Valve Cassette Assembly (VCA) - Request for Information (RFI)

1.0 Description 1.1 The Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), Edgewood Contracting Division (ECD) in support of the Joint Project Manager - Protection (JPM - P) is seeking information on those contractors interested in providing Valve Cassette Assembly (VCA) products for use in the M53 mask. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Army is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. 2.0 Background The VCAs are used with the M53 mask produced by Avon Protection Systems, Inc. (APS). The VCA allows for valve replacement and cleaning by users for operator-level maintenance on the M53 mask to restore it to full mission capability. The VCA was developed to sustain and maintain the M53 mask, especially in desert or otherwise dusty environments. This VCA serves as a replacement for APS' installed VCA. 3.0 Requested Information 3.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. 3.2 White papers in Microsoft Word for Office Professional Plus 2013 compatible format are due no later than 4:00 pm on 10 October 2017. Responses shall be limited to 5 pages for Section 2 and submitted via e-mail only to mackenzie.t.martz.civ@mail.mil. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 3.3. Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum: 3.3.1. Name, mailing address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. 3.3.2. Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 332216, Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing. 3.4 Section 2 of the white paper shall provide an engineering drawing and information about the potential capability to produce and ship a minimum of 1,500 VCAs per month. 3.5 The number of pages in Section 1 of the white paper shall not be included in the 5 page limitation, i.e., the 5 page limitation applies only to Section 2 of the white paper. 4.0 Industry Discussions The Army Contracting Command representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential offerors. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, especially any development and certification risks. 5.0 Summary THIS IS AN RFI ONLY to identify sources that can provide VCAs. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.