The Department of the Army (ACC) Warren, Detroit Arsenal has a requirement for a 158 Hydraulic Impact Wrenches with a 200 percent option. The solicitation was Originally posted on October 23, 2018 for a quantity of 70, it was canceled then modified on August 1, 2019 for a quantity of 158. The Request for Proposal requirement will be posted on or around 15 August, 2019.
The NSN requested is 5130-01-471-1328, part number 12390171. The technical data package lists a preferred source of Stanley Black & Decker, stock symbol SWK. The Solicitation number is W56HZV-18-R-0213 and will be solicited as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Put Solicitation number W56HZV-18-R-0213 into BidLink bid search to see the details.
BidLink.Net is an online tool for finding government solicitations as well as past government contract data. BidLink has been gathering government contract and solicitation data for the past twenty years.
Tools from an M1A1 Abrams tank (Photo credit: Paul S. Martinez)
The Department of Defense (DOD) recently posted a solicitation to purchase 1,758 Electrical Impact Wrenches. This Electrical Impact Wrench NSN 5130-01-363-0964 is the type you plug in to an electrical outlet. Currently this item is only produced by one company (its sole source) and the Defense Logistics Agency is inviting other U.S. Tool manufacturers to potentially become new suppliers of this item.
Companies interested in becoming a manufacturer of NSN 5130-01-363-0964 needs to submit a Source Approval Request (SAR) package for possible future procurements. This Electrical Impact Wrench is used to service the Assault Breacher Vehicle and Abrams M-1 Tank. A few government contracts for this impact wrench have already been awarded in 2019; one contract was for an order of 600 units totaling over 1 Million dollars alone.
This current pre-solicitation for 1,758 Electrical Impact Wrenches NSN 5130-01-363-0964 when issued as an RFP could potentially total over 3 Million dollars at current prices. US Manufacturers of Hand held power tools, electric drills or any companies interested in expanding their line of power tools might want to look at this one. Set up a free trial at BidLink.net, put NSN 5130-01-363-0964 in bid search to see details on this solicitation as well as past contract awards for this NSN and any others.
BidLink.Net is an online tool for finding government solicitations as well as past government contract data. BidLink has been gathering government contract and solicitation data for the past twenty years.
Ordnance handling equipment cradle and platform (Photo credit: R. Nial Bradshaw)
The Department of Defense, and its entire fleet of aircraft, use all kinds of Ground Support Equipment (GSE). Today, we’ve decided to look at a few currently open government solicitations for GSE; items that DOD has drawings for, but perhaps haven’t been noticed by other than their current manufacturers. We quickly found four items within the Ordnance Handling Equipment (OHE) sub-category of GSE. All these items are relatively simple mechanical assemblies; things small machine shops or fabricators could manufacture. (In an article posted yesterday we discussed types of Ground Support Equipment used by the Department of Defense.)
Open Government Solicitations for Ordnance Handling Equipment
The first item we found was a Brake Cam, a replacement spare part used with the MHU-191 Munitions Handling Unit. This specific part NSN 1740-01-151-0775 has been purchased for many years. Drawings are available.
The second item we found by the same manufacturer was a Weapon Cradle Adapter Retractor Assembly, NSN 1740-01-140-7583. Drawings are available.
The third item we found, NSN 2540-01-155-3653, is a Motor Vehicle Towbar used with the MHU-185/M Munitions Trailer supporting the the F/A-18. Drawings are available.
The fourth one is NSN 1450-00-089-4366, Small Track, which is part of the Sidewinder Missile Cradle MHU/61-E. Drawings are available.
All of the above NSNs currently have open government solicitations as of the writing of this article. These four are a small sampling of the kinds of items purchased by the Department of Defense within the GSE / OHE sub-category. We’ve listed them to give you a sense of the numerous government contracting opportunities available in BidLink.net. Set up a free trial at BidLink today to see these and many more contracting opportunities.
