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: AACT CORP., Marriottville, MD 21104-1018. 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: The fabrics are required for test and evaluation in the ballistics area to determine potential of material for ballistic protective applications. The fiber will be analyzed from a research standpoint to understand the fundamental performance of the material. This is new technology which needs to be studied and analyzed more fully for ballistic applications. There are no other suppliers of this material than the one listed. 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.): The source provided is the only known US source of this material, especially the fiber requested. It is the requestor's understanding that the source has the exclusive rights to this material in the US. 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: A market research was not completed as we were made aware of this material through other government agencies as well as from the supplier. 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: It is important that this material be assessed for ballistic protection. No other source can provide the materials requested. It is the requestor's understanding that only this source can provide the fiber requested and since the source is the US supplier of this material, the Government would expect to get the best price. It is conceivable that another company could buy the fabric from the supplier and resell to the Government; mostly likely at a higher price. However, this is the only supplier for the fiber in the US. 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: At the present time there is only one producer of this material, which is in Russia. Subsequent acquisitions are expected to be sole source as well for small quantities. If this material is successful and is put into an end item for fielding, it is anticipated that a number of body armor manufacturers may use the material, which would open up competition (but still only one US supplier for the raw materials). This material has not been sufficiently vetted to warrant attempts at finding US fiber manufacturers who might be willing to produce the fiber technology. 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 April 23, 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: Steven Streeter, Contract Specialist (508) 233-6180
[email protected]