Reducible Height Gunner Protection Kit (RHGPK) RFI

This Request for Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure these items or to issue a solicitation. This RFI is the initiation of market research under FAR part 10 and is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). No solicitation document exists at this time. A small business determination has not been made. In addition, the Government is under no obligation to pay for information submitted in response to this RFI and cannot accept responses to this notice as offers. Vendors should clearly mark any information it considers proprietary as appropriate. The Government will hold in confidence any responses to this RFI indicating that information therein is proprietary or represents confidential business information. This RFI seeks industry information regarding the production and sustainment of Reducible Height Gunner Protection Kits (RHGPK) on United States Marine Corps (USMC) armored tactical wheeled vehicles, including the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), the Logistics Vehicle Systems Replacement (LVSR), and the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR). The Government's draft requirement is five (5) first article testing units, with 272 Initial Production units with the expectation of a significant increase in procurement quantity in the future. The Gunner Protection Kit (GPK) allows the gunner to acquire targets, employ mounted crew-served infantry weapons from a protected vehicle position, and prevent gunner ejection during vehicle operation, accidents, or enemy engagements. The system improves the force protection, survivability, and gunner effectiveness by reducing exposure to enemy fire. The current capability consists of the Marine Corps Transparent Armor Gunner's Shield (MCTAGS), Objective Gunner Protection Kit (OGPK), TOW GPK (TGPK), and Turret Gunner Restraint System (TGRS), each fielded separately in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. To improve the GPKs and associated tactical vehicle fleets transportability, there is an emerging requirement for a RHGPK that would enable GPK-equipped vehicles to enter restricted height deck spaces aboard naval ships without removing the GPK entirely from the vehicle. The RHGPK will restore significant deck space lost when installing the GPK; reduce unit preparation time before boarding naval ships, and enable vehicles employing infantry weapons to arrive at amphibious landing zones with a GPK ready for combat operations. Key capability attributes of RHGPK include: Provide exposed crewmembers with 360-degree protection against threats from fragmenting munitions, small arms fire, sniper fire, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, and blunt force trauma. Provide exposed crewmembers 360-degree visibility without rising above the RHGPK's horizontal plane of protection and without degrading the crewmembers sensory awareness. Compatible with a multitude of combat and tactical platforms, including the JLTV, LVSR, and MTVR with the M1114 Turret Ring Assembly. Modifiable with additional accessories to enhance its capability, such as side view mirrors that allow the gunner to see behind the RHGPK, an overhead concealment mechanism (e.g., soft cover/canopy), non-lethal weapon system attachments, ammunition storage provisions, mounts for the gunner's individual (secondary) weapons, and a gunner's restraint system. Capable of 360-degree power traversing using a rechargeable battery system backed up with a manual hand crank or directly via the vehicle's onboard power system. Reducible to eight (8) inches in height in stowed configuration. Able to mount the M240B, M2A1, and Mk19 crew served weapons. Able to stow the gunner's personal weapon (e.g., IAR, M16, M4) and additional magazines. Capable of being collapsed and erected using no more than two Marine operators and no special equipment or tools. Special equipment and tools would be those not in the vehicle basic issue items or the fielding unit's general mechanics tool kit. The Government is also interested in obtaining the following information: Vendors accreditation and authorization to handle classified information. Vendors previous experience working with 7085 aluminum Vendors ability to build from a Government Technical Data Package Vendors ability to produce Armor Hardware for RHGPK Vendors ability to procure mechanical, electrical and electromechanical components such as cables, gunner accessory package (GAP), Turret drive motors, controllers and transparent armor. Vendors ability to assemble RHGPK Vendors are encouraged to submit documentation of similar efforts to include contract number, scope, and magnitude of effort. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Parties interested in this requirement are encouraged to submit a brief Statement of Capabilities introducing their organization; rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) pricing and prototype schedule/lead times, manufacturing capacity; and a response to the informational needs in this RFI. Additionally, parties should identify if they have like systems on contracts with other Services and/or Federal Agencies. Finally, parties shoud identify their business size under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 336992. Commercial brochures, non-developmental brochures, or other responsive literature is also acceptable. The Government discourages submitting competition-sensitive or proprietary information as part of an RFI response. Vendors doing so, however, bear the sole responsibility for appropriately marking proprietary information. There is no page limit. Responses should include any advertising or marketing type information. Electronic delivery of all responses and questions is required. Electronic media must be in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat formats. Please submit questions regarding this RFI no later than 4 June 2020, 1400 EST. RFI responses are due no later than 21 June 2020, 1400 EST to kristal.hall@usmc.mil and a courtesy copy to scott.p.bishop@usmc.mil. Information in the RFI response should also include: The vendor's name and address; vendor's CAGE code; a brief description of similar work the vendor has performed; a company point of contact, including a name, title, telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address. NOTICE - The Government may use non-government support contractors to assist in collecting and reviewing market information submitted in response to this RFI. Contractual Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) clauses and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA) bind these contractors to refrain from disclosing information they may access while performing their obligations to the Government.