Manfature of Explosives for Research Testing

Name: Manfature of Explosives for Research Testing
Creator: Ministry of Defence
Published: 2024-11-12T14:30:27.000Z
License: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Ministry of Defence Published 12 Nov 2024 Contracts Finder

key details

Status	planning
Category (CPV)	24610000
Region	South West
SME suitable	Yes
OCID	ocds-b5fd17-1bf7b10e-3dfb-4af9-82e5-1d535533df8f

description

The objective of this requirement is to manufacture explosives for research testing on a range of sizes and materials within bespoke geometries (typically without a casing). As these are for research characterisation or validation purposes, maximum care is required in terms of composition, quality control, consistency, mixing etc These tests include

-	Initiation/SDT (Shock to detonation transition) testing
-	UNDEX (UNDerwater EXplosion)
-	Near-field testing (0.1<Z<1 m/kg1/3)
-	Far-field testing
-	Confined testing
-	General charge boosters

Requirements are to manufacture explosives to MIL spec or equivalent, unless otherwise agreed with Dstl, to a range of criteria. Examples of which include:

-	Materials:
o	TNT
o	PE6
o	PBXN-109
o	PBXN-111
o	KS57
o	LX17
o	PBXN-5
o	PBXN-110
o	Propellants
o	Inert surrogates of explosives (e.g. PBXN-110 using sugar instead of HMX)
o	Research charges with requested composition (unique composition or change in particle size distribution etc)
-	Geometry:
o	Sphere
o	Hemisphere
o	Cylinder (various L/D)
o	Detonator or booster holes would likely be required
-	Casing
o	No casing (cast and then removed from moulds with minimum surface imperfections or machined after removal to ensure surface quality)
o	Plastic/polymer casings to allow visualisation of samples while being tested (e.g. temperature measurements during SDT testing)
o	Plastic/polymer casings to charge protection/separation from ambient conditions (e.g. for UNDEX charges)
o	Casing only, bespoke casings to be later filled (e.g. with nitromethane)
o	Metallic casings, various thickness of e.g. steel to either provide confinement or investigate fragmentation effects
o	Reactive metal casings, such as aluminium or magnesium to investigate combustion effects of the casings
-	Charge size
o	Small (e.g. <10g) up to large (e.g. 200kg)

Additional information:

Information requested: To assist the Authority, respondents to this RFI should provide information to meet these above requirements, including but not limited to:

-	A breakdown of what is and is not possible for a range of combinations
o	e.g. can manufacture up to 200kg within a casing but only to 5kg spheres or 3kg cylinders (with a certain L/D) if uncased
-	Manufacture capacity
-	Approximate lead times
-	Limitations of certain materials
-	Tolerances for small charges
-	Anticipated issues (e.g. voids or imperfections for small charges or when removing from moulds
-	Techniques for modifying initial charge conditions, such as
o	Damage - sub-critical impact to alter state
o	Compression to reduce voids/pores (eliminate micro-pores and leave only nano-pores)
o	Vacuum/inert atmosphere manufacture - ensure voids/pored no not contain air
-	Techniques for analysing charges once manufactures, such as:
o	Investigate pore size
o	Investigate particle size distribution
-	Safety data sheets etc for transport to test site (UK or international)
-	Small scale hazard testing facilities, for if unique compositions are chosen and need safety aspects before being manufactured or transported
-	Manufacturing and mixing facilities/instrumentation

Your written responses should be submitted by email to dblackmore@dstl.gov.uk to arrive by not later than that date and time detailed above

notice history

1 notice published against this procurement.

Published	Type	Regime	Notice
12 Nov 2024	Planning (planning)	·	1d6b17a5-63b1-4552-854c-9514bb85c49d-801849

source

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