Nitroguanidine Re-crystallization

The U. S. Army Contracting Command-New Jersey (ACC-NJ), located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, in support of the Office of the Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (PM- CAS) is conducting market research to identify potential qualified sources capable of establishing a process for re-crystallization of Nitroguanidine (NQ) for use in M31A2 propellant for 155mm Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) M232A2 propelling charges. The United States Government (USG) is contemplating using a Stand-Alone Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) under 10 U.S.C. 4022 to satisfy this requirement. However, if the acquisition approach changes, the information obtained from this sources sought notice will be used in the planning and award of the project.

The USG has a stockpile of approximately 17 million pounds NQ material that currently does not meet the specification. The USG is interested in determining if the capability exists to use this stockpile for triple-based propellants by re-crystallizing it into the proper form factor of Type II, class I (low bulk density). The NQ Re-crystallization process under this effort may be used in a subsequent contracting action to re-crystalize the entirety of the existing USG stockpile, and therefore must be scalable to fulfill requirements.

The MACS consists of two (2) types of propelling charges, the M231 and the M232-series, and associated packaging. It uses a "build-a-charge," incremental-based system; the M231 is used singularly or in pairs for Low Zones (1 & 2) and the M232-series is used in groups of 3, 4 or 5 charges for High Zones (3, 4 & 5). NQ is a key ingredient in M31A2 triple base propellant formulation that is used in the M232-series MACS charges.

There is no Technical Data Package for NQ, as the USG does not own or dictate the process by which NQ is made. However, the NQ must meet MIL-N-494, Type II class I (low bulk density).

To be considered a capable source for this effort, all interested sources must submit the requested information, which will assist the USG in developing its acquisition strategy:

1. Provide description of your process for re-crystallization of NQ; including raw materials required for recrystallizing the stockpiled NQ and respective sources of these raw materials;

b) The ability to achieve the proof of principle process of re-crystallization of NQ within 18 months after award;

c) Energetic Manufacturing experience with NQ or similar products within the last ten (10) years;

d) Description of facilities (commercial or government-owned), personnel (numbers, experience, specialized skill sets), key raw material sources, and environmental compliance as it relates to the above production efforts;

e) Provide evidence of In-house Quality Assurance System(s) in order to support this prototyping effort;

f) Provide company name, address, telephone number, email address, technical point of contact, and company size (please specify as either a Large Business, Foreign-Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a) concern, Woman-Owned Small Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone concern, Veteran-Owned Small Business, or Service-Disabled Small Business);

g) Provide a Not-to-Exceed (NTE) Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for the prototyping effort to deliver equipment capable of producing re-crystalized NQ for use in M31A2 propellant for 155mm MACS M232A2 propelling charges and;

h) Provide evidence of Non-traditional Defense Contractor Participation or 1/3 Resource-Share for this effort in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4022.

All respondents should provide sufficient details to allow the USG to make a reasonable assessment of the respondent’s capabilities to prototype the process of re-crystallization of NQ. The USG will not pay for any information submitted or for any costs associated with providing this information.

All contractors interested in this potential future solicitation must be registered in the System of Award Management (SAM).

This market survey is for information and planning purposes and may be used in award of a contract. Submissions for this notice must be provided within ten (10) calendar days from the date of this publication at no cost to the USG by electronic mail (e-mail) to Iryna Litvinova at iryna.litvinova.civ@army.mil All inquiries shall be made via e-mail ONLY. TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

All information provided will not be returned and will be held in confidential status.