Intent to Sole Source Switlik Parachute Company, Inc.

Montana State University is considering a request to award a Sole Source contract to Switlik Parachute Company, Inc. for Life Preserver Unit (LPU) Development and Testing. The contract requires the development and testing of a life preserver unit that meets specific operational and functional performance requirements, including a three-layer bladder welded construction, over-pressurization conditions, and flotation freeboard. The vendor must provide a detailed description of the product or service they can provide and explain how it meets each of the requirements listed. The university will accept written comments from potential vendors who believe they have the ability to provide an equivalent product and service. • The life preserver unit must have a three-layer bladder welded construction to ensure 65 lbs buoyancy redundancy. • The unit must withstand over-pressurization conditions up to 10 psig with three layers. • The unit must provide a flotation freeboard of 4 inches with one single cell. • The unit must limit autorotation to no more than 5 seconds. • The unit must maintain a flotation torso angle between 20° and 65°. • The unit must include a primary flotation cell and at least one contingency cell that serves as an emergency backup in the event of primary cell failure.