10--Model M97 soft armor

Under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering (RDEC) Acquisition Center, Natick Contracting Division (NDC), Kansas Street, Natick, MA on behalf of the U. S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Natick, MA intends to negotiate and award a Contract on a sole source basis with Safariland, Inc. 13386 International Parkway Jacksonville, FL 32218. This will be for the purchase of 200 units of model M97 soft armor in a reduced area of coverage configuration for R&D ballistic testing ranging in size from small to X-Large. Reducing area of coverage will potentially give United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) operators reduced weight and increased mobility on the battlefield. Model M97 soft armor is a commercial item that is solely manufactured by Safariland and is the only currently approved and manufactured soft armor provided to the Special Operations Personal Equipment Advanced Requirements (SPEAR) operators. No other model of soft armor will satisfy the requirements of this ballistic test. No first article test is required as this soft armor will not be fielded for use by soldiers under combat conditions. Testing will be conducted for the purpose of determining whether to execute an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) to an existing production contract which was previously competed full and open. Safariland is the only known source of model M97 soft armor and owns the proprietary rights to the design and manufacturing. Model M97 soft armor is the only currently approved and manufactured soft armor provided to the Special Operations Personal Equipment Advanced Requirements (SPEAR) operators and no other model of soft armor will satisfy the requirements of this purchase. Any firm that believes it can meet this requirement may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within 5 days from the date of publication of this announcement. Supporting evidence must be in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirements, yet must be limited to 2 pages. Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government to compete the proposed procurement based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, NCD will proceed with awarding a firm fixed price purchase order to SEK Solutions. Nothing herein should be misconstrued as a request for proposal. No solicitation document is available. Any Questions concerning this acquisition may be addressed to the above address, Attention: Mr. Nate Jordan or by email to: [email protected]. This synopsis expires January 15, 2010 at 10:00am.