The Army Contracting Command - Rock Island, on behalf of the Project Director Joint Bombs, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, is issuing a sources sought notice in an effort to identify capable sources for the production and delivery of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and Aluminum Powder (ALP) for Fiscal Year 24 – 28 requirements. The anticipated yearly production is approximately 7,490,000 lbs of TNT and 1,870,000 lbs of ALP per year for five years.

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

ITEM                                          NSN

Trinitrotoluene (TNT)                   1376-00-628-3333

Aluminum Powder                       6810-00-628-3382

These munitions are required for use as an explosive fill inside MK80 Series General Purpose Bomb Bodies in order to support the United States Air Force bombing missions. 

TNT shall be compliant with the Type I requirements as specified in MIL-DTL-248D with Amendment 2, dated 08 April 2021. TNT originating from a foreign production source can be proposed for supply and will be subject to full disclosure of location and inspection.

ALP shall be compliant with the Type III Grade C Class 7 requirements as specified in MIL-DTL-512D, dated 23 March 2018.

CRITICAL PROCESSES/SKILLS:

Manufacture of TNT and ALP requires special processes, equipment, facilities and skills. Critical processes for TNT include nitration, purification, drying and flaking/packaging. Critical skills needed for TNT production include but not limited to process engineers, control system engineers and explosive operators.

Critical processes for ALP include powdered metal gas atomizer with classification system, and metallurgical laboratory with powder sieves and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) capabilities. Critical skills needed for production of ALP include but not limited to metallurgical engineer specializing in powdered metals, mineral and metal processor.   

The contractor may be required to successfully complete First Article Acceptance, and Lot Acceptance tests per the military specification requirements.

Please note, clause 252.247-7023, Transportation of Supplies by Sea, will be included in any resulting solicitation from this sources sought.  Therefore, respondents shall ensure the requirements of this clause are fully understood and that the respondent will be able to comply with this clause if applicable.

RESPONSES:  Interested companies who consider themselves capable of supplying TNT and / or ALP are invited to indicate its interest by providing the U.S. Government with the following information:

• Provide a brief summary of the company’s capabilities (a description of the facilities, personnel experience, quality system, and past/current relevant manufacturing experience and processes), and its availability.  If a respondent does not have adequate resources (facilities, technical, manufacturing, personnel, etc.) available, then it should demonstrate its ability to obtain those resources without significant delay.  Any potential key subcontractors should also be addressed, by indicating which key components or processes would be subcontracted and providing a brief summary of potential key component and/or process subcontractors.  Current major manufacturing processes and associated critical skill and equipment should also be provided. 

• Respondents should also include information about its facilities (size, age, condition, location and historical uses) and equipment (age, condition, efficiency and tooling).  This information shall be provided for the prime and any key subcontractors it intends to use.

• Interested companies should provide any minimum production requirements and any production limitations; to include whether the U.S. Government’s planned quantities as stated within this announcement meet or exceed minimum production requirements.  Respondents should also note any significant lead times with equipment or materials associated with production and delivery of TNT and ALP.  

• Respondents are requested to provide a Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) price for FY24-28 in accordance with the estimated quantities listed above.  Respondents are also encouraged to provide a ROM on associated FAT(s).

The NAICS code for these items is 325920 with a business size standard of 750 employees.  Please indicate your business size and socio-economic status in the response.  Also be sure to provide the company name, address, point of contact, phone number, e-mail address, DUNS number, and CAGE Code.  Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract resulting from a planned solicitation for these items.  Contractors may obtain information on SAM registration by visiting: https://www.acquistion.gov.

TECHNICAL DATA PACKAGES: The Technical Data Packages (TDP’s) associated with TNT and ALP are approved for public release and can be found at the following link https://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsSearch.aspx.

This sources sought announcement is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal or as an obligation on the part of the U.S. Government.  The U.S. Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this sources sought announcement or otherwise pay for information solicited.  Industry responses to this sources sought will not represent binding offers, and the U.S. Government cannot accept an industry response to form a binding contract.  The U.S. Government intends to use any information submitted in response to this request to develop an acquisition strategy for future requirements of this item.  The U.S. Government will hold all information submitted in a confidential status.

For additional information regarding this announcement, please contact the Contract Specialist via email at [email protected].

Industry responses are requested electronically no later than 9 August 2021 in order to be considered in the development of the acquisition strategy for these items.  Send all responses to Ms. Danielle Walters at [email protected].  All responses to this sources sought announcement should reference in the subject: Sources Sought Response for Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and Aluminum Powder (ALP) – W52P1J-21-R-0079.