As you may recall we told you that the US Army’s Family of Camouflage solicitation was supposed to hit the street on 15 Jan which already came and went. Well word on the street is that it has slipped 15-30 days so keep your eyes peeled.
Archive for the ‘Contracts’ Category
US Army Family of Camo Solicitation Update
Friday, January 21st, 2011GSS Awarded GSA Schedule
Thursday, December 30th, 2010You may know of them by their formal name, or the more user friendly GSS Gear. But either way you say it, you can also say that they are now on GSA. They have been awarded a Federal Government General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule contract, number GS-07F-0192X.
The GSA’s supply schedules are contracts that allow Federal and Executive agencies, the Department of Defense, and other authorized institutions and organizations to purchase products and services from commercial suppliers at pre-negotiated rates. For a purchaser, using a GSA contract eliminates potentially cumbersome and lengthy bidding processes while assuring quality and consistency. It also helps to ensure that purchases are made within the confines of the procurement rules.
“We are very pleased that our manufacturers’ products are now available through GSA,†says Emily Whittaker, CEO of GSS Gear. “Being awarded a GSA schedule means that we will be able to streamline the procurement process for our customers while ensuring that the price will be fair.â€
Military, Federal, State and local agencies can obtain information about GSS Gear’s GSA Schedule by visiting GSA Advantage at www.gsaadvantage.gov or by contacting GSS Gear directly at 877.MOR.GEAR.
BAE Systems to Manufacture IOTVs and Repair ESAPI Plates
Friday, December 17th, 2010
BAE Systems is racking up the wins. Not only did they announce a $35 million contract from the US Army for 60,000 Improved Outer Tactical Vests (IOTV), but they also won a contract to inspect and repair Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (ESAPI) plates for the Army which are used in conjunction with the IOTV. Under a Readiness and Sustainment contract modification valued at $6.3 million from PEO-Soldier, BAE Systems will inspect ESAPI plates returning from theater for damage and replacing the outside spall covers, which are used to contain debris upon impact. Upon completion of the scope of work, the plates will be returned to the Army. The contract mod is part of an existing contract issued in October 2008 and will be performed through a series of delivery orders. The work will be completed at facilities located in Phoenix, Arizona with completion scheduled for October 2013.
“BAE Systems is prepared to support the Army and Army National Guard in satisfying short-term needs for the warfighter,†said Keith Briem, manager of Readiness and Sustainment for BAE Systems’ Personnel Protection Systems. “Our Readiness and Sustainment program is designed to help reset equipment for future deployments. This may include refurbishing helmets, soft and hard armor, Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment, other ancillary items and all forms of Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment.â€
Potential Individual Carbine Offerors Pay Heed
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010It’s not often that you get something for free but the Army is offering just that with their Individual Carbine M855A1 Familiarization Shoot and Compatibility Check. Available exclusively for those firms that plan on answering the Army’s call for a new Individual Carbine, they will have the opportunity to fire 10,800 rounds of the new M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round. Additionally, they will have the chance to check compatibility of their system with the Army’s 40mm M320 Grenade Launcher and 12 Ga M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System.
LTC Chris Lehner, Program Manager, Individual Weapons commented to SSD, “This shoot represents the first chance for our industry partners to see for themselves just how their weapons perform when using the powerful new M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round (EPR).”
The event will be held at the world renown HP White Laboratory which serves as a ballistic test facility. LTC Lehner went on to explain this choice, “By hosting the event at the independent H.P. Laboratory, vendors can familiarize themselves with the EPR and the accessory weapons in a non-competitive environment and know that their results are confidential and will remain proprietary. The info/results they gain can then be used to tweak their weapons (if needed) and better shape their proposals, both of which will be needed for the competition starting this summer.”
While the IC competition will be open to additional calibers other than 5.56, the military will not provide ammunition in those calibers for this event. However, manufacturers who plan on entering such weapons into the competition are still invited to participate in the compatibility portion of the event.
Not only is this a great opportunity for those companies who are interested in offering a candidate for the Individual Carbine program to see how their weapon fairs with the new M855A1 round as well as ancillary items but it also is signal to the rest of us that this thing is real. This is the first tangible stop on a long road to a new rifle for the US Army.
LTC Lehner’s final comment to me was the most important. He said, “We are committed to a fair, transparent, and open competition…we feel that the more we can engage industry in the process early on, like this Shoot/Check at HP White, the better the ultimate product will be for our Soldiers.”
You only have until Friday the 10th to register, so get on it!
