DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

THE NATION’S COMBAT LOGISTICS SUPPORT AGENCY

WARFIGHTER FIRST

DLA Troop Support

Clothing & Textiles

Individual Equipment IST

Load Bearing & Body Armor Brief

Mark Twardziak

Chief, Individual Equipment
WARFIGHTER FIRST 29

Team POCs

Division Support Individual Equipment IST

Maria Aguayo, Contracting Officer Mark Twardziak, Chief

(215) 737-5701 maria.aguayo@dla.mil (215) 737-5677 mark.twardziak@dla.mil

Michelle Falkowski, Contracting Officer Jennifer Scarpello, Contracting Officer

(215) 737-5479 michelle.Falkowski@dla.mil (215)737-3164 jennifer.Scarpello@dla.mil

Ryan Perna, Contracting Officer Catherine Dillon, Contracting Officer

(215) 737-7197 ryan.Perna@dla.mil (215) 737-2497 Catherine.Dillon@dla.mil

Kathleen Logan, Acquisition Specialist

(215) 737-2436 Kathleen.logan@dla.mil

Kimberly Sabo, Acquisition Specialist

(215) 737-7006 kimberly.sabo@dla.mil

Aaron Jones, Acquisition Specialist

(215) 737-2283 aaron.jones@dla.mil

Donald Albanese, Acquisition Specialist

(215)737-2418 donald.albanese@dla.mil
WARFIGHTER FIRST 30

Product Line Overview

Ground Troops Body Armor (Vests/Plates) 

Load Bearing Equipment (Pack Systems, Lockers, Bags, Belts)

-Over 800 items

• Large Dollar Awards (Above $10M) for Body Armor and Load Bearing 

• Low Dollar Awards (Below $250K) for miscellaneous equipment 

items

-Sales Fiscal Year 2017 = $156,249,967.69

-Sales Fiscal Year 2018 = $168,693,574.00

• Body Armor (FSC 8470) 62%

• Load Bearing/Equipment (FSC 8465, 8460) 38%
WARFIGHTER FIRST 31

Obligations

Fiscal Year 2018 Plan vs. Actual

-Planned $123,138,600.00

-Actual $159,713,968.00

Fiscal Year 2019 Plan -Planned $124,470,107.00

Note: Dollars Includes Obligations Under All Contracts; 

Commercial Market, Ability One Program, Federal Prisons
WARFIGHTER FIRST 32

Federal Prison Industries 

Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (FPI) Schedule of Products

• FAR 8.002(a) Priorities for use of Mandatory Sources, Supply 

1. Inventories of the requiring agency.

2. Excess from other agencies

3. Federal Prison Industries, Inc. 

4. Supplies that are on the Procurement List maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 

Severely Disabled 

5. Wholesale supply sources, such as stock programs of the General Services Administration, Defense Logistics 

Agency, Department of Veterans Affairs, & military inventory control points.

•FAR 8.6 Acquisition from Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (FPI) 

If the FPI item is comparable, purchase the item from FPI following the ordering procedures at http://www.unicor.gov, unless a waiver is obtained

Individual Equipment (Ammunition Cases, Duty Belt, etc.) Federal Supply Class (FSC) 8465

Armor Personal (helmets & Vests) Federal Supply Class (FSC) 8470

•DFAR 208.602-70 Acquisition of items for which FPI has a significant market 

share

As of March 27, 2018 FPI does NOT have significant market share (>5%) for FSC 8465 & FSC 8470

Unless waiver is provided by FPI, a Market Comparability Study is employed to determine if FPI is comparable to the 

market and if so, will be awarded the planned contract (FAR 8.602(a)(3)

•FAR 8.602(a) Policy – Market Research Comparability in terms of price, quality, and time of delivery 
WARFIGHTER FIRST 33

Open/Upcoming Procurements

Load Bearing Systems

• Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE)

• Rifleman’s Set with Tactical Assault Pack

• MOLLE Medium Rucksack Set

• Improved MOLLE Medic Set (IMMS)

