SOLDIER ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM, U.S. ARMY SSCOM NATICK RD&E CENTER, KANSAS STREET SSCNC-AAM, NATICK MA 01760-5015

A -- SPECIAL NOTICE -- SOLDIER ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (SEP) SOL W13G07-CBD7-0046 POC Maj. Michael Frey, NRDEC SEP Coordinator, Soldier Systems Command, Telephone (508) 233 5377 (Site Code DAAK60) The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command (SSCOM) is seeking information from industry about new soldier items which might be utilized in support of the Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP). The objective of the SEP program is to increase the lethality, command and control, sustainability, mobility, and survivability of the soldier through accelerated acquisition of lighter, more lethal weapons and improved soldier items, including but not limited to lighter, more comfortable load-bearing equipment, field gear, survivability items, communications equipment, and navigation aids. The major goal of the SEP is to identify and evaluate commercially available items in order to furnish new technologies to the soldier rapidly (in less than three years). Each year proposed concepts are received from a number of government and industry sources and evaluated in an ongoing effort to keep abreast of ever-changing technologies and new and improved ways to equip and maintain our forces. Information submitted in response to this announcement must include the following: a brief description of the item, the objective of the item or its proposed application, any existing requirement documentation (if known), a list of items it may replace, current uses of the item by other services or within the commercial market place, and expected benefits to soldier performance or current load. Information may be submitted at any time, but must be received by 31 August 1997 to be included in the FY99 SEP Review. The information will be evaluated according to specific criteria, including but not limited to the following: whether or not the item is worn, carried, or consumed by the individual soldier in a tactical environment; whether or not the item is commercially available, non-developmental, or limited research and development; whether or not the item is based upon a recurring request from the field or a proponent; and whether or not the item is intended for broad fielding. Items which successfully pass this initial review are prioritized and forwarded to the appropriate Department of Army Research, Development and Engineering Centers for risk assessment and evaluation as to the extent to which the proposed item is an improvement to existing systems, as to the time it would take to implement/field the item, and as to the item's technical feasibility. Candidates selected as a result of this review will be identified as new starts, and presented at the annual Army Materiel Command/Training and Doctrine Command SEP Requirements Review each March to compete for funding in the upcoming fiscal year. Funded programs will generally result in competitive acquisition of proposed items, although unique items may be procured from a single source. Firms will not be reimbursed for any costs associated with submission of information in response to this announcement. The point of contact is Major Michael Frey, NRDEC SEP Coordinator, Attn: Code SSCNC-AAM, SSYSCOM, Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center (NRDEC), Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5015. E-mail: "mfrey@natick-emh02.army.mil" (0198)

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