IHPS GEN III RFI 23DEC25.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) PEO Soldier Soldier Survivability (SSV) Soldier Protective Equipment (SPE) Integrated Head Protection System Generation III and Related Components

1.0 Background

1.1 Product Manager, Soldier Protective Equipment (PdM SPE) is seeking information on the availability and capabilities of industry for Integrated Head Protection System Generation III (IHPS GEN III) prototyping. The IHPS GEN I and GEN II were singular helmet designs, while the Army intends for IHPS GEN III to be a family of helmet systems that provide the end user with several different classes and types of helmet systems/components to fit a specific operational environment. Where applicable, all proposed components shall maintain backwards compatibility and interoperability with previous generations of the IHPS.

1.2 This RFI is solely for information and planning purposes to support requirement generation – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The Government is currently planning future efforts for the IHPS GEN III; however, solicitations are not available at this time and any requests for solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government to contract for any supply or service; however, the Government may purchase production samples based on Industry responses for Soldier feedback purposes. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

If the Army decides to solicit, the Army intends to leverage existing vehicles such as the Army Open Solicitation. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor SAM.Gov for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

1.3 The purpose of this RFI is to identify and determine capabilities in the existing marketplace, as well as understand the level of interest of potential sources in future solicitations that the Government may release for this effort. The Government is requesting White Papers solely for internal Government purposes and to further develop or refine requirements. The Government will take appropriate measures in the management of the information received in response to this RFI and will store the documentation in accordance with Government standards to prevent the dissemination of any sensitive information to the public.

2.0 IHPS GEN III Overview

2.1 The following sections, subject to change, are a technical overview of the family helmet class and variants:

a) Shell Protection: The IHPS GEN III incorporates a design architecture supporting three distinct shell protection levels, designated as separate ballistic performance classes below.

a. Class I – 9mm (equivalent to Advanced Combat Helmet)

b. Class II – Rifle Threat (equivalent to IHPS GEN II)

c. Class III – Improved Rifle Threat (no current combat equivalent)

b) Shell Cut: Each of the IHPS GEN III Ballistic Protection Classes shall be concurrently developed in two distinct shell geometries: mid-cut and high-cut orientations. The mid-cut geometry must comply with the specifications outlined in the NG IHPS Purchase Description (AR/PD 19-01). The high-cut geometry shall be engineered to ensure seamless compatibility and unimpeded physical integration with the current array of U.S. Army communications and hearing protection devices. The internal geometry of the high-cut helmet must match the same geometry as the mid-cut helmet. When possible system components should be compatible with both types.

a. Type I: Mid-cut

b. Type 2: High-cut

c) Rail Assembly: Vendors shall provide information on a helmet rail system designed for non-penetrating (boltless) attachment to the helmet shell's lateral surfaces, preserving ballistic integrity. The rail assembly shall be supplied in two functional configurations: non-powered and powered. The powered variant must meet all functional and environmental specifications of the non-powered rail and additionally incorporate an integrated power and data transmission network for ancillary devices. Ideally the rail system will be compatible with both types of shell cuts.

a. Class I: Non-powered

b. Class II: Integrated power/data

d) Retention System: Vendors shall provide information of a Retention System designed for secure mechanical interface with the helmet shell and/or its peripheral edging. The Retention System must be provisioned in two configurations: a standard simplified version like current H-Back Class and a Dial lock Class. Both system configurations must exhibit a non-restrictive, ambidextrous design capable of accommodating both left-handed (left-side dominant) and right-handed (right-side dominant) shooter profiles.

a. Class I: Standard (e.g. H-Back)

b. Class I: Improved Dial lock

e) Suspension System Protection Level: Vendors should provide information on a modular Suspension System designed for secure, non-destructive attachment to the interior surface of the helmet shell. This system must be configurable into two distinct performance tiers corresponding to specific Blunt Trauma Impact Thresholds: Moderate Threat and High Threat. The Moderate Threat tier shall demonstrate compliance with the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) impact standard (meeting a minimum threshold of 10 ft/s). The High Threat tier is required to meet the IHPS impact standard (meeting a minimum threshold of 14.1 ft/s).

a. Class I: Moderate Threat (10 ft/s)

b. Class II: Higher Threat (14.1 ft/s)

f) Suspension System Thermal Performance: Each Suspension System performance tier detailed in the preceding section shall be manufactured in two distinct thermal operating profiles: Ambient-to-Cold and Ambient-to-Hot.

