Notice Type:  Sources Sought Synopsis

Detonating Cord, Training

Solicitation Number:  N00174-19-SN-0005

Posted Date: December 14, 2018

Response Date: January 15, 2019

Contracting Office Address: N00174 Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD)

This Sources Sought Notice is the initiation of market research under Part 10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). This notice neither constitutes a Request for Proposal, nor does it restrict the Government from an ultimate acquisition approach. This notice should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose. Requests for solicitation will not receive a response. All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the U.S. Government.  The U.S. Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any input as a result of this market survey. The U.S. Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a solicitation notice will be published. No award will be made as a result of this market survey.

Proprietary information or trade secrets should be clearly identified.  All data received in response to the Sources Sought that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD) is seeking potential domestic sources capable of manufacturing and supplying UN Hazard Classification Code 1.4S training detonation cord as a modified commercial item (non-developmental item) in accordance with the following salient characteristics.   

The training detonation cord consists of a 3.5 mm inner core comprised of a custom, non-detonable low energetic content blend filler reinforced by embedded threads running through the core.  The inner filler/core is protected by layers of material: a paper or plastic liner around the core followed by a braided and counter wrapped inner textile around the core (2 wraps), and an outer plastic sheath.  The outer sheathing/jacket consists of an over-extruded flexible continuous coating fabricated from seamless polyethylene or similar flexible jacket materiel that has a nominal wall thickness of 0.5 mm and that is impervious to exposure to humidity.  The outer flexible jacket materiel is blue as determined by International Commission on Illumination (CIE) LAB space values for color and gloss. The multiple wraps and jacket provide for an outer diameter of 5 mm.

Hazard Classification.  The government specified inner core energetic material filler is designed to meet the requirements of explosive Hazard Division/Classification Code 1.4S such that burning or attempting to detonate the training detonation cord shall be non-injurious to personnel.

Tactile characteristics.  The training detonation cord shall be fabricated to mimic the tactile characteristics of live HD 1.1D military detonation cord, but performs its intended function as a training aid.  Specifically, the training detonation cord shall have the tactile feel, flexure, stiffness, strength, similar bend radius and appearance of military-grade demolition cord (UN No. 0065:  CORD, DETONATING, Flexible, Hazard Class 1.1 D).

Initial Requirements.  Respondents must be capable of manufacturing an initial quantity of 5 spools each containing 1000 linear feet of training detonation cord with an additional partial spool (of at least 500 feet) for lot acceptance testing and analysis listed in this notice.  This may be followed by a request for an additional 5 spools each containing 1000 linear feet.  Should such a contract be pursued, respondents must have the capability and capacity to provide additional spools each containing 1000 linear feet of training detonation cord for rapid delivery. 

Respondents must have personnel trained and experienced in handling energetic materials. These materials are extremely hazardous and environmentally sensitive. The company must be knowledgeable and experienced in the production of these types of materials. Responders shall provide a description of the proposed outer jacket, textile casing, and fillers proposed for the training detonation cord addressing the customer requirements.

This market survey solicits vendors' information that fully explains their product's features, capabilities, and performance.  Interested companies are invited to indicate their interest by providing the U.S. Government (USG) the following information:

•1.      General Information

•1.1.   Organization name, address, point of contact, email address, telephone number, and related internet pages

•1.2.   Vendor business size, taxpayer identification number, DUNS number, and CAGE Code. Please identify as either Other than Small, Foreign, Small, Small Disadvantaged, 8(a), Woman-Owned Small Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone concern, Veteran-Owned Small Business, or Service-Disabled Small Business.

•1.3.   Product Descriptions and list of specifications for requested items or similar items.

•1.4.   Respondents should demonstrate the ability to manufacture items as described above and a satisfactory past performance in the explosives industry including: respondent's breadth of familiarity with producing this live and/or training detonation cord in the 5 mm OD size class; the respondent's ability and familiarity with producing to a color specification based on CIELAB specs for color and gloss; and, the respondent's ability and familiarity to produce this type detonating cord leveraging tailorable, multiple outer wrap layers and inner filler sheath.

•1.5.   It is requested that interested businesses submit a brief capabilities statement demonstrating ability to provide the items listed in this sources sought notice (i.e., description of facilities, personnel experience, quality system, and past distribution or manufacturing experience as it relates to the above criteria).  This documentation should address prior/current experience performing efforts of a similar size and scope within the last 3 years, including contract number, organization supported and indication of whether as a prime or subcontractor.

•1.6.   Additionally, respondents should indicate a Minimum Procurement Quantity (MPQ) and whether the USG's planned quantities as stated within this announcement meet or exceed the MPQ.

•1.7.   The responder's ability to perform First Article and Lot Acceptance Tests on the training detonating cord.

•1.8.   Lead time to delivery for both existing stock and new production.

•2.      Estimated Product Cost and Delivery Schedule for Training Detonation Cord:  The vendor shall prepare rough order of magnitude (ROM) costs for the items and quantities called out in this sources sought.   This should include ROM cost for development of the proposed cord filler as well as development of inert sample training detonation cord candidates to assess tactile characteristics and color of outer sheath.    

•3.      Estimated Product Cost and ability to deliver Final Hazard Classification, necessary packaging and UN certification required to manage product as HD 1.4S and assignment as United Nations identification number UN0349.

•4.      Estimated Product Cost and Delivery Schedule for a technical description and material selections for the training detonation cord. 

•5.      A description of the respondent's technical and manufacturing capabilities.

•6.      Identification of those major components that would be subcontracted.

•7.      A description of the respondent's explosive test facilities capable of supporting typical ammunition delivery acceptance tests.

•8.      A description of the respondent's safety plan and any additional safety certificates.

•9.      A description of the respondent's quality plan, including methods for flowing quality requirements to sub-vendors.

Applicable References:  

•(a    UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods - Model Regulations, Volume 1 and Volume 2.  Nineteenth revised edition, United Nations, 2015.  Available at the UNECE Transport Division website http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.html

•(b   NAVSEAINST 8020.8C; TB 700-2; TO 11A-1-47. Joint Technical Bulletin - Department of Defense Ammunition and Explosives Hazard Classification Procedures, 30 July 2012.

•(     MIL-DTL-17124F: Detail Specification: Cord, Detonating and Dummy Cord, Detonating

•(d   U.S. Code of Federal Regulations: Title 49 - Transportation (49 CFR), Chapter 1 - Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation (DOT).  CFR 49 is available at the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) website https://www.gpo.gov/

•·        PART 173 - SHIPPERS - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPMENTS AND PACKAGINGS. This part includes: Definitions of hazardous materials for transportation purposes; Requirements to be observed in preparing hazardous materials for shipment by air, highway, rail, or water, or any combination thereof; and Inspection, testing, and retesting responsibilities for persons who retest, recondition, maintain, repair and rebuild containers used or intended for use in the transportation of hazardous materials.

•o   §173.56: New explosives-Definition and procedures for classification and approval.

•·        PART 178 - SPECIFICATIONS FOR PACKAGINGS.  This part prescribes the manufacturing and testing specifications for packaging and containers used for the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce.

•o   §178.503   Marking of the packaging

•o   § 178.516 Standards for fiberboard boxes

All interested vendors must submit their information and responses electronically no later than January 15, 2019 to:[email protected] and [email protected].

Technical questions regarding this Sources Sought may be directed to Michelle Bowie @ [email protected] and [email protected].