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THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY for a Maritime Backpack Suite which is capable of meeting the basic requirements described below. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Pr... THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY for a Maritime Backpack Suite which is capable of meeting the basic requirements described below. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB). It is a market research tool being used to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources for planning purposes only. Responses to this notice are not considered as offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information presented or the use of any such information. DESCRIPTION The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Soldier Center, Program Manager Special Operations Forces, Natick, MA is seeking information and sample materials for test and evaluation purposes of available Waterproof Bag Systems with an external frame, hereby also referred to as "Maritime Backpack Suite" in this document that is capable of meeting the following Key Performance Parameters (KPP's): A. SUITE KEY PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS (KPP's) Each Maritime Backpack Suite submission must meet the following KPP's. Failure to meet a KPP will eliminate the product for further consideration. Maritime Backpack Suite components will adhere to the following table: (Table 1) * SS800-AG-MAN-010 P-9290, Annex "C" - System Certification Procedures and Criteria Manual for Deep Submergence Systems. Test method for water leakage. **ASTM F2153-071 Standard test method for measurement of backpack volume will be used as the baseline. 1 ASTM F2153?07 is available for purchase online at http://www.astm.org/Standards/F2153.htm. Maritime Suite Components System Survivability (Waterproof) ** Volume Total Weight Minimum Threshold Objective Threshold Objective Carry Weight Backpack, Large 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 4 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 1 hour 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 10 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 2 hour 7000 ? 7500 cu. in. 10 lbs. 7 lbs. 120 lbs. Backpack, Small 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 4 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 1 hour 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 10 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 2 hour 3000 ? 3500 cu. In. 7 lbs. 4 lbs. 60 lbs. Pouch, Man?pack Radio 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 4 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 1 hour 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 10 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 2 hour 700?750 cu. in. 2 lbs. 1 lb. n/a Pouch, Gas Mask 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 4 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 1 hour 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 10 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 2 hour 400?450 cu. in. 1 lb. 8 oz. n/a Pouch, MK48/Med Kit 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 4 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 1 hour 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 10 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 2 hour 100?150 cu. In 1 lb. 8 oz. n/a Backpack Liner, Roll Top, Large 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 4 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 1 hour 2 ATA (33 FSW) > 10 hours 3 ATA (66 FSW > 2 hour 4600?4800 cu. in. 2 lbs. 1 lb. n/a Waterproof Duffel Bag 3 FSW > 4 hours 3 FSW > 10 hours 2600?2750 cu. in. 3 lbs. 1 lb. 8 oz. n/a Mesh Bag N/A N/A 3300?3800 cu. in. 1 lb. 8 oz. 8 oz. n/a 1. System Survivability Water immersion testing will be conducted by fully loading test article bags, pouches, and backpacks. All test item closing devices shall be secured, and any excess air shall be removed by oral inflation tube or similar device. 2. Volume Volume does not include removable exterior pouches. Volume measurement will include internal main up to the lid top. Exterior permanent pouches (sewn on) will not be measured and added to the total volume of backpack. 3. Weight Weight will include main pack with top flap (whether removable or not), radio retention system, and pack frame to include harness, yoke, and waist belt if applicable. Weight will not include any removable pouches. 4. Must be acceptable and interface with current body armor (BA) and plate carriers: CRYE JPC & AVS and Eagle MMAC 2012 and legacy load carriage systems (LCS). 5. Environmental conditions cannot degrade the system to the extent that is cannot be used for its intended mission. a. Must withstand the effects of the full climatic range of operations. (-50F / +185F) b. Must be rot, mildew, salt water, UV light and petroleum, oils and lubricant (POL) resistant. c. Must have a shelf life of not less than five years prior to issue. 6. Color choices should be consistent with current Body Armor Load Carriage Systems (MULTICAM, solid gray/green). 7. The suite shall contain a single frame and supporting elements that is compatible with both backpacks of the suite. 8. The large and small backpacks will provide for a removable radio retention system capable of being mounted high against the internal pack capable of holding a suite of SOF radios to include but not limited to the AN / PRC 117 (3.2 in H x 10.5 in W x 13.5 in D). B. Suite Key System Attributes (KSA's) 1. The maritime backpack suite will allow for rapid reconfiguration for complete max system loads to light fighting loads by the simple removal or addition of the systems components and restraining system. 2. The maritime backpack suite should be modular enabling the operator to wear components of the Body Armor Load Carriage System (BALCS) and maritime backpack suite, together as a system or each component separately. The system as a whole or independent of one another can be made neutral buoyant. 3. Integral load carriage system padded and reinforced so that the SOF operator can carry heavy and or irregular shaped loads and capable of carrying / supporting a maximum loads according to paragraph 1 chart. 4. The system will be fixed to fit with the minimum of sizes. Waist sizes 28-42 inches. Easily adjustable while worn with full or minimum carrying loads. 5. The system will facilitate user adjustment to fit a range of torso lengths. 6. Must be compatible with other SPEAR components and items of individual equipment. 