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DLA Goes Bananas, To The Tune Of $49 Million

Tuesday, September 12th, 2017

From The “Too Good To Pass Up” Pile. The Defense Logistics Agency recently announced this contract award. I think it’s the company name, and the fact they are are local, that got my attention.

“Norfolk Banana Distributors,* Norfolk, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $49,200,000 firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for fresh fruits and vegetables. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. Location of performance is Virginia, with a Sept. 9, 2020, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2017 through 2020 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-17-D-P309).”

Tags: DLA
Posted in Contracts | 10 Comments »

Survitec PCS Aims to Significantly Reduce Preventable Battlefield deaths

Monday, August 28th, 2017

Norwegian Defence Material Agency signs up to $18m framework contract

Safety solution provider Survitec has launched a pre-hospital care system (PCS) – delivered by the Survitec Med division – that when effectively deployed will dramatically reduce preventable battlefield deaths, by providing world-leading pre-hospital medical equipment packaged ready for field use.

In line with the Norwegian Defence requirement, the PCS adheres to Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC); a battlefield medical doctrine that optimises the interventions and equipment required to reduce preventable battlefield deaths to a minimum.

Around 90% of battlefield deaths occur before reaching definitive medical care1. By employing Survitec’s PCS solutions, combined with the implementation of TCCC guidelines, battlefield personnel can be equipped with the latest and most innovative pre-hospital solutions available today.

Survitec’s PCS equips the user with the tools and training they need to rapidly assess, treat and extract casualties at all stages of the TCCC process; including Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care and Tactical Evacuation situations. It consists of four components to include high-quality equipment, tactical and emergency pre-hospital training, end-to-end expert support and a global servicing and restock network, ensuring all stages of global battlefield care are delivered seamlessly.

The Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) has awarded the framework agreement to Sweden-based Promoteq AB, with Survitec as subcontractor, acting as the System Integrator. This is the first large-scale operation of its kind and is valued at $18m for three years – with an option to extend further – meaning the Norwegian Defence will be supported by the cutting edge of battlefield care into the next decade. Survitec’s partner Promoteq is a security and government contractor with more than 10 years of experience of providing Medical state of the art products and training to the Scandinavian market.

Survitec will be officially unveiling the system at DSEI at London’s ExCel, which runs between September 12th and 15th.

Rune Jensen, Chief of Project Department in the General Material Division, NDMA says: “So far the NDMA has a good experience with Promoteq as a System Integrator and Survitec as a subcontractor. We are looking forward to testing a System Integration of this scale and have very high expectations to further cooperation and their future deliveries.”

Survitec Med is staffed and managed by a team full of military experience, informed by years of real world combat deployments and by active, qualified civilian paramedics to provide the best solutions to all tactical field users.

Kevin Wheeler, Medical Director of Survitec, said: “This is a complete end-to-end solution and the only offering of its kind that combines modular designs, tactical medical training, expert support and servicing, anywhere in the world. In simple terms, it is a system that will significantly increase survivability – it will save lives. It not only equips military personnel with the tools they need to care for their comrades, but also provides the training they need to execute any support and care efficiently and quickly. We are proud to be supplying the system to the Norwegian Armed Forces and we hope that other militaries follow suit to ensure their troops are equipped with the latest and most innovative pre-hospital care medical solutions available today.”

Created by Survitec with support from Promoteq, the PCS is delivered with the close involvement of over 40 leading medical companies. Survitec supplies world leading equipment, with each component uniquely packed into a suite of modules optimised for the relevant phase of care, be it under fire, in-field or tactical evacuation.

Survitec’s mission is to provide innovative medical systems that deliver the right equipment to project forward the highest level of care in harsh environments.