Read the entire FBO posting here.
The Army’s Dual Path Strategy for a Service Rifle
Friday, October 15th, 2010
PEO-Soldier posted an excellent article detailing the the Dual Path Strategy for the Next Generation of Army Service Rifles. The graphic below from PEO-Soldier gives you the main points, but make sure you take the time to go read the actual article.
There are however, a few things that the article doesn’t tell you. For example, while the Army is currently purchasing 25,000 M4A1 carbines from Colt Defense, the weapons needed to fulfill the remainder of the Army’s requirement as well as Sister Service buys and Foreign Military Sales will be offered as a free and open solicitation. That’s right, the Army requirement alone is 14,000 carbines, and someone will be building those weapons, as well as the others we mentioned. Look for the solicitation as early as next quarter. Additionally, the Army currently about 65,000 M4s and they need to be upgraded to the M4A1 standard which includes barrels, trigger control unit, and ambidextrous controls. That too will be an open solicitation. Lots of business out there, without even mentioning the Carbine Competition. Exciting stuff.
ADS Open Until Midnight on 30 September 
Friday, September 10th, 2010
Just like in previous years, ADS is staying open late in order to allow you to obligate your 2010 funds until 12:00 AM Thursday, September 30th. What’s really nice about this opportunity is that you can obligate funds for the products you want in case you you get access to last minute end-of-year funding. And, you decide how you want to spend. Many options are available including Spec-Ops and FES TLS, MIPRs, MILSTRIPS (requisition numbers), purchase orders, and government credit cards. DSCP is also extending hours to support you and purchases through these contracts. They also offer over 10,000 items on GSA Advantage and DOD EMall that can be purchased 24/7 until all FY10 money is spent. ADS will have all-hands on deck September 29th & 30th so don’t hesitate to contact them.
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Wanted – Native American Medicine Man
Thursday, August 19th, 2010We spend more time than we would probably like on FedBizOpps, but we didn’t catch this one ourselves. One of our readers with lots of time on his hands sent us this one. While to many, it will be a simple curiosity, ultimately, it goes to show the lengths that the US Government will go to to do the right thing and provide religious accommodation.
Federal Bureau of Prisons, FPC Duluth, Duluth, MN, is seeking a Native American Medicine Man to visit the facility four times a year and “conduct Native American ceremonies and provide instruction to inmates in the Native American Faith.
General Topics for Contractors – Native American
1. Red Road
2. All My Relation
3. Medicine Wheel
4. The Sacred Pipe
5. Sweat Lodge
6. Elders
7. Circle of Life
8. Traditions/Rituals
9. Prayers
10. Ceremonies
11. Fasting
12. Smudging
13. The Drum
14. Grandfather/Grandmother
15. Dances
16. The Medicine Pouch
17. Offerings
18. Decision-making
19. Ritual Objects
20. Eagle
21. Eagle Feathers
22. Nature Lessons
23. Family Relations
24. Parenting
25. Learning
26. Healthy Relationships
27. Culture
28. Healing Traditions
29. Herbal Medicines
30. Understanding Self
31. Respect
32. Traditional Games
33. Traditional Foods
34. Seasons
35. Healing Self
36. A Grateful Heart
37. Cleansing Ceremonies
38. What is the role of faith and Community Re-entry?
The contractor will provide 4 sessions per year. The sessions will either be on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Pipe ceremony) or on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (sweat ceremony).”
Camouflage Patterns, Concepts and Design/Analysis Tools
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010Could the recent Sources Sought Notice from Natick for Camouflage Patterns, Concepts and Design/Analysis Tools be in support of the Army’s fabled Phase IV of their camouflage plan? We hear that so far only a few companies have ponied up and this has prompted Natick’s Multifunctional Materials Team, Warfighter Science, Technology and Research Directorate to extend the deadline from May 28th until June 18th. Interested parties should check out the Sources Sought Notice and respond if you have something of interest. Now is the time to stand up and be counted.
Apparently, whatever the final plan is for Phase IV it is supposed to be on the Chief of Staff of the Army’s desk by 14 November and word has it that the Army-wide adoption of MultiCam will be one of the courses of action. At this point, it is the path of least resistance since to do nothing and retain UCP would meet a great deal of operational resistance based on several rounds of testing. Additionally, industry is beginning to energize a supply chain for MultiCam that can be further ramped up to meet increased demand. We fully support the continued development of more advanced patterns but MultiCam increases capability immediately. What’s more we would like to see the Air Force adopt MultiCam at least for deployed forces.
