U.S. Army Materiel Command, Natick Contracting Division, Attn: AMSSB-ACN, Natick, MA 01760-5011

84 -- PROTECTIVE GLOVE SYSTEM POC Kathy Swift 508-233-5451 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the project officer via e-mail, kswift@natick-amed02.army.mil. SYNOPSIS: PROTECTIVE GLOVE SYSTEM THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. The U.S. Army Natick Research & Development Enterprise at the Soldier Biological and Chemical Command is conducting a market search to identify current hand wear items to meet the requirements of the Protective Glove System (PGS). The PGS shall be designed in a tailored approach for various users to optionally choose glove layers or system components, based on mission scenario. A Protective Glove System (PGS) is desired to provide hand protection from cuts, punctures, and abrasions for law enforcement frisk type searches for protection against knives, razor blades, hypodermic needles and other sharp objects. It is desired that: the PGS will provide forearm protection from blunt trauma force in riot control civil disturbance operations when encountering thrown objects (rocks, bottles, riot batons); the PGS will be compatible with other specialized glove systems for added protection in certain environments; the PGS shall take advantage of current existing material technology to lighten the soldier's load and improve soldier's comfort, which translates into increased mission performance, survivability, and sustainability while providing the threshold protective capabilities required. It shall also enable the soldier to conduct necessary operations with the appropriate level of dexterity and tactility. It is desired that the PGS will: provide protection from bloodborne or bodily fluid pathogens and; be constructed of a material that "breathes" for reduction of heat and/or perspiration to increase user comfort level; incorporate flame/fire resistance equal to or greater than the standard current light duty leather gloves; provide a sufficient degree of tactility to be able to detect small, dangerous items carried in pockets, such as pocket knife, single edge razor blade, pen, pencil, or hypodermic needle. Tactility is required for the user to confidently sense, detect and feel illegal or threatening items that may not be visible on a person undergoing a frisk (pat down) search. The PGS shall be designed and shaped to the normal curve and bend of the hand, to provide better comfort to the user. The PGS shall be sized to satisfy the central 90% of the male and female population with a minimum number of sizes, based on the 5th percentile female hand to the 95th percentile male hand dimensions The PGS forearm protection shall extend up the forearm within one to three inches from the inside bend of the elbow. This protection shall also fit over the sleeve of a standard battledress uniform (BDU) jacket and be capable of being closed at the cuff. The PGS shall provide some mechanism at the wrist area to accommodate individual fit. Since the PGS is a system, there may be combinations of component layering. The outer layer of the PGS shall be of a neutral/subdued color, compatible with the current BDU and Class B uniform. The PGS material shall be water resistant and protect the wearer from incidental contamination from petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) and insect repellent chemicals such as diethyl toluamide (DEET). It is desired that the PGS will provide protection for handling barbed wire or concertina/razor wire. Although the current Barbed/Concertina Wire Handler's gloves protect from minor cuts, punctures, and abrasions initially, it fails to withstand the repeated usage it takes to deploy wire. It is desired that the PGS will provide better comfort and fit. It may be used with other standard issue military gloves and must survive against the required hazards to the degree that the items can be reused for deploying wire for a longer wear life than the standard issue Barbed Tape-Wire Handlers' Gloves (NSN: 8415-00-926-1674). The PGS shall have an objective service life of 120 days from routine use. The PGS durability shall be equal to or better than a current military leather glove of approximate weight for frisk search applications. The PGS shall be capable of being stored and functioning under conditions specified in Army Regulation 70-38 for hot, basic and cold climatic conditions. The PGS shall be capable of being cleaned and extended use shall not create a potential for prolonged skin exposure to moisture, perspiration, dirt, and other contaminates. This environment promotes the growth of fungus, mold, and bacteria. Routine cleaning procedures should be able to prevent this potential hazard. Cleaning procedures may use cleaning chemicals to perform this task. The PGS shall not promote the growth of fungus or molds during use or storage. Interface with communications equipment, such as standard military radio handset, commercial hand-held portable radio to include remote speaker/microphone is required. The PGS shall not require any special logistical considerations. Manpower, personnel, and training shall not be impacted by the use of this item. Instructions for the use, care, and storage shall be published in an instruction sheet packed with each pair of gloves. Maintenance procedures for minor damage are required for the PGS and should be developed to extend the serviceability and reduce further degradation of the PGS. PGS will be discarded if not repairable. Consideration should be made to determine if the current military individual sewing kit can provide some if any repair capabilities. A PGS repair kit may be recommended by a manufacturer to repair minor damage to the PGS. The PGS shall not increase force structure requirements. Posted 07/06/99 (W-SN350510). (0187)

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