A-- Ballistic Testing

The US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center (NSRDEC) has as one of its missions to conduct Research and Development (R&D) for improved personnel protective armor. We are publishing this sources sought as part of a prelimina ry market research seeking companies who have the capability and skills to provide ballistic testing services to support our R&D program. Testing will be performed in accordance to specified procedures on developmental armor samples, prototype armor items, and fielded armor items (e.g. vests, helmets, and extremity armor). Capabilities and skills will include providing all labor, materials and equipment necessary to perform ballistic tests in accordance with, but not limited to, the following: a) MIL-STD -662E (V50); b) National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standard 0101.04 methodology; c) using fragment simulators with measurements of striking and residual velocity (Vs-Vr); d) US Army performance specifications for ballistic protective personnel armor equipment; e) other NSRDEC specified evaluations (e.g. high speed video, flash x-ray) on government furnished property (ballistic test panels or ballistic protective equipment). Capabilities and skills will include providing all labor, materials and equip ment necessary to build or modify fixturing as necessary for both standard and non-standard evaluations. Standard evaluations may include backface deformation for flat and curved plates and helmets and nonstandard evaluations may include evaluations such as frontal spall assessment of ceramic plates. Projectiles to be used for testing may include, but are not limited to, 2-, 4-, 16-, and 64-grain right circular cylinder fragment simulators, 17-grain fragment simulating projectiles, 1.0-grain sphere, 5.56 x 45 M193, 5.56 x 45 M855, 7.62 x 39 M1943 Type PS (or equivalent), 7.62 x 39 Type BZ (or equivalent), 7.62 x 51 M80, 7.62 x 63 APM2 rifle rounds and government furnished (standard caliber) projectiles. The ability to acquire standard US and foreign roun ds and the ability to securely store and account for government furnished projectiles will be required. Other evaluations may include audit for handgun or rifle projectiles. Audit will consist of a sampling of up to thirty projectiles from the same lot s. Sampling will include weight of complete projectile and sectioning of at least 10 of these projectiles to determine weight of jacket alone and, where applicable, weight and hardness of steel core. Capabilities will also include ability to pre-conditio n samples prior to testing when requested. Conditioning may include, but is not limited to, hot temperature, cold temperature, and immersion in water, salt water, diesel, or penetrating oil. Preliminary ballistic test reports will be required to be provid ed within 1 business day (via facsimile or electronic mail) and a final written report within 5 business days (via US mail or electronic mail) after completing each evaluation or set of evaluations. The ability to generate, store, and transmit classified information will be required. This is NOT a request for proposal and quotes or offers will not be accepted at this time. Information submitted should be pertinent and specific in the technical area under consideration, on each of the following qualific ations: (1) Experience: An outline of previous projects, specific work previously performed or being performed and any in-house research and development effort; (2) Personnel: Name, professional qualifications and specific experience of scientist, engineer s and technical personnel who may be assigned as a principal investigator and/or project officer; (3) Facilities: Availability and description of special facilities required to perform in the technical areas under consideration. A statement regarding indus try security clearance. Any other specific and pertinent information as pertains to this particular area of procurement that would enhance our consideration and evaluation of the information submitted. Please indicate if your company is a small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a) certified, HUBZone certified, woman-owned, or service disabled veteran owned small business. The point of contact is Mr. Raymond Golaszewski, Soldier System Center, Natick, Massachusetts. Email address- contact@example.gov Please respond no later than 8 February 2008.