NOI_-_11_June_2026_2.pdf

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

External Vest Systems (EVS) for National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement Officers

Proposed Sole Source: Angel Armor, LLC

NAICS 339113 315250 | PSC 8470

1. PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE

The Department of the Interior (DOI), on behalf of the National Park Service (NPS), intends to issue a one‑time, stand‑alone Firm‑Fixed‑Price (FFP) purchase order for:

75 Angel Armor External Vest Systems (EVS)

Delivery Required: August 2026

Separately from this one-time purchase, DOI anticipates establishing a single-award commercial

IDIQ 5 year ordering period IDIQ (approx. 75 vests per quarter; ceiling approx. $975,000;

minimum guarantee $500).

This acquisition is conducted under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Part 12 for commercial products and uses the deviated versions of the FAR implemented under the

Revolutionary FAR Overhaul initiative.

This is a notice of intent to sole source for both actions described above.

A separate written solicitation will not be issued.

This notice is being posted for transparency only and is not a request for competitive quotes.

2. BRAND-NAME JUSTIFICATION STATEMENT (FAR 11.204)

This requirement includes items peculiar to one manufacturer because DOI/NPS RM-9 Chapter

29 mandates the use of LESES-approved External Vest Carriers, and the LESES-approved list includes only two models, both manufactured exclusively by Angel Armor. Therefore, in accordance with FAR 11.204(a) and FAR 6.302-1, the Government’s minimum needs require a brand-name product manufactured by Angel Armor.

3. BACKGROUND & REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW

Immediate One-Time Purchase (Under SAT)

• Quantity: 75 EVS units

• Required Delivery: August 2026

• Contract Type: Standalone purchase order (under SAT)

• Purpose: To equip new NPS law enforcement trainees

Follow-On IDIQ Requirement

• Ordering cadence: Approximately 75 units per quarter

• Estimated IDIQ ceiling: $950,000

• Minimum guarantee: $500

• Contract type: Single-Award, FFP, FAR Part 12 Commercial IDIQ

• Ordering period: 5 years from award

4. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (Apply to Both Immediate & IDIQ Needs)

All External Vest Systems must include:

• Custom-sized, load-bearing carrier (male & female cut)

• Adjustable bellyband and secure side overlap

• Integrated quick-release duty belt

• Integrated snap-in rifle-plate system

• Front side-load rifle-plate pockets for rapid up-armor

• Compatibility with optional air-channel heat-management inserts

• NIJ-compliant, law-enforcement-grade construction

• Full compatibility with NPS ballistic panel program

• Mandatory compliance with DOI/NPS RM-9 Chapter 29 requiring use of LESES-approved carriers only

5. SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION SUMMARY

NPS conducted extensive market research which confirmed:

• RM-9 Chapter 29 requires use of LESES-approved External Vest Carriers.

• The LESES-approved list includes only two models, both manufactured exclusively by Angel

Armor.

• Angel Armor does not authorize resellers for the full EVS configuration or custom sizing support.

• One GSA reseller exists, but the GSA Schedule does not include all required models or components, preventing compliance with NPS minimum needs.

• Past evaluations of alternative vests showed other products do not meet NPS fit, safety, NIJ, rifle-plate integration, or heat-management requirements.

• Angel Armor holds a variety of patents and the technically required specifications are not known elsewhere nor is the Government aware of any shared ownership of the patents.

Therefore, Angel Armor is the only responsible source capable of fulfilling both the immediate

SAT requirement and the follow-on IDIQ.

6. CONSOLIDATION AND BUNDLING DETERMINATION (FAR 7.107)

The Contracting Officer has reviewed the requirements under FAR 7.107 and determined that this acquisition does not constitute a consolidation or bundling action.

Historically, various NPS units have procured Angel Armor vests through multiple, separate sole-source purchase orders due to mandatory RM-9/LESES requirements. Establishing a single-award IDIQ:

• does not eliminate competitive opportunities—no competitive market exists due to mandatory

RM-9/LESES compliance,

• does not combine separate competitive requirements,

• does not reduce small business participation, and

• simply unifies recurring, policy-mandated procurements already being sole-sourced to Angel

Armor.

The IDIQ is being established to:

• reduce redundant administrative actions,

• improve procurement efficiency,

• provide predictable ordering for quarterly training cohorts, and

• align with the Department of the Interior’s initiative to unify and streamline enterprise procurement practices.

Accordingly, the Contracting Officer does not consider this action a consolidation or bundling under FAR 7.107-1(a).

7. DISCLAIMERS

• This is not a solicitation.

• No award will be made solely based on responses to this notice.

• The Government will not reimburse response costs.

• Failure to respond does not preclude companies from future procurement opportunities.

• This acquisition is conducted using the deviated versions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation implemented under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul initiative.

• Part 6 exemption for simplified commercial procedures (FAR 6.001(a))

Vendors who believe they can provide the brand-name Angel Armor External Vest Systems described in this notice may contact the Contracting Officer solely for market research purposes;

such responses will not be considered competitive quotes and will not affect the Government’s intent to proceed with a sole-source action. For planning purposes only, the Government prefers to receive information regarding the immediate 75-unit purchase by June 15, 2026 and information related to the planned IDIQ by June 30, 2026.

8. POINT OF CONTACT

William Rilee, Contracting Officer, Department of Interior

Email: william_rilee@ios.doi.gov

Phone calls may not be answered or returned.