BidLink.net keeps you informed of US Government (USG) and Department of Defense (DoD) requirements for products and services that you may be able to supply. For more than twenty years, BidLink has collected and cross-referenced federal government solicitation, contracting and technical data across numerous departments and agencies, making the information available to users in Bidlink.net. BidLink Software Systems does not itself procure, supply or engage in transactions for materials required by the US Government.
Marines on the flight deck of the USS Essex loading a Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) onto an F-35 from a Ground Support Equipment – Munitions Transporter (Photo credit: Chandler Harrell)
Today we will briefly review a few types of Ground Support Equipment (mechanical equipment) used by the U.S. Military to move and load weapons onto fighter aircraft. In addition discuss the lack of competition when it comes to manufacturers producing Ground Support Equipment (GSE) items and spare parts.
The Ground Support Equipment items we are referring to fall under the sub category of Ordnance Handling Equipment (OHE). Other names you might see when referring to Ground Support Equipment used to move munitions are Aviation Ground Support Equipment (AGSE), Material Handling Equipment (MHE), Ammunition Handling Equipment (AHE) or Weapons Handling Equipment (WHE). Government contracts for metal fabrication shops or machine shops would be found in any of these categories. Most of the items we reviewed below with the exception of the MHU-83 are all simple non powered mechanical devices that are hand operated.
Government contracting opportunities are virtually endless as this article you are reading came about while researching past government contract data for another article we published about Hydraulic Jacks with no competition. The knowledge of Department of Defense past contract awards and procurement history of each item can lead your company to other government contracting opportunities as the “past contracts tell the story”. As we researched past contracts for our “Hydraulic Jacks article” we found other areas using similar types of GSE items which let us to creating this article about OHE.
Where is Ordnance Handling Equipment used?
The thousands of Fighter Jets and Military Helicopters are loaded with weapons, missiles and bombs every day by military crews in Aircraft Maintenance Units everywhere. Sometimes crews practice in loading weapons in competitions. The equipment used is specifically designed for the jobs performed. Ordnance Handling Equipment is Ground Support Equipment designed for this specific purpose. Equipment is either manual or semi-automatic and powered. Basically weapons, bombs and missiles are moved from a storage area, delivered to a location on a trailer or skid then unloaded and mounted to an aircraft. The Ordnance Handling Equipment is used on aircraft carriers, runways and in aircraft hangers. Securing and movement of the weapons may also use several types of ancillary Material Handling Equipment such as straps, hoists, slings and shackles.
Aircraft Maintenance Unit, competes in a weapons load competition (Photo credit: R. Nial Bradshaw)
During our quick look at this sector it appears there are not many competitors especially when it companies manufacturing ground support equipment. A Munitions Handling Unit (MHU) is a device bombs or missiles are moved from one location to another. They can be manually powered, pulled, pushed or operate like a monster Folk Lift with movable arms like the MHU-83.
Many of the skids, trailers and spare parts we looked at were frequently listed as open government solicitations. The majority of the manually operated we looked at are simple mechanical metal assemblies, something that a machine shop or metal fabrication shop could easily manufacturer. If your company can weld or bolt tubular stock together or if you can machine something as simple as a cam or a shaft, this is a sector could easily be your next winning government contract.
What to look for, What are they called?
The better your knowledge of what the item is called, how and where it’s used can lead you to other discoveries you may not initially see.
Weapon and Explosive handling Skids
A Weapon or Explosive Skid is a mobile piece of equipment with a cradle or bed used to secure an item to be transported by hand. The skid is used to handle items such as bombs, torpedoes and missiles during aircraft rearming procedures aboard aircraft carriers and at shore. Skids are not self-propelled and require either human or powered equipment to move them about. Different skids and cradles will be used depending on the weight load and type of weapon to be carried.
Here are a few items we found interesting:
Bomb Skid – Hand operated
Bomb Skid NSN 1740-00-872-9361 otherwise called “AERO 12C Bomb Skid” is a simple wheelbarrow type skid used by the Navy. It has cradle type frame with two rubber tire wheels and brakes. The skid can be used to transport weapons and other miscellaneous items like wings, fins and nitrogen bottles with special adapters.
