Sources Sought for the Establishment of a Center of Excellence for Energetics

Sources Sought / Market Research

This Sources Sought notification is issued by the Army Contracting Command-Rock Island (ACC-RI) on behalf of the Office of Project Lead Joint Services (PL JS). The U.S. Army is seeking information and feedback from domestic industry regarding the potential design, development, construction, commissioning, and operation of a "Center of Excellence" (CoE) for the scale-up and production of current and emerging explosives. The proposed CoE is intended to be located at Blue Grass Army Depot, KY, with a goal for rapid acceleration and completion prior to 2031. The initiative aims to establish and retain a domestic organic campus for additional explosive production capability, serving as a focal point for traditional or non-traditional production processes for RDX and HMX, and potentially a pilot facility for research, development, testing, scale-up, and production of next-generation emerging explosives.

The Government is conducting this market research to understand industry capabilities and capacities for operationalizing explosive production. The information gathered will be used to refine requirements for the CoE. The Government anticipates a follow-on action, potentially a non-competitive, sole-source Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA), for the design, construction, commissioning, explosive qualification, and potentially long-term operation and management of the CoE facility.

Interested parties (companies, teaming arrangements, or partnerships) are invited to respond by addressing:

• Corporate and Team Capability: Organization structure, team members, roles, and ability to acquire necessary resources.

• Background and Experience: Demonstrated experience in:

  • Process design and scale-up of explosives from lab to full-rate production.
  • Design, construction, and commissioning of large-scale hazardous material facilities.
  • Operation and management of explosive material facilities, including safety and environmental compliance.
  • Preparation of Explosive Safety Site Plans (DoD 6055.09-M).
  • Securing environmental permits and NEPA documentation.

• Proposed Technical Approach / CoE Concept: Conceptual approach, facility layout, and flexibility for future adaptations.

• Program Management and Schedule: Integrated Master Schedule, list of buildings/facilities, and personnel requirements.

• Cost, Assumptions, and Contract Model: Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) costs for construction and production, proposed pricing per pound, and details on self-investment.

• Deadline: 29 April 2026, 5:00 PM CDT.

• Format: Electronic mail to specified contacts. For files exceeding 5 MB, request a DoD SAFE drop-off.

• Page Limit: 40 pages, inclusive of all content.

• Required Information: Company Name, Address, UEI, POC, Company Size/Socio-Economic Status.

• Deadline: 10 April 2026, 5:00 PM CDT.

• Format: Electronic mail to specified contacts.

This is a Sources Sought notice for market research purposes only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment to issue an RFP. Participation is voluntary, and the Government will not reimburse costs associated with responding. Information is subject to change.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "BGAD Capabilities Brief," provides an overview of the Blue Grass Army Depot's (BGAD) facilities, capabilities, and greenspace. It is intended to inform potential partners or stakeholders about the depot's infrastructure and operational capacity.

• Facility Capabilities: Details on security, logistics expertise, and emerging capabilities such as the SkyFoundry Innovation Hub, Energetics Center of Excellence, automated production lines, and container manufacturing.
• BGAD Advantage: Highlights industrial fabrication equipment, modular production lines, strategic location near major interstates and airports, trucking and rail networks, and quality certifications.
• Notable Facilities & Capabilities: Quantifies infrastructure value, secure munitions storage, turnkey maintenance/production facilities, and available greenspace.
• Capabilities Highlights: Provides "Fast Facts" on personnel, budget, acreage, structures, roads, rail, utilities, and safety certifications. It also details core competencies in storing, issuing, receiving, inspecting, maintaining, and demilitarizing munitions and Chemical Defense Equipment (CDE), as well as supporting Homeland Defense and Military Support missions.
• Potential BGAD Facilities for Repurpose: Lists and describes various production, warehouse, industrial fabrication, and detonation chamber facilities, including their size, utility availability, and specific features.
• Available Greenspace: Summarizes greenspace by area, detailing acreage, power/transmission lines, utility availability, and primary access points.

