Coastal Systems Station, Dahlgren Division, 6703 W. Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32407-7001

42 -- ATMOSPHERIC DIVE SYSTEM SPARES SOL N61331-00-Q-1650 DUE 102699 POC Contracting Specialist, Mary Kitchen, (850) 235-5389; Contracting Officer, Carol Dreger, (850) 234-4863 WEB: www.ncsc.navy.mil/contracts/synopsis/syntable.htm, www.ncsc.navy.mil. E-MAIL: Kitchen_Mary@ncsc.navy.mil, Kitchen_Mary@ncsc.navy.mil. The Coastal Systems Station intends to issue a sole-source purchase order to Hard Suits Inc. for the procurement of spare parts to support the NS2000 Atmospheric Dive System (ADS). The ADS system will be used to conduct training classes during fiscal year 2000. In addition to the spare parts, Hard Suits Inc. must also provide the resulting Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) due to the fact that the ADS system is critical life support equipment. This acquisition is for spare parts to support the ADS called the NS2000 manufactured by Hard Suits Inc. The NS2000 consists of an atmospheric dive suit, thrusters, life support systems, sonar/camera, and topside monitoring equipment. This effort is sole source for the following reasons. Hard Suits Inc. is uniquely qualified to provide the spare parts and OQE support documentation. Hard Suits is the sole developer and provider of the system technology to be acquired under this procurement. The system, which is proprietary to Hard Suits Inc., was developed in British Columbia, North Vancouver, Canada. It is important that the ADS be able to operate in the midwater column and on the bottom to a depth of approximately 2000 feet of seawater (fsw). The NS2000 is a highly specialized state of the art ADS system with flexible joints. The NS2000 differs from its predecessors in that it has flexible shoulder, knee, and hip joints that allow a significant increase in mobility. Navy experts have conducted numerous literature searches and attended many trade shows and seminars to find an ADS system that will meet these requirements. The result of the market search concluded that only Hard Suits, Inc. currently manufactures an ADS with flexible leg movement. In summary, Hard Suits Inc. is the only known manufacturer of this equipment, therefore, they are the only company that can successfully provide the spare parts as well as all required OQE. This acquisition is a continuation of Navy efforts to ensure that the NS2000 will meet all U.S. Navy certification requirements as well as begin initial integration of the systems into Fleet use. Note 22 apply. . Posted 10/12/99 (W-SN390880). (0285)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0196 19991014\42-0001.SOL)