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

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions submitted by industry regarding the Sources Sought for the Energetics Center of Excellence (ECOE) at Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD).

• Site Demolition & Availability: Demolition of the BGCAPP facility is scheduled for completion by August 2027, including foundations. The site will achieve RCRA clean closure to industrial standards and be available for use without restrictions.
• Existing Facilities: Three identified facilities will remain after demolition; others will be demolished. The "blue circles" in the main photo identify these remaining facilities.
• Utilities: While water and sewer lines will be disconnected and capped, other utility services (electrical, water, wastewater, communications) are in place and will remain. Contractors are expected to fund restoration, upgrades, extensions, or new utility systems as needed.
• Explosives Production: The government is interested in exploring all possible options for explosives production, including next-generation materials like CL-20, and is not limited to a specific output quantity. While energetics is the primary focus, innovations in rocket motor manufacturing may also be considered.
• Environmental & Permitting: The site is not in a high-risk flood area. Tornadoes occur in the region, but there is no risk of hurricanes. UFC applies to all buildings, but waivers may be considered. State EPA, OSHA, and KDEP will have authority on-site. The site is not considered an exclusive federal enclave. A separate air permit should be assumed for the CoE.
• Business Models: The Army is open to a tenancy model or other novel business models for the ECOE.
• Logistics: Major East Coast sea ports and airports are accessible, with approximate driving distances provided. A railway connection exists on-site, and appropriate routes for hazardous material transport are available. Prevailing winds are typically from the South or Southwest, which could carry explosions or emissions toward residential areas.

This Q&A document provides critical details that bidders should consider when developing their responses to the Sources Sought notice. It clarifies site conditions, available infrastructure, environmental considerations, and the government's openness to various business models and production capabilities.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions submitted by industry regarding the Sources Sought W519TC-26-R-0019 for the Energetics Center of Excellence (ECOE) at the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD).

• Additional Information: The government has updated the SAM.gov attachments section to include "Attachment 0002-BGAD Capabilities Brief." (Q1)
• Demolition Scope: Three identified facilities will remain; all others are included in the demolition. The blue circles on page 5 of a previous document identify these remaining facilities. (Q2, Q3)
• Site Size: The plot size for section '5' on Attachment 12 is 89.25 acres. (Q4)
• Infrastructure Investment: The government's appetite for investing in new roads, power, and water for a greenfield site would depend on the solutions provided. (Q6)
• Explosives Capacity: No target capacity amounts for explosives (HMX/RDX) have been established; the government is interested in exploring all options. (Q9, Q32)
• Page Limits: The 40-page limit for responses is inclusive of all content, including cover pages and tables of contents. (Q10)
• Power Quality: Power is supplied via a 138 KV line from KU's power plant, indicating good quality. The BGCAPP site has experienced no outages in eight years. A single 3.3 MW diesel generator provides backup power. (Q13, Q14)
• Water Supply: Main water supply will be from BGAD, with additional water from Richmond Utilities. (Q15)
• Environmental Considerations: The site is not in a high-risk flood area. Tornadoes occur in the region, but hurricanes do not. The area is not typically a high fire-risk area. There are no known existing SWMUs, PFAS AOPIs, or other environmental/land-use constraints at the BGCAPP site for industrial use. (Q17, Q18, Q53)
• Rocket Motor Manufacturing: While energetics processing is the primary focus, the government would potentially consider new innovations in rocket motor manufacturing. (Q23)
• Utilities: Contractors will be responsible for funding restoration, upgrades, extensions, substations, pretreatment, or new utility systems. (Q48, Q49)
• Air Permit: Assume operation under a separate air permit for the CoE. (Q54)
• NEW: The Net Explosive Weight (NEW) for the ECM inside BGCAPP is 3.2 LBS. (Q55)

This Q&A document clarifies several aspects of the potential opportunity, including site details, infrastructure, environmental factors, and submission requirements. Bidders should review these responses to ensure their understanding and proposals align with the government's clarified expectations. The government encourages industry to identify specific areas/buildings for future walking tours. (Q56)

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.