SPECIAL NOTICE
79 -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) Methodologies for a self-contained portable instrument for spot cleaning and sanitizing Cordura based protective and load carriage equipment.
- Notice Date
- 4/22/2009
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Army, U. S. Army Materiel Command, RDECOM Acquisition Center - Natick, RDECOM Acquisition Center - Natick, ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011
- ZIP Code
- 01760-5011
- Solicitation Number
- W911QY-CLEAN
- Archive Date
- 7/21/2009
- Point of Contact
- Matthew Thomas Hauck, 508-233-4079<br />
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This notice constitutes a Request for Information/Comment only, THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION: No award will be made for this effort at this time. The United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) and the Program Manager - Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM-CIE) are requesting information regarding commercial cleaning methodologies for portable cleaning products for Cordura based equipment. Objective: To identify opportunities for research, development, commercialization and distribution of a product that cleans and sanitizes military Cordura based items without affecting its physical properties and is small enough to transport and utilize in remote environments. General Information: Service members are issued large quantities of Cordura based equipment items. Over time, and particularly in combat environments, these items become extremely soiled with dirt and stained with bodily fluids (perspiration, etc.), oils, etc. The purpose of this RFI is to find a novel method of cleaning that is less time, water, and effort intensive. The current method of cleaning Cordura based items requires the Warfighter to hand wash items in cold or lukewarm water using a mild detergent or soap. The ballistic vest is a particularly time intensive item to clean, and requires the Warfighter to remove ballistic inserts prior to hand washing. Badly soiled areas are scrubbed with a soft bristled brush and rinsed thoroughly in clean, lukewarm water until suds are completely gone. Items are then air-dried out of direct sunlight to decrease ultra violet degradation to the equipment. An ideal solution would be a small (2x6) durable, leak proof, self contained spot cleaning product. As a spot cleaner product will clean the dirtiest sections of an item and would therefore be less time and effort intensive than the current practice. The product shall consist of a controllable release interface, cleaning agent (chemical or organic, liquid or solid) and a method of agitation (brush). The method of removing the cleaning agent and lifted stains of Cordura is to be specified in the response, but does not need to be a part of product. Use of water and a cleaning cloth are acceptable methods of cleaning. The use of chlorine bleach, yellow soap, and other heavy duty cleaning agents is not authorized. As mentioned above, after the cleaning process the Cordura item shall air dry in a shaded area. The desired performance of the methodology or treatment submitted would ideally be equal to or better than the current combat doctrine of hand cleaning. Examples of performance can be found in physical performance requirements of MIL-B-44053A (Body armor, Fragmentation Protective Vest, Ground Troops). Due to the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the desired capabilities, the Army will consider any and all methodologies that can clean and sanitize Cordura material without affecting the Corduras camouflage pattern (no color loss), shrinkage, coatings, and fire retardant ability. Additionally, the method shall not impact other materials of the item. Item is defined as a Warfighters garment or piece of load carriage equipment. Damage is defined as an item that has visually shrunk, warped, lost color, or has failed to meet physical property requirements set forth in various military specifications to the extent that the item is unserviceable. Traditional test methods such as Vertical Flame Test ASTM D6413, Abrasion Test ASTM D3884, and hydrostatic resistance ASTM D751 will be utilized to verify measured performance. Other test methods, depending on the type and characteristics of materials or technologies submitted, will be considered. For developmental products, estimate the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for both the developmental material and the fabrication method. All interested firms, regardless of size, are encouraged to respond to this RFI by submitting technology description, product literature, product potential, technical specifications, pertinent test data (including pictures and videos), cost, material safety data sheets (if applicable), product availability, product uses (past, present or future) and comments on performance. Responders are encouraged to provide an initial response NLT 21st May 2009. Proprietary information will not be disclosed outside the US Government. The Government will not pay for information and materials received in response to this RFI and is in no way obligated by the information received. Inclusion in this RFI or the resulting database does not constitute Government approval for any product. Technical POC for this matter is: Mr. Francisco J. Martinez Francisco.martinez8@us.army.mil Please mail all submitted items to: Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center 16 Kansas Street Natick, MA 01760 Attn. Francisco J. Martinez D236
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- Record
- SN01799358-W 20090424/090422221806-973a53f94864eb677a30a79124043aae (fbodaily.com)
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