ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE, US ARMY SOLDIER SYSTEMS COMMAND, NATICK MA 01760-5011

84 -- LARGE SCALE PRODUCTION OF ADVANCED COMBAT VEHICLE CREWMAN HELMETS (ACVCH) SOL DAAK60-CBD5-0021 DUE 060295 POC Survivability Directorate, U.S. ARMY SOLDIER SYSTEMS COMMAND, ATTN: SSCNC-ICA / Mr. Philip Hudner, Natick, MA 01670-5019 Manufacturers of vehicle crew helmets sought. The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command (Natick) is interested in locating manufacturers capable of manufacturing production-scale quantities of Advanced Combat Vehicle Crew Helmets (ACVCH). The ACVCH will provide ballistic, hearing, and impact protection as well as improved comfort, head ventilation, and communications for US Army and Marine Corps combat vehicle crewman. The required salient characteristics are summarized as follows: (1) talk through capability with non-linear compression circuitry to compress ambient noise to a maximum of 85 db; (2) Ballistic helmet shell is as specified by MIL-H-44117A, Helmet, Combat Vehicle Crewman, Ballistic Shell, DH-132B; (3) Wireless communication for on-board to off-board operations; Headsets will have radio transceivers/receiver built in to allow direct communication between crewman at a dismounted distance of 500 meters; (4) Interoperability with Army and Marine Corps communication equipment. The Advanced CVC Helmet should be able to replace the DH-132B Helmet in Army and Marine Corps communication systems without any degredation to operation and performance. The Advanced CVC Helmet interface to other communication equipment should be wireless; (5) Bump protection to limit a 20 ft-lb impact to a maximum of 150 g(g=32 ft/sec); (6) Removable face mask to provide impact protection to the lower face region (below the nose); (7) Fit the 5th percentile female to 95th percentile male US Army and USMC population. (8) Compatibility with M17, M25, M40, and M42 and XM45 chemical protective masks, and (9) The Weight, at maximum, is 5.0 lbs. The four primary components of the ACVCH are: (a) Face guard and mounting hardware, (b) headset which includes ''talk thru'' components, (c) liner/suspension system, and (d) headset/microphone kit which includes wireless two-way radio capability for on-board to off-board communications up to a dismounted distance of 500 meters. Natick is searching for INFORMATION ONLY from manufacturers or dealers interested in either providing in significant quantities the above described equipment/components. Interested firms should submit information of their products and capabilities in this area. Information should include available technology, product literature and illustrations, and relevant company background/ experience. Responses to this notice are to be sent to Mr. Philip Hudner at the above address. THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY; NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE WILL BE ISSUED.(0131)

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