SOURCES SOUGHT
84 -- Sources Sought Notice for Soldier Plate Carrier System
- Notice Date
- 1/21/2009
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Army, U. S. Army Materiel Command, RDECOM Acquisition Center - Aberdeen, RDECOM Acquisition Center - Aberdeen, ATTN: AMSSB-ACC-A, 4118 Susquehanna Avenue, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-3013
- ZIP Code
- 21005-3013
- Solicitation Number
- W91CRB09CARRIER
- Response Due
- 2/6/2009
- Archive Date
- 4/7/2009
- Point of Contact
- Debra Shreve, 703-704-2204<br />
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- BACKGROUND: Product Manager - Soldier Survivability (PM-SSV) is seeking technical and cost information from manufacturers regarding the availability of Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) or Government-off-the-Shelf (GOTS) Plate Carrier Systems. This notice constitutes a Request for Information ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION; no contracts will be awarded for this effort at this time. However, please include a statement regarding your interest in responding to any future PM-SSV solicitations related to this effort. Be advised that the Government may seek unlimited data rights from vendors who express an interest in participating in any follow-on solicitations. DESCRIPTION: The Plate Carrier System must provide required protection levels for Soldiers as defined below. After review and evaluation of industry submissions, samples of the most desirable candidate products may be procured for a Soldier Protection Demonstration (field testing) to evaluate the efficacy of the products identified and determine their suitability for Army use. The Army seeks a lightweight Plate Carrier System that affords the Soldier optimum mobility. The Plate Carrier System shall provide soft ballistic protection equal to or greater than the current Outer Tactical Vest (OTV)/Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) or National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Level IIIA ballistic protection (or better) in a standalone capacity. The Plate Carrier System is also intended to provide NIJ Level IV ballistic protection when used in conjunction with the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI) / X Small Arms Protective Inserts (XSAPI) and Enhanced Side Ballistic Inserts (ESBI). Concurrently, the Plate Carrier System must be compatible with current ESAPI, XSAPI, and ESBI requirements. At a minimum, the soft ballistic armor must be positioned directly behind the ESAPI/XSAPI and ESBI and extend at least one (1) inch beyond the edge of the plates in all directions. The Plate Carrier System must be lightweight, flexible (without inserts), and provide a comfortable and secure fit preventing the system from shifting and scissoring. Additional desired Plate Carrier System characteristics: " Plate Carrier System weight (with soft ballistics - size medium) of less than five (5) pounds. " Quick-release (Q/R) for emergency situations and easy reassembly. " MOLLE webbing on the front and back of the carrier for mounting of MOLLE components. " Compatibility with equipment (Ground Soldier Ensemble - soldier does not have to remove ACH to don/doff, rucksack, rack systems that do not impede shouldering a weapon, etc.). " Easy don and doff capability. " Comfortably fit male Soldiers who are within the 5th 95th percentile with the appropriate size ESAPI (XS, SM, MD, LG, XL) and ESBI (one size only) plates inserted. " Wiring integration (cable management/conduits) capability. " Robust vest closure capability. " Drag strap for casualty removal capability. " Durable (minimum of 365 days in a combat environment with no essential function failure). " Protection against the effects of heat and flame resulting from a flash fire, ignition resistance, and not support combustion for the life of the system. " Universal Camouflage Pattern feature. Responses from interested businesses should include the following: 1) Business name, address, and point of contact information (name, email and phone number). 2) Information on existing contracts, such as GSA or other Government agency contracts, under which the required items could be purchased. 3) Product description, technical specifications, cost (each), NIJ certification of ballistic performance and discussion of compliance with performance requirements listed above. 4) Discussion of production capability and ability to provide 10-15 production Plate Carrier Systems along with Safety Assessment Report and instructions for use NLT 30 days ARO if the design is included in the Soldier Protection (those designs included in the Demonstration will be ballistically tested at the completion of the Demonstration, at Government expense). 5) Discussion of warranty provisions. All interested companies, regardless of size, are encouraged to respond to this RFI by submitting the above information NLT COB 06 February 2009 (EST). Companies that submit the required cost and technical information will have an opportunity to demonstrate their product on 18-19 February 2009 at the Haymarket, VA facilities at PM Soldier Staging/NET Facility, 15395 John Marshall Highway, Haymarket, VA 20169. Please only submit information on products that are currently commercially available or products that are in the final stages of development and will be available for demonstration. All products must comply with the Buy American Act and the Berry Amendment. Sample products must be demonstrated and related test data must be available for review on the date of submittal of your cost and technical information on 06 February 2009. The Government will not pay for information or products received in response to this RFI and is in no way obligated by the information received. Inclusion in this RFI or the resulting Soldier Protection Demonstration does not constitute Department of the Army approval for, or acceptance of, any product. The Government may request the item be left for up to 10 days for analysis and to adequately review the items features and capabilities. Proprietary information should be clearly marked and will not be disclosed outside the U.S. Government. Responses shall be sent via e-mail to the Assistant Product Manager (APM) for Hard Body Armor, MAJ Roger Kuykendall, at roger.kuykendall@ us.army.mil or by regular mail to PM Soldier Survivability, ATTN: MAJ Roger Kuykendall, 10170 Beach Road, Bldg 328T, and Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060.
- Web Link
-
FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=48526c86562b6437bb325c8504838628&tab=core&_cview=1)
- Place of Performance
- Address: RDECOM Acquisition Center - Aberdeen ATTN: AMSSB-ACC-A, 4118 Susquehanna Avenue Aberdeen Proving Ground MD<br />
- Zip Code: 21005-3013<br />
- Zip Code: 21005-3013<br />
- Record
- SN01735378-W 20090123/090121215117-48526c86562b6437bb325c8504838628 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |