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

78 -- COMMERCIAL BACKPACK AND MODULAR COMPONENTS SYSTEM SOL DAAK60-97-T-7157 DUE 051597 POC Contract Specialist EMILY A. SMITH (508) 233-4368 (Site Code DAAK60) The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command, in cooperation with the United States Special Operations Command have a need for a commercial backpack and modular components (i.e."backpack system" which is comprised of backpack, butt pack and patrol pack) to be utilized by joint Special Operations Forces (SOF). This procurement represents Phase I of a three-phase acquisition program which is part of a significant modernization effort by joint Special Operations Forces called SPEAR (Special Operations Forces Personal Equipment Advanced Requirements.) SPEAR is focusing on teaming with commercial suppliers in order to provide the best possible equipment to support the significant production and sustainment requirements of our Nation's most highly skilled military force. The Government invites commercial suppliers to participate in this innovative acquisition effort. The intent of Phase I of this effort is to investigate the feasibility of using a commercial backpack system by the joint Special Operations Forces and to assess compatibility with mission requirements. The Phase II procurement (Request for Quotations) will produce up to fifty backpacks systems for technical and operational testing, which is the step prior to adoption and fielding. The third and final phase of this program will involve the fielding and sustainment of the item whose salient characteristics were developed and refined through commercial vendor and Government cooperation efforts in the prior two phases of the program. The Phase III procurement (Request for Proposal) will result in a production contract for up to 30,000 backpack systems over a five year period. The Phase I Backpack and modular components shall comprise of a backpack, butt pack and patrol pack. The system must support a 120 lb. load. Its combined volume shall be a minimum of 8250 cubic inches (9000 cubic inches desired). The Government anticipates the award of a firm fixed-price contract for the purchase of seven (7) each of two sizes of backpack systems to be used for the feasibility determination. This solicitation will be released on or about March 31, 1997. Requests for the solicitation must be submitted in writing and should include the requester's name, address, phone number, facsimile number and e-mail address (if available). Requests may be submitted by mail, facsimile, or e-mail. Telephone requests will not be accepted. E-mail will be used to the maximum extent possible to distribute RFP documents. Offerors are required to submit a proposal and two (2) samples in subdued colors for Government review and evaluation. The facsimile number is (508)233-5286. The SIC Code for this procurement is 3949. The Small Business Size Standard is 500 employees. The e-mail address is "esmith@natick-emh2.army.mil". The Government may make multiple awards. See Note 42. THIS SOLICITATION REPLACES SOL. NO. DAAK60-97-R-9621 which has been cancelled. All offerors who submitted a request for the cancelled solicitation NEED NOT RESUBMIT a request for this new solicitation; they will automatically be included on the mailing list. (0085)

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