The specified environmental parameters are defined as follows:

a. Type 1: Ambient (68°F (±10°F)) to Cold (14°F (±5°F))

b. Type 2: Ambient (68°F (±10°F)) to Hot (130°F (±5°F))

g) Hearing Protection Classes: The technical requirements for the hearing protection solution focus on three capabilities: (i) providing hearing protection,

(ii) providing auditory situational awareness, and (iii) the ability to conduct voice communications when a radio is attached. The solution must be offered in two distinct classes tailored for different operational environments. Class I shall be designed for dismounted operations, meaning the end user is operating outside of vehicles or fixed structures. Class II shall be designed for mounted operations, meaning the end user is operating within vehicles, aircraft, or heavy machinery. For both classes, the desired solution is for: (i) a headset solution that fits over both operator’s ears (e.g., an ‘Over-The-Ear’ (OTE) solution), (ii) a headset solution that can be worn underneath the helmet and attachable to the Rail Assembly solutions (paragraph 2.1.c) for all shell cuts, and (iii) minimize/eliminate any loss of any of the three capabilities when using applicable Eyewear Solutions.

a. Class I: Dismounted

b. Class II: Mounted

h) Hearing Protection Types: The hearing protection solution must be provided in two distinct types, both of which must be available for the Dismounted class previously defined.

a. Type 1: Radio Enabled

i. Primary Function: To provide three capabilities: (i) hearing protection, (ii) auditory situational awareness (ASA), and (iii) the ability to conduct voice communications when a radio is attached.

ii. Radio Interoperability Requirement: The solution shall be interoperable with a wide array of current (AN/PRC-148C/D/F, AN/PRC-163, AN/PRC-168/170/171), legacy (AN/PRC-148 (MBITR), AN/PRC-152, AN/PRC-117, AN/PRC-155), and future handheld/manpack tactical radios. Vehicle/Aircraft intercom capability is a desired future requirement. Radio interoperability is typically achieved via a Push-to-Talk (PTT) module and downlead cable that connects the headset to the specific radio audio/hand microphone port, but may also include future efforts where the headset/PTT module may connect to another device (such as the Nett Warrior End User Device (smartphone)).

iii. Power Source Requirement: The headset/PTT module (and radio cable as applicable) may be powered by either an internal headset/PTT module power source and/or the attached radio device (e.g., providing power for the active hearing protection and external microphone capabilities (ASA)). When powered by a radio, the power draw shall not degrade the host radio battery life by more than 5% relative to the radio's default, stand-alone duty cycle. This is a crucial metric for ensuring the radio remains functional for its intended mission duration

b. Type 2: Non-radio Enabled

i. Primary Function: To provide hearing protection and auditory situational awareness only, without communication capabilities for external two-way radios.

ii. Radio Interoperability: No requirement for radio interoperability is mandated for this type. This solution is for roles where a radio is not carried by the Solider, but still provides hearing protection and ASA.

iii. Power Source Requirement: The headset must be powered internally by its own power source (e.g., user-replaceable batteries). The headset shall also be capable of being powered by an attached radio when required.

i) Eyewear: A ballistic visor component is required, designed to maintain its fragmentation protection (17-gr) and ballistic (.22 caliber) rating and minimize optical degradation throughout all ambient and specific thermal, climatic, and chemical conditions. The visor must also be able to withstand high mass impact in accordance with ANSI Z87.1. The attachment mechanism must utilize the established rail system interface, providing a modular installation capability. The visor's geometry is critical, mandating certified interoperability and zero obstruction of the image intensifier tube or ocular pathway of all authorized U.S. Army Night Vision Devices. Furthermore, the visor must maintain optical neutrality and image fidelity when utilized in conjunction with the current suite of U.S. Army Precision Targeting Devices (PTDs), including, but not limited to, magnified optics (scopes) and non-magnified Reflex/Collimator Sights (red dots). The design must preclude any discernible distortion, refraction, or chromatic aberration in the light path.

a. Rail-attached visor

j) Mandible: Vendors shall design and develop a Mandible that achieves physical and functional integration with the IHPS GEN III. This integration must utilize a non-invasive mounting interface that precludes the necessity of any aperture, void, or attachment means that compromises the helmet's ballistic integrity. The Mandible’s primary function is to provide maxillofacial protection to the operator when the system is worn in a vehicular/mounted configuration. The Mandible shall be categorized into two distinct threat mitigation classes based on protection capability. The Mandible shall maintain its blunt impact and/or ballistic protection levels across all operating conditions.

a. Class I: Blunt impact (5.0 ft/s)

b. Class I: Ballistic Protection (17-gr FSP)

k) Blast Overpressure Sensor: Vendors shall develop and incorporate a Blast

Overpressure Sensing Unit capable of precisely measuring and recording the time-resolved pressure wave profile generated by explosive events. The sensor's data output is essential for quantifying blast exposure doses and shall support critical functions in personnel safety assessment, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Medical Evaluation, and subsequent operational performance optimization. The Blast Overpressure Sensor shall be designed for seamless integration into the helmet system.

l) Night Vision Device Integration: The vendor shall engineer all IHPS GEN III System Solutions to achieve the maximum degree of functional and spatial interoperability with the current portfolio of U.S. Army Night Vision Devices (NVDs). A mandatory design constraint is that no IHPS GEN III subcomponent shall utilize the standard NVD bracket interface as a primary or secondary mounting surface. All ancillary component mounting must be mutually exclusive of the NVD bracket location.

m) Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) Defense Integration: The vendor shall engineer all IHPS GEN III system solutions to ensure maximum functional and spatial compatibility and unimpeded integration with the entire fielded suite of U.S. Army CBRNE Protection Equipment. The design is mandated to sustain the operational integrity and air-tight seal of all CBRNE apparatus when worn concurrently with the IHPS

GEN III.

