Sources Sought Statement of Need 143011-26-0105.pdf

STATEMENT OF NEED

NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement Body Armor Kits Requisition Number: 143011-26-0105

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement directly supports the core mission mandates of NOAA Fisheries— maximizing productivity of sustainable fisheries and fishing communities, as well as protection, recovery, and conservation of protected species—through its efforts to enforce and promote compliance with the marine resource protection laws and implementing regulations under NOAA’s purview.

OLE jurisdiction generally covers ocean waters between 3 and 200 miles offshore and adjacent to all U.S. states and territories; this is called the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The OLE jurisdiction includes:

● 3.36 million square miles of open ocean.

● More than 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline.

● 14 National Marine Sanctuaries and five Marine National Monuments.

OLE conducts enforcement activities through patrols both on and off the water as well as monitoring vessels electronically; criminal and civil investigations; partnerships with state, tribal, federal, and nongovernmental organizations; outreach and compliance assistance; and the use of innovative technological tools.

PURPOSE

To procure body armor kits for OLE Special Agents (SAs) and Enforcement Officers (EOs).

BACKGROUND

To fulfill its mission and ensure the safety of its personnel, the Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) mandates that all Enforcement Officers (EOs) and Special Agents (SAs) are equipped with high-quality body armor. Operational requirements for this equipment vary by role;

Enforcement Officers are required to wear their armor at all times while operating in the field, whereas Special Agents are permitted to utilize the equipment at their professional discretion. To maintain this standard of protection, OLE procures comprehensive Body Armor Kits to outfit new hires and replace aging equipment for existing staff.

The lifecycle management of this armor is governed by a strict three-year replacement cycle, implemented through a strategic, phased approach. By staggering these replacements, OLE effectively mitigates the logistical risks associated with processing agency-wide orders simultaneously. More importantly, this proactive distribution model ensures that no personnel are forced to operate in expired ballistic gear, thereby eliminating potential safety gaps and maintaining a constant state of operational readiness.

SCOPE

The Contractor shall provide Body Armor Kits throughout the period of performance of this contract. For each order, the Technical Point of Contact will provide the Contractor with a sizing sheet, which will detail the requirement(s). One complete Body Armor Kit consists of the following:

● 2 Ballistic panels

● 2 Concealable carriers

● 2 Trauma plates

● 1 Outer carrier

● 1 Pouch: Model TP14

● 1 Pouch: Model LT17

● 1 Pouch: Model TP10A

● 1 Pouch: Model TP21A

● 1 Name Tape

● 1 Identification Tape

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

The contractor shall provide body armor kits according to the following specifications:

Ballistic Panel Specifications:

● Brand: Safariland

● Model: Hardwire Level IIIA Ballistic Panel (Mfg. No: 1350430-M) (Style:

HW-2015-10-SB)

● Hardwire 0.68 PSF Level IIIA Solution Panels, NIJ 0101.06 complaint.

● Threat Type: Ballistic Level IIIA

● Test Standard: NIJ Standard: 0101.06

● Configuration: Neutral

● Armor Material: DSM Dyneema®

● Armor Panel Covering: 30D Brookwood Cover HST

Ballistic Panel Performance Specifications:

● AREAL DENSITY 0.68 lbs./ft2 (3.32 kg/m2)

● THINNESS 0.18 in (4.572 mm)

● NEW V50 - 9MM FMJ RN 124 GR.

● NEW V50 - .357 SIG FMJ FN 125 GR. 1755 ft./s (534.9 m/s)

● CONDITIONED V50 – 9MM FMJ RN 124 GR.

● CONDITIONED V50 - .357 SIG FMJ FN 125 GR. 1772 ft./s (540.1 m/s)

● NEW V50 – .357 MAG JSP 158 GR.

● NEW V50 - .44 MAG JSP 240 GR. 1634 ft./s (498.0 m/s) 1661 ft./s (506.3 m/s)

● CONDITIONED V50 – .357 MAG JSP 158 GR.

● CONDITIONED V50 - .44 MAG JSP 240 GR. 1790 ft./s (545.6 m/s)

● BACKFACE AVERAGE - .357 SIG 27.2 mm

● BACKFACE AVERAGE - .44 MAG 35.4 mm

Concealable Carrier Specifications:

● Brand: Safariland

● Model M2 Covert Carrier (SKU: M2_CMN) (Mfg. No: 1348925)

● Color: Navy blue

● Each Concealable Carrier shall be warranted to accept the Hardwire 0.68 ballistic panels and shall include:

○ Front and rear plate pockets

○ Removable contoured ergonomic straps, with controlled stretch Durable hexagon ripstop shell fabric

○ X-Static® silver anti-microbial wicking mesh liner

○ Full row high-profile VELCRO® Brand closures

○ Strategically located ergonomic VELCRO® Brand channels for easy fastening and removal

Trauma Plate Specifications:

● Brand: Safariland

● MODEL: Impac Special Threat Plates - Handgun Threat (Size: 5x8) (Mfg. No.:

1001628-0058) (SKU: PT_IMPAC_HT_STP)

● Size: 5" x 8"

● Weight: 0.3 lbs. (5 oz.)

● Thickness: 0.3 inches

● 100-percent polyethylene composite

● Special threat plate designed to protect against handgun threats. Tested against:

○ Speer .357 Sig. 125gr. FMJ

○ Speer .44 Mag, 240gr. SJHP

○ Win. 9 mm +P+, 127gr. SXT

○ Speer .357 Sig, 125 gr. GDHP

○ Norinco 7.62 x 25 Tokarev, 85gr. FMJ

○ FN 5.7 x 25 mm, 28gr. SS195LF

○ FN 5.7 x 25 mm, 40gr. SS197

Outer Carrier Specifications:

● Brand: Safariland

● Model: Bothell Overt Carrier (Color: Navy) (SKU: EOC_TMW_VCS_6566_N)

● Color: Navy Blue

● Sizes: Custom for each wearer

● Configuration: Neutral (Male, Female), Structured Armor Panel Access Interior horizontal bottom loading zipper with zipper garage

● Outer Material: 100% Nylon 500 Denier INVISTA CORDURA® with PU coating

● Inner Material: Thermoregulating ribbed channel spacer mesh liner

● Type of Plate Pocket: Front loading, back top loading for 5x8 plates

● Strap System: Clamshell High Profile Velcro® Brand adjustable shoulders and sides

Tails N/A Additional Items:

● Model: TP14 Expandable Baton/Flashlight Pouch, Single Brand: Safariland Model: TP14 (SKU: TP-M-YB) (Color: Navy)

● Model: LT17 Handcuff Tactical Pouch, Single Brand: Safariland Model: LT17 (SKU: TP17-W-NY) (Color: Navy)

● Model: TP10A Side Arm Magazine Pouch Brand: Safariland Model: TP10A (SKU: TP10A-M-YB) (Color: Navy)

● Model: TP21A Universal Radio Pouch with Bungee Closure Brand: Safariland Model: TP21A (SKU: TP21A-W-NY) (Color: Navy)

External Markings:

The Government will provide sizing sheets detailing the last names and designations of Special Agents (SAs) and Enforcement Officers (EOs). Based on this information, the vendor must supply 1x5-inch name tapes and 4x8-inch identification back patches reading either "FEDERAL AGENT" or "FEDERAL OFFICER." All items must feature a durable, perimeter-stitched hook-and-loop (Velcro) backing for secure attachment to the outer carrier.

To ensure equipment uniformity and high visibility, traditional embroidery is strictly prohibited. Both the name tapes and back patches must be constructed using a heat-fused film application, featuring precision CAD-cut, non-reflective gold lettering bonded to heavy-duty fabric that matches the outer body armor carrier blue. The lettering on the back patches must measure 1.5 inches high and 1 inches wide. A picture of these items will be provided as an example.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Base Year: August 1, 2026 - July 31, 2027 Option Year 1: August 1, 2027 - July 31, 2028

DELIVERY LOCATION:

FLETC - NOAA Fisheries OLE Ben Hughes 1131 Chapel Crossing Rd, TH 402-C Glynco, GA 31524

DELIVERY SCHEDULE:

Item Quantity Deliver By

Base Year: August 1, 2026 - July 31, 2027

Body armor kits for current staff 79 Within 60 days of vendor receipt of sizing sheet

Additional body armor kits for new hires 10 Within 60 days of vendor receipt of sizing sheet

Option Year 1: August 1, 2027 - July 31, 2028

Additional body armor kits for new hires 15 Within 60 days of vendor receipt of sizing sheet