United States Special Operations Command, Directorate of Procurement (SOAC-KB), 2418 Florida Keys Ave., MacDill AFB, FL 33621-5316

84 -- BALLISTIC HELMETS POC Ms. Valerie Romanchek, Contract Specialist, (813)840-5461 WEB: Click here for USSOCOM Home Page, http://soal.socom.mil. E-MAIL: keelers@socom.mil, romancv@socom.mil. The United States Special Operations Command is interested in potential sources for a commercial off-the-shelf ballistic helmet. The helmet shall consistently provide fragmentation and ballistic in a balanced and stable configuration. As a threshold, the helmet shall provide fragmentation protection (V50) equal to the Personal Armor Systems for Ground Troops (PASGT) helmet (2 grain RCC @ 4075 fps, 4 gr RCC @ 3450 fps, 16 gr RCC @ 2425 fps, 64 grain RCC @1700 fps and 17 gr FSP @ 2150 fps) with an objective requirement of the same protection at a reduced weight. As a threshold, the helmet shall provide handgun protection (V zero) against a 124 grain, 9mm @ 1175 fps (+50 fps) with minimal backface deformation with an objective requirement of the same protection at reduced weight. Fragmentation testing shall be in accordance with MIL-STD-662F. Handgun testing shall be in accordance with NIJ Standard 0106.01 except that five (5) shots will be taken as follows: four (4) side shots IAW the standard, except that one side shot (back preferred) shall be to a fastener (bolt, screw, etc) at 0 degree obliquity and one (1) shot at 0 degree obliquity to the crown. The helmet shall be compatible with and possess the capability to mount night vision devices, and be compatible with parachutist's free fall oxygen masks. The helmet shall consistently perform in all conditions from 40 degrees F to +160 degrees F. The helmet shall be capable of withstanding and consistently performing (no performance or physical degradation) in a maritime environment. The helmet shall be able to withstand 750 hours (threshold) of continuous maritime exposure with an objective of 1200 hours. The helmet shall consistently perform after a three foot immersion in salt water for three hours (threshold) with the objective of withstanding immersion at 66 feet in salt water for twelve hours. The helmet shall be resistant to rust/corrosion, dry rot, mold and mildew, fungus, and not be degraded by ultra-violet radiation. The helmet shall be resistant to gasoline, motor oil and diesel fuel. The helmet shall provide maximum protection at minimum weight. Maximum area of coverage shall not impede sensory awareness (ambient hearing and field of view), and allow for full compatibility with weapons, optics and equipment. The desired goal is the smallest profile helmet, which fits the 5th 95th percentile male SOF operator in a minimum of sizes. The helmet shall be available in black with covers for woodland and desert environments. The helmet shall have a five-year shelf life. Interested sources are welcome to submit product information, vendor information, price, warranty, delivery schedule and sample (if possible) to Ms. Cynthia Mooney, USA Soldier Systems Command, ATTN: SSCNC-I, (Ms. Cynthia Mooney), Kansas Street, Building 4, Room D216, Natick, MA 01760. Based upon results of this market survey, a solicitation may follow. Posted 04/30/99 (W-SN326556). (0120)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0343 19990504\84-0004.SOL)