This Bomb Skid is currently supplied to DOD by only one company; there are drawings available so next time its open for bid your company could be the next supplier. Government contract prices in BidLink show that the price nearly doubled from the previous contract to the most recent contract. Price hikes like this can occur due to the fact that only one manufacturer exists.
A Platform Skid is used for transporting weapons on different trailers and loaders for direct aircraft loading.
NSN 3990-01-140-4180 Skid, Platform; Model MHU-125A/E, P/N 1330AS100-1
This NSN 3990-01-140-4180 (open) sells for $1000’s and drawings are also available. It is a two rail welded aluminum structure simulating the 15-inch wide rail configuration of Munitions Transporter MHK-128.
Munitions Transporters
A Munitions Transporter (also known as a Weapon Skid) is basically a hand pulled utility wagon or cart used to move missiles, bombs, and other items. It is made from a tubular steel frame with rubber tires and a braking system. Various skids, platforms and adapters can be attached to munitions transporters to handle specific items securely. Unlike commercial wagons these cost thousands of dollars each.
The MHU-191/M Munitions transporter made from a welded tubular frame has four rubber tires with a telescoping drawbar. Mounting holes in the transporter are used for attaching the various adapters. The MHU-191/M is essentially the same as Weapons Skid AERO 21C, except that the MHU-191/M has an improved braking system and long drawbar.
The Ground Handling Trailer MHU-185/M has four wheels with pneumatic tires. The flatbed deck has two tracks for anchoring different adapters and removable plywood decking. It has a drawbar and pintle hook for towing other trailers. Equipped with brake and stop lights powered by the towing vehicle. It is used at shore based facilities to transport munitions from magazine area to the flight line. Several adapters and cradles can be used with Munitions Trailer MHU-185/M, such as the Platform Skid MHU-125A/E and the ADU-834/E Sonobouy adapter.
Munitions Trailer, model MHU-185/M, Part number 1318AS100-1, NSN 1740-01-126-8980
Spare and Repair parts for these items are usually simple machined parts like brakes, cradles and cams are purchased by DOD on a regular basis.
Since we are discussing Ground Support Equipment, Ordnance Handling Equipment and Material Handling Equipment you can’t forget about the “big boy” Munitions Handling Truck MHU-83.
The MHU-83D/E Aerial Stores Lift Truck is basically a very expensive specialized fork lift truck designed for transporting and loading weapons. This MHU-83 D/E is also known as a Bomb lift Truck. The Department of the Air Force and Navy both awarded long term government contracts to Hydraulics International, Inc CAGE code 56529 for manufacturing Ground Support Equipment. Two government contracts for the MHU-83 Aerial Stores Lift Truck are FA8533-14-D-0005 and N68335-18-D-0009.
Bomb loading competition using the MHU-83D/E Truck, Lift, Aerial Stores Loader with Weapon Skid (Photo credit: Jonathan McElderry)
As you would expect there are plenty of government contracting opportunities for machine shops fabrication shops for items used on the MHU-83D/E, Truck, Lift, Aerial Stores Loader. A quick look at some open government solicitations, there were several items many had drawings available. A few items we saw were, Spur gear shafts, Disc brake caliper adapters, Tilt cylinder assemblies, Differential spindles, Washers, Hydrostatic pumps, Slings, etc.
Keep in mind any large piece of equipment such as this will be in use by the Department of Defense for many years. As time goes by more spares and replacement parts will be needed for years to come. Many systems have been in service by DOD over 50 years.
If your company consists of just a few people or hundreds of employees the Ground Support Equipment, Ordnance Handling Equipment sector is a good place to look for items your company can sell to the government. Bids for mechanical parts and simple assemblies were found with drawings available in open government solicitations. Hopefully these few examples will give you some new ideas on what to go after, try for yourself.
