84--Sole Source for 4 Lighthouse Armor Ballistic Test Coupons and Shipping

Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Warfighter Science, Technology and Applied Research Directorate (WARSTAR) intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: GENERAL DYNAMICS LAND SYSTEMS INC., 38500 MOUND ROAD, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48310-3200. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. No solicitation document is available. 1) FAR Statutory Authority cited: 13.106-1(b)(1) only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. 2) Brief description of supplies or services required and the intended use: Ballistic protective small arms protective samples for test and evaluation, proprietary to General Dynamics Land Systems 3) Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: These samples are based on a proprietary design to General Dynamics Land systems. It is a design that has been evaluated for higher level threats and the requested samples are being scaled down to personnel armor. No other Company has this unique design which has potential to reduce the weight of personnel armor significantly. 4) Reason that suggested source is the only source which can provide the supplies or services: The suggested source is the only source because this is the only system that fills our needs and is compatible with our current systems. We can also use the software we currently have with our existing system for our new system. We have already obtained licensing information to verify that the software can be used. 5) A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: As a part of the NSRDEC program in ballistic, market research is done continually usually through meetings with companies or request for information from companies. This technology has potential to make a significant weight reduction for personnel armor and evaluations need to be completed before any additional research funds are directed toward further development. No other company can build samples representing GDLS' concept. The purchase of these test samples will aid the decision to request a concept paper under NSRDEC's BAA 6) Explain why an adequate purchase description or other information suitable to solicit by full and open competition has not been developed or are not available: See above information. 7) Provide a statement of the actions, if any, the government may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before future acquisitions are required. If this is a follow-on action to a previously competed action, so state: Continuous monitoring of the industrial base will be performed to take advantage of the competitive forces in the marketplace. NSRDEC will continue to survey the material/systems that are under development and will support other research to drive competition. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond VIA EMAIL to this requirement to the U.S. Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground, Natick Contracting Division no later than 8:00 a.m. on February 9, 2012. Please direct ALL such correspondence to: Lynn Pina Purchasing Agent contact@example.gov