Manufacturing of Explosive Shape Charges for F-16 Spin Chute Recovery System

SOURCES SOUGHT / CAPABILITIES REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (CRFI) Name/Subject: Manufacturing of Explosive Shape Charges for F-16 Spin Chute Recovery System Notice ID / Unique Identifier: FA8615-27-RFI-SCRS Contract Opportunity Type/Notice Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI) NAICS Code: 325920 Explosives Manufacturing (Small Business Size Standard: 750 employees) Product Service Code (PSC): 1377 Cartridge and Propellant Actuated Devices and Rescue Equipment Components Place of Performance: Contractor Manufacturing Facilities and/or Government Flight Test Facilities Response Date: 30 days from publication Points of Contact (POC): Contracting Officer: ?Mellisa Flanagan,[email protected] Contract Specialist: Omar Inman, [email protected] 1.0 INTRODUCTION & PURPOSE This is a Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought notice issued by the Department of War, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate (WA), F-16 Program Office (DEPT OF WAR/ DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE/ AFMC/ AFLCMC/ WAM (F-16 Division). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this CRFI is to conduct market research in accordance with RFO Part 10 to identify potential sources (including Small Businesses, SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, VOSB, SDVOSB, and WOSB) with the technical capabilities, licensing, safety certifications, and manufacturing maturity to produce, test, and deliver small explosive shape charges used in the F-16 Spin Chute Recovery System. The information gathered from this notice will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition strategy, specifically whether a 100% Small Business Set-Aside (SBSA) or full and open competition is appropriate. The Government is contemplating a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract structure with an estimated 24-month period of performance. 2.0 BACKGROUND / REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION 2.1 Program Overview The F-16 Program Office requires explosive shape charges to support critical aeromechanical flight test missions. To execute high Angle of Attack (AoA) flight tests safely, the test aircraft must be equipped with a functional Spin Chute Recovery System (SCRS). A critical component of this emergency safety system is a specialized explosive shape charge used to initiate deployment of the spin recovery chute. The Government's current inventory of these devices is insufficient to support the upcoming flight test schedule. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of this component is no longer manufacturing it. Therefore, the Government is seeking qualified sources to produce these components. The Government may provide a Technical Data Package (TDP) for a build-to-print effort, and/or will consider proposals for an existing, qualified component that meets the form, fit, and function (FFF) requirements of the original part. 2.2 Technical Reference of the Component The component to be manufactured is a high-precision, cartridge-actuated explosive device. The requirement is for an FFF equivalent to, or a build-to-print production of the original?Shaped Charge Assembly, P/N 52238-1. Key reference parameters include: Physical Dimensions:?Approximate outside diameter of 7.0 inches, inside diameter of 5.0 inches, and 1.0 inch in height. Energetics Formulation:?Net Explosive Weight (NEW) of approximately 5.5 grams per assembly, utilizing a lead-sheathed PBXN-5 linear shaped charge and dual detonators containing RDX and Lead Azide. Electrical Interface:?Fired via an integrated 4-pin electrical connector with a bridgewire resistance of 0.80 to 1.50 ohms. Firing Characteristics:?No-fire threshold of 1.0 amp / 1.0 watt and an all-fire threshold of 3.5 amps (minimum). D.O.T. Classification:?Equivalent to Fuzes, Detonating, Class 1.4B, UN0257. 2.3 Access to Technical Data Package (TDP) & Drawings Due to the military utility and export-control restrictions (ITAR), the full TDP and associated drawings (e.g., Lockheed 1…