SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Request for Information on Field Solutions to Soldier Camouflage: Identify in-the-field solutions/materials that will give Soldiers the ability to improve/adjust camouflage uniforms and equipment to better match the specific terrain.
- Notice Date
- 5/3/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- ACC-APG - Natick (SPS), ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011
- ZIP Code
- 01760-5011
- Solicitation Number
- W911QY12IJFAD
- Response Due
- 9/28/2012
- Archive Date
- 11/27/2012
- Point of Contact
- James Fairneny, 508-233-5209
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC-APG - Natick (SPS)
(james.g.fairneny.civ@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Request for Information Subject: Request for Information On-the-Spot/Field Solutions to Soldier Camouflage The Multifunctional Materials Team, Warfighter Science, Technology and Research Directorate at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center, Natick, MA has a need to identify possible quick-fix solutions that provide on-the-spot Soldier camouflage improvements for Soldiers deployed in current and future Military Operating Environments. These solutions will have the capability to adjust camouflage uniforms and Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) in-the-field to provide enhanced performance in specific sites of conflict. This capability will allow for an expedient alternative to the current process of typically waiting months for specific printed camouflage material to be fabricated into uniforms. Current and future uniforms worn by US Soldiers will provide camouflage properties in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions for a generalized terrain (Wooded, Arid, and Transitional). Although colors and patterns of fielded camouflage uniforms will provide effective blending in a generalized terrain, specific areas of conflict may depart from the generalized terrain due to particular vegetation, amount of rainfall, or seasonal changes. The government is conducting a market investigation for on-the-spot/field solutions that can be applied to the baseline uniform that will provide for better visual/near-infrared blending for specific areas. This request for information to industry is not to provide new camouflage colors and/or patterns for specific regions, but to identify possible field quick-fixes for Soldiers to adjust their current uniform for mission specific areas of conflict. These solutions should not adversely affect the fabric performance specifications in MIL-DTL-44436A or its associated performance specification. Technologies/capabilities shall meet the following critical performance requirements: (1) Provide visual camouflage in a range of typical military colors so that Soldiers can adapt their uniforms and PPE to complement an assortment of specific terrains, (2) Provide a break-up of near infrared spectral region with at least 3 distinct levels of reflectance, (3) Be easily applied to and removed from the current uniform and PPE by Soldiers in the field, and (4) after application, not be flammable or reduce the flame resistance of current uniform materials. Respondents should describe their submitted technology/capability and identify the level and type of camouflage protection offered (e.g., sensor types and/or terrains addressed, environmental effects, etc.) within thirty (30) days following the publication of this synopsis. Information should include, but not be limited to, technical test data (e.g. physical properties/performance characteristics, test methodology (e.g. ASTM and AATCC), certification/compliance, status and specifications for manufacturing and production, any unique or proprietary construction requirements related to the technology, costs, relevant company background/experience, and any other information that the respondent believes demonstrates the value of their technology/solution and the ability to meet the aforementioned desired performance. Any textile-based offers are cautioned that their products (all materials and manufacturing) must comply with Berry Amendment Restrictions (see DFARS 252.225-7012). For developmental products, include estimates of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) as defined in the cover sheet. Respondents shall complete a separate questionnaire contained in the cover sheet at the end of this document and submit it with their response. The government will assess submissions and may choose to perform independent physical and other testing to determine the best performing material/solution available. As such, companies may be contacted for additional information or asked to submit samples for further consideration. Companies may request only the test results regarding their own materials. This RFI is solely for information purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or the issuance thereof. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Any information/samples submitted will not be returned, and no payment will be made by the government for such information/samples. Any testing results will be controlled and used for governmental purposes only. Responses to this notice are to be sent to Mrs. Anabela Dugas or Mr. James Fairneny, Multifunctional Materials Team, ATTN: RDNS-WSD-M, 15 Kansas St., Natick, MA 01760-5019. This notice is for market survey only. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. No solicitation document exists. POC for this request is Anabela Dugas or James Fairneny (508) 233-4437/5209, FAX (508) 233-4651 or email anabela.dugas.civ@mail.mil or james.g.fairneny.civ@mail.mil. Email your questions to US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center at anabela.dugas.civ@mail.mil or to james.g.fairneny.civ@mail.mil. Cover Sheet to Accompany RFI Submissions for: "On-the-Spot/Field Solutions to Soldier Camouflage" Subject: Request for Information/Materials Please submit this document, filled out completely, as a cover sheet with your package. 1. Name of Technology/Submission Piece 2. Company/ Agency 3. What category does your submission fall under? Check all that apply. Ensure each submission is identified as such. Form/Configuration Spray Coating Decal/Appliqu Textile Other 4. Point of Contact a. Name: b. E-mail address: c. Telephone number: 5. Using the attached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Guide (found on page 4 of this cover sheet), indicate your submission's TRL and describe the stage of development in terms of the TRL definitions. 6. What type of testing have you conducted? Describe the conditions used for each type of test conducted (e.g., ASTM, AATCC, sensors, terrain conditions, illumination levels, atmospheric/environmental conditions, etc.). Please attach results for your submission. 7. Describe your submission's current or planned future application. 8. Does your submission have any manufacturing and/or operational constraints? If yes, please describe. 9. Can you reference any papers/studies on your submission? If yes, please indicate. Please use this Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Guide to answer question 5 accurately. Definition of Technology Readiness Levels TRL 1 Basic principles observed and reported: Transition from scientific research to applied research. Essential characteristics and behaviors of systems and architectures. Descriptive tools are mathematical formulations or algorithms. TRL 2 Technology concept and/or application formulated: Applied research. Theory and scientific principles are focused on specific application area to define the concept. Characteristics of the application are described. Analytical tools are developed for simulation or analysis of the application. TRL 3 Analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof-of-concept: Proof of concept validation. Active Research and Development (R&D) is initiated with analytical and laboratory studies. Demonstration of technical feasibility using breadboard or brassboard implementations that are exercised with representative data. TRL 4 Component/subsystem validation in laboratory environment: Standalone prototyping implementation and test. Integration of technology elements. Experiments with full-scale problems or data sets. TRL 5 System/subsystem/component validation in relevant environment: Thorough testing of prototyping in representative environment. Basic technology elements integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements. Prototyping implementations conform to target environment and interfaces. TRL 6 System/subsystem model or prototyping demonstration in a relevant end-to-end environment (ground or space): Prototyping implementations on full-scale realistic problems. Partially integrated with existing systems. Limited documentation available. Engineering feasibility fully demonstrated in actual system application. TRL 7 System prototyping demonstration in an operational environment (ground or space): System prototyping demonstration in operational environment. System is at or near scale of the operational system, with most functions available for demonstration and test. Well integrated with collateral and ancillary systems. Limited documentation available. TRL 8 Actual system completed and "mission qualified" through test and demonstration in an operational environment (ground or space): End of system development. Fully integrated with operational hardware and software systems. Most user documentation, training documentation, and maintenance documentation completed. All functionality tested in simulated and operational scenarios. Verification and Validation (V&V) completed. TRL 9 Actual system "mission proven" through successful mission operations (ground or space): Fully integrated with operational hardware/software systems. Actual system has been thoroughly demonstrated and tested in its operational environment. All documentation completed. Successful operational experience. Sustaining engineering support in place.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/ec119d6b0a386e82668068548490bd86)
- Place of Performance
- Address: ACC-APG - Natick (SPS) ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street Natick MA
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Record
- SN02738825-W 20120505/120504000938-ec119d6b0a386e82668068548490bd86 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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