Prototype Protective Cover for MK38 MOD 2/3 Machine Gun System

Statement of Work (SOW)

The objective of this effort is to design, develop, test, and fabricate a prototype protective cover system for the MK38 MOD 2/3 Machine Gun System (MGS). The goal is to produce a validated design that protects primary weapon system components from environmental factors while maintaining operational readiness and minimizing added weight. Upon Government acceptance of the final prototype, the Contractor shall produce and deliver ten (10) fully functional protective cover systems for fleetwide testing.

This SOW covers the design, development, and fabrication of a prototype protective cover system for the MK38 MOD 2/3 MGS. The system comprises three distinct, separable covers for:

• The main gun assembly (including Cannon Cover Assembly and Cannon Support Assembly).
• The Electro-Optical Sight (EOS) unit (including EOS, Decoupling Unit, and Bracket).
• The MK52 7.62mm Coaxial Machine Gun (Coax MG).

The covers must be lightweight, waterproof, and designed to mitigate corrosion and moisture issues associated with current oversized covers. They should not enclose the lower gun mount or ammunition feeds. Securing mechanisms will primarily be heavy-duty hook and loop fasteners, straps, and buckles. A breathable mesh storage bag with a heavy-duty zipper and reinforced handles is also required.

Materials must meet or exceed specific performance standards including:

• Puncture Resistance: 462 lbs
• Abrasion Resistance: 50,000 cycles (ASTM D3884)
• Water Resistance: 520 psi hydrostatic pressure
• Seam Strength: 95 lbs/inch width
• Fungus/Mildew Resistance (MIL-STD-810, Method 508)
• UV Resistance (MIL-STD-810, Method 505)
• Salt Fog Resistance (MIL-STD-810, Method 509)
• Icing/Freezing Rain Resistance (MIL-STD-810, Method 521)
• Electrostatic Discharge inhibitive
• Thermal Protection (insulation against solar heat load)
• Service Life: Minimum 60 months in severe marine environments.

Securing straps require a minimum tensile strength of 1200 lbs, and buckles a minimum breaking strength of 300 lbs.

• Form-Fit Prototype: 45 Calendar Days After Final Project Plan Approval.

• Final Prototype: 60 Calendar Days After Government Approval of Form-Fit Prototype.

• Ten (10) Production Units: 90 Calendar Days After Government Approval of Final Prototype.

• Project Management: Develop and maintain a Project Management Plan.

• Design & Engineering: Establish a part numbering system for individual components and two types of kits (with and without Coax MG).

• Deliverables: One (1) Form-Fit Prototype (not required to be final materials), one (1) Final Prototype (constructed from final materials), and ten (10) production units (8 kits without Coax MG, 2 kits with Coax MG).

• Warranty: 24-month warranty on all delivered items.

• Government Furnished Resources: Limited GFI may be provided; no GFE will be provided. Access to government facilities is not guaranteed.

• Contractor Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing textile products for military use, designing for maritime environments, and working with high-performance fabrics is a significant factor.

• Acceptance Criteria: Form-Fit Prototype acceptance based on documentation, completeness, physical fit, coverage, drainage, installation/removal time (1 person, <5 min install, <2 min removal), and securing mechanism functionality.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, seeking quotes for the design, development, and delivery of modular protective cover systems for the MK38 MOD 2/3 Machine Gun System (MGS). The U.S. Coast Guard, Surface Forces Logistics Center (SFLC) intends to award a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order.

• Design: Develop a modular protective cover system with three distinct, separable covers for the main gun assembly, Electro-Optical Sight (EOS), and the MK52 7.62mm Coaxial Machine Gun (Coax MG).

• Materials: Covers must meet stringent performance standards for puncture resistance (462 lbs), abrasion resistance (50,000 cycles), water resistance (520 psi), seam strength (95 lbs/in), fungus/mildew resistance, UV resistance, salt fog resistance, icing/freezing rain resistance, and be electrostatic discharge inhibitive. Material color shall be haze gray with a service life of at least 60 months in marine environments.

• Features: Covers must include drainage features, heavy-duty hook and loop fasteners, straps, and buckles. The main gun cover must not interfere with the MGS range of motion. A breathable mesh storage bag with a heavy-duty zipper is also required.

• Part Numbering: Establish a part numbering system for individual components and two types of "Kit" part numbers (with and without Coax MG).

• Deliverables:

  • One (1) Form-Fit Prototype system (not required to be final materials).
  • One (1) Final Prototype system (fully functional, final materials).
  • Ten (10) production units (8 kits for MGS without Coax MG, 2 kits for MGS with Coax MG).

• Warranty: A 24-month warranty on all delivered items.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order.

• Delivery: FOB DESTINATION to USCG SFLC ORDSEC, 707 E. Ordnance Rd, Suite 410, Baltimore, MD 21226. Deliveries are Monday-Friday, 07:00-15:00.

• Mandatory Due Dates:

  • Form-fit prototype: 45 calendar days after final project plan approval.
  • Final prototype: 60 calendar days after government approval of form-fit prototype.
  • 10 production units: 90 calendar days after government approval of final prototype.

• Submission: Quotes must be submitted via email to Joshua.C.Richardson2@uscg.mil with the subject line including solicitation number 52000PR260023465.

• Evaluation Criteria: Quotes will be evaluated based on the ability to provide all requested items, delivery timeframe, and price.

• Set-Aside: Total small business.

• Experience: While no minimum experience is required, experience in manufacturing textile products for military use, designing for maritime environments, and working with high-performance fabrics meeting military standards is considered a significant factor in mitigating performance risk. Contractors must provide documentation of at least two recent and relevant projects.

