Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MAY 03, 2006 FBO #1619
SOURCES SOUGHT

84 -- US Army Next Generation Body Armor

Notice Date

5/1/2006
 

Notice Type

Sources Sought
 

NAICS

315999 — Other Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
 

Contracting Office

RDECOM Acquisition Center - Aberdeen, ATTN: AMSSB-ACC-A, 4118 Susquehanna Avenue, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-3013
 

ZIP Code

21005-3013
 

Solicitation Number

W91CRB-06-NEXGEN
 

Response Due

5/31/2006
 

Archive Date

7/30/2006
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

U.S. Army Program Executive Office Soldier, Project Manager Soldier Equipment (PM SEQ), 10170 Beach Road, Bldg 325, Fort Belvoir VA 22060 is submitting a Request For Information (RFI). The purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research and identif y potential sources for a Next Generation Body Armor System to replace the U.S. Armys current Interceptor Body Armor (IBA). The IBA currently consists of an Outer Tactical Vest (OTV) with yoke and collar, throat protector, and groin protector; two removable Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI); and two Enhanced Side Ballistic Inserts (ESBI) and carriers. The OTV is cu rrently configured as a front opening carrier vest that incorporates a left front, right front, and back soft ballistic insert (SBI). The SBI provides fragmentation and 9mm ballistic protection. The OTV carrier vest is configured with MOLLE webbing to supp ort the attachment of fighting load components such as ammunition pouches, grenade pouches, hydration systems, and other individual items of equipment. The Army seeks to identify a Next Generation Body Armor System to enhance individual Soldier mobility, reduce weight, improve comfort, facilitate fighting load carriage, and improve weight distribution of ballistic and fighting load components. The contem plated system must not impede Soldier tasks including the operation of individual weapons (rifle, grenade launcher, and pistol), the operation of crew served weapons, and the ability to throw fragmentation and smoke grenades. The contemplated system must a lso allow for safe operation, ingress, and emergency egress of combat vehicles such as M1A1 Tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and Armored Security Vehicles; as well as tactical vehicles such as the Up Armored HMMWV. The Next Generation Body Armor System s hall provide a provision for emergency cut away of the complete body armor system. The Army envisions that the Next Generation Body Armor System will be configured as a side opening vest to provide a front armor panel that facilitates flexibility in arrang ing the fighting load without restricting the ability to donn and doff the system. The opening configuration must support fast access to an injured Soldiers front and rear torso area by medical personnel or first responders providing battlefield first aid . The system should be capable of being reassembled in less than 30 seconds. The contemplated system must provide proper fit to 5th percentile female to 95th percentile male Soldiers. A sizing provision that accommodates various torso lengths is desired. All design approaches submitted for the Next Generation Body Armor System will be considered. Design approaches with prototypes or production representation are desired. The Army will also consider design approaches that will incorporate existing ESAPI a nd ESBI ballistic inserts. An integrated side pocket design approach is needed to eliminate the requirement for a separate carrier for the ESBI. The Army seeks to retain the capability to accommodate either the 7Wx8H ESBI side plate or the size extra sma ll ESAPI plate in the side pocket of the Next Generation Body Armor System. Adjustment of the plate within the pocket, up or down, is also desired to accommodate individual body types. The Next Generation Body Armor System must also provide a tailorable ca pability to incorporate modular extremity protection system/components for the shoulder, such as the Deltoid Axillary Protection System (DAPS), and arm and leg protection. Request interested vendors having a proposed configuration for Next Generation Body Armor System submit information and samples to PM Soldier Equipment, Technical Management Division, ATTN: Karl Masters, 10170 Beach Road, Bldg 325, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5 820. Information may be sent by e-mail to Karl Masters at email address karl-masters@us.army.mil. All submitted information will be protected as proprietary. Responses are requested not later than 31 May 2006. The submission of this information is for planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the government to procure any items or services, nor for the government to pay for the information received. No solicitation document exists.
 

Place of Performance

Address: RDECOM Acquisition Center - Aberdeen ATTN: AMSSB-ACC-A, 4118 Susquehanna Avenue Aberdeen Proving Ground MD

Zip Code: 21005-3013

Country: US
 

Record

SN01038473-W 20060503/060501220624 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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