Flight Helmets

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intends to issue a firm fixed price sole source award to Flight Suits (DBA Gibson & Barnes), for flight helmets for Air and Marine Operations (AMO) pilots/flight crew. The award will be for a base year and four option years with the ability to order up to four hundred Gentex flight helmets. The Gentex HGU-56/P is the only helmet specifically designed for helicopters, and the only helmet available that has successfully passed ALL of the US Army Aeromedical Research Lab (USAARL) testing. On average, helicopter crashes result in approximately 12 impacts to the helmet (30% of these are side impacts). Through extensive testing, the statistical data demonstrates that the following impact characteristics in terms of maximum G transmission to the brain that occur during an impact sequence: HGU-56/P transmits a maximum G of 175 G. Competing helmets transmitted 350 G and 400 G. The numbers from that test translate to the Gentex HGU-56/P wearer as no head injury (175 G). Others tested received potential brain damage (350 G) and possible death (400 G). AMO initially purchased 900 of the Gentex HGU56/P helmets and has exclusively used that helmet as the only accepted flight helmet in the inventory. As the original equipment manufacturer and sole distributer of Gentex Helmets, Gibson and Barnes is uniquely qualified to meet this requirement. The period of performance will be a base year (12 months) and four options (12 months per option). If any contractors feel they can meet the requirements please contact the contracting officer by email at [email protected] by the response date and time listed with this notice. You must submit a capabilities statement displaying your ability to meet the requirements.