Vital Torso Protection - Full Rate Production Draft Solicitation

The Department of the Army Materiel Command Army Contracting Command Aberdeen Proving Ground is seeking proposals for the full rate production of the Vital Torso Protection component of the Soldier Protection System. Offerors must propose designs for hard armor plates including the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert, X-Small Arms Protective Insert, Enhanced Side Ballistic Insert, and X-Side Ballistic Insert that meet requirements for ballistic protection, weight reduction, size, fit, coverage, and workmanship defined in the attached purchase description. Proposals are due by April 29, 2016 and awards will be made on a best value basis, with the technical factor being most important.

Side plate awards may be partially set aside for small businesses. The period of performance is four years for production with cost-plus-fixed-fee CLINs for research and development efforts. The solicitation number is W91CRB-16-R-0010 and was issued under NAICS code 336992 and PSC code 8465 for manufacture of body armor components. Current contractors for similar requirements include bulletproofme.com and Point Blank Body Armor. The estimated value of the full rate production contract is between $50-100 million to be awarded in 2021.