99--The TSPID Directorate is in need of two highly complex molds that will be utilized to prototype a ballistic mandible for the Integrated Head, Neck, and Face Collaborative Science and Technology program (IHNF CSTP).

Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Natick Soldier System Center (NSSC), intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: Paulson Manufacturing Corporation THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. No solicitation document is available. 1. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: The Technology, Systems & Program Integration Directorate is in need of two highly complex molds that will be utilized to prototype a ballistic mandible for the Integrated Head, Neck, and Face Collaborative Science and Technology program (IHNF CSTP). 2. A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): Paulson Manufacturing Corporation prototyped the Phase II mandibles using surrogate materials for the IHNF CSTP. Paulson has developed complex mold fabrication techniques and are intimately familiar with the mandible, program and the requirements. The lead time for the molds is 14-16 weeks. The Phase III effort kicked off 1 February 2012 and end 31 July 2012. That would leave a new contractor 10-12 weeks to deal with getting up to speed, understanding the prototyping process for the mandibles to include the plastic and ballistic material which has a process all of its own, and managing any processing issues. Paulson is capable of producing both the ballistic inserts and the injection molded shells. 3. A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: Paulson Manufacturing Corporation is currently prototyping a ballistic mandible for another program at NSRDEC, using NSRDEC's ballistic material specifications. From this partnership with NSRDEC, Paulson would be using the two molds for prototyping mandibles for the IHNF CSTP using the same technologies / processing parameters. This has cut down the development time for creating a ballistic mandible for the IHNF CSTP and which will result in a cost benefit savings to the government. 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: The prototype mandibles fabricated for NSRDEC have performed well in ballistic and bump testing, validating the ballistic recipe to be used to fabricate the IHNF CSTP's mandible. 5. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: Continue the relationships with industry partners. 6. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement to the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail to: contact@example.gov no later than 7:00 a.m. on February 13, 2011. Contracting Office Address: Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground CCAP-SCN, Natick Contracting Division US Army Soldier Systems Center Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Sean Auld, Contract Specialist contact@example.gov