ABV EBS Sources Sought Notice.pdf

Sources Sought Notice: ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLE (ABV)

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The U.S. Government appreciates the time and effort taken to respond to this survey.

The U.S. Government acknowledges its obligations under 18 U.S.C. §1905 to protect information qualifying as “confidential” under this statute. [To avoid possible confusion with the meaning of the term “confidential” in the context of Classified Information,” we will use the term “PROPRIETARY.”] Pursuant to this statute, the U.S. Government is willing to accept any trade secret or PROPRIETARY restrictions placed on qualifying data forwarded in response to the survey questions and to protect it from unauthorized disclosure subject to the following:

1. Clearly and conspicuously mark qualifying data with the restrictive legend (all caps)

“PROPRIETARY” with any explanatory text, so that the U.S. Government is clearly notified of what data needs to be appropriately protected.

2. In marking such data, please take care to mark only those portions of the data or materials that are truly confidential (over breadth in marking inappropriate data as “PROPRIETARY” may diminish or eliminate the usefulness of your response - see item 6 below). Use circling, underscoring, highlighting or any other appropriate means to indicate those portions of a single page which are to be protected.

3. The U.S. Government is not obligated to protect unmarked data. Additionally, marked data that is already in the public domain or in the possession of the U.S.

Government or third parties, or is afterward placed into the public domain by the owner or another party through no fault of the U.S. Government will not be protected once in the public domain. Data already in the possession of the U.S.

Government will be protected in accordance with the U.S. Government's rights in the data.

4. Confidential data transmitted electronically, whether by physical media or not, whether by the respondent or by the U.S. Government, shall contain the “PROPRIETARY” legend, with any explanatory text, on both the cover of the transmittal e-mail and at the beginning of the file itself. Where appropriate for only portions of an electronic file, use the restrictive legends ‘PROPRIETARY PORTION BEGINS:” and “PROPRIETARY PORTION ENDS.”

5. In any reproductions of technical data or any portions thereof subject to asserted restrictions, the U.S. Government shall also reproduce the asserted restriction legend and any explanatory text.

6. The U.S. Government sometimes uses support contractors in evaluating responses.

Consequently, responses that contain confidential information may receive only limited or no consideration since the Respondent’s marking of data as “PROPRIETARY” will preclude disclosure of same outside the U.S. Government and therefore will preclude disclosure to these support contractors assisting the evaluation effort. The U.S. Government will use its best efforts to evaluate those responses that contain confidential information without using support contractors consistent with the resources available.

Sources Sought Description:

The Government is issuing this Sources Sought Request for Information (RFI) notice as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and resources to support a requirement for the Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) Engineering

Breaching Systems (EBS). The Government plans to award a six–year, Firm Fixed Price

(FFP) requirements contract to the existing contractor, Pearson Engineering LTD (PEL).

The EBS is an integral part of the ABV. The ABV is an M1A1 chassis-based vehicle that provides in-stride breaching capability for the US Army. The ABV includes the following major subsystems: an Anniston Army Depot (ANAD) built turret; the Integrated Vision

System (IVS); the Linear Demolition Charge System (LDCS); the High Lift Adapter (HLA) that mounts the interchangeable Full Width Mine Plow (FWMP) and Combat Dozer Blade

(CDB); and the Lane Marking System (LMS).

The EBS is comprised of the following subsystems:

a. One (1) FWMP or One (1) CDB

b. One (1) LMS

c. One (1) HLA

All of the above subsystems include associated mounting hardware, cables, hydraulic lines, fittings, and spares necessary to fully install and operate the subsystem.

PEL is the developer and present manufacturer of the EBS used in conjunction with the

ABV and is the only known source with the knowledge and expertise to continue producing

it. PEL maintains control of data relating to its Breaching System, and the government has no data package to facilitate a competitive acquisition.

To ensure PEL competitively awards subcontracts to the maximum extent possible, the contract will include FAR clause 52.244-5, “Competition in Subcontracting.”

Disclaimer: This is a sources sought notice and is not a request for competitive proposals or a solicitation of offers. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of the information contained in this posting or information received as a result of this posting.

All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, which the agency will consider.

The point of contact for this action is Contract Specialist, David Joley.

Email: david.s.joley.civ@army.mil.

mailto:david.s.joley.civ@army.mil