MODIFICATION
84 -- HEADBORNE SYSTEMS INTEGRATION - MODIFIED SOURCES SOUGHT
- Notice Date
- 6/22/2007
- Notice Type
- Modification
- Contracting Office
- M67854 Quantico, VA
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- M6785407I3047
- Response Due
- 8/6/2007
- Point of Contact
- Leigh D'Lugos Phone: 703-432-3187 Cell: 540-455-8037
- E-Mail Address
-
susan.dlugos.ctr@usmc.mil
- Description
- THIS MODIFIED SOURCES SOUGHT REPLACES THE ORIGINAL SOURCES SOUGHT POSTED ON MAY 7 2007 IN ITS ENTIRETY. BACKGROUND Marines engaged in combat operations wear a suite of body armor that includes a ballistic helmet. This helmet is either the USMC Lightweight Helmet (LWH) with a pad suspension system or the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH). A number of additional pieces of equipment are being attached to, or worn with, the helmet. These include night vision devices, spectacles, goggles, flashlights or infrared (IR) illuminators, radio headsets, and/or ear protection. As the threat has continued to evolve, a requirement has been realized for additional ballistic facial protection and lower mandible protection devices. Additionally, the requirement for communications equipment integration and a universal mounting system for the employment of the additional pieces of equipment has become evident as we have fielded a greater amount of equipment. The Marine Corps is taking a system-of-systems approach to headborne equipment integration and desires to procure a suite of equipment that use the current inventory of helmets as a foundation. With the system in place, Marines will be able to select components to wear either alone or combined as required. This capability provides the desired modular, integrated systems approach to the helmet. SOURCES SOUGHT MARKET RESEARCH. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS. The Marine Corps Systems Command invites industry to provide information on their capability to provide a Headborne Integration System (HBIS), that includes a lightweight system that will affix to both the LWH and MICH (without any modification) and will provide mounting points for other equipment, including: (1) a transparent face shield that provides ballistic protection to the face area between the helmet and the lower mandible protector; (2) a lower mandible protection device that will provide a level of ballistic protection from the transparent face shield to below the lower mandible commensurate with the level provided by the LWH while still allowing for the proper sighting of an individual or crew served weapon; (3) a universal mounting device for current and future optics; (4) and open-architecture mounting points for additional equipment, such as flashlights, illuminators, ear phones, or other equipment that may b e required in the future. HEADBORNE INTEGRATION SYSTEM (HBIS) COMPONENT LEVEL REQUIREMENTS Attachment System The attachment system shall affix to the helmet without requiring additional attachment holes and without degrading the ballistic protection, durability and rigidity of the helmet. This attachment system is intended to integrate with the helmet to provide a platform for the scalability of protection for the design. The attachment system shall integrate communications wiring. Communications equipment required to be used with this device includes the Nacre Quiet Pro, the Personal Role Radio (PRR) Headset with the microphone, and standard PRC handset. Hardware utilized to construct the HBIS should not require modification to the helmet. The means of attachment to the helmet must not pose a risk to the wearer, including a decrease in ballistic protection or delamination of the helmet shell. Face Shield A transparent face shield that mounts to the attachment system is required for additional ballistic protection for the face. The face shield shall be easily removed by the user as desired without requiring a special tool. The face shield must, at a minimum, meet the ballistic requirements set forth in MIL-V-43511C, clause 3.5.10. The shield shall minimize distortion and optical haze. The face shield shall be resistant to fogging. The face shield should be able to be worn with the current ballistic eyewear (ESS ICE2X Spectacles). The face shield shall allow for the integration of a lower mandible protection device and other equipment worn with the HBIS. The face shield shall not interfere with the ability of a Marine to properly sight and employ individual and crew served weapons affixed with current and future optics, aiming devices, and head-mounted optics. Lower Mandible Protection Device The lower mandible protection device shall provide ballistic protection equal to that of the current LWH. The lower mandible protection device is intended to integrate with the face shield defined above. The device shall be easily removed by the user as desired without requiring a special tool. The lower mandible protection device shall not interfere with the ability of a Marine to properly sight and employ individual and crew served weapons affixed with current and future optics, aiming devices, and head-mounted optics. USMC Optics Mount The optics mount shall provide a universal mount for current and future USMC optics in a stable location on the helmet that ensures the users ability to effectively employ the given optic. Current optics mounts do not adequately address the stability needed for night vision goggles. The mount is not currently employed in an optimal location on the helmet. The desired mount should be in a location that does not shift the center of gravity for the helmet and provides stability to the night vision goggles. TOTAL SYSTEM WEIGHT The total system weight, including the helmet, should not exceed 5.5 lbs. The components requested should therefore be weighted accordingly. Components outlined in Blocks I and II are of higher priority. ANTICIPATED ACQUISITION PHASES A block acquisition approach is anticipated. Block I of the HBIS will address the near-term solution of an attachment system to provide mounting points for additional components, and a face shield to provide additional ballistic protection for the face. The attachment system should have a sufficient number of points to allow for all of the required gear to be worn. The system shall not impede firing of the weapon or communications (aided or unaided). Block II of the HBIS will address the addition of a lower mandible protector to provide blast and fragmentation protection to the lower part of the face. Block III of the HBIS will address the addition of a universal night observation device mount to be compatible with current and future USMC optics. Block IV of the HBIS will address the addition of other desired components to the attachment system, including a hands-free light, illuminators, and ear phones. INDUSTRY DAY (THIS EVENT HAS ALREADY OCCURRED) MARCORSYSCOM will host a Headborne Systems Integration Industry Conference from 23-24 May 2007, at Kalman & Company Inc., 50 Tech Parkway, Stafford, Virginia, 22556. The conference will commence at 0800 on 23 May 2007 with a MARCORSYSCOM overview of current program goals, capability needs, constraints, other information, and answers to relevant questions or concerns. Questions and or concerns may be submitted in writing to susan.dlugos.ctr@usmc.mil prior to the conference date. A limited number of individual sessions can be arranged with the MARCORSYSCOM team by appointment to discuss company-specific ideas, concerns, prototypes, and etc. These one-on-one sessions will not exceed thirty (30) minutes each and should include company qualifications/background, similar-relevant past performance information, potential teaming arrangements, and business size. Companies wishing to attend the conference and/or make a session appointment should register no later than 18 May 2007, 4:00 PM Local Time, by emailing Amy Donnelly at amy.donnelly.ctr@usmc.mil. Emails should include company name, point of contact name and phone number, name and title of attendees, and whether registering for conference and/or one-on-one session. One-on-one session participation is limited to four persons per company. SOURCES SOUGHT SUBMISSION SPECIFICS Samples: Respondents to this Sources Sought are requested to submit two samples (one per helmet type) that address the near-term requirements of Block I only no later than 6 August 2007. Face shields will not be tested for optical clarity or haze. Ballistics testing will not be conducted on prototypes. Rapid-prototyping of Block I components will be acceptable. THE SUBMISSION OF THESE SAMPLES IS AT THE SOLE EXPENSE OF THE RESPONDENT. If requested, the Government will provide up to two USMC LWHs and up to two USMC MICH helmets. Requests for LWHs must be submitted via email to Ms. Leigh D?Lugos no later than 29 May 2007. Requests for MICHs must be submitted via email to Ms. Leigh D?Lugos no later than 13 July 2007. Helmets should be used only for prototyping and should not be modified. Written Responses: Interested parties are invited to describe how their solution to Block I can accommodate the requirements of Blocks II, III, and IV of the acquisition. Vendors shall address each block as a stand-alone capability and as an integrated capability. Vendors having the capability of meeting these requirements are invited to submit copies of relevant documentation in response to this Sources Sought. Respondents are requested to include literature, brochures, and capabilities summaries directly addressing their ability to meet the aforementioned needs. Additional information is requested on manufacturing capability and facilities. No telephonic responses will be accepted. Reponses shall be submitted to the contact person listed above at Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command, ATTN: Ms. S. Leigh D?Lugos, CTQ 023, 2200 Lester Street, Quantico, VA 22134-6050 no later than 6 August 2007. Any questions should be directed in writing to Ms. S. Leigh D?Lugos at susa n.dlugos.ctr@usmc.mil. THE SUBMISSION OF SAMPLES AND WRITTEN INFORMATION IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED EITHER AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY ITEMS OR SERVICES, OR FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED. ACQUISITION STRATEGY After reviewing the written technical submissions and product samples, the Government may elect to purchase a limited number of test samples for further review.
- Record
- SN01326208-W 20070624/070622235830 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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