N6133126SNQ31-Sources Sought Announcement For Improved Maritime Ballistic Plate (IMBP)

Sources Sought Announcement

This announcement is a market survey to identify sources capable of manufacturing the Improved Maritime Ballistic Plate (iMBP). The iMBP is a critical safety item intended to provide ballistic protection for rifle threats during Law Enforcement and Antiterrorism duties in both land and maritime environments.

• NAICS Code: 339999 – All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
• Size Standard: 550 employees
• This is NOT a Request for Competitive Proposals. The Government is not obligated to solicit or award a contract based on this notice.

Written responses are requested, limited to 10 single-spaced pages (12pt Times New Roman font).

Content should include:

• Company Profile: Name, address, POC, SBA classification, employee count, Cage Code, DUNS, NAICS, major products, customer base, ownership details. If partnering, describe partner capabilities and roles (prime or subcontractor only).

• Capabilities Statement: Outline how requirements for iMBP will be met.

• Past Performance: Contract numbers for similar work, description of company experience, and any CPARS ratings.

• Other Information: Any additional data to aid the Government in refining its acquisition strategy.

• Deadline: 22 May 2026, 04:00 pm CDT/CST

• Email to: Jacob Gabreleski (jacob.j.gabreleski.civ@us.navy.mil) and Courtney Henslee (Courtney.i.henslee.civ@us.navy.mil)

• Submitted data will not be returned; classified material shall not be submitted.

• No reimbursement will be made for costs associated with providing information.

• Respondents will not be notified of the results of the capability assessment.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for a contractor to produce and deliver the Improved Maritime Ballistic Plate (iMBP) for the Special Mission Systems Division (S20) within Naval Surface Warfare Center's Panama City Division. The iMBP is a critical safety item intended for U.S. Naval personnel.

• The contractor shall fabricate and deliver iMBPs in six (6) sizes: X-Small (XS), Small-Short (SS), Small (S), Medium (M), Large (L), and X-Large (XL).

• Production must adhere to the form, fit, and functional requirements specified in the PWS and the Purchase Description NQ/PD 26-01 (Attachment J-1).

• Specific quantities for each item will be detailed in Section B of the contract.

• The contractor shall use commercial products/standard parts where technically and economically feasible, as per FAR 52.244-6.

• Product improvements that enhance durability, performance, or reduce cost are encouraged but will not be considered prior to contract award.

• First Article Test (FAT) is required in accordance with FAR 52.209-4 and NQ/PD 26-01. The government will conduct and pay for the initial FAT. If the contractor fails, they will bear the cost of subsequent FATs.

• Production of iMBP for non-ballistic and ballistic requirements must be delivered within sixty (60) days of contract award.

• Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT) procedures are detailed, including requirements for Certificates of Conformance (CoC) and material traceability.

• Configuration Management (CM) processes must be maintained for raw materials, suppliers, processes, and equipment.

• A five-year warranty for workmanship, materials, design, and compliance with performance specifications is required.

• Not explicitly stated in this section, but delivery of FAT articles is due within 60 Days After Contract Award (DAC).

• Qualification and eligibility for production are contingent upon successful completion of First Article Test (FAT).

• A company can only have one role (prime or subcontractor), not both.

• Configuration Management (CM) processes must be maintained, including identification, control, status accounting, and audits.

• Technical and support documentation, including Contract Status Reports, System Safety and Environmental Information Reports, Health Hazard Assessments, Hazardous Materials Management Programs, Material Safety Data Sheets, Environmental Considerations, and Configuration Management Process documentation, are required.

• Access to classified information up to the SECRET level may be required, with specific handling procedures for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Purchase Description

This document, "Improved Maritime Ballistic Plate (IMBP) Purchase Description (PD)," outlines the requirements for an IMBP designed to provide protection against rifle threats for U.S. Navy forces during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) and Anti-Terrorism (AT) operations. When used within the Maritime Armor System (MAS) or Naval Security Forces (NSF) Tactical Vest (NTV), the IMBP is intended to protect against specific 5.56mm and 7.62mm rifle rounds and is considered a critical safety item.

• Scope: Protection against rifle threats for VBSS and AT operations.

