84 -- USMC ILBE PACK SYSTEM

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP), on behalf of the Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC), intends to negotiate a Sole Source contract to sustain the USMC Improved Load Bearing Equipment (ILBE) Pack System currently being fielded under MCSC contract M67854-03-D-3025. The requirement is to purchase sustainment quantities for the entire ILBE Pack System, manufactured by Propper International. The USMC ILBE Pack System is a proven technology and with direct Marine input that maximizes the mobility and survivability of the individual Marine. The Marine Corps is looking for sustainment to the ILBE Pack system that is readily producible, simple, functional, durable and lightweight. The ILBE Pack System is a commercial item based on the Arc’Teryx Equipment Incorporated commercially available Bora 95. The ILBE pack system is the only known domestically manufactured system that is capable of transferring the shear loads using a waist belt made solely of laminated foams. This is possible due to a unique combination of open cell foam, close cell foam, special glues, heating and cooling. Arc’Teryx has exclusively licensed their technology to Propper International. Currently, it is believed that no company worldwide has been able to duplicate the Arc’Teryx process. This item is sole source to Propper International. Drawings are not available. No Request for Proposal is available for competitive bidding; however, interested parties may submit a statement of capability for satisfying this requirement, to include descriptive literature, within 15 days of this announcement to the contact person listed above. This requirement is subject to the Berry Amendment (10 USC 2533 a) and the NAICS code is 314911