13 -- NON-LETHAL BURSTING HAND GRENADE (NLBHG)

Notice Date

October 26, 2001

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

07806-5000

Solicitation Number

DAAE30-02-R-0401

Response Due

November 27, 2001

Point of Contact

Anna Yim, Contract Specialist, 973-724-4674

E-Mail Address

Anna Yim (ayim@pica.army.mil)

Description

The U.S. Army has identified a need for a Non-Lethal Bursting Hand Grenade (NLBHG) that can be primarily used as a pain inflicting, distraction and disorientation device, for crowd control/dispersion and force protection. Skin penetration is not desired. With the increasing likelihood of U.S. forces being employed in non-traditional military roles, the threat faced by U.S. and allied forces might include rioting mob and harmful crowd activities and harassment techniques, such as rock throwing. The primary focus of the grenade is on counter-personnel capabilities. The NLBHG is to be either hand-thrown or Army small arms weapon launched. The grenade, upon detonation shall disperse balls/pellets that produce an intense stinging effect from detonation, and a frightening light and sound display. The range shall be based upon the 5th percentile female to the 95th percentile male being capable of hand-throwing the grenade 30 meters, and landing within a radius of five meters (threshold) / three meters (objective). The corresponding small arms weapon launching system must be capable of delivering the NLBHGs to a minimum range of 60 meters (threshold) and 90 meters (objective), when fired from the elevation corresponding with the weapon s maximum range. The NLBHG size must be compatible with the carrying compartments of the grenade pouch found in the Non-lethal Capability Set (NLCS)(GSA #GSAATISASDD60D) (threshold) and the individual load bearing vest/equipment (LBV/E)(objective). Detonation delay (time between release of safety lever and detonation) shall be 2.6 seconds +/- .5 seconds. The grenade design must be rugged enough to withstand external carry by the soldiers, on their equipment, during the rigors of performing Individual Movement Technique (IMT); or, moving through an urban environment in threatening conditions. The packaged and unpackaged NLBHG shall be transportable by the soldier; in wheeled/tracked vehicles over a variety of terrain road, trail, and cross-country; in all Army helicopters; in all commercial and Air Force cargo aircraft; and in all U.S. Naval transport ships. The NLBHG shall be capable of being launched from U.S. Army Mossberg 500 (M500)(threshold); the future joint services combat shotguns, and U.S. Army small arms rifles (objective), using the appropriate launching system. The user of the NLBHG shall be capable of restoring the grenade to its normal safe carrying configuration, after he has removed the safety device, i.e., the NLBHG shall be capable of being re-safed. The NLBHG shall not drop from the launching system when inserted and used properly. Normal use of Army weapons requires them to be pointed downward. When they are carried, or used in this manner, the grenade shall not fall from the launching system, thus imposing a hazard to friendly troops. The attached launching system shall allow for a limited small arms weapon use, with lethal and non-lethal ammunition. The design of the NLBHG shall be such that it is impossible to install the grenade into the launching cup with the safety lever outside, i.e., the safety lever must be inside. The NLBHG shall have a Re-loadable Practice NLBHG. The Re-loadable practice grenade shall have a strengthened inert body and live fuze for training purpose. It shall look, feel and weigh identical to the live NLBHG. The functional reliability of the NLBHG, Re-loadable Practice NLBHG and the launching system shall be 0.95 (threshold) and 0.99 (objective) demonstrated with high confidence. The packaged life of the system shall be five years protected uncontrolled storage; ten years of protected and controlled storage. The grenade shall not be sensitive to impact or electrostatic discharges (ESDs) emitted by transport vehicles; to include helicopters. The NLBHG also should not present any hazards when used properly under the control and requirements normally associated with the handling of pyrotechnics. The storage climate for the system shall be Hot (+140 oF), Basic (+70 oF), and Cold (-40 oF). The operational climate shall be Hot and Basic. The lower extreme of the Basic operational climate is modified to 320 Fahrenheit. The manufacturer (contractor) shall furnish complete validated technical specifications, training, and operation documentation. The manufacturer shall provide inert training grenades. A portion of the instructional grenades shall be sectioned, in various planes, to show internal detail and construction. The grenades shall be packaged in accordance with current U.S. Army packaging guidelines for ammunition and pyrotechnics, and shall meet all applicable requirements of Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49. The contractor is required to submit a quantity of thirty (30) NLBHG, five (5) Inert NLBHG, five (5) Re-loadable Practice NLBHG, twenty (20) safety pins, one (1) launching system and thirty (30) launch cartridges to: U.S. Army TACOM/ARDEC, Attn: Anna Yim, Contract Specialist, AMSTA-AQ-APD, Bldg. 10, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000. The delivery schedule should be suitable for testing the items in December 2001. Tests will be performed on the Function and Penetration characteristics, e.g., balls/pellets spatial distribution data, velocity data, light and sound output data. The Launching System will also be tested for range and safety. This market survey is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this market survey or otherwise pay for information solicited. The Government will utilize the information provided for planning purposes only. All information submitted will be held in a confidential status.

Web Link

US ARMY TACOM-ARDEC Procurement Network (http://procnet.pica.army.mil/cbd/SRCSgt/102620013/102620013.htm)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20011030/13SOL002.HTM (D-299 SN5116I1)