• Point of Contact for Questions:

  • Contracting Officer: Joshua Richardson (Joshua.C.Richardson2@uscg.mil)
  • COR: Andrew Chan (Andrew.Y.Chan@uscg.mil)

• Invoicing: Must be processed through https://www.ipp.gov.

• Government Furnished Information (GFI): May be provided upon written request, but is for reference only. Contractor is responsible for validating all measurements.

• Government Furnished Equipment (GFE): None will be provided.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, Surface Forces Logistics Center (SFLC). The SFLC intends to award a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order for a modular protective cover system for the MK38 MOD 2/3 Machine Gun System (MGS).

• Design and Engineering: Develop a modular protective cover system consisting of three distinct, separable covers for the main gun assembly, the Electro-Optical Sight (EOS), and the MK52 7.62mm Coaxial Machine Gun (Coax MG). A storage bag is also required.

• Material Performance: Covers must meet stringent material performance standards including puncture resistance (462 lbs), abrasion resistance (50,000 cycles), water resistance (520 psi), seam strength (95 lbs/in), and resistance to fungus, UV, salt fog, icing, and electrostatic discharge. Material color is haze gray, and expected service life is at least 60 months in marine environments.

• Deliverables:

  • One (1) Form-Fit Prototype system (covers and bag) for evaluation.
  • One (1) Final Prototype system (fully functional, final materials) for testing.
  • Ten (10) production units: Eight (8) kits for MGS without Coax MG, and two (2) kits for MGS with Coax MG.

• Warranty: A 24-month warranty on all delivered items.

• Part Numbering: Establish a part numbering system for individual components and two types of kits (with and without Coax MG).

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order.

• Delivery: FOB Destination to Baltimore, MD. Vendors must state their earliest possible delivery date.

  • Form-Fit Prototype: Due by 45 calendar days after final project plan approval.
  • Final Prototype: Due 60 calendar days after government approval of form-fit prototype.
  • Production Units: Due 90 calendar days after government approval of final prototype.

• Submission: Quotes must be submitted via email to Joshua.C.Richardson2@uscg.mil with the solicitation number (52000PR260023465) in the subject line.

• Evaluation Criteria: Quotes will be evaluated based on the ability to provide all requested items, delivery time frame, and price.

• Set-Aside: Total small business.

• Point of Contact for Questions:

  • Contracting Officer: Joshua Richardson (Joshua.C.Richardson2@uscg.mil)
  • COR: Andrew Chan (Andrew.Y.Chan@uscg.mil)

• Invoicing: Must be processed through https://www.ipp.gov.

• Government Furnished Information (GFI): May be provided upon written request, but is for reference only. Contractor is responsible for validation.

• Government Furnished Equipment (GFE): None will be provided.

• Access to Facilities: Not guaranteed; requires formal request and Government discretion.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To design, develop, test, and fabricate a prototype protective cover system for the MK38 MOD 2/3 Machine Gun System (MGS) to mitigate corrosion and operational inefficiencies caused by current oversized covers. The validated prototype design will serve as the pattern for future production.

This SOW covers the design, development, and fabrication of a lightweight, low-profile, form-fitting prototype protective cover system. The system comprises three distinct, separable covers for:

• The main gun assembly (M242 barrel, feeder, receiver)
• The Electro-Optical Sight (EOS) unit
• The MK52 7.62mm Coaxial Machine Gun (Coax MG)

The scope is limited to protecting essential upper components. The covers must be waterproof, incorporate drainage, and be secured with heavy-duty hook and loop fasteners, straps, and buckles. The design must not enclose the lower gun mount or interfere with the MGS's range of motion. A storage bag made of breathable mesh with a heavy-duty zipper and carrying handles is also required.

• Project Management: Develop and maintain a Project Management Plan.
• Design & Engineering: Create a modular, three-piece cover system. Design the main gun cover with a rear closure and ensure it can be installed/removed with or without the Coax MG. Design the EOS cover securing mechanism to withstand high winds. Design the Coax MG cover to secure under the existing weather cover. Establish a part numbering system for individual components and two kit configurations (with and without Coax MG).
• Material Performance: Materials must meet stringent standards for puncture resistance (462 lbs), abrasion resistance (50,000 cycles), water resistance (520 psi), seam strength (95 lbs/in), and resistance to fungus, UV, salt fog, icing, and electrostatic discharge. Materials must be haze gray, provide thermal protection, and have a service life of at least 60 months in marine environments. Securing straps require 1200 lbs tensile strength, and buckles require 300 lbs breaking strength.

1. Form-Fit Prototype: One complete set of three covers and storage bag for Government evaluation of fit, form, and installation/removal. (Due 45 days after Project Plan approval).
2. Final Prototype: One complete set of three covers and storage bag, constructed from final materials, for Government testing and acceptance. (Due 60 days after Form-Fit Prototype approval).
3. Production Units: Ten (10) production units: eight (8) kits for MGS without Coax MG, and two (2) kits for MGS with Coax MG. (Due 90 days after Final Prototype approval).

• A 24-month warranty on all delivered items is required.

• Limited Government Furnished Information (GFI) may be provided upon request, but the Contractor is responsible for validating all measurements.

• No Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) will be provided.

• Access to Government facilities is not guaranteed and requires a formal request.

• Form-Fit Prototype: Verified through Government evaluation for documentation, completeness, physical fit/coverage, installation/removal ease (single person, <5 min install, <2 min removal), and functionality of securing mechanisms. The main gun cover must demonstrate compatibility with MGS configurations both with and without the Coax MG.

• Final Prototype & Production Units: Subject to Government acceptance based on meeting all SOW requirements.

• The COR will review deliverables and provide written notice of acceptance or rejection within 45 business days.

• Contractors have 30 business days to correct deficiencies upon rejection.

• Final acceptance requires formal written notice from the COR.