SOURCES SOUGHT
84 -- Waterproof/Breathable Fabric and Membrane Technologies - Attachment 1 - Attachment 2
- Notice Date
- 10/24/2017
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 315210
— Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Army, Army Contracting Command, ACC - APG (W911QY) Natick (SPS), BLDG 1 KANSAS ST, Natick, Massachusetts, 01760-5011, United States
- ZIP Code
- 01760-5011
- Solicitation Number
- W911QY-18-Waterproof
- Archive Date
- 11/25/2017
- Point of Contact
- Matthew Buchanan, Phone: 5082336141
- E-Mail Address
-
matthew.r.buchanan6.civ@mail.mil
(matthew.r.buchanan6.civ@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Request for Information (RFI): Waterproof/Breathable Fabric and Membrane Technologies. The Program Executive Office, Soldier (PEO Soldier) and the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) are seeking information on waterproof/breathable fabrics and/or membranes that may be used in Soldier footwear, environmental protection, or clothing items which provide improved moisture management, thermal regulation, and comfort over currently used materials. This request for information (RFI) is issued solely for information gathering and planning purposes. This RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals. The following sections of this announcement contain details of the scope of technical efforts of interest, along with instructions for the submission of responses. 1.0 Background & Scope: PEO-Soldier is responsible for the procurement and fielding of material solutions for the individual Soldier and Squad within the US Army. NSRDEC is the US Army's center for the development and evaluation of new technologies that may benefit the Soldier and Squad. Together these organizations are responsible for the identification of emerging technologies that can be integrated into fielded or field-able items that may benefit the Soldier. • The Army currently utilizes expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) as the waterproofing layer in the cold/wet weather footwear and clothing systems. • Footwear: the waterproof lining is currently a 3-layer laminate material consisting of a textile face fabric laminated to one side of a waterproof film (ePTFE, microporous), and a tricot knit cloth (nylon, 1.0 ounces per square yard) laminated to the opposite side of the waterproof film. Performance requirements for waterproof lining materials used in footwear as well as footwear end item testing can be found in Attachment 1 - Footwear Material Attribute Requirements and Test Methods. • Shell Material: The basic shell material for the cold/wet weather jacket and trouser is a waterproof and moisture vapor permeable, laminated cloth. The current base material utilizes a 100 percent nylon, ripstop fabric for the face fabric and the body facing material is ePTFE. Performance requirements for waterproof lining materials used in cold/wet weather clothing items as well as end item testing can be found in Attachment 2 - Basic Shell Material Requirements and Test Methods. • It is the intent of this RFI to capitalize on the technical advances in industry for durable, more breathable fabrics with greater moisture management capabilities that can be incorporated into Soldier footwear and clothing for use in deployment and training for the US Army. • The Army is looking for waterproofing technologies that are durable, breathable, washable, and capable of moving moisture away from the Soldier's body. Technologies with performance properties equivalent to or better than the currently used membranes (Attachments 1 and 2) are desired, but other proposed materials are welcome. Proposed materials must be durable across the spectrum of military operating and training environments, be capable of being made and used in footwear and environmental protective clothing and demonstrate performance improvements beyond the current materials based on the Test Procedures in Attachments 1 and 2. • PEO Soldier & NSRDEC request that respondents submit materials related to this topic. The submissions may be used by the Government in formulating a program to assess the performance of the submitted materials and design concepts for functionality. It is requested that material submittals be accompanied by relevant performance and cost data as available given the short duration of this RFI. This announcement contains all of the information required to submit a response. No additional forms, kits, or other materials are needed. • PEO Soldier & NSRDEC appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources located within the US. Responses must have the following: 1. A one page cover sheet that identifies the title, organization(s), respondent's technical and administrative points of contact - including names, addresses, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses of all co-authors, and clearly indicating its association with this RFI. 2. A substantive, focused, one-half page information paper that describes the materials being submitted or developed and a summary of the technical approaches taken to meet the intent of this RFI. 3. Production capability of 20,000 yards and production schedule. 4. Estimated cost per linear yard and unit end item cost. 5. Test Data A) Test data demonstrating the performance of the material being submitted as it compares to the technical requirements of this RFI in Attachments 1 and 2, if available. B) If a novel fabric is being proposed that may meet the intent of this RFI but will not satisfy all of the requirements listed in Attachments 1 and 2, then please provide material test data as available so that a tradeoff analysis can be conducted. 6. One (1) linear yard of material in any color (if available). 7. A material description including composition, chemical characteristics, fabrication method, and documentation supporting compliance with the Berry Amendment (USC, Title 10, Section 2533a). 2.0 Additional Information: 1. All properly marked proprietary information will be appropriately handled. 2. Submitted material will not be returned. All samples will be degraded or destroyed during review. 3. Respondents may submit up to five (5) different fabric candidates, but should clearly identify the advantages/disadvantages of each of the competing products. 4. Samples that do not meet the attribute thresholds in Attachments 1 and/or 2 may still be considered and respondents should clearly identify any shortcomings and trade-offs. 5. Non-woven or other materials may be considered and respondents should clearly identify any shortcomings and discuss the trade-offs. 3.0 Submission Instructions to Respondents: Responses to this RFI are due no later than Friday, 10 November 2017 at 1200EST. All submissions must be electronically submitted to jeffrey.m.dunn.civ@mail.mil. Do not send questions with proprietary content. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. 4.0 Disclaimer and Important Notes This is an RFI issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Respondents are advised that PEO Soldier & NSRDEC are under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. PEO Soldier and NSRDEC will NOT provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI. It is the respondent's responsibility to ensure that the submitted material has been approved for public release by the information owner. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is the Government obligated to issue a solicitation based on responses received. No proprietary or classified concepts or information should be included in the submittal. Input on technical aspects of the responses may be solicited by PEO Soldier/NSRDEC from non-Government consultants/experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Primary Point of Contact: Jeffrey Dunn Project Officer ATTN: RDNS-SEW-EWP 15 General Greene Ave Natick, MA, 01760 FAR 52.215-3 - Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes, applies herein.
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