BidLink.Net is an online tool for finding government solicitations as well as past government contract data. BidLink has been gathering government contract and solicitation data for the past twenty years.
Hydraulic Aircraft Jacks in Storage (Photo credit: Cpl. Jonathan K. Teslevich)
A government solicitation for Hydraulic Tripod Jacks was recently posted by DLA Troop Support, Construction and Equipment division for a Long Term Contract (LTC), 5 years if all options are exercised. Total potential value of this contract for NSN 1730-00-201-4849 could be as high as $7,000,000.00.
Current approved sources are Hydraulics International, Inc. CAGE code 56529, part number CJ69J1270 and Columbus Jack Corporation CAGE code 00994, part number CJ69J1270.
This is one of the many items the Defense Logistics Agency buys on a regular basis in support of Aviation Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) or as part of the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) segment. Metal fabrication shop government contracting opportunities can be found in this sector, things like Maintenance platforms, Towbars and Metal bracket assemblies. If your company is looking to expand your business with the government this is one of the sectors you should explore.
BidLink.Net is an online tool for finding government solicitations as well as past government contract data. BidLink has been gathering government contract and solicitation data for the past twenty years.
12 Ton Hydraulic Tripod Jack under a HH-60G Pave Hawk Helicopter (Photo credit: Janiqua P. Robinson)
The Department of Defense posts thousands of requests every day for items they need. Many of those requests basically say “we are looking for new manufacturers to make an item we already buy but only have one or to manufacturers to choose from. We took a quick look at one item DOD buys a lot of in the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) sector “Aircraft Hydraulic Tripod Jacks”.
Two US manufacturers of Hydraulic Tripod Jacks selling to the Department of Defense are Hydraulics International, Inc. CAGE code 56529 and Columbus Jack Corporation 00994 who was acquired by Tronair Inc. in 2017. These two companies and their dealers basically own the DOD Aviation Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) segment when it comes to selling Aircraft Jacks.
One of the NSNs for Hydraulic Tripod Jacks 1730-00-201-4849 we looked at costs around $10,000.00 each. This specific NSN which DLA Troop Support, Construction and Equipment division buys is used in maintenance and repair operations with the following aircraft:
AH-1W Attack
MH-53E
H-46 Sea Knight
H-60 Seahawk
HH-60H Search and Rescue
HH-60J USCG Search and Rescue
SH-60F Carrier Based ASW
SH-60B LAMPS Mark III
UH-1N Utility/Search and Recovery
We found many more government contracting opportunities listed in BidLink while we were researching past government contract awards relating to Aviation Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) that also had little or no competition. This was a brief look using BidLink data at companies selling aircraft jacks, Take a look for yourself for further detail.
BidLink.Net is an online tool for finding government solicitations as well as past government contract data. BidLink has been gathering government contract and solicitation data for the past twenty years.
BEAR Power Unit (BPU) 800 kilowatt high-voltage generator NSN 6115-01-536-4373 (Photo credit: Isaiah J. Soliz)
Cummins Power Generation was awarded $8,412,000.00 on July 25, 2019 for manufacture of BEAR Power Units under a 10 year long term contract by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
The Base Government contract FA8533-09-D-0004 signed on September 21, 2009 was awarded to Cummins for an estimated dollar amount of $245,770,007.00. Today’s delivery order number FA8534-19-F-0062 was awarded under this long term IDV contract. The total amount awarded to Cummins under this contract is $26.5 Million dollars over the original estimated amount of $264,077,046.68 or about 10% higher, and this contract is still open for orders to be placed. This long term contract is expected to be active till September 20, 2019 so more orders can be placed bringing the total higher.
Cummins according to the solicitation FA8533-08-R-10864 (which resulted in this contract) was contracted to manufacture 100’s of these 800 kilowatt Generators “BEAR Power Units” if all options are exercised.
Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) Power Unit Details:
Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) Power Unit (BPU) is the official name used by the Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force. The BEAR Power Unit is used by the U.S. Air Force on Forward Operating Bases. Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) are military facilities that support operations of deployed military units. These BEAR Power Units are the “prime power” source for Air Force expeditionary bases.
