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Contract Opportunity

(1) Action Code : SOURCES SOUGHT

This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a request for proposal, but a survey to locate potential sources. This Sources Sought does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals, or a Request for Quotations, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue an order or otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is it a guarantee of a forthcoming solicitation or contract. It is for market research purposes only. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of industry, to include the Small Business Community: Small Business, Section 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB-Zone), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsible contractors. Small business, Section 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, & EDWOSB businesses are highly encouraged to participate.

(2) Date : 30 November 2023

(3) Classification Code : 3695

(4) NAICS Code: 339999

(5) NAICS Size Standard: 550 Employees

(6) Contracting Office Address: 2800 Powder Mill Road

Bldg. 601

Adelphi, Maryland 20783

(7) Subject: Sources Sought for Commercial Rapid, Low Volume Manufacturing Services

(8) Proposed Solicitation Number: W911QX24R0012

(9) Sources Sought Closing Response Date: 15 December 2023

(10) Contact Point: Swati Jain, Contract Specialist, swati.jain2.civ@army.mil

(11)

A. Objective:

To find sources that are qualified to meet the supplies/services as listed in section 11B. Note that the specific requirements in section C are subject to change prior to the release of any solicitation.

B.

The Government requests information on commercial suppliers capable of providing manufacturing services to meet ARL’s experimental research and rapid prototyping requirements. The Government is not requesting information on prototyping, design or engineering services. Of primary interest are suppliers capable of ingesting three-dimensional (3D) computer-aided models produced using popular commercial computer-aided design (CAD) software and automatically generating quotes at or near real-time for the modeled item’s manufacture entirely electronically. Also of interest are suppliers capable of providing automated design for manufacturing (DFM) analysis as part of this quoting process allowing ARL personnel to iterate on the design and resubmit the part for updated pricing and analysis.

The ARL requests information on commercial suppliers with manufacturing capability in the following areas:

1. Computer numerical control (CNC) machining (3 and 3+2 axis milling and turning with live tooling) of popular metals (for example: aluminum, steel, and other non-ferrous metals) and popular plastics (for example: Delrin, nylon, acetal, polycarbonate, ABS). Machining tolerances generally considered as “standard” including the availability of nonstandard but higher tolerance capability. Maximum part size for the type of machining service including maximum cavity depth.


2. Injection molding and the capability to produce low volume, fast turnaround molds (for example, less than 2000 molded parts). Production materials to include popular thermoplastic and thermoset plastics (for example, ABS, Polycarbonate, Nylon, Acetal, PET) and liquid silicon rubber. The number of mold cavities, pull directions, mold parting requirements and capability for metal component insertion (for example, pins).


3. Additive manufacturing using popular 3D printing processes (for example, direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and fused filament fabrication (FFF), etc).


4. Sheet goods fabrication to include laser, plasma, or waterjet cutting, forming (bending), punching, and welding of popular metals and plastics. Maximum sheet good thickness and tolerances for the fabrication method and material. For forming operations, please indicate whether the process is completed by hand or machine.


5. Plating capability of popular metals and plastics to improve hardness, increase finish characteristics, or prevent corrosion (for example, electroplating and electodepositing on plastic, nickel plating, chemical film, and passivation).


6. Metal hardening and heat-treating processes.

In general, this sources sought is intended to cover services where all raw materials necessary to achieve the manufactured component is provided by the supplier as part of the quoted price. However, information is being requested on the commercial supplier’s capability of providing these services on customer-supplied raw material.

RESTRICTIONS:

Due to the nature of the Army research mission, ARL is only seeking sources that are United States (US) based suppliers capable of manufacturing quoted items entirely within the US. This restriction is not intended for the manufacturing or supply of the underlying raw material (for example, steel billet and plastic resin). Suppliers must be registered with the US State Department and compliant with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and capable of producing documentation to include a non-expired registration upon demand.

C. Responses:

All interested parties should notify this office in writing, mail, fax, or e-mail within the posted date. Responses shall include:

1. To what extent each of the specifications can be met.

1. Include your type of business (i.e. commercial, academia), whether your organization is classified as a large or small business based on the 550 employee size standard that accompanies NAICS code 339999. If a small business, you must also list any small disadvantaged status you hold [HUBZone, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), etc.].

1. Past experience/ performance through the description of completed projects.

1. Please state your interest in submitting a proposal if the Government pursues a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle to acquire these manufacturing services.

(12) Responses to this sources sought are due no later than 1800 PM eastern standard time 15 December 2023. Submissions should be emailed to Swati Jain Contract Specialist, swati.jain2.civ@army.mil.

Questions concerning this sources sought may be directed to Swati Jain Contract Specialist, swati.jain2.civ@army.mil . Please be advised that .zip and .exe files cannot be accepted.

(13) Place of Contract Performance: Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, 21005

(14) Estimated Delivery Timeframe or Period of Performance: Five (5) Year Period of Performance.

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