Z -- SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT -- CHEMICAL TESTING OF PROPELLANT STABILIZER CONTENT The U.S. Army Industrial Operations Command needs contractors to perform chemical testing of propellant stabilizer content. The Army has a significant stockpile of nitrocellulose based propellants. As nitrocellulose ages it degrades producing nitrogen oxides and heat. Under the right conditions, sufficient heat can build up to the point where autoignition of the propellant is possible. In order to forestall autoignition, the Army adds chemical stabilizers to the propellant at time of manufacture. Adding stabilizers will slow the degradation process by reacting with the nitrogen oxides and reducing the heat bulid up. Eventually, this process depletes the stabilizers and the propellant can again become vulnerable to autoignition. Therefore, knowing the stabilizer content of each propellant item ensures the Army its propellant is safe for continued storage. Army propellants are stored at approximately 20 installations in the continental US. Approximately 600 samples from these locations require testing annually. Test results will be required at IOC, HQ within 48 hours of receipt of the samples. The current test method employed is High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Chemical testing, capable of providing the same results as are now available through the HPLC method is acceptable. Test methods must provide quantitive levels of the following compounds as a minimum: Ethyl Centralite, Akaadite II, Diphenylamine, N-nitrosodiphenylamine, N-Nitroso-2-Nitrodiphenylamine, 2-nitrodiphenylamine, 4-nitrodiphenylamine, 2,4-dinitrodiphenylamine, 2,4'-dintrodiphenylamine, 2,2'-dinitrodiphenylamine, 4,4'-dinitrodiphenylamine, 2,2',4-trinitrodiphenylamine, 2,4,4'-trinitrodiphenylamine, 2,2',4,4'-tetranitrodiphenylamine. Sample size shipped for analysis is dependent on the propellant to be tested, but will generally be one full ammunition round. Testing organization must have proper local, state and federal permits for the storage of the samples and the destruction of the sample residue. Testing organization will assume liability for the effects of decisions made by the Army based upon inaccurate test data. Sources interested in performing chemical testing of propellant stabilizer content should contact the contracting officer, Emil E. Maslanka; telephone (309)782-3420; datafax (309)782-3804; HQ, Industrial Operations Command, Attn: AMSIO-ACE-D, Rock Island, IL 61299-6000 and provide a brief description of the organization's capabilities.

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0405 19980305\SP-0023.MSC)