--Small Arms Protective Plates

Under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, the U.S. Army Research, Engineering & Development Command (RDECOM), Natick Contracting Division, Kansas Street, Natick, MA on behalf of the United States Army  Soldier System Center, Natick, MA intends to negotiat e and award a purchase order on a sole source basis with Simula Aerospace & Defense Group, Inc., 7822 S. 46th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85044-4531. This effort is to provide the Government with approximately 75 Small Arms Protective Plates (SAPI) using .0175 re action bonded boron carbide as ceramic face. Simula is the only producer of the SAPI using the specified thickness of ceramic that is required for this study that must be completed by March 21, 2005. There is insufficient time to ask another manufacturer to develop the necessary technology for this study within the required timeframe. The technology in SAPI is proprietary technology to Simula. This is a one-time buy for this SAPI type in order to study its characteristics. Questions concerning this acquisi tion may be addressed to the above address, Attention: Mr. Sean P. Murphy (AMSRD-ACC-NS) or by E-mail. This synopsis expires Friday, March 4, 2005 at 10:00 AM EST.