--Law Enforcement Ensemble Prototype (LEAP)

The US Army Research Development and Engineering Command (USA RDEC), Natick Contract Division, in support of the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command, Soldier System Center (USA SBCCOM, SSC), intends to conduct negotiations and award a p urchase order to Harris Manufacturing, Inc. on a basis of other than full and open competition in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation part 6.302-1. This acquisition is for Chemical Biological (CB) Ensembles and Selectively Permeable Membrane (S PM) material for research and development purposes. Harris Manufacturing, Inc., a small business located at 112 S Main Street Smyrna, DE, with extensive experience with the development of chemical protective ensembles for industry and has been involved wi th other government programs utilizing W.L. Gore materials. Harris Manufacturing Company, Inc. is the only SPM certified fabricator that can meet the programmatic schedule. The ensemble development requires a W.L. Gore certified fabricator with experienc e and equipment to CB seal the seams of the ensemble. Use of any other contractor would result in duplication of costs. The cost of this acquisition is not expected to exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold as defined in the Federal Acquisition Regu lation (FAR). THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. However, the Government will consider all quotations received within fourteen (14) days after date of publication of this announcement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed purchase order based upon responses is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Interested parties may identify their inter est and capability to respond to this requirement to the U. S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command, Natick Contracting Division, ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-NS/Peggy Dube, Natick, MA 01760-5011 no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on 12 July 2004. Inquiries ma y be made via e-mail to [email protected]. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. See FBO Note 22.