• USMC Pack System 

Other Equipment Items

• Knee & Elbow Pads (KEPS)

• USMC Pack Liner/Stuff Sacks (Waterproof Bags)
WARFIGHTER FIRST 34

Open/Upcoming Procurements

• MOLLE Rifleman Set with TAP &

Related Components

• Purchase Description Revision K 

• Market Survey Questionnaire issued 10/25/2018

• Unrestricted Solicitation Issuance TBD; Closes 30 Days After

• Single Award 

- Annual Estimated Quantity (AEQ) 80,000 Base Year

- Two (2) Option Years; AEQ 40,000 each option year

• Best Value, Low Price Technically Acceptable Award Criteria

- Product Demonstration Model (PDM) 

• Mandatory Source

- NIB; Hydration System & Bandoleer Pouch

- Ammunition Bandoleer

- NIB/Source America; Carrier Entrenching Tool

- Source America; M4 Three Magazine Pouch 

• Point of Contact Michelle Falkowski
WARFIGHTER FIRST 35

Open/Upcoming Procurements

MOLLE Medium Rucksack Set

• Purchase Description Revision K 

• Market Survey Questionnaire issued 10/25/2018

• Total Small Business Set-Aside

• Solicitation Issuance TBD; Closes 30 Days After

• Single Award 

- Annual Estimated Quantity (AEQ) 13,570 each Base Year

- Two (2) Option Years; AEQ 11,040 each option year 

• Best Value, Low Price Technically Acceptable Award Criteria

- Product Demonstration Model (PDM) 

• Point of Contact Kimberly Sabo
WARFIGHTER FIRST 36

Open/Upcoming Procurements

USMC Pack System

• Market Survey Questionnaire issued 10/10/2018

• Unrestricted Solicitation / Issuance TBD; Closing 30 days After

• Best Value Low Price Technically Acceptable 

- Product Demonstration Model (PDM)

• Solicitation SPE1C1-19-R-0016

- Issued TBD; Closes 30 Days After Issuance 

• Fifteen (15) Contract Line Items:

USMC Pack System Sub Belt Small Tube Kit

Main Bag Sub Belt Medium Buckle Repair Kit

Assault Pack Sub Belt Large Panel, Stiffener Back

Assault Pouch Shoulder Harness Frame

Hydration System Carrier, Hydration Bladder

• Point of Contact Maria Aguayo
WARFIGHTER FIRST 37

Open/Upcoming Procurements
WARFIGHTER FIRST 38

Open/Upcoming Procurements

Improved MOLLE Medic Set (IMMS)

• Drawing Revisions submitted in October to Engineering Support 

Activity

• FPI Waiver/Market Survey Questionnaire Planned for 

December/January

• Set-Aside TBD (Last Procurement HUBZone Small Business SetAside)

• Award Criteria: Best Value Low Price Technically Acceptable 

- Product Demonstration Model (PDM)

• Indefinite Quantity Contract Type Planned

- Base Year with Two (2) Option Years 

- Annual Estimated Quantity 3,216 each for each ordering period

• Point of Contact Kathy Logan
WARFIGHTER FIRST 39

Open/Upcoming Procurements

USMC Main Pack Liner/Assault Pack Liner

• Waterproof Bags Radio Frequency Sealed

• Market Survey Questionnaire Issued 11/05/2018

• Solicitation Issuance TBD; 45 days before Closing

• Unrestricted Solicitation for Two Separate Awards

o Lot 1 is for the Main Pack Liner (AEQ 47,068 Base Year; 19,992 Option Years) 

o Lot 2 is for the Assault Pack Liner (AEQ 33,785 Base Year; 15,000 Option Years)

• Best Value Low Price Technically Acceptable 

- Product Demonstration Model (PDM)

• Point of Contact Jennifer Scarpello
WARFIGHTER FIRST 40

Recent Procurement

Knee & Elbow Pads

• SPE1C1-18-R-0142 Solicitation closed 11/16/2018

• Small Business Set-Aside

• Base year and 2 Option Years 

• Operational Camouflage Pattern & Coyote

• Best Value Low Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA)

