U.S. Army Soldier Systems Command, Acquisition Directorate, Attn: AMSSC-AD, Natick, MA 01760-5011

H -- IMPROVED FULL SCALE FLAME TEST FOR CLOTHING DUE 031799 POC E-mail jbaldwin@natick-notes02.army.mil SOLE SOURCE: The U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command has a requirement to develop an improved, full scale, garment flammability test. The test needs to be sufficiently rigorous to ensure that garments subjected to the test meet the protective performance requirements of the Navy for all anticipated uses, such as routine daily wear and fire fighting needs. The test needs to be developed in such a way that it can eventually be a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard test method. Both test equipment and test methodology will be developed. It is envisioned that the product of this research will be a full scale test which will augment or replace the existing tests currently in use, such as the TPP test (ASTM D 4108, Thermal Protective Performance of Materials for Clothing by Open Flame Method) and the Dupont / North Carolina State University Full Scale Flame Envelopment test protocol currently used. It is expected that this new test will be closely tied to real fire scenarios. The test protocol will involve the simulation of thermal exposures found in compartment fires, engine room fires, aircraft crash/rescue/ejection, and general fire fighting situations. The test protocol adds the dynamics of moving the clothed manikin through the fire. The current tests use a stationary manikin. This scenario driven fire exposure and protocol will be the most significant difference between this new test and existing ones. The program has been divided into two phases. Phase I, Task 1, has been completed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Worcester, MA in May 1998. This announcement covers Phase I, Task 2, and Phase II. Phase I, Task 2 requires the contractor to conduct analysis of existing large scale tests. This task will focus on how well the existing test protocols measure the ability of clothing to withstand the fire exposures and adequate protection for the scenarios identified in Task 1. The strengths and weaknesses of the current protocol will be identified and a proposal for Phase II for development of a new or improved test protocol will be provided. Phase II will focus on the final design of the test protocol selected in Phase I. The design specifications for the test equipment will be developed in detail along with operational test procedures. The validation of equipment and procedures within the operating parameters will be conducted. The Government plans on awarding Phase I, Task 2 and Phase II to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) based on their research and expertise gained during the Phase I, Task 1 effort. In addition, WPI can complete this work within the timeframes (not to exceed 8 months) to keep the program on schedule. It is in the best interest of the Government to award to WPI on a sole source basis. The Standard Industrial Code for this procurement is 8221 -- the size standard is $5Million. Responses to this announcement shall be received no later than 17 March 1999. All responses shall be in writing to the E-mail address listed above. No telephonic responses will be accepted. Posted 03/03/99 (W-SN304135). (0062)

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