Primer Feed Mechanism (PFM), PFM Assemblies, PFM kits, and PFM Spare Parts for 155MM, M777 Light Weight Howitzer

Purpose:  The Army Contracting Command New Jersey (ACC-NJ), Picatinny Arsenal, NJ  07806-5000 is conducting a Market Survey on behalf of the Joint Program Manager Office Towed Artillery Systems (PM-TAS) to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support the future requirement to produce Primer Feed Mechanism (PFM), PFM Assemblies, PFM Sub-components, PFM Kits, and PFM Spare Parts for M777 Lightweight Howitzer.

Description:  This Sources Sought Announcement (SSA) should not be construed as a solicitation announcement, invitation for bids, request for quotations, or a request for proposals. This SSA is issued solely for information and planning purposes, as a means for the Government to conduct market research.

This SSA will be used in identifying interested parties and their capability to manufacture and produce Primer Feed Mechanism (PFM), PFM Assemblies, PFM Sub-components, PFM Kits, and PFM Spare Parts for 155MM, M777 Light Weight Howitzer. The PFM Assembly consists of three assemblies (1) Body Assembly, (2) Tray Assembly, and (3) Magazine Assembly.  The assemblies will include built to print, commercial off the shelf (COTS) and vendor specific items.  As a minimum, the interested vendor’s capability will include manufacturing and inspection of Tray, Body and Magazine.  The manufacturing process will consist of rough and final machining of ultra-high strength steel using a CNC precision machine, heat treating and case hardening (Gas Nitriding), dry film lubrication, phosphate coating applications to the military standards and assemble to the final configuration.  Some built-to-print items (i.e. Tray finish machine) will involve machining over 500 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&Ts) features after rough machined.  Some items such as Magazine half will involve rough machining, heat treat and machining to the final thin-wall configuration. All the PFM items are required to achieve “zero” defect through quality inspection process.  Upon the final assembly, the final acceptance will require conducting verification of functionality of the PFM assemblies on a simulated Test fixture (Government Furnished Equipment). In addition, vendor will also be required to manufacture, produce or supply PFM Sub-components, PFM Kits, and PFM Spare Parts with the PFM assemblies as spare.

For planning purposes, this effort is anticipated to commence in the 1st Quarter FY 2024 and interested vendor will be required to conducted First Article Testing (FAT) prior to the full up production and delivery.

All interested vendors are requested to provide:

1. Statement of capability describing the vendor’s manufacturing process and capability to fabricate, inspect and conduct a final acceptance.  Primer Feed Mechanism (PFM), PFM Assemblies, PFM Sub-components, PFM Kits, and PFM Spare Parts for M777 Light Weight Howitzer.

a. Present capabilities and past experience (i.e. does the company have past experience doing this type of work?).

b. Description of fabrication, process and inspection capability: 

• Types of CNC Machining, tooling and special fixturing using Ultra High strength steel
• Capability of machining to tight tolerances.
• Heat treatment and case hardening to achieve final dimensions.
• Solid Film Lubrication and Phosphate Coating to military standards
• Types of CMM equipment and inspection to achieve tight tolerances.

2. Description of facility that will be used for the production (i.e. PFM fabrication, inspection, packing and shipping)

3. Rough Order Magnitude Cost to produce PFM Assemblies

4. Rough Order Magnitude Schedule to produce PFM assemble. 

SSA: Firms/companies are invited to indicate their capabilities by providing specifications, brochures, manuals, reports, demonstration videos and/or other technical data, as well as the identification of current customers and products.  This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT (SSA) ONLY and should NOT be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or any type of commitment by the United States Government.  As stated above, please be aware that the Government will not pay for any information submitted under this announcement.  As a result of this SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT (SSA), a Request for Proposal (RFP) may be issued for Primer Feed Mechanism (PFM), PFM Assemblies, PFM kits, and PFM Spare Parts. Participation in this SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT (SSA) is completely voluntary by the vendor and as such all costs to develop the vendor’s response are to be borne by the participating vendor.

DATA: The Government recognizes that proprietary, distribution restricted and/or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) data IS part of this effort.  Firms/companies must ensure to clearly mark such restricted/CUI data and present them as an addendum to the nonrestricted/non-proprietary and not CUI information.   

REQUEST: All interested sources are encouraged to submit their abilities/capabilities No Later Than (NLT) 30 days from date of this publication, by TUESDAY, 09 MAY 2023 1600 EASTERN. Interested sources shall submit their responses and inquiries pertaining to this announcement to the following POC(s) to: Mr. Daniel Rakauskas & Ms. Klaudia Grabias, ACC-NJ-IC Bldg. 10, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000; email: daniel.s.rakauskas.civ@army.mil & klaudia.a.grabias.civ@army.mil.

Electronic submittals are preferred. NO HARD COPY OR FACSIMILE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  Questions concerning submissions should be directed via email only to all the above POCs.