COASTSYSTA Dahlgren Division, NSWC, 6703 West Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32407-7001

42 -- ATMOSPHERIC DIVE SYSTEMS; LAUNCH AND RECOVERY SYSTEM SOL N61331-97-R-0007 DUE 121896 POC Mary Kitchen, Contract Specialist, (904)235-5389 Carol A. Dreger, Contracting Officer, (904)234-4863. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Coastal Systems Station, Panama City, Florida, intends to award a sole source requirements contract to International Hardsuits Inc. for the acquisition of Atmospheric Dive Systems (NEWTSUIT 2000), Handling Systems, Spare Parts, Technical Manuals, Technical and Training Support, and associated support equipment. The NEWTSUIT 2000 is a highly specialized state of the art atmospheric dive systems (ADS) with flexible joints. The NEWTSUIT is a non-developmental item (NDI). Current Government policy dictates that the Navy shall purchase as many NDI items as possible to accomplish its mission. By using an NDI, the Government will save literally millions of dollars in developmental costs. The NEWTSUIT allows movement at the knee, hip, and shoulder joints which greatly increases flexibility. Additionally it is capable of operating in the mid water and on the bottom. Navy experts have conducted numerous literature searches and attended many trade shows and seminars to find an ADS which will meet these requirements. The results of the market search concluded that only International Hardsuits Inc. currently manufactures an atmospheric dive system with flexible leg movement. NAVSEA and COASTSYSTA have extensive operational and technical expertise in this field and have determined that Newtsuits is the only capable source to provide the required equipment. All hardware and support documentation shall be delivered to the COASTSYSTA, Panama City, Florida. The point of contact for this acquisition is Mary Kitchen, extension (904)235-5389. (0302)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0171 19961029\42-0001.SOL)