H--RFI - BALLISTIC TESTING OF PERSONAL ARMORING MATERIALS

Request For Information (RFI): This is not a solicitation. No contract award will be made as a result of this request. This request is for informational purposes only. Information herein is based on the best information available at the time of publication, is subject to revision, and is not binding upon the government. This RFI neither constitutes a Request for Proposal (RFP) or invitation for Bid (IFB). This RFI should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose. All interested parties are encouraged to respond to this RFI. The Government WILL NOT PAY for information and/or materials received in response to this RFI, is in no way obligated by the information received, nor will the government compensate the respondent for any cost incurred in developing information for the government. The Government will not release any information marked with a Proprietary legend, received in response to this RFI, to any firm, agency, or individual outside the Government without written permission from the respondent. Purpose: To identify potential personal body armor testing facilities which currently possess, or are able to promptly obtain, certification from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and accreditation from the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP). Respondents must be interested in bidding on a future testing requirement for U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen Test Center (ATC). The requirement is a non-personal services contract to perform Lot Acceptance Testing (ballistic testing) of personal armoring materials that protect the soldier against a variety of threats. Ballistic Lot Acceptance Testing will be performed in accordance with NIJ standards, ANSI Standards, and ATC protocols for the following four (4) commodity categories: 1) Soft Body Armor, 2) Hard Body Armor, 3) Helmets, and 4) Military Combat Eye Protection Systems (MCEPS). This is NOT a request for information about any armor product. The anticipated NAICS code is 541380 (Testing Laboratories), and the FSC is H984 (Quality Control, Testing and Inspections Services/Clothing, Individual Equipment). The resultant contract is expected to be a multiple award, FFP IDIQ, wherein the laboratories that are awarded a contract will compete a requirement amongst the pool of laboratories selected resulting in a lowest price award. The period of performance is anticipated to be five (5) years. All testing will be performed at the contractor's facility. Background: The Army has a requirement for ballistic testing of personal armoring materials and end items which provide protection against a broad range of ballistic threats. Ballistic threats include gun ammunition and fragmented projectiles over a range of environmental conditions. Testing to be performed is part of the ongoing Interceptor Body Armor Program which includes various configurations of the Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPI), various configurations of the Outer Tactical Vest (OTV), extremity protection, enhanced side arms insert and carrier, and the deltoid auxiliary protectors. Additionally, testing is required for a variety of personal protective equipment, including, but is not limited to, helmets, head and neck protection, Cupola Protective Ensemble, and MCEPS. Testing will be performed in accordance with specified procedures on armor systems and various personal protective equipment components and systems. Many of these tests are required to be conducted rapidly and frequently at the request of senior government officials. Request that interested parties provide a written response to this RFI no later than 28 March 2014 to Army Contracting Command- Aberdeen Proving Ground ATTN: Contract Specialist, Elizabeth Nordell at: contact@example.gov. Responses should not exceed 20 pages one-sided or 10 pages double-sided. No physical or quote mark hard quote mark copies will be accepted as a result of this request. Respondents are requested to: 1) Provide evidence of current NIJ certification, or a detailed explanation of the resources currently held which would allow prompt acquisition of NIJ certification. For respondents without current NIJ certification, a timeline to achieving certification is required. 2) Provide evidence of current NVLAP accreditation, or a detailed explanation of the resources currently held which would allow prompt acquisition of NVLAP accreditation. For respondents without current NVLAP accreditation, a timeline to achieving accreditation is required. 3) Identify their business type (i.e., large, small, small and disadvantaged, 8(a)certified, woman-owned small, HUB Zone certified small, or service disabled veteran-owned small business) in relation to the SBA size standard for NAICS 541380 ($14M). 4) Clearly indicate their interest in submitting a proposal to any eventual Request For Proposals as a Prime, or if their interest is solely in subcontracting opportunities (identify functional areas). Each response must reference this notice.