USA MATERIAL COMMAND ACQUISITION CENTER, NATICK CONTRACTING DIVISION, ATTN: STEAA-NC, NATICK MA 01760-5011

84 -- HELMETS, FRAGMENTATION, LIGHTWEIGHT (US MARINE CORPS) SOL 032&&&-9810-0002 POC Jeffrey Baldwin, Contract Specialist (508) 233 5920; Michael A. Winn, Contracting Officer (508) 233 4125 (Site Code DAAD16) HELMET, FRAMENTATION, LIGHTWEIGHT MARINE CORPS: The United States Marine Corps, as represented by the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, has a requirement for the development and delivery of a new lighter weight fragmentation helmet. The total estimated contract quantity is approximately 250,000 to 300,000 over a period of four (4) years. This helmet, once fielded, will replace the standard PASGT helmet currently in use with Marine Corps forces. The new Lightweight Marine Corps Fragmentation Helmet shall be designed and produced to meet a performance specification (to be provided with the solicitation), which includes requirements like the following: the helmet shall be comprised of a shell, suspension system (improved over the PASGT), chin strap, head band (if necessary), attachments, paint and edging; the helmet shall provide ballistic and non-ballistic protection and wearability to the intended Marine users; the helmet shall come in sizes Extra Small through Extra Large; the helmet shall have shell thickness of no more than .360 inches (+/- .020 inches) without losing protective capability; the helmet shall have weights which do not exceed 41 ounces for Extra Small, 42 ounces for Small, 44 ounces for Medium, 58 ounces for Large, and 59 ounces for Extra Large; the helmet shall be flame resistant; the helmet shall be capable of performing all operational requirements after exposure to chemical agents; the helmet shall show no sign of structural damage after being subjected to a 40 foot-pound impact; the helmet shall be designed to limit the amount of acoustic interference to the user; the helmet shall have at least a 15 year storage life under a load of 30 pounds; the helmet shall have a service life of 10 years, and the helmet shall meet other requirements. Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 8, the current PASGT helmets are mandatorily set aside for production by the Federal Prison Industries (FPI). Therefore, FPI will be participating in this helmet replacement program. However, it is anticipated that the end result of on-going discussions with FPI will be that some significant portion of the effort associated with meeting the Marine Corps requirements will be competed among those interested companies in industry. Of course, the size of the portion will greatly depend on final agreement between FPI and this Command. This announcement serves as notification of the Government's requirements in accordance with FAR Part 5. This is the only announcement of this program that will be published prior to release of any solicitations. So as to allow the Government to evaluate the level of industry interest in this program, all interested parties should respond to this announcement in writing no later than 06 November 1998. All responses must be addressed to: U.S. Army Material Command Acquisition Center, Natick Contracting Division, Attn: Code STEAA-NC (Baldwin), Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011 and may be mailed, faxed to 508.233.5286, or electronically mailed to jbaldwin@natick-amed02.army.mil and mwinn@natick-notes02.army.mil. No telephonic responses to this announcement will be accepted. All responses must indicate whether or not they are a small business. The applicable Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code is 3083 (Laminated Plastics Plate, Sheet, and Profile Shapes) and the size standard is 500 employees. AT THIS TIME, THIS COMMAND INTENDS TO RELEASE ALL ACQUISITION INFORMATION THROUGH OUR INTERNET WEB PAGE. THIS INCLUDES ANY SOLICITATIONS (DRAFTS AND FINAL), AMENDMENTS THERETO, AND RESPONSES TO ANY INDUSTRY QUESTIONS. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS WILL NOT BE ANSWERED DIRECTLY BACK TO THE COMPANY SUBMITTING THEM. Accordingly, it will be incumbent upon any interested parties to ensure that they check this web page. It is anticipated that a draft solicitation (and/or advanced planning documents) will be available on the web site after 16 November 1998, and that the final solicitation will be available on the web site after 18 December 1998. These dates are subject to change.The web site is: "www-sscom.army.mil/acquisition/index.html" Posted 11/03/98 (I-SN267734). (0307)

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