This document serves as a comprehensive informational resource for potential bidders by showcasing the extensive infrastructure, logistical capabilities, and available facilities at BGAD. It helps bidders assess the suitability of BGAD for their operational needs, understand the depot's capacity for various functions (e.g., production, storage, maintenance, testing), and identify potential areas for collaboration or repurposing of existing facilities.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "BGAD CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK FORM, JAN 2021 - 1". It is used to obtain authorization for a criminal history record check for individuals seeking access to the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD).

• Section I: Collects personal information including Name, Social Security Number, Phone Number, Date of Birth, Driver's License Number, Country of Birth, Naturalization Number (if applicable), Passport Number (if applicable), and Home Address.
• Section II: Contains a Privacy Act Statement and requires the applicant's signature, authorizing the release of criminal history records for suitability and eligibility determination for security access.
• Section 8: States that falsification of information will result in denied access.
• Section 9: Provides the return address and contact information for the Directorate of Emergency Services, Badging Office.
• Section 10: Allows the applicant to select the area for which access is needed (BGAD, BGCA, BGCAPP CONTRACTOR, MWR, or OTHER) and provide POC and phone number details.

Bidders or their personnel who require access to the Blue Grass Army Depot as part of this opportunity will likely need to complete and submit this form. It outlines the personal information required for a background check and the consent necessary for the investigation.

Sources Sought / Market Research

This Sources Sought notification is issued by the Army Contracting Command-Rock Island (ACC-RI) on behalf of the Office of Project Lead Joint Services (PL JS). The government is seeking information and feedback from domestic industry regarding the potential design, development, construction, commissioning, and operation of a comprehensive "Center of Excellence" (CoE) for the scale-up and production of current and emerging explosives. The proposed CoE is intended to be located at Blue Grass Army Depot, KY, with a goal for rapid acceleration and completion prior to 2031. The objective is to establish and retain domestic capability for additional explosive production, serving as a focal point within the organic industrial base for both traditional (RDX, HMX) and next-generation emerging explosives. The government is interested in a single, integrated campus model but will consider distributed or networked concepts.

The government is using this Sources Sought for planning purposes to understand industry capabilities and capacities for producing and scaling up explosives. The information gathered will help refine requirements for the CoE. The government anticipates a follow-on action, potentially a non-competitive, sole-source Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA), for the design, construction, commissioning, and potentially long-term operation and management of the CoE facility.

Interested parties (individual companies, teaming arrangements, or partnerships) are invited to respond by addressing the following:

• Corporate and Team Capability: Organization structure, team members, roles, and any teaming arrangements. Demonstrate ability to acquire necessary resources if not currently possessed.

• Background and Experience: Relevant projects in areas such as:

  • Process design and scale-up of explosives from lab to full production.
  • Design, construction, and commissioning of large-scale hazardous materials facilities (explosives).
  • Operation and management of explosive material facilities, including safety and environmental compliance.
  • Preparation of Explosive Safety Site Plans.
  • Securing environmental permits and performing NEPA assessments.

• Proposed Technical Approach / CoE Concept: Conceptual approach, proposed technologies, infrastructure, representative campus layout, and facility design flexibility for future adaptation.

• Program Management and Schedule: Integrated Master Schedule, list of buildings/facilities with Net Explosive Weight, and breakdown of required personnel.

• Cost, Assumptions, and Contract Model: Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost for design, construction, commissioning, and transition to production; ROM for price per pound of RDX/HMX; proposed capital structure and financial commitments; potential redirection of other projects; reasonableness of ROM estimate; and suggested contracting vehicle.

• Deadline: 15 April 2026, 5:00 PM CDT.

• Submission Method: Electronic mail to SFC Pramod Khanal (pramod.khanal.mil@army.mil), Lindsey Arguello (lindsey.j.arguello.civ@army.mil), and Rebecca Bernard (rebecca.s.bernard2.civ@army.mil).

• File Size: For responses exceeding 5 MB, request a DoD SAFE drop-off link.

• Page Limit: 20 pages.

• Required Information: Company Name, Address, CAGE code, Unique Entity Identifier, Point of Contact, and Company Size/Socio-Economic Status.

Participation is voluntary. The government will not reimburse costs associated with this notification. This is for market research only and does not constitute an RFP or a commitment to issue one.