Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Warfighter Protection and Aerial Delivery Directorate (WARPAD), intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: First Choice Armor & Equipment, Incorporated, Spindale, NC 28160. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. No solicitation document is available. 1. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: PM-SOF Survival, Support & Equipment Systems (PM-SOF SSES) has a need to acquire next generation soft armor research and development samples. These samples will consist of 15x15 shootpacks and will be solely purchased for research and development testing. No first article test is required as this soft armor will not be fielded for use by soldiers under combat conditions. Testing will be conducted for the purpose of conducting market research of vendors and soft armor technology in support of a future full and open competitive solicitation. 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.): First Choice Armor & Equipment, Incorporated has presented a proprietary and unique soft armor design for next generation SPEAR soft armor shootpacks. PM-SOF SSES has a requirement to evaluate next generation soft armor technology and conduct market research in support of a future full and open competitive solicitation. 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: PM-SOF SSES continuously conducts market research of soft armor vests and soft armor vest manufacturers. Recently, program office representatives attend the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) conference in Oct 2009 as well as met or corresponded with the following companies by email/phone in Nov/Dec 2009: Honeywell International, DSM Dyneema LLC, BAS Systems/Safariland, MSA, First Choice Armor, Point Blank Solutions, Protective Products International. As part of this project, PM-SOF SSES intends to award separate R&D contracts to multiple vendors to conduct market research as well as promote competition between vendors 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: The proposed award is less than 25k. 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: None 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 noon on February 9, 2010. 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) 233-5704
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