M6785426I5408-RFI_HEARING ENHANCEMENT DEVICES.pdf

M67854-26-I-5408

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

PROGRAM MANAGER, COMBAT SUPPORT SYSTEMS (PM CSS)

PRODUCT MANAGER COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (PdM CSSE)

INDUSTRY MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY FOR THE

HEARING ENHANCEMENT DEVICES

1. GENERAL INFORMATION.

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for market research purposes in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 and does not constitute a Request for Proposal.

This RFI is not a solicitation and does not obligate the Government to procure any items or issue a solicitation in the future. The Government will not pay for information submitted in response to this RFI and will not accept responses as offers. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding. Respondents should clearly mark any proprietary information provided.

2. PURPOSE.

Product Manager Combat Service Support Equipment (PdM CSSE), Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of providing a suite of Hearing Enhancement Devices. The objective is to identify solutions that provide hearing protection from training and combat noise while enhancing a Marine's auditory situation awareness.

3. DESIRED CAPABILITIES.

The Government is interested in a suite of hearing protection solutions, including a communication-enabled headset and a non-communication headset, both of an over-the-ear design. The Government's key desired capabilities include:

3.1 Performance: The ability to attenuate hazardous impulse and steady-state noise to non-hazardous levels, while simultaneously preserving or enhancing the user's ability to localize ambient sounds (e.g., speech, footsteps).

3.2 Integration:

a) Radio: Seamless electronic integration and clear voice transmission with the

AN/PRC-163 tactical radio.

b) Helmet: Physical compatibility and stable integration with a high-cut helmet.

3.3 Ruggedization: The system must be capable of sustained operation in a wide range of global environments. The Government is interested in performance validated against recognized environmental and durability standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810H, Ingress Protection (IP) ratings).

4. REQUESTED INFORMATION

Interested parties shall submit a response, limited to 12 pages, addressing the following sections.

4.1 Corporate Information:

a) Company Name, Address, CAGE Code, and Unique Entity ID.

b) Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, Email).

c) Business Size/Designation (e.g., 8(a), Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, HUBZone, Small Business, or Large Business).

4.2 Technical and Capability Information:

a) Executive Summary: A brief overview of your company's solution.

b) Material Description:

c) Provide a general description of your proposed communication and non-communication headsets.

d) Address each capability from Section 3.0 point-by-point, providing specific data to substantiate your claims. For example:

i. For 3.1 (Performance): State the tested Noise Reduction Rating per ANSI standards. Describe the technology used for sound localization.

ii. For 3.2 (Integration): Describe the specific cable/connector solution for the AN/PRC-163. Detail the helmet mounting system and any human factors testing data.

iii. For 3.3 (Ruggedization): List the specific MIL-STD-810 methods and/or IP ratings your system is designed or tested to meet.

e) Commerciality: State whether your proposed solution meets the definition of a "commercial item" under FAR 2.101 and provide the basis for this determination.

f) Technical Data Rights: Describe your company's standard position on providing technical data rights to the Government for sustainment and future competitive purposes.

g) Product Service Code – 8470 Armor, Personal applies.

h) North American Industry Classification System - 334220 Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing applies.

4.3 Pricing:

a) Provide a non-binding Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) unit price for a complete system (one communication headset and one non-communication headset) at quantities of 7,000 systems and 50,000 systems.

5. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

a) Questions: Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted via email to the Contract Specialist, Cheryl Dunn at cheryl.dunn.civ@usmc.mil, with a courtesy copy to the Contracting Officer, Kimberly Stone at kimberly.a.stone@usmc.mil, no later than 20 March 2026. All questions and answers will be posted to SAM.gov.

b) Responses: RFI responses shall be submitted via email to the Contract Specialist, Cheryl

Dunn at cheryl.dunn.civ@usmc.mil, with a courtesy copy to the Contracting Officer, Kimberly Stone at kimberly.a.stone@usmc.mil, no later than 13 April 2026.

6. PROPRIETARY DATA

The Government may use information received from this RFI to establish future Marine Corps requirements. Information submitted in response to this RFI that is marked "Proprietary" will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 3.104 and Subsection 27 of the Office of Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 423).

7. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that offer hardware meeting the requirements listed in the paragraphs above. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Marine Corps has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Further, the Marine Corps is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals.

All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be released on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.