Life Preserver, Vest

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Document Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
• Notice ID / Tracking Number: DLA-CE-SS-4220-01-708-3638
• Title: Life Preserver, Vest (Aircrew Emergency Egress)
• Procurement Type: Commercial Products / Modified Commercial Products (FAR Part 12 / FAR Part 13.5)
• NAICS Code: 315990 – Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (or 339999 – All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing)
• PSC / FSC: 4220 – Marine Lifesaving and Diving Equipment
• Contracting Activity: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support, Construction and Equipment Supply Chain, Philadelphia, PA
• Response Due Date: [Insert Date – e.g., 15 calendar days from posting]
• Contracting Points of Contact:
  • Contracting Officer: James Lewicky (or Joel Dalafave)
  • Contracting Office Address: DLA Troop Support, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111
  • Technical / Requirements POC: Thomas Scott, Product Specialist

1. DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE OF NOTICE

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE / REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) issued for market research and planning purposes only in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10.

This notice does NOT constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), Request for Quotes (RFQ), or Invitation for Bids (IFB). It does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service, nor will the Government reimburse any costs incurred by respondents submitting information in response to this notice.

The purpose of this notice is to:

1. Conduct market research to identify potential qualified manufacturers, authorized distributors, or viable alternate sources capable of manufacturing or supplying the required Life Preserver Vest.
2. Determine market capabilities for commercial or modified commercial items meeting military performance specifications.
3. Assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition strategy, including potential set-aside opportunities (e.g., Small Business, SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone) or the necessity for other than full and open competition under FAR 13.501(a).

2. REQUIREMENT SPECIFICATIONS

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support is seeking information from industry regarding the following item required to support U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force aviation operations:

Item Attribute

Specification / Value

Item Name / Description

Life Preserver, Vest (Aircrew Egress)

National Stock Number (NSN)

4220-01-708-3638

Current Approved Manufacturer

TIAX LLC (CAGE Code: 1YHY2)

Manufacturer Part Number (P/N)

100300-A

Estimated Annual Requirement

Approximately 120 each

Estimated Ordering Period

One-year base period (with potential multi-year option considerations)

Delivery Terms

FOB Destination (to designated DoD supply depots / CONUS stock locations)

Critical Functional and Technical Requirements

• Mission Application: Critical life-support equipment issued to U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force aircrew members for emergency egress over water.
• Mobility & Aircraft Integration: The vest is a modified commercial product engineered to permit unrestricted aircrew mobility within the tight, confined quarters of military aircraft cockpits and cabins.
• Parachute System Compatibility: The vest must be capable of being worn and donned simultaneously with standard military aircrew parachutes and harnesses without interference, snagging, or impedance to manual/automatic deployment mechanisms.
• Technical Data Availability: The Government does not own a complete Technical Data Package (TDP), proprietary drawings, or manufacturing rights for Part Number 100300-A. The current approved source is TIAX LLC (CAGE 1YHY2).

3. EVALUATION OF ALTERNATE OFFERS / PRODUCTS

In accordance with Defense Logistics Agency Acquisition Directive (DLAD) Procurement Notes:

• DLAD Procurement Note M06 (Evaluation of Offers for Part Numbered Items)
• DLAD Procurement Note L04 (Offers for Part Numbered Items)

The Government will consider expressions of interest from manufacturers of the exact part number (or authorized distributors) as well as offerors proposing an alternate, reverse-engineered, or equivalent product.

Any respondent proposing an alternate product must be prepared to submit comprehensive engineering data, test results, qualification reports, drawings, and functional compatibility data to the DLA Product Specialist and Engineering Support Activity (ESA) for technical evaluation and approval.

4. REQUESTED CAPABILITY STATEMENT CONTENT

Interested businesses that possess the capabilities and qualifications to supply the exact item or an ESA-qualifiable equivalent are invited to submit a written Capability Statement containing the following information:

Section A: Vendor Profile

1. Company Name, Address, and Website.
2. CAGE Code and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) active in SAM.gov.
3. Primary Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone Number, Email Address).
4. Business Size and Socioeconomic Status under NAICS Code 315990 (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, SDB, WOSB, VOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone).

Section B: Technical & Manufacturing Capability

1. Source Status: Indicate whether your firm is:
   • The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) – TIAX LLC (CAGE 1YHY2).
   • An authorized distributor/reseller of TIAX LLC Part Number 100300-A (include letter of supply or authorization).
   • A manufacturer proposing an alternate or equivalent product.
2. Alternate Product Details (if applicable):
   • Detailed specifications, part number, commercial catalog data, and high-level configuration drawings.
   • Documentation showing compliance with aircrew confined space mobility and simultaneous parachute integration.
   • History of ESA qualification, military airworthiness certifications, or FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) approvals.
3. Manufacturing & Quality Management: Outline quality assurance certifications held (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100) and current manufacturing capacity (ability to support an estimated 120 units per year).
4. Lead Time: Estimated lead time for delivery following contract award (including first-article testing if proposing an alternate item).

Section C: Commerciality & Market Pricing

1. Is this item (or your proposed alternate) sold in the commercial marketplace in substantial quantities?
2. Has the item been modified from standard commercial configurations? If so, describe the nature and extent of modifications.
3. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) unit pricing and standard commercial warranty terms.

5. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

• Format: Electronic submission via PDF or Microsoft Word format, not exceeding ten (10) pages (excluding technical specification attachments/drawings).
• Submission Deadline: [Insert Date and Time, e.g., 1700 EST on Month DD, YYYY].
• Delivery: Send responses via email with the subject line:
  Response to Sources Sought Notice DLA-CE-SS-4220-01-708-3638 – [Company Name]
  to:
  • Primary POC: [Insert Contracting Officer Email]
  • Secondary POC: [Insert Product Specialist / Contract Specialist Email]

6. DISCLAIMER & PROPRIETARY DATA NOTICE

This notice does not bind the Government to award any contract. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and must be clearly marked. Any information received in response to this market survey marked "Proprietary" will be handled in accordance with applicable federal trade secrets and procurement integrity regulations. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.