Torso Protection (TP) Component of the Soldier Protective System (SPS)

The Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), 4310 Boothby Hill Avenue, APG, MD 21005 intends to issue a solicitation for the Torso Protection (TP) System, a component of the Soldier Protection System (SPS) in support of Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PM SPE) of the Program Executive Office (PEO) - Soldier, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060. The TP System must deliver a torso vest protection (fully scalable from a concealable vest to a full-up tactical vest with integrated load management capability), modular component protection (deltoids, yoke/collar, lower back) and outer pelvic protection system that must provide the same or better fragmentation and hand gun protection at a lighter weight than the current baseline (Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV)). The modular scalable design does not have to be backward compatible but must allow for insertions of future technologies that support modernization and defeat or mitigate the effects of ballistic, blast, fragmentation, blunt impact, and flame threats seen on the battlefield. All of the ballistic and non-ballistic test requirements are documented in the Technical Statement of Need (TSN). The areal density of the ballistic filler for the Torso Vest, Front/Back Pelvic, Deltoid, Collar, and Lower Back Protection subcomponents of the TP component must not exceed 0.95 lb/ft2 at proposal submission, but the areal density shall not exceed 0.85 lb/ft2 to be eligible for a production award at the end of the developmental effort. The areal density of the ballistic filler for the Center Pelvic and Yoke Protection subcomponents of the TP component shall not exceed 0.36 lb/ft2.

All items being procured under this acquisition are subject to the Buy American Act and Berry Amendment.

This requirement is a developmental effort for vendors to improve upon their currently produced TP items. The anticipated scope of work includes all procurement and production activities required to manufacture the soft armor and other materials that constitute the TP component. Contractors must submit the entire TP ensemble and not one or more individual components. The TP must provide protection as required by the TSN. The anticipated acquisition approach is a two (2) step, four (4) phased process ultimately resulting in one (1) firm, fixed price award to a Single Responsible Offeror (SRO). Step 1 (includes Phases 1-3) is a competitive acquisition for the award of up to three (3) Firm Fixed Price (FFP) developmental contracts. Step 2 (Phase 4) will result in an award, to the SRO, of a FFP contract for low-rate initial production (LRIP) quantities and include three (3) optional contract line item numbers (CLINs); two (2) options for Full Rate Production (FRP) quantities and one (1) option for a ten (10) year licensing period. This competitive acquisition is designed for the offerors to achieve the desired weight reduction, scalability, and optimal load management as outlined within the SPS TSN, while maintaining current ballistic requirements.

Step1 (Developmental Contract)
* Phase 1: Solicitation & Pre-Engineering & Manufacturing Development (pre-EMD)
* Phase 2: Development Testing One (DT1)
* Phase 3: Development Testing Two (DT2)

Step 2 (Production Contract)
* Phase 4: Production; LRIP, FRP, and Licensing

The Government anticipates full & open competition under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 315990 - Apparel Accessories & Other Apparel Manufacturing.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) W91CRB-13-R-0042 shall be released on or about 19 June 2013 with all documents, attachments, and amendments posted at the FedBizOpps website located at the following web address: https://www.fbo.gov/. No hard copies of this RFP will be issued. All respondents shall be responsible for obtaining documentation from this location.

Point of Contact (POC) - Lisa Yamakawa
E-mail: lisa.j.yamakawa.civ@mail.mil