84--Advanced Combat Helmet

Please note: Solicitation Number #W911QY05R1918 is replaced with Solicitation #W911QY05R0002. The U.S. Army RDECOM - Natick Contracting Division, in support of the US Army Soldier Systems Center-Natick has a requirement for a new Advanced Combat Helm et (ACH) which will replace the helmet known as the Personnel Armor System Ground Troops (PASGT). The ACH will provide an improved helmet to Soldiers that in addition to providing the Soldier ballistic and impact protection, will be used as a platform t o mount electronics such as communication devices, and Night Vision devices among other items. As a helmet it will provide standard Helmet, Ground Troops and Parachutists and (PASGT) protection as well as increased 9mm protection. The reduced edge cut o f the ACH, although reducing area of coverage, will improve the field of vision and hearing, leading to better situational awareness over the current helmet. The ACH has five basic components: The helmet shell, the pad suspension system, the retention syst em (chinstrap/napestrap), helmet cover, and eye strap. The Government anticipates that this requirement will be a Full and Open Competitive acquisition, however, the Government reserves the right to change the solicitation procedure. It is anticipated tha t a final Fedbizopps Announcement and solicitation will be released the first week in January 2005 with proposals due 30 days later. Firms shall not be reimbursed for any costs associated with proposals. The Government envisions that multiple Firm-Fixed-P rice (FFP) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts will be awarded as a result of the Request for Proposals (RFP) but reserves the right to award one or none. The Government anticipates a one-year Base Ordering Period, with four, one-year Options. If one contract is awarded, the anticipated minimum requirement is 100 ACHs and a maximum requirement of 880,000 ACHs and applicable spare parts kits for the entire period of performance. If more than one contract is awarded the yearly requireme nts will be divided (ratio to de determined) among successful offerors. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL THE TOTAL REQUIREMENT EXCEED MORE THAN 880,000 ACHs. Offerors are to note that Federal Prison Industries (FPI) also known as UNICOR, is currently the mandat ory source for helmets. Currently, UNICOR does not have a helmet that meets the ACH requirements. However, at some time UNICOR may develop a helmet that meets the ACH requirements. If the Contracting Officer makes a determination in the future that UNICOR helmets meets the Governments needs in terms of quality, price and time of delivery, UNICOR may be eligible to receive a portion of the aforementioned requirement. The required source for the pad suspension systems, helmet covers and eye straps will be Na tional Industries for the Severely Handicapped (NISH) and National Industries for the Blind (NIB). When released, the solicitation, including all amendments, and applicable documents (with the exception of patterns, if applicable) will only be available in electronic medium at US Army RDECOM  Natick Contracting at https://www3.natick.army.mil . A draft Performance Specification (subject to change) is posted at the Natick website (https://www3.natick.army.mil then by going to Business Opportunities and the n to Ongoing Acquisitions)and is open for questions and comments until December 20,2004.