US Army ARDEC, AMSTA-AR-PCW-F, Building 10, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000

A -- METAL POWDER ATOMIZATION POC James Huff, Contract Specialist, e-mail=jhuff (201)724-4165, S. Cytron, Engineer, (201)724-3368. Research and Development Sources Sought - Plant Design for the Production of Reactive Metal Powders by Inert Gas Atomization, for U.S. ARDEC . POC James Huff, Contract Specialist (201) 724-4165 or Technical Point of Contact: S. Cytron, (201) 724-3368. The Armament Engineering Directorate (AMSTA-AR-AET) at U.S. ARDEC is seeking sources with extensive experience and a technical database to provide a preliminary plant design for the inert gas atomization of reactive metals (e.g. magnesium, zirconium) passivated spherical metal powders of designated particle size fractions. The firm(s) sought should possess qualified personnel with knowledgeable backgrounds that demonstrate indepth experience in the requisite disciplines needed to provide the designated service. Document technical proficiency by citing personnel authorship of technical articles or technical accomplishments, contracts and plant designs with industry and governent. Teaming with other organizations or consultants is desirable to acquire a broader spectrum of capabilities or expertise. The requisite disciplines anticipated for this proposed contract are as follows: (1) A demonstrated expertise in the following unit operations considered necessary for the atomization facility: a) Inert gas atomization (nozzle and/or rotating disc). b) Reactive metal powder passivation. c) Metal powder collection by dry methods (e.g. cyclone collection). d) Metal powder classification and sizing. e) passivated powder handling, transport and packaging. f) Closed loop inert gas handling and transport. g) Particulate gas scrubbing. 2) A thorough understanding of: a) Reactive metal powder process hazards and explosion safequards. b) Process equipment design and specifications. c) Process and utilities schematic flow diagrams. d) Plant design and layout procedures. e) Process instrumentation and controls. f) Plant economics. g) NFPA Code #480 (1993 Edition). The contemplated services to be requested under the proposed contract are as follows: (1) Provide a preliminary plant design for a facility capable of gaseous atomization of reactive metals in a safe and reliable manner. Document facility with appropriate schematc flow diagrams of process, instrumentation and utilities. Catalogue applicable process equipment, instrumentation, controls and utilities. Document acquisition costs of equipment and cost to build plant. Consider a baseline capacity of a total of 100,000 pounds of powder per year. This production is to come from two atomization units safely operating in parallel. (2) Provide a cost estimate of facilitation. This includes both the structural building housing the equipment, the equipment as well as the cost of construction. In addition provide estimate of plant start-up costs to include equipment shakedown time and time to reach plant operational efficiency. Declare the basis of this cost estimation, either prior plant experience or estimated data calculations. (3) Develop atomization parametric guidelines for the cost-effective utilization of the atomization facility. Furthermore, consider factors such as initial capital investment, throughput loads, operational costs, etc. in establishing a process efficiency for a break-even return on investment. Consider the stated baseline capacity of 100,000 pounds per year from two atomization units with the added proviso that 15,000 pounds of the production run should consist of 30/40 US Standard Sieve Size powders while the remaining 85,000 pounds should consist of 200/230 Sieve size powders. State the process efficiency expected. (4) Assess the environmental benign characteristics of the gaseous atomization process and any environmental impact on proposed location sites within the baseline States of New Jersey or California. Consider factors of gaseous release and powder spills. Delineate any operational constraints in accordance with environmental compliance and waste management ordinances. ARDEC reserves the right to award one or more constracts. Funds budgeted for these services range between $45,000 and $85,000. Interested firms should respond with a written statement of their capabilities and expertise to perform the above services. A separate statement of the firms capabilities in each service area is desirable but not essential. Those firms responding to this announcement by providing acceptable information will be used to establish a source list for a future solicitation. All interested firms regardless of size are encouraged to respond to this announcement. If a company is a small business it should state its status in its written response t this synopsis. Responses are not to exceed ten (10) pages. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only, it does not constitute a soliciation for bid or proposals and it is not to be construed as a commitment by ARDEC. responses must be received within 21 days of this notice. Facsilmile responses are acceptable. FAX (201) 724-7378, ATTN: S. Cytron. No further announcements or solicitation notices will be published with regard to these requested services so all interested parties are urged to respond. Responses shall be addressed to the above technical POC at U.S. ARMY ARDEC, AMSTA-AR-AET, (ATTN. S. Cytron) Bldg. 355, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000. Reference this synopsis title: Metal Powder Atomization. (0256)

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