Cdr, AMC Acquisition Center, CBD COM Branch, Attn: STEAA-CD-C, 5183 Blackhawk Road, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5423

42 -- JOINT SERVICE GENERAL PURPOSE MASK SOL DAAD13-98-R-0045 POC Ms. Ruby Mixon, Contract Specialist, (410) 436-6797, Fax (410) 436-4549, Mrs. Cynthia H. Phillips, Contracting Officer, (410) 436-3130 WEB: click here to download a copy of the DRAFT RFP, http://www.sbccom.apgea.army.mil/srs/amcac/index.html. E-MAIL: click here to contact the contract specialist, rlmixon@apgea.army.mil. The Department of Defense (DoD) has a requirement to develop and manufacture a Joint Service General Purpose Mask for issue as a replacement for the M40/42 series and MCU-2/P series masks currently in use by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine ground and combat vehicle operations; and the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy ground applications. The single contract will include a two (2)-year Program Definition Risk Reduction (PDRR) phase with options for a three (3)-year Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase and ten (10) years of Full-scale Production with concurrent Contractor Logistic Support (CLS). It is the Government's intent to award only one contract. However, the Government may award up to two contracts for the PDRR effort depending on funding availability and uniqueness of proposed concepts with a down select prior to the EMD phase. The Full-scale Production phase will consist of a ten (10) requirements contract to include CLS with minimum order quantities guaranteed for production years one (1) through five (5). The government anticipates using the following pricing arrangement: PDRR cost plus fixed fee; EMD cost plus incentive fee; and Production fixed price incentive (firm target). A draft Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued on October 21, 1998, at the following inter-net address http://www.sbccom.apgea.army.mil/srs/amcac/index.html, by clicking on the "Draft RFP Button" and selecting the draft RFP titled "Joint Service General Purpose Mask". Additional information, such as Sections L & M (subject to revision prior to the final RFP) may be available on this acquisition prior to the Pre-Solicitation Conference "Industry Day" on November 17 and 18, 1998. DoD is soliciting industry comments to requirements set forth in the draft RFP, with special emphasis to be placed on threshold and objective requirements identified in the performance specification. Comments and supporting rationale as to what industry envisions as the primary cost drivers and potential technology improvements over existing military masks are also requested. DoD is especially interested in comments and rationale: 1) on the Government's approach to combine the PDRR, EMD and production, to include CLS; 2) their risk and ability to realistically forecast pricing for all options. Cost realism will be evaluated 3) what Industry's envision for peacetime and wartime CLS; and 4) how to manage the risk of this contracting approach. Comments received from industry prior to February 12, 1999 will be considered for incorporation into the final RFP. The final RFP will be released on or about March 31, 1999. All proposals will be due within 45 days from the issue date of the final RFP. All responsible sources may submit a proposal. A Pre-Solicitation Conference is scheduled for November 17-18, 1998 at the Berger Auditorium, Building E3549, Aberdeen Proving Ground (Edgewood Area), Maryland. DoD will present a brief overview of the Joint Service General Purpose Mask (JSGPM) program that will include program objectives, milestones/schedules, procurement approach, and users' concerns. A question and answer session will follow the DoD presentation. To facilitate teaming and generate dialog, subsequent to DoD's presentation and questions and answers, up to 15 minutes may be allotted for each firm desiring to present an overview of their overall program. These briefings will be in open forum and offerors are cautioned against presenting proprietary or confidential information. If desired, the government may also permit the presentation of briefings in a closed forum. These briefings will not be open to other contractors unless agreed to by the briefer. Firms desiring to use this forum may be allotted 15 minutes. All presentations will be audio taped recorded and a digest of questions and answers generated during the Pre-solicitation Conference will be consolidated on a non-attributable basis and posted to the inter-net address http://www.sbccom.apgea.army.mil/srs/amcac/index.html under the RFP DAAD13-98-R-0045 for all potential offerors. Pre-registration for this conference is mandatory and shall include the following information: contractor's name; complete mailing address; point of contact to include voice/data telephone number and e-mail address; preliminary questions relating to the acquisition; and confirmation as to whether a presentation (close or open forum) will be made. Please e-mail registration information prior to November 6, 1998 to wmfritch@apgea.army.mil or mail to U.S. Army Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center, Technical Directorate, 5183 Blackhawk Road, ATTN: SCBRD-RTC/William M. Fritch, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5423. Furnish a copy to rlmixon@apgea.army.mil or mail to Director, AMC Acquisition Center, CBDCOM Contracting Branch, ATTN: STEAA-CD-CR/R. MIXON, 5183 Blackhawk Road Bldg. E4455, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21010-5423. To access additional information on the JSGPM program, view the program's inter-net address http://www.cbdcom.apgea.army.mil/RDA/pmnbc. See Note 26. Posted 10/22/98 (W-SN264655). (0295)

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