THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY for Maritime Plate Carrier Systems or equivalent items which are capable of meeting the basic requirements described below. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB). It is a market research tool being used to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources for planning purposes only. Responses to this notice are not considered as offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information presented or the use of any such information. DESCRIPTION The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), Natick, MA is seeking Maritime Plate Carrier Systems or equivalent items for test and evaluation purposes. The items shall be capable of meeting the following critical performance requirements: 1. Materials which do not absorb water (Hypalon type material) 2. Quick Release for emergency doffing 3. Swimmer cut ballistic plate carrier 3. Modular Flotation capability 4. Modular pockets Other Requirements: Materials must also meet the requirements of the Berry Amendment, 10 USC 2533a. REQUESTED INFORMATION Vendors who believe they have product(s) capable of meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a short (no more than 3 pages total) summary, including description, pictures, and website (if available). The three (3) page summary must include Company name and address, point of contact with phone number, DUNS number, Cage Code and a statement regarding any small business designation (if applicable), by the date and to the e-mail address noted below. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 315990 - Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing and the small business size is 500 employees. Any information submitted will not be returned, and no payment will be made by the Government for such information. Responses to this notice are to be sent to the RFI POC below. This notice is for market survey only. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement. POINT OF CONTACT (POC) Interested parties shall submit responses to this RFI to: Jean Greenwood Phone: (508) 233-6101 Email:
[email protected] Questions concerning this RFI may be submitted in writing to: Jean Greenwood Email:
[email protected] Responses shall be received no later than 11:00AM EST 5 December 2014. Responses shall be e-mailed to the address above. No telephonic or hardcopy (mailed) responses to this RFI will be considered. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responses to this RFI are not offers for contract and will not be used by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.