SRCSGT | 99 | PM Soldier Protective Equipment ( PM SPE), working in conjunction with Product Manager Mounted Soldier (PM MS), is seeking technical information from manufacturers regarding the availability of maxillofacial protection.

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF APRIL 29, 2010 FBO #3078
SOURCES SOUGHT

99 -- PM Soldier Protective Equipment ( PM SPE), working in conjunction with Product Manager Mounted Soldier (PM MS), is seeking technical information from manufacturers regarding the availability of maxillofacial protection.

Notice Date: 4/27/2010
Notice Type: Sources Sought
Contracting Office: RDECOM Contracting Center - Aberdeen (RDECOM-CC), ATTN: AMSSB-ACC-A, 4118 Susquehanna Avenue, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-3013
ZIP Code: 21005-3013
Solicitation Number: W91CRBXXXXXXX
Response Due: 6/4/2010
Archive Date: 8/3/2010
Point of Contact: Theodore R Lohman, 410-306-2667
E-Mail Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Aberdeen (RDECOM-CC)
(theodore.lohman@us.army.mil)
Small Business Set-Aside: N/A
Description: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - MAXILLOFACIAL PROTECTION BACKGROUND: PM Soldier Protective Equipment ( PM SPE), working in conjunction with Product Manager Mounted Soldier (PM MS), is seeking technical information from manufacturers regarding the availability of maxillofacial protection that meet or exceed the specifications identified in this solicitation. This notice constitutes a Request for Information ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION; no contracts will be awarded for this effort at this time. However, please include a statement regarding your interest in responding to any future PM-SPE or PM MS solicitations related to this effort. Be advised that the Government may seek unlimited data rights from vendors who participate in any follow-on solicitations. DESCRIPTION: Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PM SPE) is seeking Maxillofacial Protection solutions to meet the specifications outlined in this RFI. After review and evaluation of industry feedback, submissions, and/or samples, the most desirable features may be solicited for a PM MS developmental and operational testing effort to evaluate the efficacy of products to determine suitability for Army use. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS SpecificationThresholdObjective Ballistic performance "17 grain Fragment Simulating Projectiles (in accordance with MIL-P-46593B) V50 @ 0 degrees Obliquity greater than 925 ft/sec"17 grain Fragment Simulating Projectiles (in accordance with MIL-P-46593B) V50 @ 0 degrees Obliquity greater than 1850 ft/sec "9MM 124 grain Full Metal Jacket Remington V0 @ 0 degrees Obliquity greater than 1400 +50/-0 ft/sec, Max deformation less than 44.0mm 1.73 inches Area of coverage"Coverage of head, face, and mouth (not covered by protective eyewear and CVC/ACH)"Increasing coverage to include protection of neck Blunt Force Protection"Protection against blunt trauma; defined as blunt injury, non-penetrating trauma or blunt force trauma caused to the face/head/mouth by force of impact, resulting in contusions, abrasions, lacerations, and/or bone fracturing "Protection from injury to the users head/face/mouth during a survivable crash incident Compatible with Combat Vehicle Crewmans (CVC) and Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH)"Applications for size Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large CVCs and/or ACHs "No modification to ACH or CVC shells "Use of current retention system holes and modified hardware acceptable"Single system that is compatible with both CVC and ACH (different mounting systems authorized) "Shall not restrict range of motion "Minimize obscuration of users field of view Operational Usage"Must remain stable on head and not cause the helmet to shift or cause the helmet to need constant adjustment "Must not interfere with Soldiers gaining proper site picture with individual weapon (M-4/M-16) with optics and iron sites "Must not degrade voice communications (person-to-person) or radio communications use of a hand-mike"Compatible with Bradley/Abrams/Stryker platform weapons sighting systems "Suitable for use with dismounted individual weapons (M16/M4) Compatibility"Compatible with IOTV "Compatible with all items on the Authorized protective Eyewear List "Compatible with NVD mount and PVS-14/PVS-7 "Must not interfere with the donning of the protective mask within nine seconds"Compatible with CVC VIC-3 "Compatible with Bose communications headset "Compatible with Soridin/Peltor communications headsets "Compatible with Heads Up Display (HUD) / Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) Provides Quick don/doff Capability"Ability to manipulate/adjust component with gloved hands, remove within 30 seconds, and reattach within 60 seconds Modular"Ability to scale/tailor levels of protection Weight"Weight of System shall not exceed 2.0 lbs All interested manufacturing vendors, regardless of size, are encouraged to respond to this RFI by submitting a concept paper, which outlines the following: 1)Business name, address, and point of contact information (name, email and phone number) 2)System description, which clearly indicate the respondents ability to meet EACH of the specifications OR current capability for specifications that cannot be met, and relevant technical data supporting the characterization and performance of the proposed solution. 3)Ballistic and non-ballistic performance results. Ballistic impact testing performed in accordance with specific testing requirements stated in GL-PD-08-09C section 4.6 (Attachment 1). 4)System drawings of proposed solution. 5)Feedback on the RFI. 6)Respondents ability to produce 10 20 prototypes along with Safety Assessment Report and instructions for use NLT 30 days ARO if the design is included in the PM MS testing (those designs included in Government testing will be ballistically tested at the completion of the Demonstration, at Government expense at a later date). All interested companies, regardless of size, are encouraged to respond to this RFI by submitting the above information NLT COB 04 June 2010 (EST). Companies that submit the required technical information will have an opportunity to participate in discussions regarding the priority of factors for evaluation to be included in the final solicitation, and will be able to demonstrate their product on 22-23 June 2010 at the Haymarket, VA facilities at PM Soldier Staging/NET Facility, 15395 John Marshall Highway, Haymarket, VA 20169, telephone: 703-754-1769. Please only submit information on products that are currently commercially available or products that are in the final stages of development and will be available for demonstration. All products must comply with the Buy American Act and the Berry Amendment. Sample products must be demonstrated and related test data must be available for review on the date of submittal of your technical information no later than (NLT) 04 June 2010. The Government will not pay for information or products received in response to this RFI and is in no way obligated by the information received. Inclusion in this RFI or the resulting PM MS developmental and operational testing does not constitute Department of the Army approval for, or acceptance of, any product. The Government may request the item be left for up to 10 days for analysis and to adequately review the items features and capabilities. Proprietary information should be clearly marked and will not be disclosed outside the U.S. Government. Responses shall be sent via e-mail to the Chief, Technical Management Division, PM SPE, Mr. Michael Van Buskirk, at michael.vanbuskirk@ us.army.mil and CC: Ted Lohman at Theodore.lohman@us.army.mil or by regular mail to PM Soldier Survivability, ATTN: Mr. Michael Van Buskirk, 10170 Beach Road, Bldg 328T, and Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060. Excerpt from GL-PD-08-09C ATTACHMENT 1 - TESTING REQUIREMENTS 4.6 Ballistic Performance. 4.6.1 Ballistic Testing. General procedures and requirements are provided in 4.6.2 (see 6.4 for definitions). First Article Testing will be conducted on 15 x 15 inch shoot packs of the proposed ballistic material system. Lot Acceptance Testing will be conducted on the end item constructed of the approved ballistic material system (see 6.4). Failure to meet the requirements of any sub-test will constitute failure for the entire First Article Test or Lot Acceptance Test. 4.6.2 Conditions. Dry specimens and specimens after wet, hot temperature, cold temperature, accelerated aging, and POL conditioning will be tested for ballistic performance as specified in 3.12.1. The dry condition is the standard test condition specified in 3.12.2. All specimens will be visually inspected after conditioning for coloration, distortion, melting, cracking, or other physical defects and noted. 