Commander, Attn CTQ-2JC, MARCORSYSCOM, Quantico, VA 22134-5010

69 -- M2 COMBINED RECOIL BOOSTER SOL M67854-97-R-2060 DUE 050197 POC Mr. Jeff Campbell, (703) 784-5822 Ext. 234, FAX (703) 784-5826. The following modification reissues the March 18, 1997, CBD announcement regarding the M2 Combined Recoil Booster. In addition, this announcement answers a question which was posed by industry. The original text reads as follows: The Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) is issuing a competitive pre-solicitation notice for commercial off the shelf M2 Combined Recoil Boosters, which has the following standard industrial classification (SIC) code: 3484, Small Arms, Size 1,000. MARCORSYSCOM is requesting M2 Combined Recoil Booster samples which will be evaluated according to the criteria listed below. A proposal will be requested from each manufacturer whose product successfully meets the evaluation criteria. This requirement for purchase of up to 247 M2 .50 caliber Heavy Barrel Machine Gun (M2HBMG) Blank Firing Adapters (BFAs) is in accordance with the specifications stated herein. The acquisition strategy will take the form of two distinct phases: Phase I- Request for test samples, receipt of requested material, and evaluation of material received. This phase commences with the publication of this announcement. Vendors shall have until 01 May 1997 to deliver the material requested. Evaluation of the material will commence immediately and will be completed within 45 days of receipt of the material. All offerors which meet the requirements of Phase I will continue to Phase II. Phase II- Request for proposal. Vendors whose products meet the phase I evaluation criteria will be invited to submit formal proposals for production of up to 247 UGWS M2 BFAs. The Marine Corps intends to select a vendor on a best value basis. General Requirements: The UGWS M2 BFA shall incorporate commercial off the shelf (COTS) or nondevelopmental items (NDI) to obtain a blank firing adapter which is compatible with the Upgun Weapons Station (UGWS) of the USMC Assault Amphibian Vehicle (AAV). General Description: The UGWS M2 BFA shall offer improved training and operation capabilities for the Marine Corps AAV community. The UGWSM2 BFA is a blank firing device that shall attach to the UGWS M2HBMG in the UGWS. It shall provide the AAV with the means to utilize standard .50 caliber blank cartridges (DODIC A598) and it shall allow the use of the MILES 2000 training system on the vehicle. Incorporating the UGWS M2 BFA onto the Marine Corps' existing UGWS M2HBMGs shall not impede the normal function, reliability, or maintainability of the weapon. Furthermore, the application of this device shall not affect critical operational requirements or significantly affect the M2s operational characteristics, performance, or tactical employment which will impact the user (i.e.: accuracy, lethality, cycle rate, man-machine interface, interoperability, etc.) Evaluation Criteria: The UGWS M2 BFA shall: a) Enable the UGWS M2HB Machine Gun to fire blank ammunition. b) Attach to the UGWS M2HB Machine Gun inside the USMC Assault Amphibian Vehicle (AAV) Upgun Weapons Station (UGWS) without permanent modification of the UGWS. c) Fire standard .50 Caliber blank ammunition (DODIC A599) from the UGWS M2HBMG (converted to right hand feed) with Mean Time Between Stoppage of 2000 rounds with 80% level of confidence. d) Fire standard .50 Caliber blank ammunition (DODIC A598) safely. The BFA must prevent hazard to personnel, regardless of source (i.e. BFA, ammunition, operator error) from flame, gas, or solid substance exiting the muzzle from a distance of one meter from the muzzle on a fan of 120 degrees from all sides of the gun target line. e) Enable the UGWS M2HBMG to employ the MILES training system. The UGWS M2 BFA must be compatible with the MILES 2000 sound actuated laser that attaches to the end of the barrel and enables the M2 to be evaluated during force on force training evolutions. Vendors shall also deliver the following items which will be evaluated during Phase I: 1) Deliver a complete operator's instruction manual and repair/maintenance manual, including parts numbers, a listing of special tools required for maintenance. 2) Deliver comprehensive preventive maintenance procedures and specific instructions regarding care, cleaning, and handling. 3) Deliver available drawings and data for provisioning purposes. Proprietary markings are acceptable. 4) Deliver safety instructions related to the use of the BFA and any/all data that shows that the device is safe to be evaluated against the criteria above. 5) Deliver all available test results on the BFA to include any/all data regarding reliability and maintainability. Evaluation Procedures: The Marine Corps will conduct a shoot-off of all presented UGWS M2 BFA at AVTB, Camp Pendleton approximately 60 days after the date of this announcement. This shoot off will consist of installing the device on the UGWS M2 to ensure fit and form, firing up to 5,000 rounds of standard blank ammunition over a three day period, conducting normal maintenance of the weapon, and evaluating the performance of the device against the criteria above. The Government will not be liable for damage to test items incurred as a result of theevaluation. Vendor's devices determined to be acceptable to the Marine Corps will be requested to submit a proposal to produce up to 247 devices. Production delivery must be completed within 12 months of production contract award. Failure to fully meet the reliability and/or safety criteria (c and d above) may not preclude offeror from proceeding to the next phase if proposal includes planning to correct minor deficiencies. Production contract award will be dependent on correction of such deficiencies. Execution: The vendor shall deliver, at no cost to the Government, the following items for evaluation no later than 01 May 1997: a) Two proposed UGWS M2 BFAs, complete with operators and maintenance manuals and all required tools and gauges, to Commander, AVTB, Box 555217, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA 92055-5217. b) Copies of all associated manuals and documents, to Commander, Attn: CTQ-2JC, MARCORSYSCOM, 2033 Barnett Ave. Suite 315, Quantico VA, 22134-5010 Any questions should be directed to the contact person listed above. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A COMMITMENT TO BUY. IF ONLY ONE VENDOR IS DETERMINED TO BE QUALIFIED DURING PHASE I, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHALL CONSTITUTE MARCORSYSCOM'S INTENT TO PROCEED ON A SOLE SOURCE BASIS. The following question was posed by industry: 1) Item d under the Evaluation Criteria states, "The BFA must prevent hazard to personnel, regardless of source (i.e. BFA, ammunition, operator error) from flame, gas, or solid substance exiting the muzzle from a distance of one meter from the muzzle on a fan of 120 degrees from all sides of the gun target line." It is unclear as to the actual meaning of this statement. Would it be possible to provide a diagram to more clearly depict the intent? Answer to Question 1: To clarify "d" of the announcement, the intent is to ensure that no object or fragment exits through the end of the barrel. The source of this object may be caused by any number of things to include shell casing. The cause of the fragmentation of the shell casing is not limited to the manufacture or design of the device but may be caused by an operator error or malfunction of the ammunition. The cause doesn't eliminate the requirement that the BFA "system" prevent the discharge of such object. The design of a catch to prevent such a discharge should be up to the manufacturer of the device. (0104)

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