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

84 -- GRAPPLING HOOK, COLLAPSIBLE (GHC) SOL DAAN02-98-T-1215 DUE 081098 POC Contract Specialist EMILY SMITH (508) 233-4368 (Site Code DAAN02) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a commercially available collapsible Grappling Hook (GHC). This synopsis/solicitation is prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6 and supplemented with additional information provided in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicition will not be issued. The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command, Natick, MA intends to make multiple awards to purchase a minimum of ten (10) commercially available Collapsible Grappling Hooks (GHC)(CLIN 0001) which meet the performance specifications stated herein. All clauses applicable to this acquisition may be accessed electronically at these addresses: http//www.arnet.gov/far; http//farsite.hill.af.mil; http://www.dtic.mil/dfars. The proposed procurement represents Part I of a two part acquisition program. Part I will determine if a commercial item can meet the Government's requirements for this item. If it is determined that a commercialitem will not meet these requirements, a competitive Request for Proposals utilizing a performance specification will be issued to procure this item. The GHC shall meet the following performance specifications: The GHC shall be a lightweight, portable, reusable device that can be used by the individual soldier for entry into and exit from buildings (or other structures) during Military Operations Urban Terrain (MOUT) missions and for the clearing of trip-wire (anti-personnel) and tilt-rod type mines. The GHC shall be compatible with the standard clothing and individual equipment (CIE) normally worn, carried, or used by the soldier. No interference with other standard CIE items is acceptable. The GHC shall be usable by the 1st to 99th percentile male soldier. Appropriat dimensions include, but are not limited to weight, height and width at chest. These dimensions can be found in the 1988 Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel: Methods and Statistics, which is available at http://www-sscom.army.mil/busops. The GHC shall support the weight of the 99th percentile soldier (238 lbs.) with his fighting load (25-30 lbs.) clearing the assault lead during MOUT operations. The GHC shall have a built-in safety factor of 6.0 (which means it supports 268 lbs x 6.0 = 1608 lbs. without bending) to ensure that the GHC does not deform when supporting the weight of the soldier with the fighting load. The GHC shall be capable of being collapsed, folded or retracted into a compact, flat shape. The desired weight of the GHC is 1.50 lbs. or less. The GHC shall have a 1 inch opening in the shaft to allow for the attachment of ropes up to 1 inch in diameter. The GHC shall not require any undue logistical considerations. Manpower, personnel and training shall not be impacted by the use of this item. The GHC shall be capable of being set up and ready for operation by an individual soldier from its collapsed state within 30 seconds or less. These tasks shall be accomplished without the use of tools. The GHC design and construction shall enable it to withstand rigorous usage including but not limited to cross-country transportation, operation in extreme environments and at high altitudes, operation and storage in the open air, and exposure to the elements for extended periods of time. The GHC shall be resistant to wear, abuse, rust, decay and corrosion in operational climates. The GHC shall operate and function in all climatic types and at all altitudes with termperatures that fall within the range of -35 degress F to +120 degrees F. The GHC shall also be capable of operating during adverse weather and conditions such as falling snow, sleet, rain, freezing rain, and blowing dirt/sand. The GHC shall not introduce any unique requirements for maintenance support such as maintenance facilities, tools, or test, measurement and diagnostic equipment (TMDE). No special or new Military Occupational Specialty/Additional Skill Identifier/Specialty Skill Identifier shall be required. Operator maintenance shall be limited to inspecting, cleaning, and lubrication. MANPRINT: (MANpower and PeRsonnel INTegration) considerations (encompassing the seven domains of manpower, personnel, training, human factors, system safety, health hazards and Soldier survivability) shall be integrated into the design of the GHC so as to allow its safe and efficient operation and maintenance by the soldier in all specified operational and environmental conditions. System Safety and Health: The GHC shall have no uncontrolled safety or health hazards and shall conform to the best commercial standards and military standards when applicable. No part of the GHC shall introduce safety or health hazards to the Soldier when properly used, transported and maintained. Personnel operating the GHC shall be able to refer to the operators' instructions on the packaging. The items shall be preserved and packaged for domestic shipment in accordance with best commercial practice. Delivery shall be 30 days from award of Purchase Order, FOB Destination to the continental U.S. Location indicated inthe purchase order. This solicitation document incorporates FAR provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-4 as applicable. The FAR provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors- Commercial, applies to this solicitation as do the following clauses: 52.212-2, Evaluation- Commercial Items. The following factors shall be utilized to evaluate offers: 1)TECHNICAL: The proposed offer and sample's capability of meeting the performance requirements and desired performance requirements stated herein. 2) PRICE: The proposed price for CLIN 0001 will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness. The Technical factor is more important than the Price factor. Offerors should submit a proposal not exceeding three (3) pages, which describes how their item meets the performance requirements stated herein. Product Literature and commercial warranty terms propsoed should also be included. Offerors should also submit one (1) sample of the GHC proposed to: U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command, Bldg. 20 Warehouse, ATTN: Alan Goldberg (MOBD), Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760. Following evaluation of all proposals and samples, the Government will select the proposals with the best technical characteristics and price (best value) for award. The Government may make multiple awards. FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders- commercial Items apply to this acquisition. FAR 52.212-5 includes the following additional FAR clauses: 52.203-6; 52.203-10, 52.219-8; 52.222- 26; 52.222-35; 52.222-36; 52.222-37; 52.233-3. The following DFARS clauses stated at 252.212-7001 apply: 252.225-7001; 252.247-7024. Response time is 4:00 p.m., August 10, 1998. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3 with offers. The applicable SIC Code for this acquisition is 5941. This is a 100% set-aside for Small Business concerns. A copy of this solicitation is accessible at http://www- sscom.army.mil.busops. In order to be eligible for award, contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registry (http://ccr.edi.disa.mil/). If offerors wish to be notified of amendments to this solicitation, they must contact Emily Smith by email at Posted 07/15/98 (I-SN223912). (0196)

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