93--The Government intends to purchase neoprene sponge and polyethylene foam for testing the Family of Concealable Body Armor (FoCBA) in support of Project Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PM SPE).

The Army Contracting Command- Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), MD 21005 intends to award a firm-fixed price contract utilizing Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The Government intends to issue on a sole source basis to Rubberlite, Inc., 2501 Guyan Avenue, Huntington, West Virginia 25703 under the statutory authority permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. This requirement is to procure Neoprene Sponges and Polyethylene Foam for the Family of Concealable Body Armor (FoCBA) Stab Testing in support of Project Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PM SPE). These products will be utilized for testing military police vests. The items anticipated in this requirement are: 335 sheets each of neoprene sponge, (5.8mm thick, Type SCE45, Shore A20-30) and 56 sheets each of polyethylene foam, (closed cell, 31mm thick, LD45, ShoreA14), per NIJ 0115.00 Stab Resistance Protection Standard. At the present time, there are four known suppliers of the neoprene sponge and polyethylene foam all located in the United Kingdom and one supplier in the United States. Market research indicates that none of these suppliers currently exist or produce the blades and spikes needed to satisfy the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) 0115.00 requirements. In order to locate a company within the United States that produces the engineered blades and engineered spikes required, various laboratories were contacted, including the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and several independent NIJ test laboratories that purchase of neoprene sponge and polyethylene foam for body armor testing. Each of these laboratories indicated that they purchase their neoprene sponge and polyethylene foam from the same source; Rubberlite, Inc. the only known source. Responsible parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement, no later than 18 April 2011. The POC for this action is Aqua Jefferson, Phone: 410-306-1888, Email: [email protected]