59 -- MARITIME COMMUNICATIONS HEADSET COMPONENTS

Notice Date

July 9, 2001

Contracting Office

U.S. Army Robert Morris Acquisition Center Natick, ATTN: AMSSB-ACN, Natick, MA 01760-5011

ZIP Code

01760-5011

Solicitation Number

N/A

Response Due

July 23, 2001

Point of Contact

Judith L. Uthoff, Contracting Officer

E-Mail Address

Contracting Officer's E-Mail Address (Judi.Uthoff@natick.army.mil)

Description

The U. S. Army Robert Morris Acquisition Center, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, MA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Television Equipment Associates, Inc. (TEA), PO Box 404, Brewster, NY 10509 for the purchase and integration of two foreign manufacturer's headset components. TEA will act as the integrator of the components into low noise and high noise headsets, which will enable the user to communicate after exiting salt water from a depth of approximately 24 meters (66 feet) while wearing the headset. The foreign headsets being purchased include: the Eagle Headset from Source of Sound, Israel and the Slimguard Headset from Davies, United Kingdom. Testing of the headsets will be conducted in accordance with the Foreign Comparative Testing Program under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) and FAR Part 6.302-1. The government will procure a quantity of approximately 13 each maritime communications headset components. The headset system will not impede normal peripheral vision, external sources shall be rust and salt water resistant. The systems shall provide communication in extreme environmental conditions and temperatures ranging from -40 to +140 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 to +60 degrees Celsius). The headsets must incorporate noise-canceling microphone techniques in order to reduce noise contamination of the speech signal being transmitted. The microphone should be configured in a manner that will reduce the effects of wind that cause additional noise to be introduced into the speech signal. The low noise headset will allow the user to communicate after exiting salt water from a depth of approximately 24 meters (66 feet) while wearing the headset. The high noise headset will provide hearing protection from high intensity continuous, impulse noise and high vibration while operating equipment stations on various high speed water-craft (MK-V and NSW RIB), subject to salt-water splash and dunking. It is desired that the microphone to be engaged with a switch rather than voice actuated. Connectors will be of the 10-pin Impulse waterproof type. The headset must be compatible with the current helmet shell(s). The communications system may be worn alone or with the helmet and will use an unobtrusive microphone and earpiece/ear cup system. The communications system shall use a microphone and earpiece system that minimizes interference with hearing, peripheral vision, and/or other worn equipment. The headset system shall not interfere with cheek to stock weld. The headset components must operate with no power (AC/DC) requirements. The headset components must perform without being bagged or cased as the operator transitions from "lock out" depth to the surface. Included in the basic contracts will be technical support from the contractor during test and integration of the system. The contract will include an option to procure production quantities in the estimated quantity of 1,800 of each component, pending successful completion of testing and based on government's requirements. This requirement was initially advertised for potential sources through a market investigation in the Commerce Business Daily, dated November 15, 1999, Submission No. 400772. and then synopsized by the U. S. Special Operations Command in the Commerce Business Daily, dated December 12, 2000, submission No. 5087E2. Companies may identify interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, the Government will consider all proposals received within fifteen (15) days after date of publication of this synopsis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract among foreign companies based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. See Note 22.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010711/59SOL006.HTM (W-190 SN50R1P4)