Purpose:  The Army Contracting Command New Jersey (ACC-NJ), Picatinny Arsenal, NJ  07806-5000 is conducting a Market Survey on behalf of the Joint Program Manager Office Towed Artillery Systems (PM-TAS) to explore enabling technologies for an extended range 155mm Mobile Howitzer system that utilizes a soft recoil system. 

Description: This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes, as a means for the Government to conduct market research, identifying interested parties and their capability to support the Government’s interest in artillery cannon extended range technologies.  This Request for Information is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation on the part of PM-TAS.

The Government is interested in exploring cannon designs and associated cannon sealing/primer/propellant for a high impulse, single zone system with a highly reliable ignition train.

The Government is open to exploring cannon/ammunition interfaces as defined below as well as non-traditional cannon/ammunition interface designs:

1)  Charge and primer loaded separately from projectile, cannon sealed with DeBange type obturator.

2)  Cartridge case with integrated primer and propellant charge loaded separately from projectile.

3)  Cartridge case with integrated primer and propellant charge fixed to projectile, loaded as one piece.

The Government is interested in the following high level physical/performance characteristics for the presented concepts. 

1)  Cannon caliber length, and rifling twist

2)  Estimated weight of cannon assembly.

3)  Estimated reliability of ignition train (From FIRE command to full propellant ignition)

4)  Method of ignition of firing train (i.e. percussion, electric, other)

5)  Maximum estimated acceleration at back of 104 lb 155mm projectile

6)  Estimated muzzle velocity for a 104 lb 155mm projectile.

7)  Weight(s) and type(s) of propellant used in charge system(s)

All interested vendors are encouraged to provide:

1. A description (to include characteristics above) of your proposed system, its development history, and the tested parameters of the system
   2)         Rough Order Magnitude Cost of system identified
   3)         Rough Order Magnitude Schedule of system identified
   4)         Notional Developmental Risk/Product Maturity of system identified
   5)         Life Cycle Status (i.e. Conceptual, Prototype, In-Service); If In-service, list customers utilizing system
    
   Firms/companies are invited to indicate their capabilities by providing specifications, brochures, manuals, reports, demonstration videos and/or other technical data, as well as identification of current customers.  This Market Survey is a Request for Information (RFI) ONLY and should NOT be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment by the United States Government.  The Government recognizes that proprietary and/or classified data may be a part of this effort.  If so, clearly mark such restricted/proprietary and classified data and present them as an addendum to the nonrestricted/non-proprietary and unclassified information. Participation in this Request for Information (RFI) is completely voluntary by the vendor and as such all costs to develop the vendor’s response are to be borne by the participating vendor.  All interested sources are encouraged to submit their abilities/capabilities no later than 30 days from date of this publication by November 23, 2020 to Anthony Bleakley, ACC-NJ-JA Bldg. 9, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000; email: [email protected]. Please include company name, address, telephone number, point of contact, brochures/literature, etc., and any prior performance relating to this effort. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION AND DOES NOT OBLIGATE THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION. As stated above, please be advised that the Government will not pay for any information submitted under this announcement. Electronic submittals are preferred.