U.S. Army ARDEC, AMSTA-AR-PC-W-E, Bldg 10, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000

13 -- LOAD, ASSEMBLE, AND PACK (LAP) THE 155MM XM231 AND XM232 MACS PROPELLANT CHARGE INCREMENTS. SOL DAAE30 POC Ms. Sandy LaBell, Contract Specialist, 201-724-4085, Mr. John M. Eilenberger, Contracting Officer, 201-724-5522. The U.S. Army ARDEC is looking for interested parties for a proposed contractual effort to Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP) the 155MM XM231 and XM232 Modular Arillery Charge System (MACS). MACS is the propulsion system for Crusader Field Artillery System. This effort is part of the continuing development program to demonstrate the feasibility of the 155MM XM231 and XM232 propelling charge increments. The 155MM MACS is a two increment charge system that will provide enhanced performance for 155MM artillery. Multiples of the increments, XM231 (Zones 1 & 2) and XM232 (Zones 3 thru 6) will satisfy all zoning requirements for 155MM artillery. The 155MM MACS increments will be capable of being handled by automatic loading/resupply equipment as well as manually, which allows MACS increments to be used with currently fielded howitzers and future planned artillery systems. Research and development performed by the Government in recent years indicated that LAP of the 155MM MACS propelling charge increments on a production line is necessary to facilitate necessary quantities for future mass production and subsequent ballistic testing. After the LAP of both the XM231 and XM232 MACS propelling charge increments which comprise each increment, are packed in metal cans for shipment, and subsequent shipment to the required destinations. These operations involve the handling of energetic materials (Class 4.1C flammable solid - to Class 1.1). The main components which comprise each propelling charge increment include the following: 1) Combustible cartridge case assembly consisting of body, cap, and center core tube. 2) Main charge propellant. 3) End igniter which consists of end igniter propellant contained in end igniter bags. 4) Core igniter which consists of core igniter propellant contained in a core igniter bag. 5) End seals which cover the holes on both ends of the increments where the end igniters are placed. Operations include the following: 1) Sewing operations in order to close the loaded igniter bags. 2) Weighing operations in order to load the correct mass of igniter propellants and main chargepropellants. 3) Vibration operations in order to load the correct mass of igniter propellants and main charge propellants. 4) Gluing operations in order to bond the combustible case cap to the body. 5) Labelling operations in order to provide identification for the increments, both on the increments, the metal shipping cans and shipping pallets. 6) The contractor shall be required to purchase all packaging materials necessary to LAP the propelling charge increments which include metal cans, sleeves, cushions, etc. 7) The contractor shall provide the end igniters as stated above which is necessary to LAP the propelling charge increments. Approximate quantities are as follows: FY98 - LAP 27,000 each XM232, FY99 (option 1) - LAP 34,500 each XM232, FY00 (option 2) - LAP 5,000 each XM231 and 27,000 each XM232. This market survey is restricted to U.S. and/or Canadian sources due to the following: a. The MACS and its components are on The Militarily Critical Technologies List (MCTL), Oct 1992, as a critical element in section 12.2 for ''Gun Propulsion'' system. Therefore, the MACS Technical data Package (TDP) is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S.C. Sec 2751, et seq.) and is subject to DoD Directives 5230.24 and 5230.25. b. Drawings are marked with limited distribution statement F which states: ''Further dissemination only as directed by AMSTA-AR-AEE-B, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ or higher authority''; c. MACS is a direct replacement for the 155MM Propellant Charges M203A1 and all current bag-type 155MM Propellant Charges which are on the Industrial Preparedness Planning list. The MACS components are restricted to U.S. and/or Canadian production sources. The contractor should have the following: a. experience in efforts of similar complexity, such as the LAP of other munitions for applications 120MM and larger which incorporate rigid combustible cases, propellants and igniters. b. experience with respect to propellant handling/storage and other hazardous handling/storage. c. available on-site or near-site storage capacity to handle/store at least 500,000 pounds of energetic materials at one time. Firms with experience in the areas cited above should provide a summary of their firm's capabilities with 15 days of this publication to Point of Contract; Sandy LaBell, Acquisition Directorate, Building 10, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000. Respondents to this notice will not be notified either of the receipt or the assessment of the information submitted. Respondees are to indicate their business size standard. This market survey is for information planning purposes only, does not constitute a RFP, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. See number Note 25. (0172)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0226 19960621\13-0010.SOL)