Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the US Army Warfighter Science, Technology and Applied Research Directorate (WARSTAR), intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: Delco Corporation, Akron, OH 44312. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. RESPONSES WILL BE RECEIVED FOR FUTURE REQUIREMENT CONSIDERATION ONLY. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE. 1. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: This contract is anticipated to design and produce compression molding tools required to fabricate new lightweight helmets, based on new information regarding optimal geometry discovered by Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC). Rapid heating and cooling of the processing tool is required to process these materials. Currently, Delco Corporation has developed proprietary production methods to produce compression molding tooling technologies. Deliverables are one single cavity compression mold to produce a size large combat vehicle crewman-type helmet shell; one flat plate compression mold; one dual cavity compression mold to produce a size large combat vehicle crewman-type ear cup shell and drawings in paper and electronic format. 2. A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): Delco's Compression mold technologies are the result of unique capabilities, equipment and proprietary production methods to manufacture tooling for helmet-shaped geometries that provide for rapid heating and cooling. Their unique production methods can produce steam heated and water cooled production-grade, highly instrumented, compression molding tools which are capable to withstanding 350 ton-force loading during compression molding of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene sheet goods when the initial distribution of material is up to 20%; 150 psi steam pressure loading; and are capable of immediate switching from 150 psi steam pressure loading to 45 F water cooling. There processes are necessary for certain types of armor materials. 3. A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: Over the past 20 years, NSRDEC has conducted continual assessments of industrial capabilities and has conducted periodic market searches to determine available and/or emerging suitable technologies for technology assessment of advanced armor technologies. Based on their knowledge of the field of armor materials, we believe that presently only Delco has the technology and ability to demonstrate the required technology. This is due in part to the unique salient features of this equipment and due to proprietary processes and features of the Delco equipment. The key feature that is unique to Delco is the ability to heat and cool the mold very rapidly. 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: Compression molding tools are required to develop new processing methods for armor materials, including new methods to process ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene materials at high temperatures. NSRDEC continues to conduct research on both improved materials and improved processing methods for improved ballistic protection and lighter weight helmets. 5. 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: NSRDEC is presently developing drawings and specifications for compression molding tooling. 6. 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 5:00 PM (EST) on July 16, 2011. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick CCAP-SCN, Natick Contracting Division Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Steven Streeter, Contract Specialist (508) 233-6180
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