The PCS supports extraction, field care, mobility, casualty sustainment and mass casualty events while meeting all required industry standards.

www.survitecgroup.com

Tags: Survitec PCS
Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Survitec PCS Aims to Significantly Reduce Preventable Battlefield deaths

Canadian Forces Seeks Sniper Body Armour System

Thursday, August 24th, 2017

Public Works Canada has issued a tender for a Sniper Body Armour System. The details are below, but they only want 319 systems with an option for up to an additional 240 systems over the following 36 months. With numbers that low, it seems like a waste of resources to issue a tender. Just buy something off the shelf from a five eyes partner. However, they are looking for Canadian content here, so if two or more Canadian companies bid, they won’t consider outside bids.

They explain thier requirement:
The sniper community currently has access to the in-service Fragmentation Protective Vest (FPV) that is worn by all Canadian Forces (CF) members. The in-service FPV is an all-in-one system, meaning the soft armour and in-service Bullet Resistant Plate (BRP) pockets are part of one garment. While the in-service FPV provides excellent ballistic protection, it hinders the snipers ability to operate effectively due to its bulk and restricted range of motion. Therefore it was determined that snipers require a less restrictive garment that allows flexibility of protection and movement based on operational needs.

The Sniper Body Armour System (SBAS) to be delivered under this contract is composed of three components. The first component is the SBAS External Carrier (SBAS EC) that will hold the SBAS Ballistic Panel (SBAS BP). The second component is the SBAS Plate Carrier (SBAS PC) that will hold the in-service BRP. The third component is the Bilingual User Instructions Card that provides important information related to sizing and wearing/caring for the SBAS.

The SBAS will provide ballistic protection to members of the sniper community with improved flexibility of movement and protection options. The sniper will wear individual components or both to maximize ballistic and fragmentation protection.

Quatities:
Item 01 – Sniper Body Armour System (inclusive of all related components) – quantity: 319 units

Options:
This requirement also includes options to purchase additional quantities as follows:
Item 02 – External Carrier Rear – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 03 – Ballistic Panel Rear – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 04 – External Carrier Front – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 05 – Ballistic Panel Front – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 06 – Plate Carrier Rear – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 07 – Plate Carrier Front – estimated qty: 140 units
Item 08a – Sniper Body Armour System (inclusive of all related components) – estimated qty: 240 units

One of the things I really appreciate about Public Works is that they are very specific about how they will evaluate a candidate’s bid proposal. For example, go take a look at this Technical Evaluation Workbook. If only the American acquisition community were so transparent.

Read the full details of the solicitation here.

Tags: Canada
Posted in Armor, Contracts, International | Comments Off on Canadian Forces Seeks Sniper Body Armour System

CANSOF Seeks Advanced Special Operations Forces Combat Uniform

Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017

In a solicitation published to Public Works, the Department of National Defence (DND) has issued a requirement for Commercial-Off-The-shelf Advanced Special Operations Forces (SOF) Combat Uniforms (ASCU) to be supplied in accordance with DND specifications.

It is a two stage procurement:

Step I (Initial Contract): each Bidder deemed compliant will be awarded a contract for the supply of a quantity of twenty (20) Shirts and quantity twenty (20) Pants. These Combat Uniforms will be subjected to a User Acceptance performance Evaluation.

Step II (Main Contract): Following the User Acceptance Performance Evaluation result, one contract will be awarded for the Combat Uniforms. The Requisition on contract (ROC) will be for one (1) year with the option to extend for four (4) additional one (1) year period. The Bidder must supply and deliver the Combat uniforms as specified in Individual Requisition on Contract.

The candidate uniforms will be manufactured from No Melt No Drip fabric in the MultiCam print. The uniforms will be trialled by 10 wearers and their technical merit will be evaluated based in these factors:

Although they want samples in MultiCam print, they’ve included a place holder for other colors and patterns in the solicitation.

Have an exterior finish as follows:

a. Printed with the MULTICAM® camouflage pattern; and

b. Other finishes as available including white, black, tan and alternate camouflage patterns;

Another interesting requirement for potential bidders:

Expertise and Proven Design
The Bidder must be an experienced military uniform manufacturer by having been in the business of developing, manufacturing and/or selling military uniforms for a minimum of three (3) years and having sold a minimum of five hundred (500) uniforms to an American, British, Canadian or Australian (ABCA) military force in the last five (5) years.

