Dahlgren Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, 17320 Dahlgren Road, Dahlgren, VA 22448-5100

12 -- SOURCES SOUGHT FOR EXPLODING BRIDGE WIRE (EBW) DETONATOR FIRING SYSTEM SOL N00178-00-Q-1019 DUE 021400 POC C. E. Thompson, Jr., Contract Specialist, Code SD110, (540)653-7478 or P. A. Canciglia, Contracting Officer, Code SD112 WEB: NSWCDD Dahlgren Laboratory Procurement Division Web, http://www.nswc.navy.mil/supply. E-MAIL: POC Office for N00178-00-Q-1019, sd11@nswc.navy.mil. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) is seeking information and sources for the purchase of an Exploding Bridge Wire (EBW) detonator firing system. The objective is to acquire commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware or to develop and build a system that meets the Navy's requirements. The NSWCDD requires an EBW detonator firing system for use at our explosive test facility. Preliminary requirements for the system appear below. These requirements are based on NSWCDD test facility needs and our current understanding of the state-of-the-art. We welcome alternative technical proposals. (1) A system for firing EBW detonators that consists of a control unit and at least one field unit. (2) The system shall fire up to 6 detonators in series on a single firing line using either high voltage coaxial cable or parallel blasting lead up to 150 ft. in length. The required length of firing line will depend on the ruggedization of the field unit. A heavily armored field unit could be placed closer to the detonation and would require a shorter run of firing lead. A less robust field unit would be placed farther away from the explosive detonation and require a longer firing lead. (3)Fire up to 4 groups of detonators with up to 6 detonators per group. The field unit could have four separate outputs for each group of detonators or the system could consist of four separate field units. The timing resolution between detonator groups 0.5 uS minimum. It is preferred for the control unit to contain the delay generator circuitry for this function; however, other designs will be considered. The delay time range between groups of detonators is 0 to 0.9 S. The unit must allow the delay times to be set by the operator via front panel controls. (4) The system must include appropriate electrical isolation so there is no cross talk between groups of detonators. This part of any proposed design will receive careful consideration. (5) All components must be built for field environment. The field unit will be shielded from fragment impact but it will subjected to shock and blast overpressures from up to 1,200 lb of explosive. (6) The system must accommodate from 50 ft to 2,000 ft distance between the control unit and field equipment. (7) The cabling between the control unit and field unit shall be as simple as possible to allow field repairs if required. Fiber optic control systems may be considered, but copper wire is preferred. (8) The system shall allow for adjustable firing voltage although the voltage adjustment may be performed at the field unit. (9) The field unit shall include a DC (not pulsed) output for charging up to 5 uF of capacitors in at 5 KV maximum in other equipment. (10) The controller shall display the actual voltage on the firing capacitor in the field unit. This reading shall be 5% accuracy or better. (11) The field unit shall include multiple and redundant safety systems to ensure that the firing capacitor is fully discharged before the firing lead is connected. The safety systems shall include, but are not limited to, multiple bleed resistors on the firing capacitor and a Crow bar or similar shorting device on the output. (12) The controller shall be include at least one key operated switch for safety. The key shall not be able to be removed in the ARMED or ON state. (13) The field unit shall have local displays of the firing capacitor charge. The displays shall be redundant and shall indicate the charge level on the capacitor. Examples are light(s) to indicate a voltage >0V and a meter displaying actual charge voltage. (14) The control unit shall have additional timing channels for triggering existing equipment. These outputs shall provide a switch action (opening or closure via electromechanical relay) or a variable pulse from 10 to 100 V with a 10 nS rise time into a 50 ohm load. Time range for these channels is 0 to 9 seconds. Time resolution is 1 uS. (15) A calibrated 1(% or better) current viewing resistor (CVR) or current viewing transformer (CVT) signal from each detonator firing line connected to the field unit shall be available at the controller for recording and timing information. CVT is preferred to eliminate ground looping when signals are connected to the same recording equipment. (16) The control unit shall be triggered via a front panel switch, remote switch closure, or 10 to 100 V pulse with adjustable sensitivity to the pulse level. The field unit (or a variation of the basic field unit) shall provide outputs for charging and triggering various electronic switches associated with slapper CDU's. These outputs include: (a) 500 to 5,000 VDC output for charging up to 5 slapper CDUs; (b)0 to 100 VDC at 1 A or better for biasing trigger circuits; (c)single shot, square wave pulse. Variable level of 0 to 15 V peak and 1 to 20 uS width with 10 nS risetime into 50 ohm; (d) 2 KV pulse for MC133 type spark gap. Anticipated hardware quantities are three sets consisting of a control unit and a field unit. Responses to this Sources Sought Announcement shall be submitted by COB 14 February 2000and shall include a brief description of the company; a statement of capabilities relevant to the firing system requirements; examples of previous experience building detonator firing systems; a concept of how the technical requirements will be met and a rough Order of Magnitude (unit) cost estimate. NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME. This request is for information only and is intended to identify items currently available or companies capable of providing the Firing system identified herein. When responding, please reference Sources Sought Announcement Number N00178-00-Q-1019, provide the company name, point of contact, telephone and facsimile numbers, Internet address, business size, and specific information regarding your capabilities to provide the Electronic Time fuze described herein. Reponses can be sent to: Contracting Officer, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Attn: SD110/Bldg 183/Room 102, 17320 Dahlgren Road, Dahlgren, Virginia 22448-5100. Posted 02/01/00 (W-SN420556). (0032)

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