10 -- SYSTEM TECHNICAL SUPPORT, M249 SQUAD AUTOMATIC WEAPON (SAW) BARREL LIFE IMPROVEMENT

Notice Date

September 15, 2000

Contracting Office

US Army ARDEC, AMSTA-AR-PC, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000

ZIP Code

07806-5000

Solicitation Number

DAAE30-01-Q-0400

Response Due

October 1, 2000

Point of Contact

George M. Chavis, Sr., Contract Specialist, AMSTA-CM-CPD, (973) 724-4496

E-Mail Address

George M. Chavis, Sr. (gchavis@pica.army.mil)

Description

The U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (TACOM-ARDEC), Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, has a System Technical Support (STS) requirement to increase the barrel life of the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). The M249 (SAW) barrel has a current life of 15,000 rounds as a minimum with an average life of about 15,000 to 20,000 rounds. The intent of the proposed Statement of Work (SOW) is to pursue an initiative to significantly increase the barrel life by, first, soliciting for innovative concepts on improving barrel life either through modifying the barrel design and/or the barrel manufacturing process. The second step shall apply the concept to the M249 SAW barrel to prove out the concept through government testing. This requirement is issued as a market survey to identify qualified, interested sources. The successful contractor shall identify concepts on improving barrel life for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) either through a modification in barrel assembly design and/or a modification in barrel assembly manufacturing process. Should there be a resultant contractual instrument, the government will require the fabrication of ten (10) prototype barrels with the following requirements: (a) The prototype barrels shall be manufactured in accordance with government Drawing No.: 12011986. Dimensional changes are permitted to the components and sub-components of the drawing. Any proposed dimensional changes shall not affect the interface of the barrel with the weapon, the functioning of the weapon, and the operational use of the weapon. Any dimensional changes shall be reviewed and approved by the government as part of the concept approval process; (b) prototypes shall clearly demonstrate an improvement of barrel life as defined by paragraph 3.8 of MIL-M-70446A; (c) the weight of the prototype barrels shall not increase by more than four (4) ounces relative to the barrel as defined by Drawing No.: 12011986. It is desired that the weight remain the same or decrease; (d) the prototype barrels shall use commercially available material and processes; (e) all interfaces between the barrel and the weapon shall be maintained. Interfaces include Detail C of the Gas Block Drawing No.: 12011982, and the Bushing, Locking Barrel (Drawing No.: 12557013). In addition, the dimension of 256.40 +/- 0.12 in area C-3 of the Barrel Sub-Assembly (Drawing No.: 12011985); (f) the barrel shall not decrease weapon reliability in accordance with paragraph 3.7 of MIL-M-70446A; (g) the current barrel/weapon acceptance and performance requirements in accordance with paragraphs 3.4.1, 3.4.4, 3.4.5, and 3.4.6 of MIL-M-70446A shall not be degraded; (h) all prototype M249 barrels shall meet the design requirements of paragraph 3.3.1 of MIL-M-70446A. The prototype barrels shall be acceptable in accordance with (IAW) Quality Assurance Provisions (QAP) 12011986 and 12011985. In addition, the contractor shall provide material certification at the time of the delivery of the prototype barrels. Any resulting contractual document will require the submission of any and all data employing the selected concept to the government at the time of prototype delivery. Any and all data submitted by the contractor shall be provided to the government with unlimited rights. The U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC seeks responses from all responsible, interested sources. In order to facilitate increased participation in this market survey, copies of the aforementioned drawings and specification, may be obtained from the point of contact listed below. This is not a request for proposal. Questions or comments regarding should be directed to Mr. George M. Chavis, (973) 724-4496, e-mail: gchavis@pica.army.mil.

Web Link

US ARMY TACOM-ARDEC Procurement Network (http://procnet.pica.army.mil/cbd/SRCSgt/091520000/091520000.htm)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20000919/10SOL001.HTM (D-259 SN497417)