SOURCES SOUGHT
K -- Integrated and Scalable Outer Tactical Vest
- Notice Date
- 11/22/2005
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- M67854 Quantico, VA
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- M6785406I3004
- Response Due
- 1/15/2006
- Description
- The Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) is seeking market research, potential sources, and best practice information towards designing, developing, and buying a replacement item to provide torso ballistic protection with integrated and scalable load-carrying capabilities for individual Marines. The OTV, along with ballistic protective inserts, is commonly known as the USMC?s very successful ?Interceptor? system. The currently used Outer Tactical Vest (OTV) portion was developed in the late 1990?s. It consists of soft armor (i.e., fragmentation protection) covering the torso, groin and neck and can carry ceramic plates to protect against rifle fire. The OTV, however, is not designed ? but is being used for ? carrying equipment and items during USMC missions. Consequently, the OTV lacks efficient state-of-the-art load carrying capabilities and technologies that limit the user?s effectiveness. The OTV needs to be redesigned to carry a Marine?s assault load (i.e. magazines, water, grenades, etc.). It is to use state of the art load carriage techniques to optimally distribute the load over the torso. The contemplated integrated OTV will combine the capabilities to carry the ballistic protection and combat load. The system will use the current Small Arms Protective Insert (SAPI) plates. Due the availability of and monetary investment in soft armor, the USMC anticipates the need to also use the soft armor currently in the OTV. The USMC envisions at this time a modular/scaleable integrated OTV system, that will enable individual Marines to configure components to best meet specific mission requirements optimizing/balance human factors (e.g. comfort and usability), protection (from enemy threats and environment) and cost (production and maintenance). For example, an infantry Marine may configure the integrated OTV for jungle operations by removing all the ballistic components and limiting the ammunition carried; alternatively, a Marine may configure the integrated OTV for urban fighting by adding all the ballistic protection and an increased ammunition load out. Berry Amendment will apply to the future procurement. In designing/developing the integrated OTV, companies are expected to apply best practice human-factors, casualty reduction analysis and business analysis to meet the needs of Marines. The USMC is currently performing market research to learn applicable/proven best practices (note the integrated OTV requirements are not yet complete and a formal solicitation has not yet been developed). Within that effort, the USMC wants to leverage its expertise in USMC operational/capability needs and related constraints with industries? established expertise and capabilities to design, develop, produce, and support best value products. Therefore, the USMC is taking the following market research steps: First, the USMC is requesting from interested companies, information on best approaches to satisfy the above needs. Furnished written materials and any proprietary information will be protected when clearly identified as proprietary. Also, please provide company size. These responses should be received not later than January 15, 2006 by sending it to Jennifer Breder, at email address jennifer.breder@usmc.mil or via FEDEX/UPS deliveries to Command, Jennifer Breder, CTQ3JB, MARCORSYSCOM, 2200 Lester Street Quantico VA 22134-6050. Any/all questions regarding submission of materials should be addressed to Jennifer Breder at 703-432-3266. Second, to help industry best understand the USMC performance capability needs, the USMC will host an OTV Integration Industry Conference to be held at the Hilton Old Town Alexandria on 1767 King Street on December 20th, 2005 starting at 0900. The session will provide an overview of current issues, uses, capability needs, constraints, and provide other information and answers to written questions or concerns received before the conference date. The USMC is eager to hear industry best-practice ideas used in other/similar projects (commercial and federal). In recognition of probable proprietary concerns, a limited number of individual sessions can be arranged with the acquisition team to discuss company-specific ideas and concerns. Such one-on-one sessions will not exceed one hour each and should include company qualifications and best practice ideas towards creating a s uccessfully integrated OTV. Due to resource demands, time is limited. Companies wishing to attend the conference or meet on a one-on-one basis should register by no later than 14 DECEMBER 2005 by emailing Jennifer Breder at jennifer.breder@usmc.mil. Session requests should include company capabilities/similar-relevant past performance information and limit participation to three people. THE SUBMISSION OF THIS INFORMATION IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY ITEMS/SERVICES, NOR FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS.
- Record
- SN00936514-W 20051124/051122212402 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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