42 -- Kevlar Combat Helmets

LINE DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLY QTY 0001 Kevlar Combat Helmets (Level IIIA) 11,891 Green or Woodland Camouflage with Chin Strap *** Helmets MUST meet NIJ Level IIIA specifications IAW NIJ Standard 0106.01 and meet MIL-STD-662E requirements. NIJ Approved Laboratory V50 testing certificates documenting NIJ Level IIIA compliance must be submitted with proposals. ANY OFFEROR WHO FAILS TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS OR PROVIDE COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATION WILL BE DEEMED UNRESPONSIVE AND REMOVED FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION. Solicitation will be posted to FBO on 16 Dec 05. All quotes should be submitted to contact@example.gov Preferred method of submission is email attachment. Unable to receive faxes. Q: 1) Can you please clarify line 0003, chin straps. Our helmets come complete with chin straps, so we would not charge for this. However, are you asking that we bid on 11891 replacement chin straps? A: Broke out the chin straps to ensure an offeror does not bid on helmets alone (it's been known to happen)if the chin straps are included with the helmet, then no need to bid separately'not asking for additional chin straps, just the 11891 that should accompany the helmet Q: 2) When referring to chin straps are you referring to the part of the harness that holds the chin or the entire harness which supports the helmet on the head? A: Chin only Q: 3) Are there any penalties for late delivery and if there are, what are the penalties? A: Late deliveries may result in consideration (a negotiated monetary reduction) or termination for cause, leading to poor past performance'this, of course, will impact the ability to compete in future buys, as non-responsible offerors would be thrown out of competition immediately Q: Just to make sure I understand correctly, as long as an NIJ approved lab has performed testing in accordance with NIJ 0106.01 at threat level IIIA, you will accept that test report. In other words, certification from the NIJ is not required as they do not have a standard they can certify to. A: You are correct'NIJ 0106.01 threat level IIIA from a certified lab'there is no certification letter for helmets that I am aware of Q: Are these helmets to be constructed in the standard PASGT style, or was something different required? A: PASGT (Ground Troop) Helmet is what were require... Q: Is there a - Berry Amendment/Buy American Act Made In USA requirement in effect for this Solicitation? A: No'Overseas/Contingency requirement Q: Can the color be painted on the helmets or are covers required? A: Helmets must have covers Q: Gentex Corporation currently is an approved supplier for the new Army ACH level IIIA helmets and also the new Lightweight Marine Corps helmet. We use both Kevlar and Twaron in our ballistic helmets. Twaron is a US government approved equivalent to Kevlar. Would it be permissible to use Twaron as all performance requirements will be met? Also do you have a size ratio? A: Don't see any problem with Twaron IF the vendor can provide the - U.S. Government approval that they claim to have certifying it as acceptable. 15% Small - 1,784 helmets 55% Medium - 6,540 helmets 30% Large - 3,567 helmets Q: 1) You mention Mil Std 662E requirements. It is my understanding that this is a test protocol used to measure v50 performance against certain projectiles. Can you further define the minimum level of v50 required and the projectile to be used in the test? A: You are correct'We are removing MIL STD 662E/V50 requirement'we would normally use a 17 grain FSP'with the way the solicitation is written, we do not list evaluation criteria for testing against this requirement Q: 2) You also mention the requirement for" NIJ approved laboratory V50 testing certificates documenting NIJ level IIIA compliance". It is my understanding that a NIJ level IIIA compliance requires a V0 test result for certification. Please clarify the requirement. A: You are correct'V0 test is the requirement'V50 has been removed Q: 3) You mention NIJ 0106.01 certification. Is the test data required the ballistic portion of this test only or is it also the Acceleration measurement portion. If it includes the acceleration measurement portion testing then I am unaware of any NIJ certified lab that has the necessary equipment to perform this test. A: Only ballistic