This article is about one of the 100s’ Generators used by the U.S. Military, keep in mind there are other types of generators and accessories such as cables and connectors the Department of Defense purchases on a regular basis; interested companies should research these opportunities.
This BPU Generator is the “big boy” it is basically a small portable version of the power plant (power station) currently powering your home or business. This 800 kilowatt BPU provides “Prime Power” otherwise known as medium-voltage (defined as 601-69,000 volts) to the expeditionary Air Force bases. The specifics for this BEAR Power Unit are 50/60 Hz operation delivering both 2400/4160 Volts, 3 Phase, 4 wire and 2200/3800 Volts, 3 Phase, 4 wire with an output of 800 kilowatts (kW).
This BEAR Power Unit is an EPA compliant engine-driven generator set. Designed to run on multiple fuels, Jet fuel or Diesel, theses are a few types it will run on: JP-8, DF-1, DF-2, TS-1, DL-1, DL-2 and Jet A.
The BPU is a trailer mounted generator, weighing no more than 40,000 pounds. Specified dimensions are: Length – 432 inches, Width – 96 inches and Height – 116 inches.
Advanced Power Technology Office (APTO) Base Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) Photo credit: Naval Research Lab
The U.S. Air Force expeditionary bases using BEAR BPU’s pictured above rely heavily on fossil fuels to operate and are always looking for alternatives reduce fuel demand.
relating to smaller types of generators the military uses such as Advanced Medium Mobile Power Sources (AMMPS) Mobile Electric Power (MEP) Generator series and accessories; they are used everywhere. One of many MEP Generators NSNs is 6115-01-561-7329.
5kW 60HZ AMMP Skid Mounted Generator Set MEP-1030, NSN 6115-01-561-7329
The military also uses solar chargers to generate electricity such as NSN 6130-01-487-0035 by PulseTech Products CAGE code 00NQ8.
24 Volt DC Pulse Solar Charger (PSC) NSN 6130-01-487-0035
Stock symbol for Cummins Inc. is CMI.
When searching for Cummins government contracts, solicitations or NSN’s be sure to look under their various names or CAGE codes. Cummins Inc. manufacturers many types of Generators, engines and other items used by the U.S. Military under other subsidiaries such as Onan Corporation, Cummins Power Generation, Cummins Power Generation, so be sure to search using the NSN or Company name to discover more.
The reported government contracts for these BEAR Power Units were reported under CAGE code 44940.
BidLink.Net is an online tool for finding government solicitations as well as past government contract data. BidLink has been gathering government contract and solicitation data for the past twenty years.
1994 Gulfstream IV-SP used by NOAA for Hurricane missions
Today the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) awarded a contract to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation for $42,700,000.00 for a brand new Gulfstream G550 Aircraft. Anticipated delivery time is 18 months and contract has an option to purchase a second aircraft.
It’s been over a year since NOAA initially began its quest to order a new aircraft to replace the existing Gulfstream IV-SP (G-IVSP) in use. The current aircraft is a 1994 Gulfstream IV-SP with two fuselage mounted Rolls Royce Tay 611-8 twin spool turbofan jet engines. The aircraft has missed some critical hurricane mission assignments due to its age, experiencing longer and more extensive maintenance.
Gulfstream IV-SP Inside with scientific systems (Photo credit: Nicholas Morgan)
This new aircraft is to be used for hurricane forecasting and research. It is to be equipped with all sorts of scientific systems like Satellite communication, Tail Doppler Radar (TDR), Dual X-band (WR-112 or WR-90) waveguide, Airborne Vertical Atmospheric Profiling System (AVAPS), Up-looking (GPS) and down-looking (VHF Telemetry) antennas and plenty of AC/DC 115V, 28V, 60 and 400 HZ power and Uninterruptable Power Systems (UPS).
The military version of the Gulfstream 550 is the C-37B.
