Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of PM SOF intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: BAE Systems Aerospace & Defense Group Inc. 7822 S 46th St Phoenix, AZ 85044. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. No solicitation document is available. 1) FAR Statutory Authority cited: 13.106-1(b)(1) only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. 2) Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: PM-SOF Survival, Support & Equipment Systems (PM-SOF SSES) has a need to acquire next generation hard armor research and development samples. These samples will consist of SPEAR/SAPI shaped hard armor plates and will be solely purchased for research and development testing. No first article test is required as this hard armor will not be fielded for use by warfighters under combat conditions. Testing will be conducted for the purpose of conducting market research of vendors and hard armor technology in support of a future full and open competitive solicitation. The intent is to award a Firm Fixed Price type contract for these items. 3) A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): BAE Systems has presented a proprietary and unique hard armor design for next generation SPEAR hard armor plates. PM-SOF SSES has a requirement to evaluate next generation hard armor technology and conduct market research in support of a future full and open competitive solicitation. 4) A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: PM-SOF SSES continuously conducts market research of hard armor plates and hard armor plate manufacturers. Recently, program office representatives attended the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) in October 2010 and Shot Show in January 2011. Program office representatives met and corresponded at these events and via email/phone with the following companies: Company Name Capability Ceradyne Armor Manufacturer Armor Holdings Armor Manufacturer Armor Works Armor Manufacturer British Aerospace Systems Armor Manufacturer The Protective Group Armor Manufacturer Armacel Armor Manufacturer As part of this project, PM-SOF SSES intends to award separate R&D contracts to multiple vendors in order to determine current capabilities and to promote competition between vendors. 5) Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: NA 6) A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: Not feasible at our level. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement to the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail to:
[email protected] no later than 8:00 a.m. on September 3, 2011. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick CCRD-NA-SU, Natick Contracting Division Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Nate Jordan, Contract Specialist
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