3.0 Responses

3.1 Interested parties shall respond to this RFI with a White Paper. Respondents are not required to address every section of this RFI. Prospective vendors may submit responses limited to specific sections of this RFI that align with their relevant products or expertise. If responding to a single section, please specify any established working relationships with prime helmet integrators. The Government’s focus for this RFI is Class II – Rifle Threat Shell protection, Type 2 High-cut helmets, and components, see reference 5.0 below. However, interested parties may include alternate class and type recommendations in white paper responses.

3.2 White papers in the latest version of Microsoft Word for Office compatible format or Adobe Portable Document Format (pdf) are due no later than 1:00 P.M. EST on 12 JAN

26. Responses shall be limited to 15 pages and submitted via e-mail only. Submit responses to the Point of Contract (POCs) identified in 3.2.1. All White Papers are strongly encouraged to be UNCLASSIFIED. White Papers containing data that is not to be disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the Government except for evaluation purposes shall include a statement on the cover page (or slide, handout, etc.).

3.2.1 Program/Technical Points of Contact:

- MAJ Tyler Christ, Head Protection APM, tyler.j.christ2.mil@army.mil

- Mr. Alex de Groot, Lead Engineer, alex.l.degroot.civ@army.mil

3.3 The White Paper submission must address the requirements in Sections 2.1 and

3.4.1 and include the following information as a cover page:

o Vendor's name, address, point of contact, phone number, and e-mail address.

o Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code.

o Unique Entity ID (created in SAM.gov).

o Business size/type (large business, small business, small-disadvantaged business, 8(a) certified small-disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business).

o Primary NAICS code.

o Does your entity qualify for the Non-Traditional Defense Contractor (NTDC) designation, as defined in Title 10 US Code §3014? (Yes or No) o Does your entity intend to propose as a prime? (Yes or No) o Capable of demonstrating functional sample hardware? (Yes or No)

3.4 Additional Required Information.

3.4.1 The Government is requesting that respondents provide the following information in white paper responses:

(a) Technical Capability: Respondents must address their ability to meet the technical requirements detailed in Section 2.1. If a respondent currently lacks the technical capability to meet a requirement but has a development effort underway, please indicate the projected timeframe for completion.

(b) Manufacturing Capability: Respondents must address monthly and annual system production capabilities for the Government to assess the ability to meet current and planned future deployment schedules. Respondents should indicate their minimum monthly sustainment as well as their maximum monthly production rate. Should a vendor lack an established production line but be engaged in its development, please specify the projected timeframe required to achieve production readiness.

(c) Berry Amendment Compliance: Respondents shall indicate whether the product complies with FAR 52.225-1, Buy American –Supplies.

(d) Buy American Act Compliance: Respondents shall indicate whether the product complies with the “Berry Amendment,” in that all applicable components of the item are to be “grown, reprocessed, reused, or wholly produced in the United States.” Reference DFARS Clause 252.225-7012 (Preference for Certain Domestic Commodities).

(e) ISO 9001:2015 Compliance: Respondents shall indicate whether their Quality

Management System is in compliance with the requirements of the International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001:2015, Quality Management Systems. If certified by a third party, respondents may provide proof of certification.

(f) Past Performance: Respondents shall provide a narrative of work performed on previous Government contracts.

(g) Commercial Warranty: Respondents shall indicate their typical or anticipated commercial warranty offered on the proposed product.

4.0 Administrative Matters

Questions regarding this RFI should be sent via email to the following POCs:

- Mr. Eric Roberts, Contracting/Agreements Officer, eric.j.roberts48.civ@army.mil; and

- MAJ Tyler Christ, Head Protection APM, tyler.j.christ2.mil@army.mil; and

- Mr. Alex de Groot, Lead Engineer, alex.l.degroot.civ@army.mil

5.0 Reference Material

PdM SPE is requesting responses to all items highlighted in red.

Component Class Type

Shell

Class I - ACH lvl Pro Type 1: Mid-cut Type 2: High-cut

Class II - NG-IHPS Level Type 1: Mid-cut Type 2: High-cut

Class III - Future higher lvl Type 1: Mid-cut Type 2: High-cut

Rail Class I - Simple Rail

Class II - P/D Rail

Retention Class I - H-Back (simple)

Class II - Improved (dial lock)

Suspension Class I - Mod Blunt impact Type 1: Ambient to Cold

Type 2: Ambient to Hot Class II - Higher Blunt Impact Type 1: Ambient to Cold

Type 2: Ambient to Hot

Hearing Pro Class I - Dismount Type 1: Non-Radio Enabled

Type 2: Radio Enabled Class II - Mounted

Eyewear Rail attached Goggles / Visor

Mandible Class I - Blunt impact

Class II - Ballistic

Other Items

Blast Overpressure Sensor

Night Vision Device Interoperability

CBRNE Interoperability