• Product Demonstration Model (PDM) – Technical Factor

• Estimated Award Date March, 2018
WARFIGHTER FIRST 41

Questions

?
Project Manager

Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment

Project Manager 

Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment

Our Strength and Purpose Our Strength and Purpose Product Manager 

Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment

Load Carrying Equipment Update

to

Joint Advanced Planning Brief for Industry 

Dan Young, Acquisition Support Analyst

Load Carriage

29 November 2018
Where We Are: 

• On 31 July 2018, a 5-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) 

contract was awarded

• The maximum quantity for this contract is 246,275 holsters

• Material used: 1 1⁄2” elastic webbing, acetal hardware and plastic resin 

Where We Want To Go: 

• Developing a Government design holster for sustainment requirements 

Army Modular Handgun 

Holster (MHH)
Where We Are: 

• The A-TAP is the new fighting load carrier for the Army. • It is made of textured nylon, mesh, webbing, brass, and acetal hardware. • In FY18, the A-TAP was tested with the Airborne community and 

conventional Infantry 

• Test reports are complete

Where We Want To Go: 

• Current design of the A-TAP will need to be slightly modified to allow for 

full compatibility with Modular Scalable Vest (MSV)

• Based on test report findings, modifications and retest may take place in 

FY19

• Procurement announcements are not expected until late FY19 

Advanced Tactical Assault 

Panel (A-TAP)
Where We Are: 

• The MOLLE 4000 Rucksack replaces the MOLLE Large and Medium 

Rucksacks 

• It is constructed of 1000d textured OCP nylon, coated and uncoated nylon 

fabric, solid and printed nylon webbing and cords, brass and acetal

hardware, high-density polyethylene, closed cell foam and foam laminates, 

slide fasteners, hook and loop, snaps and eyelets and is mounted on an 

injection molded external frame 

Where We Want To Go: 

• Competitive contract(s) expected to be solicited in FY19 for up to 100,000

• Supply Request Package transition to DLA for RFI and sustainment

MOLLE 4000 Rucksack
Additional Sources Sought for Resin

• Polymer Material Requirements:

1. Injection Molded Thermoplastic

2. UV Stabilized 

3. Impact Modified Polymer 

4. Chemical Resistant to DEET, lube/oil/petroleum/gun cleaning solvents

5. Environmental Temperature Range: -40F to 160F 

6. Specific Gravity NTE 1.25 (ASTM D 792), 1.21 (ASTM D 792) 

7. Flex Modulus 1.2 mm/min,50 mm span: 2290 MPa (ASTM D 790)- yes, 2290 

MPa (ASTM D 790) 

8. Tensile Strain, brk/Type I/50 mm/min (ASTM D 638): 145%- yes, 147% 

(ASTM D 638)

9. Must display ductile failure properties when pierced by a high-speed projectile 

without evidence of propagating fractures or fragmentation 

MOLLE 4000 Frame Material
WARFIGHTER FIRST 47

Open/Upcoming Procurements

Ballistic Items

Hard Armor Items

Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI)

Soft Body Armor Items

Family of Concealable Body Armor (FoCBA)

Plate Carrier, Generation II
WARFIGHTER FIRST 48

Open/Upcoming Opportunities

Unique Procurement Requirements

Ballistic Items

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 814 prohibits 

the use of reverse auction or low price technical acceptable source 

selection criteria 

Critical Safety Item (CSI) Performance Specification

 Engineering Support Activity (ESA) - Specifications & Quality Assurance

- Army (PM SPE) all Hard Armor and FoCBA

- Marines (PdM ICE) Plate Carrier

 Withholding of Material Review Board (MRB)

 Technical Data Package (TDP) “contractor’s ballistic design”

 Subcontractor and Supplier Management Plan

 Production Process Package (PPP)

 Production Readiness Review (PRR) Audit

 First Article Testing & Lot Acceptance Testing - Aberdeen Test Center
WARFIGHTER FIRST 49

