N6133126SNQ31-Sources Sought Announcement For Improved Maritime Ballistic Plate (IMBP)

The U.S. Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Beach, is seeking sources for the Improved Maritime Ballistic Plate (iMBP), a specialized body armor component designed for Naval personnel in six torso sizes: XS, SS, S, M, L, and XL. This sources sought announcement, identified by solicitation number N6133126SNQ31 and posted on May 19, 2026, with a response deadline of June 8, 2026, aims to identify qualified capable vendors to support future procurement. Respondents must demonstrate technical capability to fabricate, test, and deliver iMBPs in full compliance with the detailed technical specifications in Attachment J-1 (NQ/PD 26-01 DRAFT) and the Quality Assurance Letter of Instruction (J-2), including meeting ballistic performance thresholds per MIL-STD-3027 and ANSI/ASQ Z1.4-2003, such as back face deformation limits of 44.0 mm and resistance to penetration under standardized test conditions. First Article Testing of 172 plates across all sizes is required prior to production, and all units must be traceable to approved FAT items with full certification documentation provided. Each plate must feature a permanent, durable Unique Item Identifier (UID) compliant with MIL-STD-130, DFARS 252.211-7003, and ANSI MH10.8.2-2013, with the Data Matrix code positioned precisely 2 inches from the bottom edge in a designated featureless zone, and must survive rigorous label durability tests involving water and alcohol exposure. Packaging and marking must adhere to DoD standards with no specific materials listed, while environmental resilience must meet MIL-STD-810 guidelines. Contractors must be eligible for Tier 3 background clearance to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), comply with export control laws, safeguard sensitive data under strict OPSEC and communications security protocols—including prohibiting external cloud use and mandating encryption— and submit proposals not exceeding 10 single-spaced pages via email to designated points of contact. CAGE codes are mandatory for UID labeling, and no socioeconomic set-asides are in effect; however, failure of two consecutive lot acceptance tests triggers an immediate stop-work order and mandatory corrective action report. All deliveries must be completed within 60 days of contract award, though full contract duration and delivery locations remain unspecified, and