4.6.2.1 Wet Condition. Sea water shall be utilized for wet test conditions. The sea water formulation is 3% sodium chloride/0.5% magnesium chloride. The wet condition is achieved by completely submerging the specimen in sea water at 70 5 degree F for 24 hours. The specimens are submerged such that the fluid is in contact with all exterior surfaces to allow maximum fluid penetration. A ten pound weight shall be placed on a 15 x 15 plate to distribute load to allow for maximum fluid penetration. After submersion, excessive water will be drained from the specimen by hanging vertically for 15 minutes. Ballistic testing of the specimen shall begin within 5 minutes of the completion of draining and shall be completed within 60 minutes. 4.6.2.2 Temperature Extremes Condition. For the hot temperature extreme, the sample shall be heated in an oven operating at 155 +/- 10 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 1/4 hours continuously. The test specimen shall be removed from the oven, mounted and ballistically tested as specified in 4.6.2. For cold temperature extreme, the test specimen shall be cold temperature exposed to -60 +/-10 degree F for 6 +/- hours continuously. The test specimen shall be removed from refrigeration, mounted and ballistically tested as specified in 4.6.2 within 5 minutes with tests completed within 60 minutes. If the test is not completed within 60 minutes the specimen shall be reconditioned for at least 1 hour at the temperature specified above. 4.6.2.3 Accelerated Aging. Accelerated aging of the sample shall be performed in general accordance with ASTM D1149, with the following modifications. The entire sample under test will be subjected to treatment. A 30 lbs. weight will be applied to the sample during accelerated aging conditioning. All samples will be conditioned for 72 hours at 40C while maintaining a minimum of 50 parts per hundred million of ozone. The sample does not require any additional tensile strain during accelerated aging conditioning. After accelerated aging conditioning, the sample must remain at ambient atmospheric conditions for 24 hours prior to ballistic testing. Verify that the conditioned samples perform as specified in 3.12.1. 4.6.2.4 POL Contamination. The ballistic material system specimens shall be immersed in each of the following: motor oil at room temperature and gasoline at room temperature. The motor oil shall conform to ASTM D-4485, Grade CD-II. The specimens shall be placed flat in a pan with 1/8 1/4 inch of the POL fluid. A ten pound weight shall be placed on a 15 x 15 platen to distribute load to allow for maximum fluid penetration. The loaded specimen shall remain immersed for 4 hours at room condition. The specimen shall be hung vertically to drip dry for 15 minutes, excess oil shall be wiped from the surface to facilitate handling of the specimen. The specimen shall be ballistically tested within 30 minutes, with testing completed within 60 minutes. If the testing is not completed within 60 minutes another specimen shall be conditioned as specified above and the testing shall continue with the second panel. 4.6.3 V50 Ballistic Test Criteria. For V50 Protection Ballistic Limits (BL), acceptance tests for the following minimum information is required by the government to validate performance: 1) Armor specimen description including exact materials, thickness, sizes and weights of all components aerial density of armor system or ballistic system nomenclature. 2) Conditioning of armor specimen. 3) Test projectile with exact nomenclature. 4) Temperature and humidity measurements. 5) Yaw angle. 6) Angles of target obliquity. 7) Velocity measurements of each test shot used to test the armor. 8) Velocity loss and/or corrected striking velocity. Striking velocity shall be used for ballistic requirements. 9) PP (Partial Penetration) and CP (Complete Penetration) next to each shot velocity as determined. 10) Angle of spall/debris ejection if applicable. 11) Name of company performing tests. 12) Type of gun barrel, caliber, and propellant used 13) Range measurements including distances from gun barrel to velocity measurement devices and target. 14) Calculated Ballistic Limit. In a situation where the V50 BL data sheet would compromise the Security Classification Guide for Armor Materials, the data sheet should exclude the specific projectile used during testing. 