Production of Energic Materials and Associated Precursors

OUSD (R&E) MODERNIZATION PRIORITY: General Warfighting Requirements (GWR) TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Materials/Processes The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: Collider Day Topic - Oral Presentation Required. Please see instructions provided under Evaluation and Selection section of the Component-specific instructions. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) in an effort to reduce costly foreign reliance and/or single points of failure is looking for domestic manufacturing of energetic materials and energetic precursors. Due to the high level of performance required for Department of Defense's (DOD) applications material must comply with the Mil-Spec. The end goal of the project would be for the development of a domestic source that could produce these energetic materials at industrial quantities with a preference for the possibility of producing multiple materials with the same capital equipment. Research and Development efforts selected under this topic shall demonstrate and involve a degree of risk where the technical feasibility of the proposed work has not been fully established. Further, proposed efforts must be judged to be at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or less, but greater than TRL 3 to receive funding consideration. TRL 3. (Analytical and Experimental Critical Function and/or Characteristic Proof of Concept) TRL 6. (System/Subsystem Model or Prototype Demonstration in a Relevant Environment) DESCRIPTION: Description: The DOD has a need for robust energetic supply chains to support operational requirements. To this end the DLA is looking for domestic production of energetic materials and precursors for these materials including but not exclusive to the following materials: Lead Nitrate, Potassium Nitrate, Strontium Nitrate, TNT, Hexamine, and Black Powder. These materials must meet their respective Mil-Spec. A desire for the process to use friendly sources of feed materials is preferred but not required. Additionally, if the proposal would be able to produce multiple materials with the same capital equipment that proposal will be shown preference. The ideal production process will be both modular and easily scalable. PHASE I: Not to exceed a duration of 6 months and cost of $100,000 . PHASE II: Not to exceed a duration of 24 months and cost of $1,000,000 PHASE I: The phase I will consist of producing a minimum of three lots. Each of which must be tested in accordance with the relevant Mil-Spec. The expectation is that by the end of phase I material will be able to meet the Mil-Spec. Additionally an outline for scaling up the production to pilot/low-rate production levels including material sourcing must be completed. A preliminary economic review must be carried out evaluating the cost vs. currently available products as well as determining the cost of production when using North American precursors to the greatest extent practical. PHASE II: The Phase II will consist of making a pilot/ low-rate production plant that will produce 5 batches of material that DLA can provide to end users to initiate DoD qualification efforts. Two sources of raw materials should be identified and tested in this process for each major precursor. Pricing and cost information will need to be validated. A business case will need to be generated using both DoD and commercial markets. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: At this point, no specific funding is associated with Phase III. Progress made in PHASE I and PHASE II should result in a functional product that could transition into other areas. COMMERCIALIZATION: The partners identified in the Phase II transition plan should be aware of as well as involved in the project and have a plan to incorporate the project into their program of record, or commercial portfolio. REFERENCES: https://sam.gov/opp/1f752bef48ab4f34b063e36ea89b7cd2/view KEYWORDS: Energic Materials, Lead Nitrate, Potassium Nitrate, Strontium Nitrate, TNT, Hexamine, and Black Powder