SUBJECT:  Pathfinder S and Modular Scalable Vest-B-100 (MSV-B-100) Shoot Pack - Request for Information

 This Request for Information (RFI) is for market research purposes only.  All questions relating to this notice shall be sent via email to Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) point of contact (POC) Hilary Shaw at [email protected].  

ACC-APG, on behalf of Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PdM SPE) of the Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060, is seeking information from potential industry partners to support the Army’s effort to produce Pathfinder S and MSV-B-100 shoot packs.

Background:  A validated requirement exists to produce the Government owned Pathfinder S and MSV-B-100 shoot packs to be used for testing of Critical Safety Items such as hard armor ballistic plate First Article Test (FAT), Lot Acceptance Test (LAT), Product Demonstration Model testing, or during any supplemental testing to qualify a hard armor design.  For all testing the hard armor ballistic plate will be placed in front of the Pathfinder S or MSV-B-100 shoot pack. 

This RFI is to gather information specific to producing Pathfinder S and MSV-B-100 shoot packs only.  The shoot pack system shall be pre-assembled, consisting of a FAT approved ballistic filler packet, and ballistic filler carrier.

For the Pathfinder S shoot pack the ballistic filler packet will be 15 x 15 inches in size consisting of a Twaron / Kevlar® / Twaron “Sandwich” as described in the table below*.  The packet will be stitched diagonally across the 4 corners with a 5 inch line of 50 TEX Aramid thread. Except for thread, the ballistic filler shall be made entirely of ballistic material. Each ballistic filler packet shell shall be 70 denier nylon Ripstop (Desert Sand 500 color preferred).

*SEE ATTACHMENT 1 FOR THE TWARON/KEVLAR/TWARON "SANDWICH" TABLE

The Pathfinder S ballistic filler carrier shall have an insert pocket, capable of holding the largest hard armor ballistic insert (Extra Large), stitched on the face fabric. The face fabric and the pocket cover shall consist of 500 denier 7.5 oz/sq yd urethane back coated, textured nylon, Desert Sand 500 color Cordura. The front and back filler carrier covers shall be stitched together on 3 sides with nylon or polyester thread to form a pocket to hold the ballistic filler packet. The fourth side will remain unstitched but will have a minimum of 5 inches of not less than 0.5 inch hook and loop fastener centered and stitched to the top.

For the MSV-B-100 shoot pack the ballistic filler packet shall also be 15 x 15 inches in size as described in the table below**.  The packet shall be stitched with 70 TEX A&E White Nylon thread. Except for thread, the ballistic filler shall be made entirely of ballistic material. Each ballistic filler packet shell shall be made of Brookwood Yuma Grey 200-D nylon Ripstop and it will be heat-sealed.

**SEE ATTACHMENT 2 FOR THE BALLISTIC FILLER PACKET TABLE

The MSV-B-100 ballistic filler carrier shall have an insert pocket, capable of holding the largest hard armor ballistic insert (Extra Large), stitched on the face fabric. The face fabric and the pocket cover shall consist of 500 denier 7.5 oz/sq yd urethane back coated, textured nylon, Camo 500 Cordura. The front and back filler carrier covers shall be stitched together on three (3) sides with nylon or polyester thread to form a pocket to hold the ballistic filler packet. The fourth side shall remain unstitched but shall have a minimum of 5 inches of not less than 0.5 inch hook and loop fastener centered and stitched to the top.

Currently the Government has a valid requirement for at least fifty-four thousand (54,000) Pathfinder S shoot packs and eighty-five thousand (85,000) MSV-B-100 shoot packs that shall be produced as part of a multi-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract.  Specifically, this RFI seeks information on the construction of and production capabilities related to the Pathfinder S and MSV-B-100 shoot packs. 

Submission Information:  All interested vendors shall respond to the RFI by submitting the below information by 4 August 2020:

• What is the lead time to get the necessary ballistic material for the Pathfinder S and MSV-B-100 shoot packs?
   
• After receipt of the necessary ballistic material how long will it take to start production?

• Detailed description of any past performance related to the production of soft armor ballistic inserts or soft armor ballistic shoot packs.

• What is the minimum and maximum anticipated production capacity per week and per month for Pathfinder S and MSV-B-100 shoot packs.

• Rough order of magnitude (ROM) unit price for Pathfinder S and MSV Gen I shoot packs.

• Business name, address, business size and point of contact information (name, email and phone number).

Interested sources should submit the requested information to the contracting office at ACC-APG, ATTN:  Hilary Shaw, Contract Specialist, not later than 4 August 2020 via email ONLY to [email protected].

The Government does not guarantee that this RFI will result in a Request for Proposal (RFP) or contract award, and will not provide reimbursement for any costs incurred by vendors who respond to the RFI.  Interested vendors will be advised if and when the Government decides to pursue a formal RFP or solicitation.