obtain current information on the capability of potential sources to meet Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2028 requirements to be provided to the Load/Assemble/Pack (LAP) facilities.

The MFP is designed for increased IM performance and is used on various 155MM projectiles containing High Explosive (HE) energetics which enhances IM safety. The necessity to apply IM technology to artillery munitions is based on the threats associated with projectiles stored in combat areas or areas where there is a risk of fire. The MFP consists of a plastic fuze plug, a corrugated steel washer, a small rubber O-ring, and a large rubber O-ring. The plastic plug is produced via injection molding with a glass reinforced resin which aids in venting during high temperature and pressure conditions. The fuze plug has a looped lunette on one end and a threaded plug feature on the opposite end. The lunette (loop) on the MFP is intended for hand lifting and carrying of the projectile only. Extra care will be required to ensure that the location of the mold injection weld line is not on the looped lunette feature as required per the Technical Data Package (TDP). As such, there are destructive and non-destructive pull testing requirements that are to be completed during production. The steel washer is corrugated to better absorb energy and provides an improvement to projectile survivability during drops. A zinc-chromate protective finish is applied to the steel washer followed by an enamel paint. The O-rings seal the projectile and also prevent the plug from loosening and falling off the projectile.

The TDP for the MFP is available upon request pending receipt of all required documents and approval by PM CAS. Please be advised that if the TDP is being updated, it may not be available at the time of request, but it will be available in the near future. The TDP is marked Distribution D, therefore distribution will only be authorized to the Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. DoD contractors. Contractors interested in receiving TDPs for information only are required to submit a signed and completed DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement; AMSTA-AR Form 1350, Technical Data Request Questionnaire; and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for the Government's consideration.

A response to this survey should show adequate technical and manufacturing capability to produce and deliver the MFP. If a respondent does not have adequate resources (technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, the respondent must be able to demonstrate its ability to obtain those resources. Respondents should provide the following information which will assist the U.S. Government in developing its acquisition strategy:

1. Provide evidence of capabilities to include the ability to manufacture and deliver the MFP (at a minimum production rate of 2,000 MFPs per month), and any past manufacturing experience with similar items;
2. Description of facilities, equipment, manufacturing processes, inspection capability, and personnel (number of employees, experience, specialized skill sets);
3. Provide evidence of quality assurance in order to support this production program; and
4. Provide company name, address, Commercial and Government Entity code, telephone number, email address, technical point of contact, and company size (please specify as either a Large Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a) concern, Woman-Owned Small Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone concern, Veteran-Owned Small Business, or Service-Disabled Small Business).

The respondent should provide sufficient details to allow the U.S. Government to make a reasonable assessment of the respondent’s capability to produce these items. This information is for reference and planning only. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information submitted or for any costs associated with providing this information.

All contractors interested in this potential future solicitation must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

This market survey is for information and planning purposes only and shall NOT be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an obligation on the part of the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this market survey. All submissions are requested to be made within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this publication at no cost to the U.S. Government by electronic mail to Michael Kline at Michael.j.kline56.civ@army.mil. The U.S. Government will accept written questions by email ONLY. TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All information submitted will be protected in accordance with the identified markings. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this Market Survey.