SOURCES SOUGHT
84 -- This Sources Sought Synopsis supports a market survey being conducted by PM SOldier Warrior to determine potential sources for commercially available tactical headsets that include integral hearing protection.
- Notice Date
- 8/20/2009
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334290
— Other Communications Equipment 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-09-R-TCAP
- Response Due
- 8/31/2009
- Archive Date
- 10/30/2009
- Point of Contact
- Megan Dake, 703-704-1674
- E-Mail Address
-
RDECOM Acquisition Center - Aberdeen
(megan.dake@us.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This Sources Sought Synopsis supports a market survey being conducted by the Project Manager Soldier Warrior, PEO Soldier, Fort Belvoir, Virginia to determine potential sources for commercially available tactical headsets that include integral hearing protection for Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier. This is a combined Sources Sought Synopsis and Request for Information (RFI). All responsible businesses, including small businesses, are encouraged to respond to this RFI. This synopsis is for planning purposes only and neither constitutes a Request for Proposal (RFP), nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. This synopsis should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose. The Tactical Communication And Protective Systems (TCAPS) project defines explicit technical requirements for military headset performance and interfaces. It evaluates currently available products and then publishes results in the PEO Soldier Approved Products List (APL). This APL advises acquisition programs and users to select from a list of approved tactical headsets that have been verified for functionality, ruggedness and interface compatibility with Army communications equipment. The overall concept for this effort is that industry is invited to provide technical data and sample headsets for evaluation at no cost to the Government. The objective of industry is to be listed on the APL as an approved headset that could result in future sales to Government organizations; however procurement is not directly tied to this RFI. When Army acquisition programs need a headset or Army units need this capability, each must assess, validate and choose from the variety of headsets on the market. The TCAPS project verifies performance and interfaces beforehand, lists approved products in the PEO Soldier APL, and helps streamline the selection process. Note that this program is oriented directly to dismounted soldiers and not to specific platforms such as vehicles and aircraft. When responding to this announcement, vendors should include their size status for NAICS code 334290. The TCAPS evaluation process consists of three phases: 1) Assessment of candidates description; 2) Assessment of candidates physical configuration and test data; and 3) Environmental, ruggedness and electromagnetic interference/compatibility testing. Follow-on evaluation of headset functional performance for radio communications clarity, sound localization, insertion loss, and soldier acceptance may be conducted by the Government once the three phases are complete. NOTE: Over-the-ear and earplug headsets will be considered for evaluation provided they meet the following criteria: 1)Vendors should be original equipment manufacturers. Reseller vendors may be considered if there is no submission by the OEM. 2)Headsets shall accommodate binaural hearing protection and include electronic talk-through with amplification of ambient sounds. 3)Headsets shall permit connection to one or two simultaneous external radios. 4)Headsets shall be non-developmental items, in production and being marketed. 5)Technical information and test data that describes the product and hearing protection performance shall be available and can be released to the Government. 6)No bone conduction microphones or speakers are part of the project. Project Manager Soldier Warrior drafted a technical specification that outlines the performance required and evaluation criteria to determine conformance to the specification. This specification is the basis for evaluation of vendor-provided technical data and for Government testing. Conformance to the specification determines selection of products for the APL. The specification includes descriptions of class and type designations that describe form factor, and operating environment (such as dismounted infantry extremely ruggedized or nominal military use in military environments). Vendors should identify the appropriate class and type of each headset submitted for evaluation. Submission instructions: Phase 1. To be considered for evaluation, vendors shall submit a technical description of the product that includes information related to the functional performance contained in the specification, including compatibility with soldier equipment (helmets), hearing protection levels, description of the talk through function combined with hearing protection, audio input capabilities, and description of available test data from independent sources. Include product name, product description, a summary of the types of test data available, compatible military communications interfaces, company address, technical and contracting Points of Contact, phone, fax & email information, current pricing information and procurement lead times. Non-compliance with specification requirements is a basis for rejection. The Government will provide feedback on successful or unsuccessful completion of Phase 1. Phase 2. For products that successfully complete Phase 1, vendors shall submit detailed technical information and independent laboratory test data supporting the performance specification requirements. This information, along with one (1) sample headset shall be submitted to the Government. The sample headset will be returned upon rejection in this phase, or at the completion of the overall assessment. The Government will notify vendors upon successful or unsuccessful completion of Phase 2. Phase 3. The Government will conduct environmental, ruggedness and electromagnetic interference/compatibility tests at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD. Vendors shall deliver 15 headsets with computer sound card interface cables, provide a product orientation briefing and conduct operator training for the Government test managers no later than one week prior to testing. Vendors will be required to coordinate for pick up their headsets upon completion of this testing. Note that this testing is not intended to be destructive; however headsets may not meet criteria for ruggedness testing such as salt fog, shock and drop, and other tests such as explosive atmosphere and hot temperature. These tests could result in the destruction of non-conforming products. Questions for phase I should be addressed to JACK.P.MOORE@US.ARMY.MIL Questions for phase II & III should be addresses to ANDREW.MCCLUNG@US.ARMY.MIL. An answer will be provided by return e-mail and all questions and answers will be posted on the FedBizOpps site. It is the responsibility of industry to monitor www.fedbizopps.gov for the release of any follow-on information. Any information submitted by respondents to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information that is submitted by respondents to this sources sought synopsis. An electronic copy of the TCAPS performance specification may be requested from JACK.P.MOORE@US.ARMY.MIL. Testing is planned for the September December 2009 timeframe. Phase 1 data products should be submitted electronically to JACK.P.MOORE@US.ARMY.MIL. not later than 31 August 2009. Phase 2 and Phase 3 delivery address for data and samples is as follows: U.S. Army Test Center 400 Colleran Road ATTN: Andy McClung B610 Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USA/USAMC/DAAD05/W91CRB-09-R-TCAP/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: U.S. Army Test Center 400 Colleran Road Aberdeen Proving Ground MD
- Zip Code: 21005
- Zip Code: 21005
- Record
- SN01920749-W 20090822/090821002101-31e90db6e02d376f910b9b6d536a70e4 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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