Planning

Manfature of Explosives for Research Testing

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 Nov 2024 at 14:30

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has initiated the planning stage for a tender titled "Manufacture of Explosives for Research Testing" under the industry category of Prepared Explosives (CPV code 24610000). This procurement process is intended to manufacture explosives for various research testing methods, including but not limited to UNDEX, near-field testing, and confined testing. The procurement is in the planning stage, with an engagement end date set for 10th December 2024. The procurement process is managed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), located in Salisbury, South West United Kingdom. Interested businesses must submit their responses via email to Dave Blackmore at dblackmore@dstl.gov.uk before the specified engagement end date.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses involved in the manufacturing of explosives, particularly those adhering to military specifications or equivalent standards. SMEs are encouraged to participate, as the procurement process accommodates bespoke requirements, including unique compositions, varying sizes, and customised geometries without casing. Companies with capabilities in precision manufacturing, quality control, and innovative testing methods will find this opportunity particularly suitable for growth. Furthermore, businesses able to provide small-scale hazard testing and analytical techniques for explosive materials stand to benefit from participating in this tender.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Manfature of Explosives for Research Testing

Notice 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 Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-1bf7b10e-3dfb-4af9-82e5-1d535533df8f
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1d6b17a5-63b1-4552-854c-9514bb85c49d
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

24 - Chemical products

CPV Codes

24610000 - Prepared explosives

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Nov 20241 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Dec 2024Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Dave Blackmore
Contact Email
dblackmore@dstl.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SALISBURY
Postcode
SP4 0NY
Post Town
Not specified
Country
Not specified
Major Region (ITL 1)
Not specified
Basic Region (ITL 2)
Not specified
Small Region (ITL 3)
Not specified
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Not specified
Electoral Ward
Not specified
Westminster Constituency
Not specified

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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