• Classification: IMBP shall be one type, available in multiple sizes (XS, SS, SM, MD, LG, XL).

• Construction: Materials must mitigate spall, increase durability, and prevent environmental deterioration. Covers must be uniform, free of defects, and not exhibit under adherence. Bonding of components must show no evidence of under adherence.

• Production Data: Requires data on inspections, supplier lot information, traceability, operational/ownership/environmental test data, and ballistic performance test data. Each IMBP must be durably marked with a serial number.

• Workmanship: Must conform to established quality standards, with utmost care taken during fabrication for quality and safety. Materials must be properly marked, protected, and stored. Components must be cleaned and surfaces prepared for bonding. Uniform areal density is required.

• Operational Requirements: IMBP must be easily inserted into MAS and NSF Tactical Vest plate pockets. Specific weight thresholds and objective weights are defined for each size. Dimensional measurements, tolerances, and edge chamfers must conform to drawings. Maximum uniform thickness is 1.0 inch. Color must be Black and match a standard sample. Labels and markings must be approved and include unique identification (UID) and machine-readable information (MRI).

• Performance Requirements: Includes durability (withstanding drops), resistance to weather, temperature extremes, fluids (JP-8, oil, salt water), altitude, temperature shock, and buoyancy (greater than or equal to zero).

• Ballistic Requirements: Specifies V50 ballistic limit, V0 ballistic resistance, back face deformation, and shatter gap resistance.

• The document specifies testing requirements for First Article Testing (FAT) and Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT).

• FAT and LAT protocols are detailed in Appendices A, B, C, and D, outlining specific tests, shot patterns, and acceptance/rejection criteria.

• Not specified in this document.

• The document references numerous applicable Government and non-Government documents, standards, and handbooks for detailed specifications and testing procedures.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Request for Access to Limited Distribution Materials" form. It is used by entities seeking to obtain materials that are not publicly available. The form requires detailed information about the requesting organization and its affiliation with government entities or its ability to contribute to government interests through industry competition or innovation.

• Organization Information: Requires the organization's name, CAGE Code, and main point of contact.
• Affiliation: Checkboxes for various affiliations including DoW Organization, U.S. Government Organization, U.S. State Government, U.S. Local Government, and affiliations with government contracts.
• Details: A section to provide further details if any affiliation boxes are checked.
• Additional Considerations: A field for any other information the requester wishes the Government to consider.
• Intended Use: A section to describe the intended use of the requested documents.
• Signature and Attestation: A statement confirming the truthfulness of responses and understanding that the Government is not obligated to share the documents.
• Contact Information: Fields for Point of Contact Email and Phone.

This form is crucial for any bidder who needs access to "limited distribution materials" as part of the procurement process. Completing this form accurately and thoroughly is a prerequisite for obtaining such materials, which may contain essential information for preparing a bid or understanding specific requirements. The Government uses the information to assess eligibility based on defined conditions related to operational security risk and the interest of the U.S. Government.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) from NSWC PCD INDUSEC detailing the process for handling requests for access to Limited Distribution Materials associated with solicitations. It outlines the purpose, process, and conditions for granting or denying access to sensitive materials.

• Purpose: The SOP explains why certain materials may be restricted and how vendors can request access.
• Process: Vendors must use the "NSWCPCD REQUEST FOR ACCESS TO LIMITED DISTRIBUTION MATERIALS" form and submit it to a specified email address.
• Verification: Industrial Security (INDUSEC) will verify the vendor's CAGE code and Facility Clearance Level (FCL).
• Conditions for Access: The document details three conditions under which access may be granted (Condition 1: meeting dissemination criteria; Condition 2a: Government entity use serving U.S. Sailor interests; Condition 2b: U.S. company potential gains through competition/innovation).
• Denial Situations: Specific examples of why access might be denied are provided, including unverifiable information, false claims, lack of U.S. manufacturing capability, or no intention to bid.
• Transmission: Approved materials will be delivered via DoD SAFE.
• Exceptions: Distribution exceptions require explicit NSWC PCD approval and carry risks that must be outweighed by potential gains. Recipients must not disseminate materials further without written consent.

This SOP is crucial for bidders who may need access to specific, restricted materials to fully understand and respond to a solicitation.