Self Propelled Howitzer-Modernization Evaluation Draft SOW, CDRLs, and Attachments

UPDATE 31 October 2024: Uploaded SOW and Attachment A as PDF files and removed the Word files to remove restrictions on opening.

DRAFT SCOPE FOR SPECIAL NOTICE NOTIFICATION PURPOSES ONLY. Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA) is posting a DRAFT scope which shall be open to comments and questions from industry for possible incorporation into the final solicitation release scheduled in 2QFY25.  The purpose of this special notice is to provide a draft scope of the U.S. Government/Product Manager Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization Evaluation for review and feedback. Specifically requesting input on any issues that are found and/or changes that are recommended in order to update the draft for future publishing. The intent of the Government is to create a product that Industry views appropriate and reasonable for this requirement.

This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this special notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFQ or IFB or RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released unless exempt from synopsis, it will be synopsized on the Government-wide Point of Entry. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Government-wide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement. Any incoming foreign information transmission/handling, etc., is the responsibility of that particular vendor’s host country.  It is the respondent’s responsibility to identify the proper way to transfer their information to U.S. Government in the required timeframe.

Vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a valid CAGE code and DUNS number, to respond to any resulting solicitation.

RESPONSE:

In response to this Special Notice, please provide:

1. Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, DUNS number or CAGE code, whether you are a large business or a small business.  If you are a small business, include a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certifications(s) such as  8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code.
2. Review the draft Scope of Work and attachments and provide additional information the Government should provide or changes that would increase the likelihood of providing a quote for these services.

In addition to feedback on the content of the draft language, the U.S. Government is interested in industry feedback on the following:

1. Please provide information about a reasonable timeline from award to delivery of your self-propelled howitzer ecosystem to Yuma Proving Grounds in Yuma, Arizona.
2. Please provide the quantity of personnel and job type you would propose keeping on site and for what duration, including mobilization and set up prior to testing.
3. The current USG test plan exceeds our allowable schedule, reference Attachment A – Test Support Assumptions. Please indicate, which testing you could reduce or eliminate by providing previous test results or analysis.  If any, what format would you propose to deliver this information in?
4. The USG is interested in collecting lightweight 3D CAD models for internal use. Would you be willing to supply such a model with restricted Government rights?
5. Please indicate if you already have a ported cannon tube that could be used.  Please describe the burden, if any, the offeror will incur with the request for a ported cannon tube.  Provide details on how providing a ported cannon tube may significantly affect your schedule or overall cost.
6. Are the delivery timelines for the CDRLs achievable?
7. If applicable, please describe any export administration regulations and restrictions issues that your company may have with your host nation and indicate plans to mitigate those issues to properly respond to any future U.S. Government RFP.  Specifically, describe any export issues with providing the following information as part of a proposal submission:
   1. Design and prototyping history
   2. Systems engineering efforts completed for the system of systems/system/subsystems
   3. Major revisions between prototype and production system(s)
   4. Software revision history
   5. Application of digital engineering/digital twin efforts
   6. Use of system/subsystems hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or software-in-the-loop (SIL) that have been verified to reflect system performance
   7. Description of ongoing product improvement efforts
   8. Cannon/Ammunition testing at extreme temperatures
   9. System testing across environmental conditions specified Army Regulation 70-38
   10. Electromagnetic Interference Testing, Sand and Dust testing
   11. System durability testing (including cannon firing and mobility mileage accumulation)
   12. System reliability scoring testing
   13. Operation and maintenance documentation (i.e. manuals, common repair/replacement procedures)
   14. Spare parts and logistics needs (special tools) to support the duration of testing under this effort.
   15. Form/fit data for physical compatibility showing ammunition-cannon interface compatibility (e.g. interface control documents, tolerance analysis, etc.)
   16. Ammunition-cannon interface and performance under worn cannon barrel conditions
   17. Projectile fallback test results
   18. Former interior ballistics with emphasis on cannon ignition (negative differential pressures)
   19. Cannon pressure cook-off in a hot gun, test results
   20. Projectile-rammer compatibility for high acceleration rammers.

Please submit your response to this Special Notice via e-mail to Sarah Teschler at sarah.j.teschler.civ@army.mil or MAJ Lindsay Hobbs at lindsay.m.hobbs2.mil@army.mil, not later than 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on 5 December 2024.

Please see the attached “Draft” Scope of Work and attachments for further information.