58--Modular Integrated Communications Helmet

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The United States Army has a need and intends to procure a new communications headset to integrate with the new Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH). The communications components, requested in this announcement, shall provide a communications headset system that allows the Soldier dual or single channel radio communications in both high and low noise environments alone with hearing protection. Items sought must be commercial items, and if applicable, available on GSA schedule. The communication components will b e used throughout the spectrum of U. S. Army operational continuum, from humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping, to counter-terrorism and counterinsurgency, to low intensity conflict and full-scale war. The headset will consist of modular communications components that can be integrated into the ACH helmet system or worn independently, as a stand-alone communications system. The communications components are desired to offer two independent capabilities: 1) a low noise environment (no hearing protection) headset, 2) a high noise environment (with hearing protection) headset, or a single modular system that does both. The communications components will be required to operate with a variety of radio and intercommunications systems (ICS). They must interfac e (to include connectors, and straight and coiled cabling of sufficient length for body worn equipment and intercoms) with the Joint Multi-band Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR PRC-148) and current authorized handheld and vehicle mounted systems (PRC Family, SINGARS, Army Solider Intercom System (ICOM)) as well as vehicle platform intercom systems to include VIC-1, VIC-2 and VIC-3 intercoms. The headset shall be binaural, allowing the user to simultaneously monitor two different radios, one for each ear. The headset design may consist of two versions in order to meet the operational requirements for different noise environments. The low nois e situations will require the user to communicate using radios and/or face-to-face communications, while listening to and understanding sounds from their local surroundings. The high noise situation will require hearing protection from high intensity conti nuous and impulse noise in addition to providing communications capability that is similar to that of the low noise situation. The headset must also allow the user to hear ear safe sounds; both in high and low noise environments, utilizing an electronic t alk thru circuit. It is required that this circuit provides an amplification capability (roughly 15dB) of low level sounds normally out of the human range of hearing to a safe listening level. If power is required for operation of the high noise headset, then it must be contained within the headset unit or must be capable of pulling the power off the radio or vehicle intercom. The high noise headset also must be capable of attenuating steady state noise to a minimum of 94dBA from 125 to 8000 Hz for an exp osure time of 1-hour. The high noise headset must be capable of attenuating steady state noise to a maximum of 88 dBA from 125 to 8000 Hz for a maximum exposure time of 4-8 hours. The real ear attenuation must be tested IAW ANSI/ASA S12.6-1992. The thres hold sound test field shall be a noise spectrum of 110 dBA. The waterproof requirement for all communications components (i.e. microphone, earphones, connectors, cables, electrical switches, etc.) shall be corrosion proof and waterproof. The requirement i s waterproof to a depth of 3 feet in salt water for thirty minutes. Request product samples, photos, technical data or literature, price breakouts for unit costs/qty, delivery schedules, or other availabl e information in reference to the described systems and components. Samples and data should be provided at no-cost and be forwarded to US Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, ATTN: George Schultheiss (D230) Kansas St, Natick, MA 01760-5019 no later than 1 Sep 04. Information may also be forwarded electronically via email to: contact@example.gov, please copy furnish to: contact@example.gov. Product samples submitted should be free of charge unless official order is placed for purcha se. This is primarily a Request For Information, however, results of this RFI may be used to determine commercially available sources for the purchase of products to evaluate and test under a funded program.