Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of PM Soldier intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: Belleville Shoe Manufacturing. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. No solicitation document is available. 1) FAR Statutory Authority cited: 13.106-1(b)(1) only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. 2) Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: The boot required is the Belleville Model 340DES from Belleville Shoe Manufacturing, Inc. This is the only boot available that meets the construction, safety and delivery schedule requirements of the US Army for these limited sizes. The Belleville Model 340DES is a flame and conductive heat resistant combat boot for use in hot weather environments by the US Army Aviation community. 3) A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): The Belleville Model 340DES is the only commercial off the shelf model hot weather boot that is authorized by the US Army Aviation Center and School for use during US Army flight operations. The 340DES was tested in accordance with NFPA standard 1971 Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural Fire Fighting (2000 edition) and was the only item that met or exceeded the following criteria for US Army flight use: Sole-System Heat Resistance section 6-8, Boot Upper Heat Resistance section 6-7, Flame Resistance sections 5-4.5 and 6-5, and Liquid Fuel splash protection. 4) A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: PM-SCIE has been working with DLA-Troop Support (DLA-TS) to openly solicit this hot weather flame resistant combat boot since 2006. DLA-TS has an open solicitation with a closing date of 10 Feb 2011. However, that solicitation was originally scheduled to close Fall 2010 and has been delayed multiple times due to lack of sources available able to meet the safety criteria. Even with a closing date of 10 Feb 2011, a contract will not be in place until June/July 2011 with sustainment quantities available for funded requisition until 1QFY12. On 17 Jan 2011, DLA-TS held a pre-proposal conference to clarify any questions and verify sources. During that meeting it was verified that only one COTS source (Belleville Shoe Manufacturing) exists currently, however multiple sources should be on line to make this item in the next couple months. 5) Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: This procurement is for specific low- or zero-balance sizes only. These sizes/quantities are urgently needed to meet immediate fielding schedules for deploying Soldiers. Without these quantities/sizes there will be Soldiers deploying without the required life saving safety gear. 6) A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: PM-SCIE submitted an SRP to DLA-TS to centrally stock and sustain this item in 2006. Current solicitation closes 10 Feb 2011 and item should be available for funded requisition in normal supply system 1QFY12. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement to the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail to:
[email protected] no later than 12:00 p.m. on Monday February 7, 2011. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick CCRD-NA-SU, Natick Contracting Division Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Nate Jordan, Contract Specialist
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