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Heat Treatment and Mechanical Property Testing of E81 Tube and Cap Material at the Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet NY.

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE ARMY.AMC.ACC.ACC-CTRS.ACC-DTA.W6QK ACC WVA · Response deadline: Tue, 27 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

The U.S. Army is seeking a contractor to perform heat treatment and mechanical property testing of E81 tube and cap material at the Watervliet Arsenal in Watervliet, New York. The Watervliet Arsenal is the Army's primary manufacturing center for large-caliber cannon systems and related components, making metallurgical processing and testing critical to weapons system production.

Heat treatment of tube and cap materials is a specialized metallurgical process used to achieve specific mechanical properties—such as hardness, tensile strength, and toughness—that are essential for cannon components subjected to extreme pressures during firing. Mechanical property testing verifies that the treated materials meet required specifications. E81 is a high-strength steel alloy commonly used in artillery applications.

This work falls under NAICS 332811: Metal Heat Treating, an industry classification covering establishments primarily engaged in heat treating metals for the trade.

Key facts

Who can bid

This solicitation is open competition with no set-aside program specified, meaning businesses of any size may submit offers. Both large and small businesses are eligible to compete.

Small businesses registered in SAM.gov with capabilities in metal heat treating and materials testing should evaluate whether they meet any applicable size standards for NAICS 332811. Contractors must have or be able to obtain facility security clearance appropriate for work at an active military arsenal, and must demonstrate capability to handle specialized steel alloys and perform destructive and non-destructive mechanical testing to military specifications.

Prior experience with NADCAP-accredited heat treatment processes, ASTM or ASME testing protocols, and familiarity with Army materiel specifications would strengthen eligibility. See the solicitation for specific qualification requirements.

How to put together a competitive bid

For metal heat treating solicitations at military arsenals, bidders should focus on these elements:

Technical approach: Detail your heat treatment furnace capabilities (temperature ranges, atmosphere control, quench systems), your testing laboratory accreditation, and your Quality Management System (AS9100 or ISO 9001 baseline). Specify how you will chain-of-custody materials through processing and testing cycles.

Personnel qualifications: Identify certified metallurgists, heat treatment operators with ASM or similar credentials, and trained materials testing technicians. Arsenal work often requires cleared personnel—address security clearance status directly.

Equipment and capacity: Watervliet Arsenal production schedules can be demanding. Demonstrate sufficient furnace capacity and testing equipment throughput to meet turnaround requirements without backlog. See the solicitation for required delivery schedules.

Past performance: Cite comparable contracts for DoD or defense prime contractors involving cannon-grade steels, large-diameter tubes, or pressure vessel components. Include CPARS ratings or other verified performance data.

Pricing: Heat treating contracts typically combine per-piece pricing with lot charges for testing. Structure your cost proposal to show transparency in material handling, processing, and destructive testing costs. Note any specialized fixturing or tooling requirements.

Next steps

Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number W911PT27QA015. Review all technical specifications, security requirements, and delivery terms before preparing your proposal.

Critical deadline: Responses are due October 27, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time—just seven days from the posted date, so expedited action is necessary.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →