A -- FOLLOW ON TO SMAW

Notice Date

December 14, 2000

Contracting Office

Supply Department NAVSEA Indian Head, 101 Strauss Ave, Indian Head, MD 20640-5035

ZIP Code

20640-5035

Response Due

January 29, 2001

Point of Contact

Penny S. Kennedy, Contracting Officer, 301-744-6626

E-Mail Address

sources sought (kennedyps@ih.navy.mil)

Description

This is a special notice being used by NSWCIHD to determine public interest in Follow-On-to-SMAW, (FOTS), propulsion systems testing. Test units will be Fired From an Enclosure (FFE), at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. A white paper shall be submitted describing the technology for consideration. The technology must be mature enough to enter Engineering & Manufacturing Development (E&MD), without further investment by the government, no later than 01 Oct 2001. Selected participants are responsible for delivery of five or more weapons systems or projectiles compatible with existing launchers, for consideration at the FFE Concept Demonstration/Assessment in April 2001. Participants are responsible for all associated costs other than the testing. Required delivery date is 15 Apr 01. In order for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) to effectively carry out their mission, the USMC must have weapon systems that are effective in all types of terrain. This terrain will increasingly include urban areas as the world's population grows. The Follow-On-to-SMAW (FOTS) program includes the capability to engage targets from enclosures. The primary difference in capability between the current SMAW and the proposed FOTS program is the ability to fire from enclosures. The primary objectives of this test are to assess the effectiveness of the candidate propulsion systems in the FFE mission. Results from the demonstration will also be used in an engineering evaluation to support a Milestone B down-select decision. A typical close terrain engagement would consist of single or volley fire by a marine from a room within an urban structure. The gunner employs the system from a kneeling, supported offhand, and prone firing position, remaining back from the room aperture to minimize his detectability. The target would be engaged head-on or at an oblique angle in the horizontal or vertical plane. Engagement ranges will vary based upon gunner position relative to target. As it is not anticipated that the candidate systems are mature enough to be tested beyond threshold requirements, this test has been developed to determine how close the propulsion candidate systems are to being able to fulfill threshold requirements. The specific test to be conducted is fire from tight, confined and enclosed spaces. The system shall be fired through a window from inside a standard size concrete room with ventilation. A wall consisting of two " sheets of drywall on 2"x4" studs will be placed 10 feet behind the rear of the weapon. Five shots for each candidate system shall be conducted. The data collected will be item weight, sound level measurements, blast pressures, muzzle velocity, recoil, back wall damage, and blast thermal effects on the weapon operators. Exhaust gasses will be sampled and analyzed for toxicity. Respondents shall submit a "white paper" addressing the following topics: 1. Detailed description of test unit. 2. Background information (technical, historical, applicability, etc.) 3. Capabilities of test unit to meet requirements of the ORD. 4. Safety/Hazard assessment. White papers shall be evaluated for meeting the threshold requirements, and those meeting the requirements shall be selected to participate in the demonstration. This announcement is for information and planning purposes only and should not be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government. This is not a solicitation announcement for proposals and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. Reimbursement will not be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement and any follow-up information requests. Deadline for submission is 29 January 2001. Direct technical questions to Paul Wallman, Code 3310L at DSN 354-4859, (301)744-4859, or email wallmanpg@ih.navy.mil

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001218/ASOL011.HTM (W-349 SN5088S6)