Under the authority of FAR 13.5, the U.S. Army, REDCOM, Natick Contracting Division, Kansas Street, Natick, MA on behalf of the United States Army Soldier System Center, Natick, MA intends to negotiate and award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to INSTRON, 825 University Ave, Norwood MA 02062-2643 . The authority is 6.302.1: Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This is for the purchase of an Electromechanical Single Column Materials Test System with full software control, dedicated hardware controls for critical testing functions, that has interchangeable load cells and grips which can be used with other existing Instron instruments is needed to evaluate the mechanical properties of fiber for work being performed under the High Performance Fiber Facility Program. During the operation of the tricomponent fiber processing unit, it is vital that the mechanical properties of the fiber be determined in a quick, easy manner. Testing time is critical in the product development of the fiber being processed on the NRX-11 tri-component fiber unit. Instrons unique TouchPanel feature on their Instron will produce mechanical testing data very quickly and is accurate, reproducible, and reliable. The load frame /load cell interfaces must be able to accept existing grips and fixtures that are currently in use at Natick Labs on similar equipment without the need for special adapters. The NAICS Codes for this acquisition is 334519 Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing The size standard is 500 employees. This item is being purchased for the Natick Soldier System Centers WARSTAR organization as requested by the Project Manager. Questions concerning this acquisition may be addressed to the above address, Attention: Mr. Peter McDonald (AMSRD-ACC-NS) or by e-mail at
[email protected]. This synopsis expires 17 October 2008 at 10:00 AM ET.