SOURCES SOUGHT
84 -- Novel Materials/Components/Designs for Use in Environmentally Protective Combat Footwear
- Notice Date
- 4/26/2017
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 316210
— Footwear Manufacturing
- 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-17-EPCF
- Archive Date
- 7/11/2017
- 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
- Sources Sought: Request for Information (RFI): Novel Materials/Components/Designs for Use in Environmentally Protective Combat Footwear The Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) is seeking information on novel component materials, and/or designs that may be beneficial to future environmentally protective combat footwear systems as part of a Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 science and technology effort titled "Combat Boot Improvement Program". Interest is specifically in responses defining component materials, constructions, and/or footwear designs that are optimized for one or more of the following environments: A.) hot, dry environments, B.) hot, wet environment; and C.) multiple environments. This request for information (RFI) is issued solely for information gathering and planning purposes. This RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals and will not directly lead to any contract awards. The following sections of this announcement contain details of the scope of technical efforts of interest as well as instructions for the submission of responses. FAR 52.215-3 - Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes, applies herein. Background & Scope: Following the success of the Jungle Combat Boot developed and fielded by the Program Executive Office - Soldier, the NSRDEC Soldier Clothing and Configuration Management Team (SCCMT) is conducting market research to identify innovative materials and novel footwear designs which may provide improved performance and enhanced capabilities to next generation combat footwear. NSRDEC is specifically requesting information on materials/designs optimized for performance and protection in a hot, dry environment (where temperatures range from 70 to 120°F and relative humidity is typically <50%) and/or a hot, wet environment (where temperatures range from 70 to 100°F and relative humidity ranges from 75% to 100%). The targeted requirements for each environmental footwear type are as follows: A. Hot, Dry Environmental Protection 1. Ventilation to allow airflow in and out of the footwear (i.e. improved Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate as compared to current Army issued combat boots or current combat boot materials) 2. Internal materials designed to wick sweat and moisture away from the foot 3. Lightweight upper and soling materials and designs which reduce fatigue during long range marches by reducing overall footwear system weight (i.e. targeting at least a 25% reduction in weight compared to current Army issued combat boots) 4. Outsole that provides traction on multiple terrains, include sand, rock, pavement, and dirt 5. Upper design with increased adjustability in fit to improve overall comfort of the footwear system 6. Increased energy return during walking and running 7. Highly flexible soling system, specifically in the break line/ball joint area, so as to increase comfort and reduce foot fatigue during long marches 8. Reduce or eliminate break-in time of footwear 9. Durable enough to last for 6 months of heavy military use in a hot, dry environment, as defined above B. Hot, Wet Environmental Protection 1. Provide protection from punji sticks/stakes and other sharp objects from penetrating the foot from beneath the sole (e.g. passes ASTM F2892 when tested in accordance with ASTM F2412) 2. Lightweight upper and soling materials and designs which reduce fatigue during long range marches by reducing overall footwear system weight (i.e. targeting at least a 25% reduction in weight compared to current Army issued combat boots) 3. Reduced water absorption and improved dry-time compared to current Army issued and Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) combat boots 4. Improved traction in wet and muddy terrain, especially on slopes and declines compared to current Army issued and COTS combat boots (e.g. soling systems inspired by Panama sole or Vibram Panama II outsole) 5. Non-absorbent, abrasion resistant liner and footbed materials designed such that they allow drainage of moisture away from the foot and allow ventilation under/around the foot while walking 6. An upper design and/or materials that encourage the draining of liquid water out of the footwear (compared to current Army issued combat boots) 7. A footwear design which allows increased air flow through the upper during walking (compared to current Army issued combat boots) 8. Highly flexible soling system, specifically in the break line/ball joint area, so as to increase comfort and reduce foot fatigue during long marches (compared to current Army issued combat boots) 9. Protects the foot and ankle from vegetation, insects, and animals (i.e. at least 8-inches in external height and as abrasion and cut resistant as current Army issued combat boots) 10. Durable enough to last for 6 months of heavy military use in a hot, wet environment, as defined above C. Multiple/Combination Environmental Protection 1. Any material/system which meets combination of the above described requirements or any other capability not defined in this document which may benefit future Army footwear designs, with a special interest in materials/designs that reduce footwear weight and increasing comfort Manufacturers of component materials and/or footwear systems which meet these requirements are encouraged to submit a response defining the novel material/system of interest. 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 in the above defined environments. NSRDEC requests that material submittals be accompanied by all available and relevant performance and cost data. Responses shall 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 numbers, and email addresses of all co-authors - and clearly indicating its association with this RFI. 2. A substantive, focused, information paper of no more than five pages that includes: a description of the materials/system being submitted or developed; a summary of the technical approaches taken to meet the performance requirements of this RFI; and the ability and lead time needed to scale up production if requested. 3. Estimated cost per material or system in a relevant unit of measure (e.g. price per yard, price per pair, etc.) 4. All available test data demonstrating the performance of the material being submitted as it compares to the technical requirements of this RFI. 5. A material description including fiber blend percentages and Berry compliance documentation. Additional Information: 1. Responses are not required to include a complete end item sample (i.e. combat boot). If a physical sample of the end item or system is not available, drawings or renderings of the candidate system are request, along with an estimate of lead time needed to complete manufacturing of a physical sample. 2. All properly marked proprietary information will be appropriately handled. 3. Submitted material will not be returned. 4. Respondents may submit up to two (2) different candidate materials/systems per environmental area, but should clearly identify the advantages/disadvantages of each of the competing products. 5. Any coatings/finishes added to component materials should be described in the response. 6. Samples that do not meet all requirements listed above may still be considered and respondent should clearly identify any shortcomings and discuss the trade-offs. 7. Specifications and Purchase Descriptions of current Army issued combat boots are available upon request for comparison purposes. Submission Instructions to Respondents: Responses to this RFI are due no later than Monday, 26 JUNE 2017 at 1200EDT. All submissions must be electronically submitted to (Jay.McNamara.civ@mail.mil) or hardcopy submission to: Jay McNamara, US Army NSRDEC, 15 General Greene Ave., Bldg 4, D-323, Natick, MA 01760-5019 DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES This is an RFI issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Respondents are advised that NSRDEC is 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. NSRDEC will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI. 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. Input on technical aspects of the responses may be solicited by NSRDEC from non-Government consultants/experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements.
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