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

84 -- PRODUCTION OF BODY ARMOR SET, INDIVIDUAL, COUNTERMINE (BASIC) SOL DAAK60-97-R-9624 DUE 051597 POC Contract Specialist ROBERT HOXIE (508) 233-4125 (Site Code DAAK60) The U. S. Army Soldier Systems Command (SSCOM), Natick Research and Development Center has a requirement for the development and initial production of Body Armor Set, Individual, Countermine (BASIC), Preplanned Product Improvement (P3I) Countermine Ensemble (CE) (consisting of ballistic helmet cover, ballistic protective vest cover with collar, chest and groin protection, arm protection and ballistic protective trousers). The requirement for the ballistic helmet cover when worn over the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) helmet is as follows: minimum ballistic protection against the 16 Grain, right circular cylinder (RCC) 2900 feet per second; the design shall be a removable ballistic cover encompassing the entire outer surface of the PASGT helmet; the configuration shall not interfere with the rim attachment of a face shield, provide visual camouflage against detection, and have a maximum weight of 1.80 pounds. The requirements for the vest, collar, arm, and groin protection are as follows: minimum ballistic protection for the vital organs (chest area) against the 16 grain RCC, at V50, 4400 feet per second and for the areas outside the vital organs including the sides and back when worn with PASGT vest against 16 Grain RCC, at V50, 2300 feet per second, the collar center shall provide protection against 16 Grain RCC, at V50, 2300 feet per second. The upper arm shall provide protection against 16 Grain, RCC, at V50,2300 feet per second and the lower arm at 16 Grain, RCC, at V50, 2000 feet per second. The groin protection shall provide proection against 16 Grain RCC, at V50, 4400 feet per second; the design shall allow for removable chest protection while collar, arm protection and groin protection shall be separate and detachable, visual camouflage against detection; sizing system shall fit over all sizes of the PASGT Vest and future developmental torso body armor; maximum weight 6.25 pounds for medium size vest with separate and detachable collar; 6.80 pounds for vital organ protection and 5.25 pounds for separate and detachable groin protector and total arm protection at 6.65 pounds. The trouser requirements are as follows: minimum ballistic protection for the upper leg against the 16 Grain, RCC at V50, 2300 feet per second and for the lower leg against 16 Grain RCC, at V50, 2000 feet per second; ballistic protection shall be waist to the top of the foot; the design shall have adjustable straps, groin protection, flexible knee joint, visual camouflage detection; sizing system shall fit the 5th percentile female to the 95th percentile male soldier; maximum weight 17 pounds for the medium size (16 pounds desired); and compatible with PASGT Vest and future developmental body armor. The Government anticipates a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract for development phases with Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract options for the pre-production/validation (360 items) and initial limited production (3653 items). Total estimated performance period is 3 1/2 years. The contract phases are as follows: Phase I: The contractor shall develop and fabricate three (3) initial prototypes of the BASIC P3I CE. The prototypes evaluated by the user and Preliminary Design Review (PDR) will be conducted, the contractor shall then fabricate ten (10) refined prototypes in an Early User Evaluation (EUE). The Government may also conduct laboratory testing during this phase. A Critical Design (CD) will follow to discuss the results of the EUE, any laboratory testing and determine whether the design is ready for Developmental/Operational Testing (DT/OT). The contractor will then fabricate three (3) refined prototypes based on the CDR. These items will be used as a guide sample for the test items fabricated in the next phase. Phase II: The contractor shall fabricate eighty-seven (87) test items for the BASIC P3I for a combined DT/OT. The Government will test and evaluate items, after which a Production Readiness Review (PRR) will be conducted. As an option, the Government may purchase up to 20 each as Limited Production Items at the end of this phase. Phase III (option): Validation of specification and verification of producibility of the items and production of 360 items of BASIC P3I CE. The contractor shall refine the manufacturing process at this time and shall recommend changes to the specification as necessary to insure quality items. Phase IV (option): The contractor shall produce 3653 items of BASIC P3I CE for initial limited production. Delivery is F.O.B. destination for all FFP quantities. Contractor will be required to have, or obtain and maintain a DOD Facility Security Clearance (FSC) and Personnel Security Clearances (PSC) up to Secret Level. This acquisition has been set-aside for small business. For purposes of this requirement any concern employing 500 or less employees is considered small business (SIC CODE 2399). Firms may request the RFP either by regular mail, e-mail: "rhoxie@natick-amed02.army.mil", or datafax: 508-233-5286. Telephone requests will not be accepted. See Note 1. (0090)

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