NA The Previous Market Survey dated 06 Feb 2002 is replaced as follows: Commerce Business Daily February 06, 2002 Sources Sought Notice / Survival Knife The Office of the Product Manager for Soldier Equipment, Natick Soldier Center, Natick, MA is seeking candidate samples and information from potential sources for an Aircrew Survival/Egress Knife (ASEK) to be used by U.S. Army Aviation aircrews. This progr am is an initiative to find a substitute to the current survival knife: NSN 7340-00-098-4327 Knife Hunting, Sheathed, Survival, Pilots. This request is for samples to evaluate for selection and possible future procurement. Inclusion of candidates on the selection list in no way guarantees any future procurement. Submitted survival knives shall have the following capabilities: -The ASEK will be carried by aircrew personnel and accessible and operable with one hand, either hand. Provide egress features superior to the current survival knife and survival features equal to or superior to the current survival knife. -In its sheath, the ASEK dimensions will not exceed 11 inches long x 2 and one half inches wide x 1 and one half inches thick.. -In its sheath, the ASEK will not create a risk of impact injury greater that the current knife or a risk of stab injury to the aircrew member. In its sheath, not have sharp edges or protuberances that can cause injury or discomfort when worn over time. Be securely retained in its sheath under survivable crash loads of 20 g forces and be retained upside down, yet be easily accessed by the aircrew member. Sheath and handle materials must meet flame resistance, flame retardance, and melt-resistance standar ds of the AIRSAVE vest, or must be encased in an outer sheath/pocket that provides flame resistance, flame retardance, and melt-resistance -The ASEK will provide the aircrew member with the capability to smash or break a hole large enough to egress from the AH-64A/D and the RAH-66 through the Plexiglas side canopy using one hand, either hand. -The ASEK will have the capability to safely catch and cut all current and developmental seat belt straps (Type 10 and Type 13 webbing) or the Monkey Harness, restraint tether (Harness Assembly, Aircraft Safety, Personnel Retaining, NSN 1680-00-982-9973) w ith one hand. This capability may be achieved by the design of the main blade, or by incorporating a separate strap cutting blade or device into the same sheath as the main blade. -The ASEK will have a cross guard to keep hands from slipping from the handle onto the blade. -The ASEK will have holes in the handle or cross guard that provide a capability to lash the knife to a pole and create a spear. -The ASEK will provide the capability to hammer common materials found in a 72-hour survival situation. Have a detachable sheath that can be used as a hammer handle for hammering horizontally with the knife handle or butt-cap. Provide a greater moment-ar m than pounding with the current survival knife held by the knife handle in a vertical position. -The ASEK will have the capability to saw a 36-inch length cut in aircraft aluminum skin without requiring immediate sharpening. Be capable of sawing wood better than current survival knife. -The ASEK will have a portion of the blade near the handle (approximately 1/3 to 1/2 the length of the blade) serrated to provide the capability to easily cut rope and fibrous type materials. The teeth of the serrations shall retain their cutting ability for an extended time under rigorous usage. -The ASEK will be robust to withstand egress and field usage. Have the capability to chop, dig, pry, and stab equal to or better than the current survival knife. Have the capability to cut with the non-serrated portion of the knife-edge equal to or bette r than the current survival knife. -The ASEK must not break when dropped from shoulder height to a hard surface at any angle. Must meet or exceed the current survival knifes ability to pry without breaking or permanently bending. -The ASEK will have a knifepoint. -The ASEK will have a handle that allows aircrew personnel to tell blade orientation by feel with aviator gloves on. -The ASEK will have a low visual signature and aural signature when drawing or sheathing the knife. -The ASEK blade will be corrosion resistant or have a corrosion resistant coating. -The ASEK handle and sheath materials should not degrade or loosen with exposure to water, sun, snow or extreme temperatures from minus 50 degrees F to 160 degrees F. Blades and components should not become brittle when used in temperatures down to minus 50 degrees F. -The ASEK should cost no more than $60 per unit in production quantities. A cost of $40 or less per unit is desired. -The ASEK will come from the manufacturer sharp, will be capable of being sharpened by aircrew personnel, and will provide a sharpening device that will not break. -It is desired, but not mandatory, that the ASEK provide a screwdriver and/or awl tool. -It is desired, but not mandatory, that the ASEK will provide an electrically insulated handle. -The ASEK shall have a lanyard attachment point. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code for this request is 3421 . The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 332211. In order to qualify as a small business, firms must have 500 or fewer employees. Firms responding sha ll indicate whether or not they are a small business. Interested sources shall supply the following information concerning their company and current product(s): 1) How the product(s) are made and could be modified to address the military requirements. 2) Information regarding the firms experience, personnel and facilities. 3) Product information should include product costs, technical information/literature/data and illustrations, performance capabilities independent laboratory testing and relevant c ompany background/experience. 4) Provide pricing information for products submitted for consideration. Companies responding to this request may submit more than one candidate design for consideration, as long as each submission adheres to the requirements outlined in this survey. Companies responding to this request should submit five (5) samples of each c andidate they would like considered. A reference to this synopsis number on each candidate submissions as well as on all enclosed documents. Proprietary information MUST be marked as such, on a page-by-page basis. Responses to this market survey must be submitted within 45-days of the posted market survey and are to be sent to Mr. Erich AmRhein, Natick Soldier Center, PM-Soldier Equipment, Room D242, 15 Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760, FAX
+1 (555) 000-0000, or by E-ma il
contact@example.gov. This notice is for market research only. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. No solicitation document exists. The information received under this announcement may be used to purchase items for Government evaluation a nd/or for developing acquisition strategy. This announcement IS NOT a Request for Proposal nor does the Government intend to pay for any information or items submitted in response to this synopsis. This synopsis does not commit the Government to award a contract.