Open/Upcoming Opportunities

• ESAPI Solicitation SPE1C1-18-D-0033

• Solicitation Issuance 11/13/18; Closing 1/27/19

• Trade-Off Best Value Award Criteria

• Three (3) Separate Awards Planned

• Indefinite Quantity, Base Period with 2 Option Years 

• Multi-Curved Torso Plate

• Five (5) Sizes; XS, S, M, L, XL

• Lot 1 Unrestricted (All Sizes – 220K Maximum each Period

• Lot 2 Unrestricted (All Sizes – 130K Maximum each Period

• Lot 3 Total Small Business Set-Aside (Size M – 48K Maximum each Period)

• Point of Contact Ryan Perna 
WARFIGHTER FIRST 50

Open/Upcoming Opportunities

Soft Armor

Fiscal Year 2019 Procurement Plans 

• Family of Cancelable Body Armor (FoCBA) 

• Awaiting drawings from Engineering Support Activity

• New Market Comparability Study To Be Issued 

• Planned for 3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2019

• Indefinite Quantity, 4 Year Contract Pending

• Point of Contact Michelle Falkowski
WARFIGHTER FIRST 51

Open/Upcoming Opportunities

Soft Armor

Fiscal Year 2019 Procurement Plans

• USMC Plate Carrier, Generation II (Legacy) 

• USMC in transition from Legacy to Generation III 

• 4th Quarter FY19 Estimated Transition Start Time

• DLA not procuring Gen III at this time

• Market Survey sent 9/14/2018

• Planned Procurement Canceled

• Reduced Demand/Requirement due to Gen III

• Point of Contact Catherine Dillon
WARFIGHTER FIRST 52

Questions

?
WARFIGHTER FIRST
Product Manger

Soldier Protective Equipment

Product Manager

Soldier Protective Equipment

Our Strength and Purpose Our Strength and Purpose

Soldier Protection System (SPS)

Joint Advanced Planning Brief for Industry

28 – 29 November 2018

LTC Ginger L. Whitehead

Product Manager

Soldier Protective Equipment

Cary V. Ferguson 

Deputy Product Manager 

Soldier Protective Equipment
Mission

55

To increase the Warfighter’s lethality and mobility by 

optimizing Soldier protection and effectively serving as the life 

cycle manager for all personal protective equipment.
SPE Areas of Responsibility 

(As of 06 Nov 2018)

Enhanced Combat

Helmet (ECH)

Integrated Head Protection System 

(IHPS) 

Military Combat Eye Protection (MCEP)

Transition Combat Eye Protection 

(TCEP) Enhanced Side Ballistic 

Insert 

(ESBI) - VTP

X Side 

Ballistic Insert

(XSBI) - VTP Family of Concealable 

Body Armor

(FoCBA)

Ultra Low Visibility 

CBA

X Small Arms

Protective Insert 

(XSAPI) - VTP

Enhanced Small Arms 

Protective Insert 

(ESAPI) - VTP

Advanced Combat Vehicle 

Crewman Helmet

(ACVCH)

Advanced Bomb Suit 

(ABS) ___________________________________________

Generation II ABS

(GEN II ABS) _____________________________________________

Soldier Protection 

System (SPS)

Torso and Extremity 

Protection (TEP)

Next Generation ABS

(NGABS Concept)

Advanced Combat 

Helmet GEN II

(ACH GEN II)

Blast Pelvic Protector

(BPP)

Ballistic Combat Shirt

(BCS)

Ballistic Battle Belt

(B3)

Photo not available

In source selection
57

Description: The SPS integrates lighter hard armor plates, soft armor ballistics, 

pelvic protection, modular helmets, transition combat eyewear protection, and 

hearing protection. Each piece of equipment is designed to function and 

complement other parts of the system, yet function independently.

There are four major subsystems of SPS

1. Vital Torso Protection (VTP): The VTP system consists of hard armor torso and side 

plate inserts. 

2. Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS): The IHPS consists of the helmet, 

maxillofacial shield, and night vision bracket.

3. Transition Combat Eyewear Protection (TCEP): TCEP consists of ballistic protective 

eyewear capable of transitioning from light to dark and dark to light in ~ one second or 

less.

4. Torso and Extremity Protection (TEP): The TEP system provides scalable, soft armor 

protection and consists of the Modular Scalable Vest, the Ballistic Combat Shirt, the Blast 

Pelvic Protector, and the Ballistic Battle Belt.

Soldier Protection System (SPS) 

Maxillofacial System

Integrated Head Protection System 

(IHPS)

The SPS VTP (front and back hard body armor plates) 

will provide the same or better ballistic protection than 

the current baseline suite of torso (ESAPI and X-SAPI) 

plates. 

The SPS VTP (side hard body armor plates)

will provide the same or better ballistic protection than the 

current baseline suite of (ESBI and XSBI) side plates. 

Vital Torso Protection (VTP) 

Transition Combat Eyewear 

Protection (TCEP)

Torso and Extremity Protection (TEP)

(Concealable to Full Tactical Configurations)

Tier 1: Concealable

• Concealable (under ACU 

Blouse)

• SoftArmor

Tier 2: LowProfile

• Concealable (Over ACU 

Blouse)

• Soft and Hard Armor

Tier 3: Plate Carrier

• Tactical Carrier

• Soft and Hard Armor

Tier 3: Plate Carrier

• Tactical Carrier

• Soft and Hard Armor

• Ballistic Combat Shirt 

(Deltoid & Yoke/Collar)

• Blast Pelvic Protector

• Ballistic Battle Belt 

(Back/Waist Protection)
58

Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment anticipates awarding contracts in FY19 or 1QFY20 to support 

the following products:

 Ballistic Combat Shirt (BCS): 

• Current Indefinite Deliveries Indefinite Quantities (IDIQ) contracts expire in 3QFY19

• Five (5) year IDIQ contract with multiple awards

• Best Value

 Ballistic Battle Belt(B3): 

• TBD

 Modular Scalable Vest (MSV): 

• Current MSV IDIQ contracts expire in 4QFY19

• Potentially separate contracts for carrier and Small Arms Ballistic Inserts (SABI)

• Five (5) year IDIQ contract with multiple awards

• Best Value

 Vital Torso Protection (VTP): 

• X – Threat Side Ballistic Insert (XSBI) variant solicitation active on FedBizOps

 Next Generation Advanced Bomb Suit (NGABS): 

• Anticipate releasing an RFP in 2QFY19

Anticipated Contract Actions
AFLCMC... ProvidingtheWarfighter’sEdge

JointAdvanced 

PlanningBriefingTo 

Industry(JAPBI)

