THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS.

The United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) in support of the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, IAW FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with Capewell Aerial Systems, LLC, 4298 JEB Stuart Highway, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 as the only responsible source that can provide Gentex HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Helmets..  This acquisition is being conducted under FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items. Provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-83 are incorporated.

U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL)  intends to procure a firm-fixed-price requirement for the following Gentex HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Helmets: (1) A14093-2, HGU-56/P, XS, RWH, FOL; (2) A14093-3, HGU-56/P, S, RWH, FOL; (3) A14093-4, HGU-56/P, MED, RWH, FOL; (4) A14093-5, HGU-56/P, LG, RWH, FOL. Follow up investigations may be required, and therefore the option to procure up to three more HGU-56/P RWHs in each size shall be available for optional purchase.

USAARL performs research specifically for the military population, and all testing must be completed using US Army-approved helmets to ensure the most realistic criteria are developed to protect U.S. Army aviators and aircrew. The use of the HGU-56/P RWH is mandated for the intended investigation. The Gentex HGU-56/P RWH is the only helmet that meets the current Army aviation helmet requirement, FNS/PD 96-18, and is the only helmet fielded for Army aviation. USAARL is funded to investigate, develop, and improve standards for Army aviation helmets. USAARL must do this using the currently fielded aviation helmet, HGU-56/P RWH, to characterize the current state of the art in Army aviation helmets and develop baseline requirements for dynamic retention.  

Gentex is the sole US Army-approved manufacturer of the HGU-56/P RWH for the aviators/aircrew for the non-attack rotary wing fleet. Gentex’s sole distributor of the US Army HGU-56/P RWH is Capewell Aerial Systems LLC. As a result, Capewell Aerial Systems, LLC is the only contractor that can provide the required Gentex HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Helmets.

The intended procurement will be classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 339113 Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing with a Small Business Size Standard of 750 employees. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation document will be posted for this requirement. However, parties interested in responding to this notice shall submit technical data, including cost, sufficient to determine capability in providing the same product. All capability statements received by closing of this notification of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Based on the above information, the only technically acceptable HGU-56/P Rotary Wing Helmets are provided by Capewell Aerial Systems, LLC, 4298 JEB Stuart Highway, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120. Submit email capabilities statements (using PDF, MS Word, Excel attachments) to Ireneusz Jozwiak at [email protected]. Statements are due no later than 10:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 20 August 2020. No phone calls accepted.