The U.S. Army Contracting Command–New Jersey (ACC-NJ) located at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, on behalf of the Office of the Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (OPM-CAS) intends to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) W15QKN-23-R-0R70, for the production and delivery of Meltable Fuze Plugs (MFP).

The MFP is designed for increased IM performance and is used on various 155MM projectiles containing High Explosive (HE) energetics which enhances IM safety. The necessity to apply IM technology to artillery munitions is based on the threats associated with projectiles stored in combat areas or areas where there is a risk of fire. The MFP consists of a plastic fuze plug, a corrugated steel washer, a small rubber O-ring, and a large rubber O-ring. The plastic plug is produced via injection molding with a glass reinforced resin which aids in venting during high temperature and pressure conditions. The fuze plug has a looped lunette on one end and a threaded plug feature on the opposite end. The lunette (loop) on the MFP is intended for hand lifting and carrying of the projectile only. Extra care will be required to ensure that the location of the mold injection weld line is not on the looped lunette feature as required per the Technical Data Package (TDP). As such, there are destructive and non-destructive pull testing requirements that are to be completed during production. The steel washer is corrugated to better absorb energy and provides an improvement to projectile survivability during drops. A zinc-chromate protective finish is applied to the steel washer followed by an enamel paint. The O-rings seal the projectile and also prevent the plug from loosening and falling off the projectile.

The proposed contract strategy will utilize a competitive, Total Small Business Set-Aside (SBSA), in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.203, which limits competition of the procurement to Small Businesses within the United States. The United States Government (USG) intends to award multiple (up to two (2)), Firm-Fixed Price (FFP), Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contracts, which includes a minimum guarantee, for the production of MFPs, covering FY24-FY28 requirements.  Each contract will include five, one-year ordering periods. The total estimated quantity to procure will be 422,427 over the five-year period. Each Delivery Order will be competed amongst contractors selected for award.

The MFP will be manufactured, inspected, assembled, packaged and delivered in accordance with the Government Technical Data Packages (TDP) and applicable contract requirements, which will be available upon solicitation release. This requirement involves technical data marked “Distribution D - Distribution authorized to the Department of Defense and U.S. DoD contractors only.” Interested firms are required to submit a signed and completed Military Critical Technical Data Agreement DD Form 2345), AMSTA-AR Form 1350, Technical Data Request Questionnaire, and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for Government’s consideration to provide access to the TDP.

Please note, this announcement is issued for pre-solicitation notification purposes only and is not a formal request for competitive proposals, nor is the Government obligated to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP). The Government anticipates posting the RFP in 2QFY23. All interested small businesses are advised to monitor the System of Award Management (SAM) for RFP release. The Point of Contact (POC) for this requirement is Michael Kline, ACC-NJ (CCNJ-CA), Bldg. 10, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000. Email: at [email protected]. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Any information or exchanges between contractors and the Government concerning this notice are at no additional cost and/or obligation to the Government.