--Maritime Releasable Body Armor Vests

The U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM) Natick Contracting Division, acting on behalf of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Soldier System Center, plans to award a sole source purchase order to Eagle Industries for 146 Maritime Releasable Body Armor Vests (MRBAV). This procurement is conducted under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13.5 test program and Section 4202 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996. Eagle Industries is identified as the only supplier capable of meeting the specific performance, functional, and sizing requirements of the MRBAV, which must be compatible with the SOCOM-approved SPEAR ballistic plates. Due to this unique compatibility requirement, alternative products would not be suitable, and the evaluation process for any other options would take approximately six months, far exceeding the 60-day delivery timeline needed to support deploying troops. The MRBAV is essential for providing protective equipment to soldiers, and the urgency of deployment necessitates an expedited sole source acquisition. The contracting office is located in Natick, Massachusetts, with point of contact as Mr. Christopher Heim for inquiries related to this acquisition. The solicitation, identified by the number USA-SNOTE-070919-003, is designated for equipment classified under NAICS code 339999. This announcement was made on September 19, 2007, with an expiration date for questions and proposals set for September 24, 2007, at noon local time. The contract underscores the importance of timely procurement of mission-critical gear to ensure operational readiness for Special Operations Forces.