The U.S. Army Contracting Center-New Jersey, Emerging Technologies (ACC-NJ-ET) on behalf of Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center's (ARDEC) Benet Laboratories, Watervliet Arsenal, NY, is conducting a market survey to identify potential commercial sources to provide and install a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process for the application of a thin, uniform, wear resistance coating on large caliber gun tubes rifling broaches. The main objective of this system would be to provide Benet Laboratories with an onsite, turn-key capability to pre-treat, apply and refurbish wear resistance coating(s) on large caliber gun tubes rifling broaches, specifically those used in the 105mm and 155mm caliber gun tubes.

The rifling of a large caliber steel gun tube requires broaches with cutting edges sharpened to a maximum keenness to ensure this precise cutting action as the broach travels and cuts the desired rifling profile. However, as the set of broaches is used in a production environment, the cutting edges do wear off and become dull, requiring resharpening and re-coating to maintain the needed tooth profile and geometry. The broaches are made of CPM4 tool steel, rounded concentric circles and used to rifled 105mm (4.13 inches) and 155mm (6.1 inches) caliber gun tubes. The outer periphery consist of 48 teeth equally spaced and the entire periphery and chipbreakers are coated with TiN.

The proposed PVD technology should be capable of depositing a variety of thin films coatings, specifically, the application of Titanium Nitride (TiN) and Titanium Carbo Nitride (TiCN). The PVD system must be flexible to allow user menu driven cycles for multilayer coatings tailored to tooling needs. On site installation will be required, with all anchoring hardware needed to install the provided capability to be included. In addition, installation would include the performance of all inspections and tests required and as specified by the drawings, specifications, and/or standards cited in the manufacturer technical documentation.

This announcement constitutes an official Request for Information (RFI). Any information or brochures submitted will be used for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a Request for Proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to purchase a technology. This request does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract (see FAR 15.201(e)). No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort.

Responses:

Interested organizations should submit a company brochure or a tailored capability statement for these requirements that clearly details the ability to perform the aspects of the notice described above. The submission should also include a rough order of magnitude cost estimate for the proposed set up. All proprietary information should be marked as such. Responses will be reviewed by the US Army ARDEC Benét Laboratories personnel only and will be held in a confidential manner. Submitted documentation will not be returned. Any and all information provided shall include a description of the proposed technology specifics including technology capabilities and relevant applications.

Submission Information:

Responses to the RFI must be received no later than COB 1600 EST on 1 July 2016 via email. Interested firms should provide their address, point-of-contact with telephone number and e-mail address. The Point of Contact for this action is Giuseppe Tropiano, Contract Specialist, U.S. Army Contracting Command-New Jersey, ACC-NJ-ET, Benet Laboratories, 1 Buffington St., Bldg. 40, Watervliet Arsenal, NY 12189; email: [email protected] NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. The Government will accept written questions by email to Giuseppe Tropiano at [email protected].

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