The purpose of this Sources Sought is to identify potential sources capable of  manufacturing: (1) 25mm M793 TP-T Cartridge, (2) 25mm M910 TPDS-T Cartridge,  (3) 30mm M788 TP Cartridge and/or (4) 30mm M848 Dummy Cartridge. Special  equipment is required to produce these cartridges. The manufacturing process  for these cartridges encompasses, but not limited to: (1) machining of  projectile body metal parts, (2) production of propellant and trace mixes, (3)  molding of plastic s abots and nose caps, (4) cartridge case priming and  loading w/propellant and (5) load, assemble, and pack-out (LAP) of the  completed cartridges. For each step of the manufacturing process,  sophisticated test and measuring equipment are required to ensure the final  products comply with government requirements. Experience in ballistic  testing, expertise in the formulation and production of propellant, and  process engineering experience relative to the LAP of these cartridges is  essential. An approved balli stic test range, M242 MANN barrels, M230 MANN  barrels, M242 Automatic Gun and M230 Automatic Gun are required to perform  First Article and lot acceptance tests on these cartridges. Production  support equipment includes material handling systems, tool room equipment,  furnaces for heat treat and annealing, metal forming and machining equipment,  adnodize and phosphate systems, ultrasonic test equipment and metrology and  metallurgy laboratories. Production of the various cartridges is very complex  and require s sophisticated industrial capabilities. Obtaining the critical  skills, (i.e. ammunition process/design engineers, set-up mechanics and  operators familiar with the programming and operation of ammunition component  sub-assembly production equipment, qualit y control engineers, ultra sonic  technicians, metallurgists, ballistics test personnel, etc.) needed to  manufacture and provide high quality ammunition in a timely manner may take  time. Due to the customer's demand for timely deliveries, the producers mus t  be able to successfully conduct/complete a First Article Acceptance Test  within 90 days after award, with the first production delivery due within 120  days after award. A respondents production capacity must be sufficient to  manufacture an average of 2, 000,000 cartridges per year. The technical data  packages (TDPs) for these cartridges are classified Distribution X, Limited  Distribution. Distribution Statement X means the TDP cannot be distributed on  the Internet and contains technical data whose export is restricted by the  Arms Ex port Control Act, (Title 22, U.S.C., Sec 2751 et seq.) or the Export  Administration Act of 1979, as amended, Titled 50, U.S.C. App 2401, et seq.  Violations of these export laws are subject to severe criminal penalties.  Disseminate IAW provision of DoD Di rective 5230.25. Offerors must be  registered with the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Office to obtain a copy of  the top two drawings (See www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/ for instructions and  information). Interested US/Canadian firms who feel they are capable of  manufacturing any of the above listed cartridges are invited to indicate their  interest by providing the Government a specific list of the cartridges they  are intersted in producing and also a brief summary of their company's  capabilities, facilities, personnel and past manufacturing experience as it  relates to the above criteria. Information must be submitted to: HQ, AFSC,  ATTN: AMSFS-CCA-F/Diane Schmidt, 1 Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, IL 612 99- 6500. Please respond NO LATER THAN January 12, 2005 and identify 25MM and  30MM Medium Caliber Ammunition Sources Sought/Market Research as the subject  of your response. This is a market survey for planning purposes only and  shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal or as an obligation on the  part of the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract on  the basis of this market survey or otherwise pay for information solicited.