Survival Vest Improvement System

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. 
 

The Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Patuxent River, Maryland is requesting information and conducting market research to identify and determine if there are potential sources to manufacture and deliver a Survival Vest Improvement System (SVSI). SVSI is comprised of a new survival vest, VIPER, and a low-profile Life Preserver Unit, Serpent. VIPER is a NAVAIR owned design that incorporates a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) armor release system designed by Bunker Supply. The LPU Technical Data Package is owned by Switlik Parachute Company.

As part of its market research, NAVAIR - PMA202 is issuing this Sources Sought to determine if there exist an adequate number of qualified interested contractors capable of providing the requirement. The Government may use the responses to this Sources Sought for information and planning purposes. 

This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of NAVAIR – PMA202 market research. No Request For Quote (RFQ) exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the RFQ.  Responses to this Sources Sought are not quotes on which the NAVAIR – PMA202 can issue any contract. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not itself constitute an RFP or RFQ. The Government does not intend to award a contract vehicle based only on responses to this Sources Sought. 

All information received in response to this Sources Sought marked "Proprietary" will be protected and handled accordingly. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. 

Responses to the Sources Sought will not be returned.  Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought. NAVAIR – PMA202 will not pay for information received in response to this Sources Sought. 

Do not submit pricing information in response to this Sources Sought. 

Interested sources shall provide a response detailing their capability to manufacture and deliver SVSI. Respondents should provide a brief description of their experience manufacturing similar equipment, including any relevant past performance data (if available). Additionally, respondents should include their experience with manufacturing Critical Safety Items. Respondents should also describe their capacity; production quantities are anticipated between 260 and 1543 annually with the potential to go higher . The Government anticipates a solicitation for a five-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) in Fiscal Year 2027. 

The Government will provide a TDP with the solicitation in FY27 for the vest. The government does not possess or own data rights necessary to distribute for the LPU. 

Any interested parties MUST copy all parties listed below:   

Greg Tollefsen, Procurement Contracting Officer    gregory.e.tollefsen.civ@us.navy.mil

Amy Wescott, Contract Specialist     amy.l.wescott.civ@us.navy.mil

No telephonic responses WILL NOT be accepted.