The U.S. Special Operations Command intends to extend, on a sole source basis, the ordering period for production items on three contracts which collectively comprise the Special Operations Forces Equipment Advanced Requirements (SPEAR) Body Armor/Load Carrying System (BALCS). This extension is necessary to ensure an uninterrupted supply of this highly specialized equipment for the unanticipated increase in operations following the domestic terrorist attacks on the U.S. on 11 September 2001. The three contracts are as follows: USZA22-98-D-0007 - Body Armor, Ceradyne, Inc., 3169 Redhill Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626; USZA22-98-D-0008 - Equipment Load Carrying Subsystem (ELCS), Safariland, Ltd., Inc., 3120 E. Mission Blvd, Ontario, CA 91761; and USZA22-98-D-0005 - Backpack Subsystem, Bianchi International, 27969 Jefferson Ave, Temecula, CA 92590. All three contracts were awarded on a competitive basis. The ordering period for all three contracts currently expires on 30 Sep 2003, and will be extended to 30 Sep 2005. All three contracts specify a maximum quantity of systems and spare parts that can be ordered and these maximums will not be increased. Statutory authority for these sole source extensions is Title 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1. This notice is for informational purposes only; therefore no formal solicitation will result from this announcement. Questions or comments must be in writing and directed to Mike Holland via email at
[email protected]. See numbered note 22.