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, mellisa.flanagan@us.af.mil 

• Contract Specialist: Omar Inman, omar.inman@us.af.mil   

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 16FTL076-1, ATP 11932(02)ATP) will NOT be posted publicly. To request access, interested and qualified vendors must contact the POCs listed above and possess an approved and active DD Form 2345 (Military Critical Technical Data Agreement). 

3.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION (CAPABILITY STATEMENT) 

Interested parties are requested to submit a Capability Statement addressing the following areas. Responses should be concise and directly address the specified requirements. 

3.1 Company Information 

• Basic Data: Company Name, Address, CAGE Code, and Unique Entity ID (UEI). 

• Business Size & Socioeconomic Status: Indication of business size and status under NAICS 325920 (e.g., HubZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, SDB, etc.). 

• Security & Facility Clearances: Current Facility Clearance Level (FCL) and capabilities to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and military-grade technical data. 

• Point of Contact: Full Name, Position/Role, Phone Number, and Email Address. 

3.2 Technical & Manufacturing Capabilities 

Respondents must explicitly address their approach, licensing, and technical capability in the following areas: 

1. Energetics & Explosives Manufacturing Experience: Describe your experience in compounding, loading, and assembling military-grade Cartridge Actuated Devices / Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD) or lead-sheathed PBXN-5 linear shaped charges. 
2. Handling of Sensitive Energetics (Lead Azide and RDX): Confirm that your facilities are licensed, zoned, and equipped to safely store, handle, and process sensitive energetic materials including Lead Azide and RDX in accordance with DoD 4145.26-M (DoD Contractors' Safety Manual for Ammunition and Explosives). 
3. Build-to-Print Execution from Third-Party TDPs: Describe your experience in utilizing technical drawing packages, assembly schematics, and chemical specifications provided by an external OEM under licensing or government-furnished data provisions. Describe your experience with build-to-print manufacturing from a Government-provided TDP. Additionally, state if you have an existing FFF-equivalent product that could meet this requirement. 
4. Testing Capability: Describe your capability to perform required testing, including Radiographic (X-ray) Examination (per ASTM E 1742), precision electrical verification, and Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT). 
5. Supply Chain Security & Energetic Sourcing: Detail your processes for raw material sourcing (particularly lead sheath tubing and PBXN-5 ingredients), counterfeit parts mitigation, and supply chain risk management (SCRM). 
6. Export Control and ITAR Compliance: Confirm your organization's registration with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) and experience handling technical data subject to ITAR. 

3.3 Past Performance 

Provide up to three (3) examples of recent and relevant past performance (within the last 10 years) where your company manufactured, tested, and delivered pyrotechnics, CAD/PAD devices, or explosive components for Department of War (DoW) aviation or aerospace platforms. 

4.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS 

• Page Limit: Responses shall not exceed ten (10) single-sided pages (including cover page). 

• Format: Utilize Attachment 1 – Response Submittal Template. Submissions must be in PDF format (converted from MS Word), 12-point Times New Roman, Arial, or similar font with 1-inch margins. 

• Deadline: Responses are due no later than 17:00 Eastern Time (ET) on InsertDate−30DaysFromPublicationInsertDate−30DaysFromPublication.

• Submission POC: Submit all response packages via email to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist listed in the header section of this notice. 

• Classified Information: DO NOT submit classified information. All submissions must be unclassified. 

5.0 DATA RIGHTS & PROPRIETARY INFORMATION 

If the respondent’s submission contains proprietary, confidential, or sensitive commercial information, it must be clearly marked on a page-by-page basis. The Government intends to use this information to assess market capabilities and will protect proprietary data in accordance with applicable regulations. Do not submit classified information. All submissions must be unclassified. Any Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) must be marked and handled in accordance with DoW regulations.  

All Government and contractor personnel reviewing responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) on file in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 423 (Procurement Integrity Act). 

6.0 DISCLAIMERS 

This CRFI is for planning and market research purposes only and shall not be construed as an Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or Request for Proposal (RFP). There is no obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services described herein. The Government will not pay or reimburse any costs incurred by respondents in preparing or submitting a response to this notice. 

7.0 QUESTIONS 

Any questions regarding this technical or administrative requirement shall be submitted in writing via email to the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist listed above. Questions must be submitted no later than 10 days prior to the response deadline. Verbal, phone, or fax inquiries may not be accepted. 

8.0 Attachment 

Attachment 1 – Response Submittal Template