SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Improved Explosives - Request for Information (RFI) from Interested Sources
- Notice Date
- 4/2/2004
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541990
— All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Contracting Office
- Other Defense Agencies, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts Management Office, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA, 22203-1714
- ZIP Code
- 22203-1714
- Solicitation Number
- SS04-28
- Response Due
- 5/3/2004
- Archive Date
- 5/18/2004
- Point of Contact
- Anthony Cicala, Contracting Officer, Phone (571)218-4639, Fax (XXX)XXX-XXX,
- E-Mail Address
-
acicala@darpa.mil
- Description
- This is a Request for Information (RFI) from interested sources by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Advanced Technology Office (ATO) regarding improved high explosives and improved methods to direct high explosive blasts against armored/hardened targets. DARPA does not intend to award any type of award instrument based on responses to this RFI, or otherwise provide compensation for the information solicited. Any information submitted in response to this RFI is provided voluntarily. This RFI is open to any capable and qualified sources, including but not limited to universities, private or public companies, Government Laboratories, Government research establishments, and Government munitions plants. DARPA may issue a formal Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) during the final quarter of Government Fiscal Year (GFY) 2004, but nothing herein obligates DARPA to do so. DARPA may invite responders to present their solutions prior to the release of any anticipated BAA to discuss expediting these technologies, as may be applicable. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: As the U.S. military moves toward an increasingly expeditionary force, the recognized need exists to provide lighter weapons with greater lethality, thus allowing easily deployed light forces to be as lethal as heavier forces. This RFI seeks to gain information to allow DARPA to develop a program to pursue these types of weapon improvements; specifically, general-purpose explosives and methods to attack hardened or armored targets (e.g., tanks and bunkers). Responses should focus on one or both of the following topical areas: High Explosives - DARPA seeks to gain information about improved conventional high explosives, volumetric explosives (a.k.a. thermobaric explosives), and novel explosive techniques. The latter includes, but is not limited to, using micrometer and nanometer sized particles to replace or supplement conventional high explosives. The goal is to develop explosives that are several times more powerful per unit weight than TNT in the open air, with both better blast effects and improved metal breaking abilities. Considerations for this topical area will focus on the effectiveness of innovative high explosives compared to those of currently available high explosives. Improved Energy Transfer from High Explosives to Hardened Targets - Current techniques to attack hardened targets include the shaped charge, platter charge, and self-forming projectiles. Currently available technologies transfer less than 15% of the explosive?s released energy to the target. DARPA seeks information regarding techniques to increase the amount of energy transferred to the target to substantially greater proportions. Considerations for this topical area will focus on the innovative technologies ability to penetrate varying thicknesses of reinforced concrete, armored steel, and composite armors. INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDERS: Responders should provide a high-level description of their solution or technology that will fulfill the objectives for this program. Responders should identify their technical objective and unique development qualifications pursuant to the accomplishment of these objectives. Responses should be no more than five pages in length (ten pages if both topical areas are addressed). Reponses should be marked with appropriate proprietary markings, such as "Company Proprietary." Markings like "Company Confidential" or other phrases that may be confused with national security classifications shall be avoided. An additional, non-proprietary page should identify the responders technical and administrative points of contact, to include name, address, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses. The Government anticipates that responses to this RFI will be unclassified. In the event that an RFI response may be classified, contact DARPA/ATO at (703)526-4777 for full instructions on how to prepare and submit your response. Responses should be submitted in a commonly used electronic format via email to Colonel Tim Gibson, DARPA Program Manager, at explosivesRFI@darpa.mil. Responses that cannot be submitted electronically may be delivered to DARPA, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington VA 22203-1714, Attn: Colonel Tom Gibson, ATO. Responses are due no later than 4:00pm, Arlington, VA Local Time, 3 May 2004.
- Record
- SN00559381-W 20040404/040402212712 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |