QUESTION 1- 7 W91CRB-26-R-A006 SAPI 11 March2026.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- W91CRB-26-R-A006_SAPI
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document for solicitation W91CRB-26-R-A006, a Small Arms Protective Insert (SAPI) armor solicitation issued on 11 March 2026.
The document clarifies key requirements for SAPI armor system submissions. Pre-Delivery Manufacturing (PDM) test data may be submitted in the form of a prior First Article Testing (FAT) report supplemented by at least two current Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT) reports, eliminating the need for parallel production inserts. The CMMC Level 2 requirement referenced in DFAR 252.204-7025 requires SELF certification, not C3PAO certification. While the Government prefers single proposal submissions, offerors may submit multiple variants provided all options meet SAPI standards and pass testing at the Army Test Center (Aberdeen). Contractors are responsible for all costs associated with FAT and LAT, including the articles and tests themselves. The unit of measure for RFP quantities is individual plates, not sets (front and back combinations). PDM sample labels must follow the Product Specification exactly, include all required data fields completed, use "PDM" as the lot designation to distinguish samples from FAT or production lots, and include required serialization. Contractors must submit 117 first articles (23 x-small, 23 small, 25 medium, 23 large, 23 x-large) plus one medium dry lay-up of all components for testing at Aberdeen Test Center. Dry lay-up submissions must include build sheets documenting layer orientation and sequence, with each layer clearly labeled, packaged to maintain design layer order per contractor specifications, and accompanied by detailed packaging instructions for end-item delivery.
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Text version
11 March 2026
Questions 1-7
W91CRB-26-R-A006 SAPI SOLICITATION QUESTIONS.
1. We have a question with respect to the SAPI Solicitation W91CRB-26-R-A006. (I’m trying to save ATC / NIJ labs some time since they get busy.) If a vendor has a FAT-approved SAPI armor system, can documentation for that FAT approval be provided in lieu of the PDM test samples and reports? Clearly FAT approval demonstrates compliance with the non-ballistic (and ballistic) protocols.
Answer: Offeror should still provide data in place of PDM but that data can be in the form of FAT report and at least 2 current LAT reports. That will still meet the requirement for PDM data but not require additional inserts to be made in parallel to constant production to validate what is already validated during LAT.
2. For DFAR in section (b)1 it states CMMC Level 2 but does not state if it is SELF or C3PAO certification, can you please clarify.
Answer: It is SELF certification.
3. Can we submit two variants? (pg 11)
Background - Can you as the prime submit two proposals with different plates (first is standard - cheaper, no-frills plate. Second is a little more expensive but much lighter and exceeds ballistic requirement).
Answer: We prefer only one, but you can submit whatever you would like as long as it meets the standards of the PD, we are not looking for alternative items. It has to pass SAPI standards at ATC.
4. Who pays First Article Testing? (pg. 11)
A. Background U.S. Army Capability Portfolio Executive (formerly PEO Soldier) briefed (Mr. Jeffrey Myhre) on 03MAR26, that due to excessive backlog at Army Test Center (ATC Aberdeen), caused by CR01-26 (furloughs during Continuing Resolution), that FAT was to be outsourced to NIJ-approved ballistic test labs. Furthermore, emphasized by DLA (Michael Retano - Ballistics Chief); "Shifted model to Government Test Funded vs Contractor funded".
Answer: Page 11 – “For Post Award First Article Testing and Lot Acceptance Testing - ALL quality assurance/lot acceptance testing for PRODUCTION lots shall be conducted at US Army Aberdeen Test Center (ATC). The Contractor shall submit 117 each (not sets) first articles (23 x-small, 23 small, 25 medium, 23 large, 23 x-large), and one (1) SAPI dry lay-up (size medium) of all components. Testing will be conducted at ATC in accordance with this Request for Proposal (RFP) and applicable attachments found at Section J. The Government will issue a letter of approval to the Contractor after successful completion of FAT. The cost of such testing (including the articles and tests themselves) is the responsibility of the Contractor.”
5. Quantities in RFP does not indicate unit of measure. Is it "sets", i.e. (front and back) or individual plates. Background - this is an imperative question for both capacity planning and pricing! (CLIN Summary by program year) Answer: It is one plate – not a set.
6. PDM Samples to Ft. Belvoir. Please define labeling requirements.
A. Should we have "SAMPLE" or "NOT FOR COMBAT USE" - or words to that effect on label? B. Desired data included on label? (pg. 5) Answer: Samples shall follow the exact requirements of the PD. Labels shall contain all required data per the label section of the PD and all fields shall be completed. LOT shall be PDM to distinguish these samples from FAT or production. Serialization is required per the PD.
7. Dry Layup Sample - Configuration and Packaging Requirements. Please define packaging, user manual (instruction) and configuration(s) desired. (pg. 11) Answer: The TDP shall provide the configuration by size according to the PD Para.
3.8.9. If there are different ballistic designs for different sizes, each shall be documented and submitted. Build sheets shall provide the orientation and the sequence of layers of the design and each layer of the design shall be labels for clear identification. Dry layups shall packaged however the offeror determines is best so that the design layers stay in order per the configuration and each layer of the design can be easily identified according to the build sheet when received. The Government will not review dry layups if not presented per these instructions. Packaging instructions shall provide the details of how the offeror will package the inserts for end items delivery.
There are Peckham Shipping instructions on DOs for lots going to the warehouse, however, they do not contain instructions on how to package items in each box, only box, pallet, and labeling instructions for the warehouse. The packaging of the items in each box are up to the CTR so they should explain how they will package SAPI.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .