84--Intent to award a contract to Outdoor Research Inc. and Ansell Hawkeye Inc.

Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (3) and FAR 6.302-3, in conjunction FAR 13, the United States Army Research, Development & Engineering Command (RDECOM) Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, MA 01760 5011, on behalf of the WARPAD Directorate, intends to negotiate and award a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order on the basis of Other than Full and Open Competition to Outdoor Research Inc., located at 2203 1st Ave S STE 700, Seattle WA, 98134-1424, and Ansell Hawkeye Inc, located at 516 N 6th Street, Fort Dodge IA 50501-3212. To provide 120 of Outdoor Research Incs Firebrand Glove with Blackjack Liner, and 120 of Ansell Hawkeyes AHI Glove systems. The intent is to award 2 contracts to procure 2 glove systems. The purpose is to procure both systems for Limited User Evaluation (LUE) to establish the minimum requirements for an eventual solicitation for the USMC Mountain Cold Weather System. Nothing herein should be misconstrued as a request for proposal. No solicitation document is available. Nature and description of supplies required to meet agency needs: These glove systems provide cold/wet weather protection and insulation; shell is waterproof yet breathable with a water repellant outer shell fabric, durable palm material, long gauntlet, and have fast drying capabilities. System includes a removable water repellant liner which can attach to the inside of the outer shell and be used in combination (work as one) with the shell, and also be able to be worn as a stand alone glove. System has good overall durability, good dexterity & grip, will not freeze, and have a Clo value minimum of 1.2. Demonstration that contractor is the only source available: Request for Information (RFI) that was posted on fedbizopps on 25 June, 2009, with a response date of 14 August, 2009 Solicitation Number: RFICOLDWEATHERGLOVE. Three companies responded with four systems total. Out of the four gloves systems submitted, only the Outdoor Research and Ansell-Hawkeye meet the requirement and are Barry Amendment compliant. Description of the market research that was conducted and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted: Market Research was conducted by the requestor in the form of a Request for Information (RFI) that was posted on fedbizopps on 25 June, 2009, with a response date of 14 August, 2009 Solicitation Number: RFICOLDWEATHERGLOVE. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: None A statement of the actions if any that an interested party may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: Information received may be considered only for any future solicitation for the USMC Mountain Cold Weather System. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this acquisition to the US Army RDECOM Acquisition Center, Natick Contracting Division, via email to: contact@example.gov. All responses must be received prior to the expiration of this synopsis on 07 December 2009 at 3:00 pm EST. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Acquisition Center - Natick, ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Michael Griffin, +1 (555) 000-0000