U.S. ARMY SOLDIER SYSTEMS COMMAND, ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE, ATTN AMSSC-AD, NATICK MA 01760-5011

16 -- ADVANCED TACTICAL PARACHUTE SYSTEM SOL DAAK60-96-U-0007 DUE 011696 POC Contracting Officer JUDITH L. UTHOFF (508) 233-5286 (Site Code DAAK60) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SOURCES SOUGHT. The US Army Soldier Systems Command (Natick Research, Development, and Engineering Center(Natick)) is preparing a list of firms with the interest and capabilities necessary to develop an Advanced Tactical Parachute System(ATPS) for the enhancement of US Army airborne operations. Natick has undertaken the ATPS program to develop a new troop personnel parachute system consisting of main parachute canopy, reserve parachute canopy, harness, parachute containers, and deployment system (e.g. static line). The ATPS will replace the T-10 parachute system. It is anticipated that the ATPS will have the following characteristics: troop payload weight of 400 lbs; Sea Level Standard Day rates of descent of 19.5 ft/sec and 26.5 ft/sec for the main parachute and reserve parachute, respectively; peak opening loads of 10G and 15G for the main parachute and reserve parachute, respectively; maximum altitude loss to stable vertical descent of 325 ft and 250 ft for the main parachute and reserve parachute, respectively. The ATPS harness shall be capable of being comfortably worn by a 5th percentile female through a 95th percentile male, shall possess shoulder mounted risers for the main parachute and shoulder/near shoulder mounted riser attachments for the reserve parachute, and include an integrated equipment and main parachute release. The ATPS shall be deployable from Air Force aircraft traveling at airspeeds up to 140 Knots Indicated Airspeed and at altitudes as low as 500 ft Above Ground Level. The ATPS deployment system shall be an improvement over the current static line system, either through innovative use of new technologies or through other improvements to prevent static line entanglements. Additionally, the reserve parachute system shall provide for positive reserve parachute deployment and reduced entanglement with a malfunctioning main parachute. Natick anticipates a five-phased effort spanning approximately 3 years and centered on a Non-Developmental Item(NDI) or near NDI approach. The phases will consist of preliminary evaluation and downselection of NDI ATPS candidates, integration of ATP components, developmental testing, operational testing, and preliminary production. Natick will issue a draft Request for proposal and conduct a pre-proposal conference to discuss this effort and any industry questions, recommendations or concerns. Foreign nationals wishing to attend the pre-proposal conference are reminded that they must process a Request for Visit Authorization through the appropriate channels. The pre-proposal conference is tentatively scheduled for the February-March time frame. The date, time and exact location (Bldg and Room #) at the Soldier Systems Command for the pre-proposal conference will be announced in the draft Request for Proposals. Interested firms must submit all information detailed in CBD Note 25 within 15 days of publication of this notice. Information shall be pertinent and specific to the technological area of personnel parachute systems and should include (1) Experience: an outline of previous projects, specific work previously performed or being performed and any in-house research and development efforts; (2) Personnel: names, professional qualifications and specific experience of scientists, engineers and technical personnel who may be assigned as principal investigator and/or project officer; (3) Facilities: Availability and description of special facilities that could be utilized in performance of this project: (4): any other specific and pertinent information relative to this particular area of procurement that would enhance our consideration and evaluation of the information submitted. Information on previous related experience, personnel resumes, list of facilities, and any other specific information the firm believes demonstrates its ability to perform the proposed work, and whether or not they are a small business, woman owned or socially and economically disadvantaged. The standard industrial code for this advanced acquisition is 2399. For the purpose of this requirement, any concern employing 500 or less employees is considered a small business. Please submit requested information to US Army Soldier Systems Command, Acquisition Directorate,ATTN: Judith L. Uthoff, Contracting Officer, AMSSC-ADC, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011. No phone calls please. Information may be datafaxed to (508)233-5286. This is not a request for proposals. Advanced reference No: DAAK60-95-U-0007. No solicitation documents available at this time. SeeNote 25.(0356)

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