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Sources Sought: Transition from Cadmium/Hexavalent Chromium-Finished to Zinc-Nickel-Finished Fasteners for Army Ground Vehicles

NCMS is assisting the U.S. Army in identifying a commercial entity to manage the Army’s transition from legacy fasteners and small hardware finished with cadmium/hexavalent chromium (Cd/Cr[VI]) to zinc-nickel (ZnNi) for use in ground combat vehicles and support systems. Most ground combat and support systems continue to rely on fasteners plated with Cd/Cr(VI), which can be hazardous during certain maintenance activities. For this effort, the commercial entity would identify and work with companies having the ability to supply hardware with ZnNi plating in accordance with the following specifications:

  • ASTM F1941
  • ASTM B841
  • SAE AMS 2417
  • NAS9928
  • ISO 19598 and similar

The commercial entity would also be expected to communicate with the U.S. government and vehicle prime contractors to ensure needs are met. The following abilities are key considerations:

  • Supply parts that are not susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement;
  • Tailor the Ni content in the ZnNi plating to a range of 10-18%, which differs from the range allowed by some specifications;
  • Apply an integrated torque modifier finish to control the fastener coefficient of friction such that the ZnNi plated fasteners are drop-in replacements for Cd/Cr(VI)-finished fasteners;
  • Provide test results from laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 or equivalent showing that the Ni content, plating thickness, and coefficient of friction meet specified requirements.

Management of this transition may include warehousing ZnNi plated hardware. The Army is only interested in parts which are cadmium and hexavalent chromium free. Types of parts included in this initiative include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • bearings
  • bolts
  • brackets
  • clamps
  • connectors
  • nuts
  • pins
  • screws
  • springs
  • washers

Responses to Sources Sought should provide:

  • Background of capability development
  • Examples of where the capability is currently used if any
  • Corporate presentation including engineering, manufacturing and testing capabilities
  • Cost Summary Form

Interested parties should complete the following form on or before Friday, August 7, 2019.