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

84 -- SPEAR LOAD BEARING DEVELOPMENT AND FABRICATION SOL DAAK60-97-T-7332 DUE 092697 POC Purchasing Agent JEFFREY BALDWIN (508) 233-5920 (Site Code DAAK60) The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command in cooperation with the United States Special Operations Command has a need for a load bearing fabricator/producer to aid in the refinement and prototype production of a modular load carrying vest system. This requirement is part of a significant modernization effort of the joint Special Operations Forces called SPEAR (Special Operations Forces Personal Equipment Advanced Requirements). This Command has built a baseline modular load carrying vest system as part of an overall system which includes modular load carrying vest, body armor, and a backpack system. The Government's intent in this requirement is to select one load bearing manufacturer to aid in the refinement, prototype production and production of test items of the modular load carrying vest system. The effort shall be in four optional phases. Phase I will require an evaluation of the compatibility and operational effectiveness of the baseline systems and identify necessary modifications, Phase II will require refinement of the baseline system and identify necessary modifications, Phase III will require necessary modifications of the Phase II system and manufacture items for developmental and operational testing, and Phase IV will include necessary modifications to the Phase III system and manufacture items for verification testing. Technical data to include drawings, patterns, complete bill of materials and sources of supply, and draft performance specifications is required. The baseline vest system will be available at this command for review by offerors. The Government has filed a patent application on the Interlock Attaching Strap System which is used with the modular load carrying vest. The Interlocking Attachment System used for mounting pockets belongs to the Government. This is a 100% small business set aside. The Small Business Size Standard is 500 employees. The Government envisions the use of a commercial acquisition in conjunction with the policies and procedures for solicitation, evaluation and award prescribed in Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Request for the RFQ may be submitted by e-mail, mail or facsimile. Telephone request will not be accepted. The facsimile number is (508) 233-5286. The e-mail address is "jbaldwin@natick-emh2.army.mil". See Note 1. (0253)

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