Mr.ChristopherTobin,USAF 

AircrewPerformanceBodyWear

PM

29Nov2018
AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

51

Airsave Survival

Vest

System Description Program Schedule

Technical Program Status

• Mar 17

• Apr 17

• May 17

• May 17

• Jul 17

• Jun 18

• Aug – Dec 18

Initial provisioning orders 

Initial provisioningawarded 

Supply Rqst Pkg to DLA

FRP initial provision samples

FRP materials approved 

Initial Operational Capability 

Remaining InitialProvisioning

PM: Capt Taylor Butler 

Lead Command:ACC

• A survival vest that is worn over the harnessand 

provides modular Aircrew Flight Equipment 

(AFE) compatibility and

attachments points 

using MOLLEsystem

• Compatible with all legacy AFE and survival 

equipment, especially chem/bio

• Provide a modular and scalable platform for 

various AFE configurations

• Provide several pockets to accommodate 

components/accessories

• Integrate with aircraft and controls

AF INITIAL PROVISIONING

• Orders placed and deliveries initiated

• Some orders delayed due to FR material shortage 

but now running again

• Holsters shipped

• Vests shipping Nov-Dec 18

SUSTAINMENT

•DLA contract anticipated for supply sustainment 

availability in late FY19/20

FRP = Full Rate Production 

CAF = Combat Air Forces 

MAF = Mobility Air Forces
AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

Integrated Aircrew Body 

Armor

52

Program Schedule

• Approved Air Warrior body armor vest

• New Lightweight Air Warrior System (LAWS) will 

be the future procurement effort

• iABA will provide protection against small arms 

fire and shrapnel

• Compatible with removable soft armor inserts and 

ESAPI or SPEAR hard plates

• Interchangeable design to allow for use alone, with 

survival gear, or with a floatation device

Program Status Technical

• AF buying iABA quantities from Army LAWS contract

• Shipping docs with Finance and Logistics

• FAT testing was conducted for LAWSvest

• Waiting for Army official test report and PRR

• Apr 16 Lightweight Air Warrior System (LAWS)TDP Rcvd

• May 16 Army conducts First Article Tests (FAT)

• Sept 18 Verification of FAT completed(ballistics)

• Nov 18 Production Readiness Rvw (PRR) scheduled

• Nov-Dec 18 Lot Acceptance Testing

• Dec 18 Shipping begins

System Description

PM: Capt Taylor Butler Lead MAJCOM: AMC

• Background: Legacy aircrew body armor 

systems were not sustainable and require units 

to purchase directly from the manufacturer

• Objective: Provide aircrew with a body armor 

system available through DLA and Aircrew 

Flight Equipment with a Tech Order to maintain 

the armor.

TDP=Technical Data Package
Presented to:

Presented by:

USN/USMC Aircrew Systems

Ballistics PPE Overview

JAPBI

27 November 2018

Warfighter focused 

& Cost Conscious

NAVAIR Public Release 2018- Distribution Statement A –

“Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited”
Ballistic PPE Roadmap

2007-2013 2014 - 2019 2020 - 2023

Increase survivability, standardize equipment, reduce footprint/sustainment cost

Concealable Tactical

Response Carrier (CTRC) Tactical Flotation Vest (TFV) Navy Flak Vest (NFV)

Lightweight 

Helmet (LWH)

MK-7 Naval Battle 

Helmet (NBH)

Advanced Combat 

Helmet (ACH)

Enhanced Small Arms

Protective Insert (ESAPI)

NIJ Type III Neutrally

Buoyant Plates

ATFP VBSS GQ

Maritime Security

Helmet (MSH)

Maritime Buoyant

Plate (MBP)

Maritime Armor System (MAS))

All Missions

Maritime Security

Helmet (MSH)

Naval Security

Forces Vest (NSFV)

Enhanced Small Arms

Protective Insert (ESAPI)

Neutrally Buoyant

Ballistic Plate (NBBP)

Tactical Flotation Vest (TFV)

ATFP/GQ VBSS
Maritime Armor System

 Two-size, highly adjustable solution to meet diverse shipboard sizing 

requirements.

 Inherent buoyancy to increase survivability (removable)

 Handgun and fragmentation protection 

 Accepts ESAPI form plates

 NAVSEA PD

 RFP release anticipated Q2FY19 (NSWC PCD)

64

Soft Armor Ballistic Panels Buoyancy Compensation Panels

Unclassified
Maritime Buoyant Plate

 Positively buoyant plates which 

protect against low intensity rifle 

threats.

 ESAPI form

 NAVSEA PD

 RFP release anticipated Q2FY19 

(NSWC PCD)

Unclassified 65
Submarine Buoyant Armor

 Inherently buoyant armor system that:

• Provides sufficient buoyancy to “self-right” unconscious wearer with full load of force 

protection equipment

• Provides handgun/fragmentation protection in base vest

• Accepts hard armor plates to provide rifle protection

• Does not interfere with performance of force protection duties (e.g. weapon firing)

• Does not cause heat stress in a tropical environment

 Solution will need to consider buoyancy in all materials

• Vest fabrics

• MOLLE pouches which offset weight of associated equipment

• Ballistic panels

• Ballistic plates

 Development approach pending

Unclassified 66