To see more government contract awards and solicitations for anything the Department of Defense or federal government purchases sign up for a free trial now at BidLink.net
BidLink.Net is an online tool for finding government solicitations as well as past government contract data. BidLink has been gathering government contract and solicitation data for the past twenty (20) years.
Joint Service Electronic Combat Systems Tester (JECST) Antenna Coupler on a F-15E Strike Eagle. The coupler is used with the JECST to test the aircraft’s threat detection systems. (photo credit: Aaron J. Jenne)
Robins Air Force Base AFMC is seeking new providers of electronic test systems repair services on AN/USM-670 Joint Service Combat System Tester (JSECST) Couplers. This Request for Information (RFI) could result in a competitively awarded, five year contract.
AN/USM-670 test systems are used on many aircraft, including the F-16, F-15, FA-18, E-6 B/C, CV-22, and HH-60. NSNs 4920-01-618-5101 and 4920-01-461-6316 apply to the AN/USM-670A and AN/USM-670 versions, respectively.
Joint Service Electronic Combat Systems Tester AN/USM-670. Set up to test the ALR-56C Radar Warning Receiver which is the aircraft’s primary defensive system. (photo credit: Aaron J. Jenne)
AAI Corporation, a division of Textron Inc., is the current manufacturer of the AN/USM-670 test system. In BidLink.net, you can find AAI’s current open solicitations and previous contracts under CAGE code 97384.
The industry market research being conducted by the Air Force is to identify potential sources capable of electronic test systems repair of the following Couplers:
This requirement is anticipated to result in a five year contract with five annual ordering periods continuing through FY25. Projected Best Estimated Quantities (BEQ) for the listed Couplers is 48 total combined quantity of any of the above.
To find further information on this Request For Information, or any other DoD contract, NSN or solicitation; set up a free trial at BidLink.net. To see further details on this RFI go to bid search, select >keyword< and search on “AN/USM-670.” The applicable solicitation number is FA8522ANUSM670.
BidLink.net keeps you informed of US Government (USG) and Department of Defense (DoD) requirements for products and services that you may be able to supply. BidLink.net aggregates federal government solicitation, contracting and technical data across numerous departments and makes it available to you daily, on-line in Bidlink.net. BidLink Software Systems does not itself procure, supply or engage in transactions for materials required by the US Government.
Storage facility Warehouse with forklift (photo credit: Mariette Adams)
The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VAHCS) is in the process of setting up a New Warehouse in Carolina, Puerto Rico just east of San Juan. They are currently seeking a Government contractor to setup, supply and install over 1,000 Shelves, Pallet Racks, Picking Racks and various Materials Handling Equipment (MHE) such as Fork Lift trucks, Pallet trucks, Order picker trucks, Personnel Lifts, Rider Sweeper and Scrubber machines, Battery chargers and a Stretch Wrap machine.
The Department of Defense is the largest buyer of Material Handling Equipment within all government agencies when looking at past contract awards, you can also see this when you search for open government bids.
This solicitation from the Department of Veterans Affairs included some specific brands listed the bid details. Below is a short list of Manufacturers of Material Handling Equipment we found in the bid.
Nilfisk, Inc. CAGE code: 00580
Advance Floor Sweeper/Scrubber model:CS7010
Wulftec International Inc.
Automatic stretch wrapper Model: WRTA-10
Shelving and Pallet Racks
Interlake Mecalux
We reviewed other contracts and suppliers of Material Handling Equipment in the BidLink market research section. Set up a free BidLink account to see for yourself. There were GSA schedules as well as DOD direct contracts. Open solicitations are found as well.
This solicitation/RFQ number 36C24819Q0940 is Set-Aside for Small Business with Tiered Evaluations.
The due date is August 16, 2019. To see details put the solicitation number “36C24819Q0940” in BidLink.
BidLink.Net is an online tool for finding government solicitations as well as past government contract data. BidLink has been gathering government contract and solicitation data for the past twenty years.
