Shaped Charges - M2A4 15lb & M3A1 40lb
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Rock Island is conducting a Sources Sought to identify qualified manufacturers for M2A4 15lb and M3A1 40lb Shaped Demolition Charges. This market research supports a planned Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 procurement, anticipating an Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with five 12-month ordering periods on a firm-fixed-price basis. Responses are due by May 1, 2026, 5:00 PM CDT.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for the production of M2A4 15lb and M3A1 40lb shaped demolition charges, primarily used for boring holes in earth, metal, masonry, and concrete. Key specifications include:
- M2A4, 15 lb. Charge: Consists of at least 10 lbs. of Composition B and a 48-gram Composition A-3 booster, enclosed in a molded fiberglass container with a glass cone liner. Penetrates reinforced concrete up to 3 feet. (NSN: 1375-01-023-7994, DODIC: M420).
- M3A1, 40 lb. Charge: Consists of approximately 30.5 ± 1.5 lbs. of Composition B and a 48-gram Composition A-3 booster, enclosed in a seam welded or drawn sheet steel container with a 10-inch diameter steel conical shaped charge liner. Penetrates reinforced concrete up to 5 feet. (NSN: 1375-00-088-6691, DODIC: M421).
- Government Furnished Material (GFM): Composition B and Composition A-3.
- Critical Requirements: Manufacturing requires special skills and facilities, including melt-pour loading of high explosives, temperature-controlled cooling bays, melt-pour systems, and real-time x-rays for quality control (ASTM E1742/E1742M).
- Testing: Contractors must successfully conduct First Article Test (FAT) and Lot Acceptance Tests.
- Technical Data: Production must adhere to USG Technical Data Packages (TDPs). Top-level drawings (8861565 for M2A4, 8858390 for M3A1) and packaging drawings (9281170 for M2A4, 7549165 for M3A1) are provided for review.
- Projected Quantities (FY26-30): Varying quantities of both 15lb and 40lb charges are projected, with the 15lb charge required annually and the 40lb charge starting in FY28.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought (for a planned IDIQ, Firm-Fixed-Price contract).
- Duration: Anticipated 5, 12-month ordering periods.
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- Response Due: May 1, 2026, 5:00 PM CDT.
- Published: April 10, 2026.
Response Requirements
Interested companies should provide:
- A brief summary of capabilities (facilities, personnel experience, quality system, relevant manufacturing experience).
- Demonstration of ability to obtain resources within 120 days if not currently available.
- Details on potential key subcontractors.
- Indication if requirements can be met by commercial or non-developmental items.
- Feasibility of meeting preferred lead-times: 180 days for FAT completion/report, 240 days for production deliveries.
- Minimum/maximum monthly production rates and available capacity.
- Business size (NAICS 325920, 750 employees).
- SAM registration is required for any resulting contract.
Additional Notes
This is for planning purposes only and does not constitute an official Request for Proposal. Submitted information will be used to finalize the acquisition strategy and will be held confidential. Submissions must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format, emailed to Rihlen Mital (rihlen.m.mital.civ@army.mil) and Megan Kirby (megan.m.kirby.civ@army.mil), with the subject line "15 lb. and 40 lb. Shaped Demolition Charges".