This Request for Information (RFI) is for market research purposes only. All questions relating to this notice shall be sent via email to Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) point of contact (POC) Kelly Doolittle. ACC-APG, on behalf of Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PM SPE) of the Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060, is seeking information from potential industry partners to support the Army's effort to produce the Modular Scalable Vest Generation II (MSV Gen II). Background: A validated requirement exists to provide the Soldier a personal protective system that allows the user to tailor his/her loads for mission-specific operations, thereby increasing survivability and mobility. The goal of Soldier Protection System Torso and Extremity Protection (SPS TEP) is to provide the Soldiers with modular and scalable/mission-tailorable protection to reduce weight and increase mobility while optimizing protection. The SPS TEP design consists of four (4) components: Modular Scalable Vest (MSV), Ballistic Combat Shirt (BCS), Blast Pelvic Protector (BPP), and Ballistic Battle Belt (B3). The SPS TEP allows Soldiers to tailor their protection from Tier 1, Concealable, to Tier 4, Full Tactical. The MSV Gen II consists of a concealable vest with soft armor panels covered in a camouflage cloth and hook and loop. These panels can then be inserted into a tactical outer carrier that also accommodates hard armor protective inserts. The tactical outer carrier also contains two side plate pockets that accommodate soft armor inserts. The MSV Gen II has a single point quick release system that can be configured for shooters preference. The front vest of the MSV Gen II has laser cut Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) and the back vest of the MSV Gen II has a combination of laser cut PALS and 1 inch webbing Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE). The outer carrier is made of a flame resistant outer cloth, webbings, hook/loop, polyethylene stiffener, and several other non-ballistic materials. PM SPE has a requirement for at least 96,703 MSV Gen IIs to be delivered from 21 July 2018 through 20 July 2019. Specifically, this RFI seeks information on the construction of and production capabilities related to the MSV Gen II carrier as well as the soft ballistic armor, which is inserted into the carrier. Due to the critical nature of this requirement and the need to be able to begin the production process starting 21 July 2018, interested vendors will need: - To already have been granted a MSV Gen II First Article Test (FAT) Approval within the last 180 days, or - To already have MSV Gen II FAT samples undergoing testing at Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) and are awaiting to be granted FAT Approval. The MSV Gen II shall meet the Material Systems Requirement and Ballistic Performance Requirement of the MSV Gen II Purchase Description, AR/PD 15-03 Rev D, Amendment 2. Patterns are available but can only be viewed with ACCUMARK. Submission Information: All interested vendors shall respond to the RFI by submitting the below information by 02 July 2018: - FAT Approval documentation from ACC-APG, or FAT results from ATC that identifies the ballistic design that is being considered for FAT Approval and their current status on being granted FAT Approval for the MSV Gen II - Detailed description of any past performance related to the production of MSV Gen I, MSV Gen II or soft armor ballistic inserts. - Technical supporting information such as white paper, test reports or past research and development efforts investigating material performance or a soft armor ballistic design that meets or exceeds the PD requirements. - Rough order of magnitude (ROM) unit price - Business name, address, business size and point of contact information (name, email and phone number). - Business name, address, business size of all sub-vendors. - Proprietary information should be clearly marked and will not be disclosed outside the U.S. Government. Interested sources should submit the requested information not later than 02 July 2018 via email ONLY to
[email protected]. The Government does not guarantee that this RFI will result in a Request for Proposal (RFP) or contract award, and will not provide reimbursement for any costs incurred by vendors who respond to the RFI. Interested vendors will be advised if and when the Government decides to pursue a formal RFP or solicitation. Please direct all questions relating to this RFI to the contracting office, Kelly Doolittle, Contract Specialist at
[email protected].