SOURCES SOUGHT
13 -- "2-D"Data Symbology Direct Part Marking System-Sources Sought
- Notice Date
- 12/13/2002
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- US Army ARDEC, AMSTA-AR-PC, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000
- ZIP Code
- 07806-5000
- Solicitation Number
- DAAE30-03-R-0803
- Point of Contact
- Paul J. Fiorello, Contract Specialist 973-724-7465
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Paul J. Fiorello
(pfiorel@pica.army.mil)
- Description
- The US Army TACOM-ARDEC is conducting a Market Survey to identify potential sources for a low cost, high speed system, capable of applying a robust, long lived ?2-D data symbol? to the exterior surface of different ammunition items that will enable automated/electronic ?reading? of data unique to the item. Background: Emerging weapon systems will be employing increasingly sophisticated automated/robotic ammunition handling and re-arm technologies to reduce crew sizes and labor, and increase rates of fire. These systems will need to uniquely identify the item they are handling, and capture additional information about the item. This information could include type of projectile, lot number, precise weight, etc. and could be used in support of improved firing precision, safety, on-board inventory accountability, and for quality assurance purposes. Currently there are a variety of machine readable data ?symbologies? that enable optical reading of encoded data. ?Datamatrix? is one such example of a public domain code and is a preferred symbology. Other 2- D symbologies may be considered. Requirements: What is needed is a complete marking system that can take information pertaining to any item and encode that information into a data symbology that is then applied as needed, directly to the surface of the ammunition. Typically, for gun launched ammunition, it is expected that multiple data symbols would need to be placed in a circumferential ?band? around the projectile. This manner of application would ensure that an optical ?reader? located in a fixed position within the weapon platform would be able to ?capture? and decode at least one complete data symbol from its field of view, as the item moves past the reader - regardless of the rotational position of the projectile about its longitudinal axis, and its radius of curvature. The application system must be one that can apply a robust symbology accurately and quickly in a production environment. Adhesive backed labels are not considered to be suitable for our needs ? primarily due to concerns about peeling off over time and possibly negatively effecting aero- ballistics. Our thinking at this point is that a continuous ink jet based system may be a viable approach, however, we are interested in hearing about other approaches as well if the requirements identified herein can adequately be addressed. The applied symbol(s) should: 1) Be able to encode at least 40 alpha-numeric characters of data and employ a degree of error correction, 2) Be scalable in size from roughly .25? X .25? to 1.0? X 1.0?, 3) Have adjustable minimum constituent cell sizes, 4) Resist smudging/smearing/wearing off when hand rubbed, 5) Not rise above the surface of the item greater than approx. .001?, 6) Be suitable for application to surfaces of various types ? ranging from bare metal (aluminum, steel, etc.) to plastics and cellulosics, and painted metal surfaces, 7) Be one of many that are applied in a circumferential manner around a projectile so that an associated reader device will always ?capture? at least one complete symbol within its field of view (Associated reader device may have to be as close as 1 inch away from the marked surface), 8) Remain viable/?readable? for at least 20 years and endure storage and transportation conditions that at times could range from ?60 F to +180 F, 9) Remain readable if exposed to sun/UV for extended periods of time, 10) Not come off or degrade to an unreadable state after exposure to wind blown rain, 11) Not come off in flight or adversely effect flight ballistics in any way, 12) Not effect the surface of the item in a manner that shortens the useful life of the item ? e.g. should not cause or accelerate corrosion, or stress cracking to any significant degree, 13) Be able to be read by a fixed reader device when moving past the reader at a speed as high as approximately 20 feet/second. The Application System ideally should be able to complete marking of any projectile from 1? diameter up to 6? diameter and 120 lbs. with a circumferential ?band? of multiple, uniformly spaced data symbols in approximately 5-10 seconds, although longer times may be acceptable. The system ideally will also be able to confirm that the data symbol applied is of adequate quality or resolution to ensure reliable decoding by an optical reader device. It should be reasonably portable and easily set up in a facility where ammunition will be produced, or stored. Any ink jet based system must not use Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) based inks due to environmental issues. Any ink, paint etc. used to make the mark shall be reasonably quick drying ? although supplemental directed hot air may be employed to accelerate drying. Respondents to this survey should describe their equipment, the types of 2-D markings they can apply, experience in this area, and overall capabilities to address the requirements indicated above. It would also be of benefit, if the respondent provided a sample(s) of 2-D marks applied to metal surfaces by a production oriented process of theirs that they feel does, or can, meet the requirements indicated. Samples should be sent to U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC, Logistics R&D Activity ? AMSTA-AR-ASL (Bldg. 455), ATTN: Mr. Jim Fedewitz, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000, email fedewitz@pica.army.mil. Technical questions should be addressed to Mr. Jim Fedewitz, Phone 973-724-3924. A follow-up detailed questionnaire may be provided to survey respondents and on- site visits may also be performed to further assess company capabilities. Also, interested firms should provide their company name, address, point-of-contact with telephone number and e-mail address, size of business (small/large) and country where the facility is located. Responses to this market survey must be submitted within 40 calendar days from the date of this publication to U.S. Army TACOM-ARDEC, ATTN: AMSTA-AQ-APH, Paul Fiorello, Building 9, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-500 or by email to pfiorel@pica.army.mil; phone 973-724- 7465. This Market Survey is for planning purposes and should not be construed as a request for proposal or as a commitment on the part of the Government to issue a solicitation. Information and samples shall be submitted at no cost or obligation to the Government. The Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey. See Numbered Note 25.
- Web Link
-
US ARMY TACOM-ARDEC Procurement Network
(http://procnet.pica.army.mil/cbd/SRCSgt/121320020/121320020.htm)
- Record
- SN00223364-W 20021215/021213213756 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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