4.6.4 Projectile Velocity Determination. Projectile velocity and time of flight measurements shall be in accordance with ITOP 4-2-805. Instrumental velocity shall be translated into strike velocity at the target and the strike velocity shall be used for ballistic requirements. Projectile velocity measurement methods shall employ either high velocity lumiline screens or electrical contact screens which either open or close an electric circuit by passage of the projectile through the detector. Contact screens may consist of metallic foils separated by a thin insulating layer, or may consist of a circuit printed on paper with the circuit spacing such that the projectile passing through the screen will break the circuit. An electric counter type chronograph measuring to the nearest microsecond or as a maximum to the nearest 10 microseconds will be used with these measuring devices. As an alternative, radiographic equipment calibrated to capture the projectile at various time intervals of flight can be used. For fragment simulating projectiles, velocity correction methodology shall be used to calculate the actual striking velocity and, where appropriate, actual residual velocity. 4.6.5 Weapon Mounting Configuration. The spacing from the weapon muzzle to the first pair of triggering devices shall be sufficient to prevent damage from muzzle blast and obstruction from smoke in case optical devices are used. Recommended distances can be found in USATECOM TOP 4-2-805. Spacing between triggering devices is a function of the expected velocity of the projectile being fired. In many instances, physical restriction, such as short overall distance from muzzle to test sample dictates the spacing of the triggering devices. The last pair of triggering devices shall be placed at least four (4) feet (122 cm) in front of the test sample and should be protected from possible damage resulting from fragments. 4.6.6 Environmental Test Conditions. All ballistic tests shall be performed as closely as possible to a standard temperature of 68 10 degree Fahrenheit and 50 20 % relative humidity. Temperature and humidity measurements shall be recorded before the beginning of days test firings and every two hours thereafter. 4.6.7 Projectile Yaw Determination. Projectile yaw shall be measured for each firing by yaw cards, flash radiograph or photography. Any round for which yaw is determined to be greater than 5 degrees shall be disregarded in the calculation of the ballistic limit. The measurement system employed should be capable of measuring yaw within an accuracy of 0.5 degree. 4.6.8 V50 Ballistic Limit (BL) Calculation. V50 Ballistic Limits for First Article shall be determined using shootpacks representing the proposed ballistic system (see 6.6). V50 Ballistic Limits for conformance testing shall be determined using Nape Pads selected from the presented lot (see 6.2). V50 Ballistic Limit shall be determined in accordance with MIL-STD-662 and ITOP 4-2-805. a. First Article (Shootpacks). Five (5) Partial Penetration (PPs) and five (5) Complete Penetrations (CPs) within a 150 ft/sec velocity spread yield the minimum allowable V50 BL determination that will be accepted as reliable test results. If the velocity spread is not achieved, the test will be deemed inconclusive, therefore a contingency sample must be used. b. Conformance (Nape Pads). The combined V50 ballistic limit shall be obtained by marking a left, right and center point of impact on each of a minimum of twenty (20) Nape Pads in order to obtain 3 data points for each item tested. Ballistic limit testing shall be conducted to obtain a total of 60 data points. The combined V50 ballistic limit shall be calculated using all 60 individual left, right and center data points using an inverse prediction method. 4.6.9 PP and CP Determination for V50. a. First Article (Shootpacks). Complete and partial penetrations (see 6.4) will be determined based on the impressions left on an aluminum witness sheet. A 0.020 in. (0.051 mm thick 2024 T3 sheet of aluminum) will be placed 6 + 1/2 in. (152 + 12.7 mm) behind and parallel to the target. The aluminum witness sheet will be at least 15 x 15 in. size and be of sufficient size to capture all fragments resulting from the ballistic event, mounted rigidly around its parameter and placed so that the target impact location is approximately at the center of the aluminum sheet. Restraint is required during testing so that the material is not pulled through the ballistic test window frame. Unrestrained or improperly restrained materials will tend to pull down the projectile line of flight. Restraint provides for more accurate and reproducible data if uniformly applied. The following test conditions apply: - For all size test panels a metallic (approximately 0.20 inch thick aluminum or steel) frame with minimum 1.4 inch webbing shall be employed to restrain the test material during ballistic impact. - The test panel will be sandwiched between 2 frames and restrained with mechanical or pneumatic clamping devices at each of the four comers of the frame. - The restraining frames will be cut so that a ballistic window with minimum sizing of 12.0 x 12.0 