It will be interesting to see if this solicitation gets CANSOF away from the Peerless manufactured uniforms they are currently using.

Tags: CANSOF
Posted in Clothing, Contracts, International | 6 Comments »

USSOCOM Seeks High Velocity 40mm Programmable Airburst High Explosive Ammunition

Monday, August 21st, 2017

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the PM A&W have issued a Sources Sought Notice to industry seeking sources within the national technology and industrial base for the following:

– High-Velocity 40mm Programmable Airburst High Explosive Ammunition

– The ammunition shall provide effects against multiple target sets, including enemy forces in that are in the open, standard vehicles, behind defilade, and C-UAS scenarios

– The ammunition shall be compatible with existing MK 19 and/or MK 47 High Velocity Weapon Systems

Full details are available on www.fbo.gov.

Posted in Contracts, SOF, weapons | Comments Off on USSOCOM Seeks High Velocity 40mm Programmable Airburst High Explosive Ammunition

End of Year: 6 Things You Need to Know About DLA’s TLS Contracts in 2017

Thursday, August 17th, 2017

Although this article was originally written and posted to their website by ADS, Inc, the information is applicable to the TLS program writ large. Naturally, DLA wants to close out TLS earlier than last year but with so many years of Sequestration, CRAs and OCO money, the services have forgotten how to trickle funding down to the unit level in a timely and predictable manner. Consequently, every year, chaos ensues at EOY. That’s why it’s imperative to be aware of the latest processes for placing your TLS order.

ADS Inc. is a proud multiple award recipient of the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Special Operations Equipment (SOE) and thedla Fire & Emergency Services Equipment (FESE) contracts as part of the Tailored Logistics Support Program (TLSP). As an incumbent Prime Vendor, ADS has proven itself successful in fulfilling customer equipment and incidental service needs and requirements since its first prime vendor contract awarded back in 2001 and its first TLS award acceptance in 2005.

ADS’ experienced contracting team, expansive customer-focused sales task force, and its positive relationships with over 3,000 partner suppliers contribute to its ability to exceed the TLS program’s primary goals of reducing costs, ensuring product of choice, improving logistics response time, and improving customer support. In this blog, we highlight six important things you need to know about leveraging DLA’s TLS contracts in 2017. Be informed with ADS!

1. The deadline for submitting End of Year (EOY) orders through DLA’s TLSP Contracts is earlier than last year.

It’s all too common for government entities to reach a use it or lose it period toward the end of the fiscal year. This is a pertinent time for buyers to determine any outstanding requirements and submit them to their contracting office for approval.
For customers, this means NOW is the time to start gathering any last minute purchasing requirements. See Diagram A – TLSP Procurement Vehicles for additional information regarding order processing as it pertains to the FESE and SOE programs.

Submission Date: All TLS orders must be submitted to DLA by September 8, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. Funding must be in by September 22 at 11:59 p.m. Any orders with Fiscal Year (FY) 17 funds submitted past that timeframe will be returned to the submitter. Any orders received after that timeframe will be processed as FY18 funds.

2. The process for ordering through FESE and SOE TLS remains the same for FY17. Reminder: Kits have new requirements.

As defense budgets shrink and a larger emphasis is put on improving the ordering process, the FESE and SOE TLSP contracts adapted to continue to provide users with a simple, efficient procurement vehicle. The changes adopted in FY16 gave customers greater visibility on orders, more accurate pricing information, and valid obligation/transfer of funding directly with DoD Finance personnel.

Changes were effective the SOE TLS Program (in November 2015) & FESE TLS Program (in May 2016): Due to a mandate to conform to Audit Readiness requirements, several changes have been made to the SOE and FESE ordering process that the customer may or may not be informed of.

Kitting Requirements: Kit purchases must include a breakdown for both SOE and FES. ADS provides a full list, pulled from each manufacturer and compiled.

