The U.S. Army Contracting Command-Rock Island, in support of the Office of the Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems is conducting market research to identify potential qualified sources capable of producing Nitroguanidine (NQ) to support 155mm Modular Artillery Charge System (MACS) M31A2 propellant production. Potential qualified foreign sources can submit a response, however the NQ must ultimately be produced within the United States or Canada.

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 United States Government (USG) does not own or dictate the process by which NQ is made. However, the NQ must meet MIL-N-494.

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:

a) Provide evidence of capabilities including an ability to produce NQ at a rate of 11M lbs. per year and any capability to surge to a higher annual rate;

b) The ability to achieve First Article Test starting no later than 36 months after award;

c) Manufacturing experience of 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 production program;

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 unit price of a quantity of 11M pounds per year; and

h) Provide estimated infrastructure requirements/NTE ROM costs (building size, water, power, etc.) for a Nitroguanidine manufacturing plant, if applicable.

All respondents should provide sufficient details to allow the USG to make a reasonable assessment of the respondent’s capabilities to produce 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.

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 George Lingris at george.r.lingris.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.

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