inch square will be used. - The minimum size test panel that will be evaluated should be no smaller than 15 in. x 15 in. - No shots should be closer than 2.5 inch from any frame edge. - Since the fiber direction of both warp and fill are aligned in the 0, and +/- 90 degree directions from one layer to another, test shots should be staggered at least 0.75 inch off the horizontal and vertical lines of any previous shots. - Test shots shall be sufficiently spaced so that sequential shots are not influenced by previous impact areas. A minimum shot spacing of 2.5 inch is required but 3.0 inch is recommended, especially when testing against handgun projectiles. - Depending on the test panel size it may be necessary to use 2-3 panels for the V50 determination. - Samples can be reconditioned to initial shape after every shot, if desired, but this is not required due to the higher test costs and some materials may not require this action. At a minimum the test specimen shall be reconditioned when excessive pulling from the restraining fixture is exhibited. Excessive pulling as defined by the fabric extending greater than 2.0 inch beyond the original rear surface plan of the armor or the distance between the rear armor surface is within 4.0 inch of the witness sheet. b. Conformance (Nape Pads). A complete penetration will have occurred when the projectile, fragment of the projectile, or fragment of the armor material is imbedded or passes into the clay backing material. Fibrous materials that are emitted from the back of the test specimen and rests on the outer surface of the clay impression are not considered a complete penetration. 4.6.10 V50 Test Sample Mounting. a. First Article (Shootpacks). Restraint is required during testing so that the material is not pulled through the ballistic test window frame. Unrestrained or improperly restrained materials will tend to pulled down the projectile line of flight. Restraint provides for more accurate and reproducible data if applied consistently. Unless otherwise stated the following conditions shall be performed during V50 testing. The armor test sample shall be secured on the test target mount with the impact side at the appropriate angle to the line-of-flight of the projectile. The frame supports, clamps or mounting fixtures must be capable of retaining the sample and withstanding shock resulting from ballistic impact by the test projectiles. The test sample mount shall be capable of adjustment of moving the sample in the vertical and horizontal directions so that the point of impact can be located anywhere on the sample and so that appropriate degree obliquity impacts can be achieved anywhere on the sample. The test sample mount shall be capable of rotating on the vertical or horizontal axis so that various obliquity attack angles can be achieved. b. Conformance. The back of the armor test specimen will be attached to a block of non-hardening, oil-based molding clay so that no movement of the test samples occur before, during, or after the ballistic event. The clay block (see 4.6.12) shall be rigidly held by a suitable (metal) stand. The armor test sample shall be secured in the vertical position, perpendicular to the projectile line of flight. The frame supports must be capable of retaining the sample and withstanding shock resulting from ballistic impact. The test sample mounting shall be capable of adjustment for moving the sample in the vertical or horizontal positions so that the point of impact can be located anywhere on the sample. - The first shot will be fired one at the center of the Nape Pad, the second shot to the right (or left) of center, and the third shot fired to the remaining side, (left or right) of center. 4.6.11 V0 Determination. Instrumental velocity shall be translated into strike velocity at the target and the strike velocity shall be used for ballistic requirements. For V0 or full protection (no complete penetrations), a minimum velocity (muzzle plus 50 ft/sec) will be the requirement. The following conditions apply; No complete penetration at the maximum specified shot pattern specified is the minimum requirement. Closer positioning of shots without complete penetration is a desired requirement. - Test samples should be 15.0 x 15.0 inch square size panels and configured in the proposed final armor material system for the First Article Testing Only (see 6.6). - Samples will be mounted on clay block described below (see 4.6.12). - The first shot will be 2.75 0/+1/4 inch from any edge. - The next shot shall be located 3.5 inch 0/+1/2 from the first shot and at the weakness point in the configuration, e.g.; seamed area or non-uniform area of design. - The third shot location should be positioned 3.5 inch 0/+1/2 from any of the 2 previous test shots. - The fourth and fifth shots shall be located 3.5 inch 0/+1/2 from any previous test shots and tested at 30 degrees obliquity. - The transient deformation shall be measured (see 4.6.12) after the third and fifth test firings - Test shots should be staggered at least 0.25 inch off the horizontal and vertical lines of any previous shots. - Test specimens shall be reconditioned to a smooth shape after every shot. 4.6.12 Transient Deformation Measurement. The back of the armor test specimen shall be attached to a block of non-hardening, oil-based molding clay so that no movement of the test samples occur before, during or after the ballistic event. The clay material shall be in the form of a single block at least 4.0 in. thick and 24 x 24 in. length and height. The clay backing material shall be conditioned in its fixture, using a heated chamber or enclosure. Conditioning time, temperature, and corresponding drop test performance may change as a function of backing material age and usage. Actual conditioning temperature and recover time between uses will be determined by drop test results. Additional clay, conditioned to the same initial temperature as the fixture, shall be used to fill voids and restore the front surface of the backing material as needed. The clays consistency should be such that depression of 25 + 3 mm (1 + 0.1 in) in depth is obtained when a 1 kg + 10gm (2.2 lb + 0.35 oz) cylindrical steel mass, 44.5 + 0.5 mm (1.75 + 0.02 in) in. diameter and having a hemispherical striking end is dropped from a height of 2 m + 2 cm (6.5 + 0.07 ft) onto one of its square faces. The specimen will be strapped or taped to the surface of the clay material. Ballistic testing will be performed at 0 degrees obliquity and 30 degree obliquity. Back-face deformations in the clay will not exceed 44 mm when measured from the original undisturbed surface of the backing material to the lowest point of the depression. The specimen may be smoothed between shots. BFD measurements will be taken utilizing a certified, calibrated laser scanner measurement instrument, which provide a means to accurately measure the difference between the original undisturbed clay surface and the deepest point of BFD signature. The perpendicular distance between the original surface and the deepest point of depression, with reference to the original undisturbed surface, will be measured after the test record shot impact. The laser scanner measurement instruments shall be certified by ATEC and use a software package capable of meeting the following requirements: Uniform sample: 0.5mm, noise reduction: Data with 0.05mm limit on point movements, wrap points with polygonal surface (without noise reduction), data smoothing: fill holes (curvature based on hole filling), removal of intersecting triangles, spike removal: 10% (run 2 times in a row), 3D: comparison to determine the deepest point. The software package shall ensure the deepest point is not located within a crack in the clay. If a crack in the clay is determined to be the deepest point, the software smoothing function will fill-in the crack and find the actual deepest point. The software shall also ensure that the area identified as the deepest point is has a minimum area of at least 0.7 mm x 0.7 mm in width and length. 4.6.12.1 Test Sample Mounting. The molding clay block shall be rigidly held by a suitable (metal) stand. The armor test sample must remain coplanar throughout the test and shall be secured in the vertical position, perpendicular to the projectile line of flight. The frame supports must be capable of retaining the sample and withstanding shock resulting from ballistic impact. The test sample mounting shall be capable of adjustment for moving the sample in the vertical or horizontal positions so that the point of impact can be located anywhere on the sample and rotation on the vertical axis so that 0 and 30 degree obliquity impacts can be achieved anywhere on the sample
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Place of Performance: Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Aberdeen (RDECOM-CC) ATTN: AMSSB-ACC-A, 4118 Susquehanna Avenue Aberdeen Proving Ground MD; Zip Code: 21005-3013
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99 -- PM Soldier Protective Equipment ( PM SPE), working in conjunction with Product Manager Mounted Soldier (PM MS), is seeking technical information from manufacturers regarding the availability of maxillofacial protection.