84 -- Chemical/Biological Protective Overboots

CORRECTION: The term 'HG' was changed to 'HD' (a mustard gas) in footwear requirement '(A)'. RFI: The following Request for Information is issued for the purposes of updating market research and encouraging commercial companies to provide information on chemical/biological (CB) protective overboots. This request is in support of the Marine Corps Systems Command's (MARCORSYSCOM) ALTERNATIVE FOOTWEAR SOLUTIONS (AFS) project. The AFS project, a subset of the Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST) program, goal is to determine the availability or potential development of a chemical/biological (CB) protective overboot that requires less volume/package space than the overboots currently in use by the Joint Services, and that can also be manufactured for proper fit over the joint service's boot population with significantly fewer sizes than overboots in the current inventory. In other words, one size of an overboot should fit properly, without being bulky or too small, over a range of service-boot sizes. The development of an overboot that requires less volume is necessary to lighten the carrying weight and placement burdens on the individual warfighter, as well as to improve/lessen the overall storage and transportation requirements of CB overboots. A minimal number of overboot sizes that still ensure proper fit is necessary: (1) to improve the efficiency of the logistics actions necessary to ship, store, maintain and replace CB overboots, and (2) to enable more efficient vendor production and distribution costs which will result in lower costs to the Joint Services. Requirements of the desired less volume/package space overboot with fewer sizes follow. The footwear must: (A) Provide 24 hours of protection while exposed to a liquid challenge of 10gm/m2 (HD,TGD,VX) or a vapor/aerosol challenge of 5,000ct (HD,TGD,VX). (B) Provide the same protection level identified in'(A)' even after 45 days of wear that did not involve exposure to CB challenges. (C) Meet or closely approach the desired footwear volume/package space of less than 0.105 cubic feet. (D) Be compatible with combat footwear of the Joint Services, fitting, at a minimum, the middle 90-percent of the range of combined women's and men's sizes placed in order of smallest to largest--in other words, overboot sizes are not required to fit 5 percent of each tail in the range (one tail being the smallest women's sizes and the other being the largest men's sizes); however, to fit the stipulated 90-percent range, a total of no more than four overboot sizes would be preferable. (E) Have a shelf life of at least 5 years, but preferably 10 years. (F) Be of sufficient height to interface with the accompanying protective overgarments. (G) Provide improved traction over the existing Green Vinyl Overboot, the Black Vinyl Overboot, and the Chemical Protective Footwear Cover. (H) Contain a non-snagging closure system. (I) Be mildew, fungus, petroleum, oil, lubricant and saltwater resistant. (J) Not degrade mission performance. (K) Be able to be donned/doffed while wearing CB gloves, mask and overgarment. (L) Be capable of being decontaminated to an operationally safe level. Vendors capable of providing viable solutions are invited to submit responses to this notice to the Marine Corps Systems Command CTQ3DBR, ATTN: Doris Ragsdale, 3041A McCawley Avenue, Quantico, VA 22134 by COB 3 April 2003. Telephonic responses will not be accepted. Responses should include three copies of documentation that supports this determination. If products capable of meeting these anticipated requirements are already available, vendors are encouraged to provide two pair of their overboots as representative samples along with their written documentation. The information submitted may be used in the preparation of subsequent requests for proposals; however, no solicitation exists at this time. The publication of this request or subsequent submission of product information shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government for vendors to procure equipment or to take any other action regarding this request for footwear information. Firms should refer questions to the Contract Specialist, Doris Ragsdale, at +1 (555) 000-0000 or contact@example.gov. All information submitted by each firm will be treated as proprietary, but will be shared with MKI Systems, Sverdrup, and Battelle following receipt of a non-disclosure agreement from each of these three companies. The Government does not intend to pay for or otherwise reimburse for information submitted in response to this notice.