DLA Troop Support – Construction and Equipment Program:
For more information on how these changes affect the ordering process flow please download the flowchart provided by DLA.
1. Customer must register a designated Finance Office Point of Contact (FOPOC) with their account and submit their information. Here are instructions on how to complete the designation form provided by DLA.
2. Once the customer’s FOPOC is registered, orders can be submitted for equipment, supplies and/or services under the current Order Request Spreadsheet. Once DLA approves the items for scope the request will be solicited amongst the qualified TLSP vendors.
3. DLA will email the Price Acknowledgement Spreadsheet to BOTH the Ordering Activity as well as the FOPOC.
4. Once the order is approved by the FOPOC and the Ordering Activity, the customer submits required funding information via the FOPOC Review Spreadsheet to DLA.
5. Upon award, DLA will send a second notification to the FOPOC and the Ordering Activity letting them know the order is awaiting obligation in the system.
6. Once the KO obligates the order, a third email will be sent to the FOPOC and the Ordering Activity with final order line item details.
7. A final email will be sent from DLA to the customer and will include a request to post receipt of the order in DoD FedMall.

3. It’s easier than ever to register with DLA.

To have access to a wide variety of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) equipment, incidental services and training through the SOE and FESE TLS Programs, qualifying customers must be authorized DOD, Federal or other DLA approved, federally-funded agencies. For more information on how to register, if you haven’t already, contact the following contracting offices:

FESE
FESE WEBSITE
Registration: Email | FESECustomerRegistration@dla.mil
Ordering: Email | FESOrders@dla.mil
Questions: Email | FESECustomerInfo@dla.mil

SOE
SOE WEBSITE
Registration: Email | SOECustomerRegistration@dla.mil
Ordering: Email | SOEOrders@dla.mil
Questions: Email | SOECustomerInfo@dla.mil

4. Every request is approved on a case-by-case basis. Increase your chances of a quick, smooth approval process with these tips:

There are several reasons why DLA would not award or approve product requests. It’s important to keep in mind that DLA may not always know of the product (if it’s new technology for example) and may not always know the relevant application and how it pertains to your mission and the contract scope.

5. You can buy incidental services through TLS if they’re ancillary and purchased with a product.

According to Bloomberg Government, the government’s top four spending categories are services-related.
When it comes to the purchase of incidental services through the FESE and SOE TLS Program contracts, they are typically requested as an additional line item on the Customer Order Request Form and are ancillary to a product being requested.

Incidental service requests should also ensure proper functional capability and safety of the accompanying product(s). Consistent with product requests, DLA will approve incidental service requests on a case-by-case basis.

See Diagram C – EXAMPLES OF INCIDENTAL SERVICE REQUESTS for examples of these requests for both FESE and SOE programs. For additional instruction, visit the DLA SOE TLS Customer Guidelines and DLA FESE TLS Customer Guidelines or contact your respective TSLP Contract Manager.

6. ADS can…

-Help you tackle road blocks early on.

-Help you select equipment that fits your needs and requirements.

-Provide procurement options through both of our FES and SOE TLS contracts.

-Keep you updated on shipping information when your order is complete.

HOW TO ORDER:

1. Send RFQ to ADS
Request a quote from your ADS Account Manager. They will help you identify the best procurement options for your requirements – GSA, TLS, Open Market, etc.

2. ADS Provides Quote
Our knowledgeable ADS Account Managers can help you select equipment to satisfy your requirements, determine procurement options, as well as verify part numbers, lead times, pricing (including freight), and country of origin.

3. Register for the Program
If you determine that the TLS Program is best for your requirement, register for the corresponding TLS Program with DLA Troop Support.
Instructions for Customer/FOPOC Registration:
FESE | SOE

4. Submit Your Order
Email your completed order request to DLA Troop Support. They will act as your contracting office.
Contact Info: SOE TLS Orders: SOEorders@dla.mil
Contact Info: FESE TLS Orders: FESorders@dla.mil

5. You’re All Set!
DLA Troop Support will compete the requirement amongst the participating TLS vendors and provide best pricing for all items requested.
Once approved, DLA Troop Support will contact you and your FOPOC for funding information.
Once that is processed, an award will be made!

www.adsinc.com

Posted in ADS, Contracts, Press Release | Comments Off on End of Year: 6 Things You Need to Know About DLA’s TLS Contracts in 2017

Ask SSD – How Do I Write A White Paper?

Monday, August 14th, 2017

We are often asked by various vendors for government solicitations, how they should format a white paper. USSOCOM offers this fictional white paper for its potential vendors as an example.

Entitled, “DUAL-MODE AUGMENTED CANINE TRANSPORT SYSTEM – PROJECT DUCTS”, it is referred to as “Rocket Dog”.

Feel free to use it as a template for white paper development, particularly if you’re submitting one to SOCOM. Download your copy here.

Posted in Ask SSD, Contracts, SOF | Comments Off on Ask SSD – How Do I Write A White Paper?

USMC Issues Notice of Intent To Sole Source Purchase Up To 50,814 M27 IAR From H&K

Sunday, August 13th, 2017

Back in February, MARCORSYSCOM issued an RFI to industry seeking companies capable of manufacturing the 5.56mm NATO M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, designed by German manufacturer Heckler & Koch and based on their HK416 rifle. Based on internal evaluations, the Marine Corps had determined that it wanted to expand use of the M27 within the rifle squad. Released under the guise of “market research”, “Request for Information (RFI) M67854-17-I-1218 For Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), Quantico, VA Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR)” was used to create a a sole-source “Justification and Approval” in order to purchase the rifles directly from manufacturer H&K without going for an open solicitation. Although several companies who manufacture 416 clones answered the RFI, MARCORSYSCOM evaluated those submissions, and determined that only H&K was capable of producing the weapon they had adopted as the M27.

Late last week, MARCORSYSCOM released Notice of Intent to Sole Source – M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). Based on that earlier RFI, it found only one Responsible Source (based on (FAR 6302.1 (a)(2)(ii)) and intends to solicit and negotiate with Heckler & Koch (H&K), for up to 50,814 – M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles (IAR).

Companies who still feel they can meet the Marine Corps’ needs may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency, only if received by the closing date and time of this notice. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. They’ve got until 08/28/2017 to state their case.

Some of you may remember that RFI, which specified 11,000 rifles. Many attempted mental gymnastics to explain how just 11,000 rifles could possibly be enough to equip the Marine Corps. However, I maintained that the figure was just a nice round number, based on H&K’s annual production capacity from a study performed during the initial M27 purchase. Based on the scuttlebutt I was hearing, I knew the actual number would be much higher. While 50,000 guns isn’t enough to pure fleet the Marines, it does support the premise, “Every Marine might be a Rifleman, but every Marine isn’t an Infantryman.” These are going to select Marines. Perhaps they’ll buy more down the road. Remember, it did take a long time to transition from M16s to M4s.

With the US Army just releasing their own solicitation for ~50,000 examples of 7.62mm Interim Combat Service Rifle, and a 417 variant being a favorite after adoption of the G28 as the Compact Semi Auto Sniper System and the ensuing directed requirement for 6,069 rifles in the Squad Designated Marksman role, it puts H&K in an interesting position. They’ve won the French Army’s rifle program with the 416, developed and are offering the 433 for the German Bundeswehr’s G36 replacement, and now face production of over 50,000 M27s for the Marines. That’s a lot of requirement for H&K’s factory in Oberdorf, Germany. I’m not saying they can’t do it, but delivery expectations for customers will have to be very carefully managed. Some in industry have posited that this Marine solicitation will take them out of the ICSR running. Time will tell.

For those of you under the impression that H&K as-yet-uncompleted factory in Columbus, Georgia will be used to manufactured CSASS, SDMR, IAR or ICSR, it won’t. As of right now, H&K’s vision is that factory will not be used to build defense products.

The Marine Corps is modernizing its service rifle to the M27, a fulfillment of a plan many feel was set in motion when it was first selected as a squad-level replacement for the M249 in 2010.

Tags: Heckler & Koch
Posted in Black Rifle, Contracts, MARCORSYSCOM | 39 Comments »