Proposed Request for Information (RFI)

Full Spectrum Battle Equipment Improved Armor Carrier Suite

General Information

Document Type: Sources Sought Notice

Solicitation Number: M67854-11-I-3011
Posted Date: December 14, 2010
Classification Codes: 84 - Clothing, Individual Equipment, and Insignia

NAICS Code 315299

Contracting Office Address
Department of the Navy, United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps Systems
Command, 2200 Lester Street, Quantico, VA, 22134-5010
Description
Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) is conducting market
research, and identifying potential sources and best practice information towards
designing, developing, and procuring an Improved Armor Carrier Suite (IACS) that
may be incorporated within the Full Spectrum Battle Equipment (FSBE). The IACS
will allow the individual Marine to configure and tailor mission–specific armor and
load carriage components based on mission requirements.

The USMC envisions at this time a suite of carriers that will accommodate Special
Operations Forces Personnel Equipment Advanced Requirements (SPEAR) profile
soft armor and USMC Plate Carrier (PC) profile soft armor. In addition, all carriers
must accommodate and integrate with Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts
(ESAPI), Special Operations Forces Personal Equipment Advanced Requirements
(SPEAR) GEN III Ballistic Plates, Side Small Arms Protective Inserts (SSAPI)
with required soft armor backing and/or the SPEAR Modular Supplemental Armor
Protection (MSAP) system. This suite will enable individual the Marine to configure
components to best meet specific mission requirements by optimizing/balancing
human factors engineering (e.g. comfort and usability), integration with fielded Load
Carriage Equipment (LCE) and cost (production and maintenance). The notional
suite would consist of the following: one (1) Releasable Tactical Vest (RTV), one
(1) Releasable Plate Carrier (RPC), one (1) Low-Visibility Tactical Vest (LVTV)
and one (1) Low-Visibility Plate Carrier (LVPC) that support/integrate the respective
armor cuts, identified hard armor inserts/ancillary armor additions and load carriage
systems.

The RTV will support SPEAR profile soft armor. The RTV must integrate with the
SPEAR MSAP soft armor/pouches (Groin and Deltoid), SPEAR Releasable Ballistic
Armored Vest (RBAV) Collar Armor System (CAS) and Improved Modular Tactical
Vest (IMTV) lower back protector. The carrier will posses PALS webbing for the
mounting of modular pouches, have a single pull release located on the center of the
vest below the neckline and integrate with the USMC Chest Rig without impeding
the quick release of the carrier. The RTV must integrate with the USMC IMTV
cummerbund and incorporate it into the release of the system without additional
hardware or procedures. The RTV will incorporate an optional internal cummerbund
to mitigate load. When used, the internal cummerbund will not interfere with the
release of the system. The RTV will provide for an optional cummerbund that must
support the carriage of the SPEAR MSAP 6”x6” plate and allow for adjustment.

The RPC will support USMC PC profile soft armor. The RPC must integrate
with the SPEAR MSAP soft armor/pouches (Groin and Deltoid) and IMTV lower
back protector. The RPC will posses PALS webbing for the mounting of modular
pouches. The RPC will have a single pull release that is identical in location,
function and assembly to that of the RTV. The RPC must have the option to be
worn without a cummerbund while still maintaining single pull release capability.
When worn with a cummerbund, the RPC must integrate with the USMC Chest
Rig without impeding the quick release of the carrier. The RPC must integrate with
the USMC IMTV cummerbund and incorporate it into the release of the system
without additional hardware or procedures. The RPC will provide for an optional
cummerbund that must support the carriage of the SPEAR MSAP 6”x6” plate and
allow for adjustment.

The LVTV will support SPEAR profile soft armor. The LVTV must integrate with
the SPEAR MSAP soft armor/pouches (Groin and Deltoid), SPEAR RBAV CAS
and IMTV lower back protector. The carrier will integrate with the USMC Chest
Rig. The LVTV must support the carriage of the SSAPI with soft armor backing and/
or the SPEAR MSAP 6”x6” plate and allow for adjustment.

The LVPC will support USMC PC profile soft armor. The LVPC must integrate with
the SPEAR MSAP soft armor/pouches (Groin and Deltoid) and IMTV lower back
protector. The LVPC must have an option to be worn without a cummerbund. When
worn with a cummerbund, the LVPC must integrate with the USMC Chest Rig.
The cummerbund of LVPC must support the carriage of the SSAPI with soft armor
backing and/or the MSAP 6”x6” plate and allow for adjustment.

Berry Amendment compliance will apply to any and all demonstrated designs. A
limited quantity (i.e. up to 30) of evaluation systems may be requested under a
bailment agreement to support user evaluation activities based on market research
results. No user evaluations are planned prior to March 2011.

The USMC is currently performing market research to learn applicable/proven best

practices (note: the FSBE IACS attributes have not yet been finalized). Within that
effort, the USMC wants to leverage its expertise in USMC operational needs and
related constraints with industries’ established expertise and capabilities to design
and develop best value solutions. Therefore, the USMC is taking the following
market research steps: (1) requesting information from interested companies on best
approaches to satisfy the above needs, (2) reviewing industry capabilities to provide
updated solutions for in-service components for a previously fielded system.

Request that interested parties furnished the Program Management Office (PMO)
with written materials concerning their capability to address the above requirements.
Any proprietary information submitted in response to this RFI will be appropriately
protected when clearly identified as proprietary. Submissions should not be marked
as “Confidential”, “Secret” or in accordance with any other security marking related
to the classification of government information. These responses should be received
not later than January 13, 2011 by sending it to Fred Cartes, at email address
frederick.cartes@usmc.mil. Note: All transmitted responses must be smaller than
5mb. In addition to written responses, the PMO will have representatives attending
the 2011 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show and will be available
on January 20, 2011 from 8:00am – 4:00pm and January 21, 2011 from 8:00am
– 12:00pm.. Interested parties who have submitted written materials in response
to this RFI can also request that PMO representatives visit their booth for up to
fifteen (15) minutes to review any available samples of armor carriage solutions that
address this RFI's requirements. Visit requests can be arranged by emailing the POC
identified below. Any/all questions regarding this request should be addressed to
Fred Cartes at email address frederick.cartes@usmc.mil. Please use alternate POC,
Mark Sanderson, at email address mark.sanderson@usmc.mil, if you do not receive
receipt confirmation within 24 hours of submitting RFI information or visit request.
Due to resource demands, time is limited and requests will be fulfilled on a first
come, first serve basis.

THE SUBMISSION OF THIS INFORMATION IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE
GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY ITEMS/SERVICES, NOR FOR THE
GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED. NO
ENTITLEMENT TO PAYMENT OF DIRECT OR INDIRECT CHARGES
BY THE GOVERNMENT WILL ARISE AS A RESULT OF SUBMISSION
OF RESPONSES TO THIS RFI AND GOVERNMENT USE OF SUCH
INFORMATION. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS.
Point of Contact
Fred Cartes, Contract Specialist, email: frederick.cartes@usmc.mil.
Alternate POC: Mark Sanderson, email: mark.sanderson@usmc.mil