PEO Soldier Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment (SPIE) Soldier Protective Equipment (SPE) Next Generation - Integrated Head Protection System (NG-IHPS) Full Rate Production (FRP) 1.0 Description 1.1 Product Manager, Soldier Protective Equipment (PdM SPE) is seeking information for the Full Rate Production (FRP) phase of the Next Generation IHPS that incorporates Polyethylene (PE) Film technology, and/or a design that meets a Threat P protection level without the use of the current attached Ballistic Applique. 1.2 This RFI is solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The Government is currently planning future efforts for the Next Generation IHPS; however, a solicitation is not available at this time and any requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. The Government will allow vendors who do not respond to this RFI to participate in any future RFP issued on this system. If the Government releases a solicitation, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor the FedBizOpps site for additional information pertaining to this request. 1.3 The purpose of this RFI is to identify and determine capabilities in the existing marketplace, as well as understand the level of interest of potential sources in a future solicitation that the Government may release for this effort. An affirmative statement must be included in any responses provided to the Government regarding the respondent's intention to participate in a future solicitation either as a prime contractor or supplier for the Next Generation IHPS. The Government is requesting White Papers solely for internal Government purposes and to further develop or refine Statement of Work (SOW) requirements. The Government will not use the White Papers received as a basis for making any future award determinations. The Government will take appropriate measures in the management of the information received in response to this RFI and will store the documentation in accordance with Government standards to prevent the dissemination of any sensitive information to the public. 1.4 The purpose of this RFI is to collect information from vendors to determine the readiness, capability, and timeframe of interested helmet manufacturers and their intentions to participate in a competition for the Next Generation IHPS. 2.0 Technical Requirements 2.1 Purchase Descriptions (PDs). The Next Generation IHPS shall meet all of the requirements in the following PDs. (AR/PD 17-03, Ballistic Applique, is included only as a reference to establish Threat P requirements. Threat P shot locations on the helmet are the same as those for Threat M.) - AR/PD 17-02: IHPS Helmet (dated 12 January 2018) - AR/PD 17-03: IHPS Ballistic Applique (DRAFT ONLY) - AR/PD 17-04: IHPS Mandible (DRAFT ONLY) - AR/PD 17-05: IHPS Visor (DRAFT ONLY) - AR/PD 17-06: IHPS Retention System (DRAFT ONLY) - AR/PD 17-07: IHPS Cover (DRAFT ONLY) These documents cover the ballistic and non-ballistic performance and verification requirements for the Next Generation IHPS, with the exception that the IHPS Helmet must meet the requirement for Threat P protection without the Ballistic Applique attached. The Next Generation IHPS helmet must meet the current IHPS geometry and integrate with an attached maxillofacial system (mandible and visor). [Vendors may request copies of all PDs from the contracting office and receive access upon verification of a System for Award Management (SAM) account.] 3.0 Responses 3.1 Interested parties shall respond to this RFI with a White Paper. 3.2 White papers in Microsoft Word for Office 2013 compatible format or Adobe Portable Document Format (pdf) are due no later than 15 calendar days after the posting of this RFI. Responses shall be limited to 30 pages and submitted via e-mail only. Submit responses to Contract Specialist, George Hubbard at
[email protected]. Vendor's will minimize proprietary information contained in responses and clearly mark any proprietary information included in their response. To aid the Government, vendors will segregate proprietary information. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 3.2.1 Technical Point of Contact: CPT Alan Chartier, Head Protection APM,
[email protected], (703) 704-9476 3.3. The White Paper submission must address the requirements in Section 2 and include the following information: 3.3.1. Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. 3.3.2. For informational purposes, the type of contract vehicle selected for the IHPS FRP program will be an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ), with firm fixed price delivery orders. 3.3.3. Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUB Zone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 315990 Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing. "Small business concern" means a concern, including its affiliates, which is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 13 CFR part 121, Small Business Size Regulations. A small business concern for the purposes of this procurement is generally defined as a business, including its affiliates, with no more than 500 employees. The Government cautions responders that this is a general description only. Additional standards and conditions apply. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19, Small Business Programs, for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. The FAR is available at http://www.arnet.gov. 3.3.4. Facility security clearance of the offeror. Offerors will include the level of their facility security clearance in the response. Required facility security clearance of the offeror is secret. 3.4. Additional Required Information. 3.4.1 The delivery requirements for the Next Generation IHPS are very challenging and will include specific quantities in a timeframe that will support Soldier and unit deployments. Respondents must address monthly and annual production capabilities in order for the Government to assess the ability to meet current and planned future deployment schedules. 3.4.2 Army requirements for deploying units will most likely change and will vary in both the near and long term. Responses to this RFI must address, in detail, the respondent's capabilities to establish and maintain a production capacity that can meet critical delivery requirements, including providing all supplier materials on time and in quantities that will support the Next Generation IHPS helmet and component deliveries. 3.4.3 Assuming a solicitation is released today for the Next Generation IHPS acquisition: 1. When (what date) will you have Next Generation IHPS tooling in place? 2. When will you have internal testing completed? 3. When will you have a final design and testing completed to submit design and test data to the Government in response to a future request for proposal? 4. How many days after contract award will it take you to present FAT samples to DCMA? (Assure FAT priorities are as described in AR/PD 17-02.) 5. What is your monthly sustainable production rate? 6. What is your maximum monthly production rate? 4.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to collect information and identify sources that can meet all of the requirements for a combat helmet and components, as described in the respective PDs. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed in this RFI. Vendors should not construe the Government's release of this RFI as a commitment or as authorization to incur costs for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions immediately become property of the Government and will not be returned.