99--Laser marking system to support Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, Program Manager (PM) Soldier Equipment.

The U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering Command Acquisition Center intends to negotiate solely with CodeSource Inc. for delivery of one fully integrated laser marking system to support Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, Program Manager (PM) Soldier Equipment. It is anticipated that this action will be a sole source contract that will support a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) delivery order. CodeSource Inc. is uniquely qualified for this effort, because it is the only company capable of f ully integrating a laser marking system capable of making MIL-STD 130(M) compliant laser cut labels using TESA label material. PM Soldier Equipment currently has an earlier generation machine and corresponding software package from this contractor with wh ich the new system must be compatible. No other contractor can provide this integrated proprietary software and system. No other contractor could meet the Governments requirement without excessive expenditures and an unacceptable delay before the necess ary equipment would be delivered. The FOILStar 300 Laser Marking System with DPLNexus Marking Laser is a stand alone system used to produce laser engraving of Unique Identification (UID) labels for hard ballistic body armor plates being assessed by the Non-Destructive Test Facility (NDTF). The UID labels produced by this system, and installed on each hard ballistic body armor plate, will enable the NDTF to establish a data record unique to each plate evaluated resulting in the required plate data c ollection and analysis. The NDTF system uses a reader to capture the (UID) label on the ballistic insert being evaluated. As a plate moves around the conveyor belt, the plates UID is read, the plate is x-rayed, results are collected associated with the UID and compiled automatically into a database. The rejected plates are automatically separated from the accepted plates. This system automatically populates a database to permit data mining for logistical, operational, and research analyses. How ever, any firm that believes it can meet this requirement may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within 15 days from the date of publication of this announcement. Supporting evidence must be in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirement. 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 ar e received, the U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering Command Acquisition Center will proceed with awarding a firm-fixed price contract to CodeSource Inc. U.S Army Research, Research, Development and Engineering Command Acquisition Center po int of contact for this requirement is Mr. Michael J. Querns, contract specialist, 410-278-0795, e-mail: [email protected]