Inactive

This is a sources sought only, not a solicitation announcement. This is NOT a request for proposals or quotes and in no way obligates the Government to award any contract. The USCG is conducting marke... This is a sources sought only, not a solicitation announcement. This is NOT a request for proposals or quotes and in no way obligates the Government to award any contract. The USCG is conducting market research to seek sources that can provide a solution for a life vest for all USCG aviators. The USCG requires a responsible company that can provide a life vest which provides a technologically advanced, low profile, and light weight solution for all USCG aviators throughout their various mission sets. The USCG is seeking one (1) or more life vests that meet the requirements outlined in Attachment (1). Life vest may be available in both front and side entry to satisfy the body armor and non-body armor variants, however this should be the only significant difference between the two versions. Responses Responses to this notice should include company name, address, telephone number, and point of contact (POC). Please respond to the following questions: 1. Describe your product's specifications and how it is capable of performing the required tasks. 2. Describe what changes you would need to make in your product to meet our desired needs. 3. Please indicate an estimate of how long of a lead time would your company need to facilitate the development of your submission to meet our needs. 4. What NAICS code does your company use for this type of service? 5. Is your business a large or small business? 6. If small, does your firm qualify as a small, emergent business, or a small, disadvantaged business? 7. If disadvantaged, specify under which disadvantaged group and is your firm certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act? 8. Is your firm a certified "hub zone" firm? 9. Is your firm a woman-owned or operated business? (6) Is your firm a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned? 10. Is your product listed on a GSA schedule? 11. Do you have other government agencies using the product, and if so which agencies, POC's and contract numbers? 12. If possible, any POC's for civilian users for general usage of product questions. After the review of the responses to this sources sought announcement, and if the USCG still plans to proceed with the acquisition, a solicitation announcement will be published on the Federal Business Opportunity website. Responses to this sources sought synopsis are not adequate response to any future solicitation announcement. All interested offerors will have to respond to the solicitation in addition to responding to this sources sought synopsis. Responses to this sources sought synopsis are NOT a request to be added to a prospective offerors list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. Closing date and time for receipt of response is July 25, 2019 at 4:30PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). E-mail responses are preferred and may be sent to Christy.H.McKethan@uscg.mil. Please indicate 70Z03819IE0000007 in the subject line. Responses may also be mailed to the following address: USCG ALC 1664 Weeksville Road ESD Building 78, 70Z03819IE0000007 Attn: Christy McKethan Elizabeth City, NC 27909 ATTACHMENT (1) REQUIREMENTS FOR THE Mission Adaptable Low Profile Aircrew Life Vest The following are considered the key requirements when determining the appropriate aircrew life vest. • Life vest shall be fire resistant (FR). • Low profile vest body to include bladder containment. • Bladder case will not interfere with flight helmets in any fixed or rotor wing aircraft. • Vest body will have Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) webbing or mesh that will accommodate the required number of pockets to contain survival equipment currently carried in USCG rotor wing survival vests, with minimal area for expansion. • Bladder. o dual chamber o Utilize lightweight, durable bladder material to assist maintaining low profile/low weight. o CO2 manual inflator o Oral inflators o Provides 35 pounds buoyancy or more when fully inflatable. o Enable the survivor to be self-righting if unconscious. o Inflation handle will be commonly located on the vest body. • Bladder attaching hardware will not cause damage or wear to the webbing, or any other bladder container component. • Vest body will have the ability to firmly attach adjustable leg straps of at least 1.25" width, and no more that 1.75" width. The leg straps installation and removal will not require sewing. Easily manipulated hardware that does not require tools for remove or install will be used. • Packing the vest will not require special tools to allow unit repacking if the shell opens inadvertently without the bladder being inflated. • A variety of pocket sizes and styles will be available for modularity. • Vest body will accommodate concealable soft body armor with a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) protection rating of Level IIIA. Additionally, vest body must accommodate standard Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (ESAPI) and Enhanced Side Ballistic Insert (ESBI) plates, which may be inserted in conjunction with concealable soft body armor. Preferred • MOLLE system will be repairable-replaceable at the unit level.