Solicitation #: W91A2K-9335-9010 Special Notice Subject: Intent to award a contract to Pira International DESCRIPTION: Under the authority of FAR 13.106-1 (b), in conjunction FAR 13, the United States Army Research, Development & Engineering Command (RDECOM) Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, MA 01760 5011, on behalf of the Combat Feeding Directorate, intends to negotiate and award a contract to Pira International, located at 6539 Westland Way Suite 24, Lansing, MI 48917 to complete a full analysis and demonstration of packaging technology for military rations. The intent is to award 1 contract to procure 88 hours of services on the basis of Other than Full and Open Competition. The purpose is to procure these services for demonstrating and validating new nanocomposite and secondary packaging for the military. NATURE AND DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET AGENCY NEEDS: This effort will support FY09 and FY11 demonstration efforts for Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) research project, Nanotechnology for the Solid Waste Reduction of Military Food Packaging. The objective of this effort is to demonstrate and validate new nanocomposite and secondary packaging for the military which has been developed through earlier Environmental Quality Basic Research (EQBR) and Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) projects, as well as industry based developments in the area of nanocomposite packaging films that have matured into commercially available products in the ESTCP program. Nanocomposite packaging for the Meal Bag, non-retort and retort pouches will be demonstrated and evaluated to reduce Department of Defense (DoD) specific waste problems by the development of lighter-weight and recyclable military ration packaging which also meet combat ration operational requirements. The focus of this effort is to test and analyze the performance of nanocomposite packaging during airdrop trials and transportation shipments from the Meal, Ready-to-Eat" (MRE") copackers to military storage sites and to document any forms of damage in the ration packaging systems. The goal is to transition mature technology to material converters and demonstrate manufacturability and durability of nanocomposite packaging structures within the military logistics system. DEMONSTRATION THAT CONTRACTOR IS THE ONLY SOURCE AVAILABLE: T Pira International is a leading global testing and consultancy service provider which specializes in product and package performance. Pira has over 50 years experience in testing packaging materials and products, in evaluating the hazards of distribution and in undertaking improvement projects relating to product performance and protection. Pira International performs transportation testing and analysis for a variety of customers and has already done studies using military ration packaging. No other qualified researchers or laboratories were found that could fully support this effort using the recorders and equipment that NSRDEC purchased that was developed by Pira. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH THAT WAS CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF THE REASON MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED: Market Research was conducted by the requestor and it has been determined that no other qualified researchers or laboratories could fully support this effort using the recorders and equipment that NSRDEC purchased that was developed by Pira. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: None A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS IF ANY THAT AN INTERESTED PARTY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED: Information received will only be considered for future acquisitions. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this acquisition to the US Army RDECOM Acquisition Center, Natick Contracting Division, via email to:
[email protected]. All responses must be received prior to the expiration of this synopsis on 25 January 2009 at 12:00 pm EST. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Acquisition Center - Natick, ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Jeffrey Bernard, 508-233-5984 Govt Agency URL: https://www3.natick.army.mil Govt Agency URL Description: US Army RDECOM CC Natick Contracting Division