7. Must be compatible with all nuclear biological chemical (NBC) components to include wearing of the NBC protective suit and mask. 8. The operator must be able to easily manipulate the adjustment and release mechanisms while wearing SPEAR issued gloves. 9. Must be air droppable, exposed, as part of the SOF operators equipment. Static line and military freefall. C. Compatibility 1. Range of motion must include full head rotation while walking or running while properly wearing assigned helmet in the SPEAR MICH program. In the opinion of the SOF operator, the system cannot significantly hinder torso and / or limb movement/rotation. 2. Must not hinder two handed pistol shooting (full extension of both arms) with or without body armor. 3. Must not hinder an operator to bring a weapon to a good firing position with or without body armor. 4. In the opinion of the SOF operator, the system cannot hinder in the execution of infiltration / exfiltration techniques such as rappelling, STABO, FRIES and SPIES etc. D. Design 1. The system will be fixed to fit with the minimum of sizes. Waist sizes 28-42 inches. Easily adjustable while worn with full or minimum carrying loads. 2. Will provide for maximum stability on the body without torque and twisting of the body while worn properly. 3. The backpack frame and / or its supporting elements shall afford the operator the ability to install the one frame and / or supporting elements to the small or large backpacks of the suite. When assembled the backpack must be stable and provide support of the load on the operator for the varied terrain. 4. The frame and / or its supporting elements shall be ergonomically efficient and sized to optimize compartment and equipment placement (minimum number of sizes with minimum number of adjustments). Provide adjustments (straps, cords or other mechanisms) to allow the shifting of the load from the shoulders to the hips and vice versa to minimize discomfort and muscle strain in those areas while wearing the system. The majority of the weight should be placed on the hips. The shoulder straps will provide a "clean" surface to the front, which will not interfere with shouldering and firing of a weapon. 5. Utilize a minimum amount of MOLLE compatible webbing for the attachment of external Pouches / items with minimal interference to the operator's movements. 6. The large and small backpacks or frame, duffel bag, and mesh bag must have a top carrying handle rated at 250 lbs. static load. 7. The maritime backpack, pouches, and duffel bag will be of waterproof design and fitted with a securable manual inflate and deflate tube or mechanism. 8. Can be rigged for airborne operations without causing increased risk of injury to the operator meeting weight limitations of parachute. 9. The system must be compatible with all the individual airborne equipment items and rigging procedures utilizing Single Point Release Harness, SOF Harness, and parachutist drop bag. E. Don (on) and Doffing (Removing) 1. One operator can put on or remove any of the two backpacks while standing not interfering with the BALCS in less than 30 seconds. 2. One operator can put on or remove the system while in the prone while not interfering with the BALCS in less than one minute. 3. Emergency jettison capability that can be done quickly under 10 seconds and not causing harm to the operator during jettison maneuvers. F. Minimum Maritime Backpack Suite Contents 1. Suite components shall meet key performance parameters specified in Table 1 of this document. Table 2 Component Quantity Backpack, Large 1 Backpack, Small 1 Pouch, Man-pack Radio 1 Pouch, Gas Mask 1 Pouch, MK48/Med Kit 1 Rucksack Liner, Roll Top, Large 1 Waterproof Duffel Bag 1 Mesh Bag 1 Backpack Frame 1 Yolk / Stability System 1 Waist Belt 1 Backpack Repair Kit 1 REQUESTED INFORMATION Vendors who believe they have product(s) capable of meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a short (no more than 5 pages total) summary, including description (nomenclature, part numbers), performance information, pictures and website (if available) for each Maritime Backpack Suite submitted. The three (5) page summary must include Company name and address, point of contact with phone number, DUNS number, Cage Code, and a statement regarding any small business designation (if applicable), by 1200 pm EDT, 24 July 2019 to the address noted below. Please advise if your product is proprietary and or classified. Any classified information will be protected as denoted with submission. Parties having a system meeting these constraints should contact Rick Pangelinan at the below listed contact via email. Please provide pricing over five years on an annual basis per Maritime Backpack Suite pattern. (Price of all suite components in MULTICAM, solid gray/green). Material Samples: a) Respondents that believe they can provide materials that meet the Government's performance requirements are invited to submit a completed MULTICAM or solid gray/green pattern Maritime Backpack Suite no later than 4:00 pm EDT, 29 July 2019. A vendor must submit Maritime Backpack Suite in its entirety as specified in Table 2. The sample suite may be degraded or destroyed during evaluation and may not be returned to the respondent. In addition, the respondent must provide the following information with the submitted samples. b) A material description, fiber blend percentages, and Berry compliance documentation. If a supplier submits multiple components for the same suite such as; 2 different Pouch, Man-pack Radio, it is requested that they identify the advantage/disadvantages of their competing products. Any information and samples submitted may not be returned, and no payment will be made by the Government for such samples. Responses to this notice are to be sent to the RFI POC below. This notice is for market survey only. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this survey or results of testing and evaluation on any samples submitted. Point of Contact (POC) Rick Pangelinan Interested parties shall submit responses to this RFI to: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center ATTN: RDNS-SEW-PI (R. Pangelinan) Bldg. 4 Room D017 General Greene Avenue Natick, MA 01760-5019 Phone: (508) 654-9405 Email: ricardo.c.pangelinan.civ@mail.mil Additional Information All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responses to this RFI are not offers for contract and will not be used by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Offerors will email a copy of their response to Ric Pangelinan at ricardo.c.pangelinan.civ@mail.mil