--Plain Weave and Oxford Weave Aramid Blend Fabric (92% Nomex, 5% Kevlar, 3% P-140).

Under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, the U.S. Army RDECOM - Natick Contracting Division, Kansas Street, Natick, MA on behalf of the United States Army  Soldier System Center, Natick, MA intends to negotiate and award a purchase order on a sole source basis with Springfield, LLC, 30 Jericho Executive Plaza, Suite 500, Jericho, NY 10018-8361. This effort is to provide the Government with a total quantity of 1,650 yards of plain weave aramid blend fabric conforming to the type II, class 5 requirements o f MIL-C-83429B, dated 26 MAY 1993; and 1,220 yards of oxford weave aramid blend fabric conforming to the class 3 requirements of MIL-C-43842C. The Government has a need to obtain this fabric in order to support pending fabrication of Air Warrior and Comba t Vehicle crewmen uniforms for use in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Springfield, LLC is the only known source currently in operation for printing this type of fabric in the U.S. Springfield, LLC has successfully done a similar type of printing on this type of fabric for Soldier System Center over the past 10 years, and is currently printing the Army woodland pattern on aramid blend fabrics. Therefore, Springfield, LLC has a production print line in operation, and has the necessary testing equipment to assure that the fabric meets the specifications. Consequently, there w ill not be a delay in beginning production. Given the need to obtain this fabric for use in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the facts that Springfield, LLC has a production print line in operation and has successfully done similar printing for the Soldier System Center over the past 10 years, the contr act will be awarded to the proposed contractor. Questions concerning this acquisition may be addressed to the above address, Attention: Mr. Richard R. Alves, Jr. (AMSRD-ACC-NS) or by E-mail at [email protected]. This announcement expires at 8 :00 a.m. EDT Friday April 22, 2005.