Sun Helmet

Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) is conducting market research to identify solutions for a Berry Amendment compliant Sun Helmet, also known as a "Pith Helmet." Additional Berry Amendment information can be found in the Department of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). The Sun Helmet is a Marine Corps fielded lightweight helmet that provides protection from the sun while allowing good ventilation and serves as a rain shield. It is worn in tropical conditions and by marksmanship instructors in garrison. The Sun Helmet exterior is covered with Khaki No 1 color cloth. The interior is covered with Olive Green 107 cloth with an adjustable headband and chin strap to fit most head sizes. The Military Specification (MILSPEC) MIL-H-3364D is an attachment to this RFI to provide additional information concerning the Sun Helmet. The Sun Helmet National Stock Number is 8415-001-61-4773. The Government anticipates demand to be approximately 2,500 helmet per year; therefore, the maximum quantity of Sun Helmets procured may be 3,000. WRITTEN RESPONSES Respondents are encouraged to furnish MCSC with product information, manufacturing capabilities, and offer changes, and improvements to meet the MILSPEC, provided the helmet dimensions and appearance remain unchanged. All changes, improvements and alternatives must meet Berry Amendment compliance. Respondents should include company literature, brochures, and capability summaries that address the following: - 1. Any recommended changes to the specification; - 2. The company's production lead time schedule; - 3. The company's minimum and maximum monthly delivery schedule. Assume standard lead times and no issues with raw material deliveries; - 4. The company's business size. Please indicate whether your company is a Large or Small Business. If a small business, please also provide the appropriate category (i.e., HUBZone, Small Disadvantaged, Veteran Owned, Service Disabled Veteran, Veteran Owned, Woman Owned, or Small Business); - 5. The company's previous contract information for performance of similar products; and, - 6. The approximate price per helmet. There is no page restriction associated with this RFI; however, an executive summary not to exceed five pages should accompany each submission. Please submit all responses electronically. Respondents should submit their responses by 12 August 2015 to the Safe Access File Exchange (SAFE) application via https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/. Proceed as a Guest user by clicking on "I do not have a CAC or this machine is not configured to read my CAC and I would like to access SAFE as a Guest User." Fill in all required fields, upload your RFI response, and grant access to files to the following: contact@example.gov and contact@example.gov and then press the "Submit" button. MCSC will not return submitted material. Submissions must not contain classified information, and vendors should appropriately identify proprietary information. The Government may use submitted proprietary information to help establish requirements, but will safeguard vendor proprietary information. Questions and Answers: Please submit RFI questions to the Contracting Officer via e-mail at contact@example.gov, with a courtesy copy to contact@example.gov no later than 24 July 2015. MCSC will post all questions, answers, information discussed, test protocols, and any other information pertinent to this RFI on the Federal Business Opportunities website (https://www.fbo.gov/). Industry Day: At this time, MCSC has no plans to hold an Industry Day regarding this RFI. Should the need for an Industry Day arise, MCSC will post information on the Federal Business Opportunities website (https://www.fbo.gov/) accordingly. Non-Government Support Contractors: MCSC will use support contractors from Patricio Enterprises and Kalman & Company who are non-Government personnel to help collect and review market research information. Subsection 27 of the Office of Procurement Policy Act as amended (41 U.S.C. - 423) (hereinafter referred to as "the Act"), as implemented in the FAR, protects proprietary information from unauthorized disclosure. Contractual organizational conflict of interest and non-disclosure clauses bind these support contractors to safeguard proprietary information in accordance with law and regulation. Supporting contractor personnel are procurement officials within the meaning of the Act and will sign Non-Disclosure Agreements as well as take all appropriate action to preclude unauthorized use or disclosure of proprietary data. THIS RFI IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY ITEMS OR SERVICES OR TO PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION IT RECEIVES. NEITHER THE SUBMITTING OF RESPONSES TO THIS RFI NOR THE GOVERNMENT'S USE OF SUCH INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN A VENDOR'S ENTITLEMENT TO PAYMENT FOR DIRECT OR INDIRECT COSTS OR CHARGES. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS AT THIS TIME.