84--Jungle Combat Boot - Ventilating Insole

The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center, in support of Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment, is conducting a market research investigation for ventilating insoles for combat boots. The goal of this effort is to identify offerors with capabilities to provide/design/develop boot insoles for use by the combat Soldier in various different terrain and conditions, to include tropical jungle environments. Interest is in readily available product(s) or developmental items that will be available within the next six months (must be based on a concise and attainable development/commercialization plan). The ventilating insoles of the boot must be capable of meeting or exceeding the critical technical requirements listed below: 1) Be constructed of materials that do not absorb water; 2) Be designed to allow water and sweat to drain away from the foot while walking; 3) Be highly breathable, to allow for air to circulate under the foot when worn; 4) Be durable enough to last for six months of combat use in jungle environments where high humidity and repeated submersion in water are expected; 5) Must not cause pressure points, discomfort, or irritation during walking/running on uneven, rugged terrain throughout the useful life of the item; 6) Be rigid enough to resist moving or bunching under the foot; 7) Be able to not interfere with normal walking/running or reduce Soldier performance in movement through varied terrain; 8) Be resistant to degradation due to fungus and bacteria; 9) Be able to provide shock attenuation; 10) Do not require a break-in period; and 11) Must meet all requirements of Berry compliant manufacturing. Interested sources shall respond within fourteen (14) days following the publication of this notice to Mr. Albert Adams, US Army NSRDEC, RDNS-SEW-EWC, Bldg 4, D-323, Natick, MA 01760-5019, with current information on the product(s) they want to submit to the Government for review. Interested sources shall include detailed information regarding their firm's experience, personnel, facilities and domestic production capabilities, independent laboratory test results, and relevant company background/experience, and a single product sample if available. No payment will be made by the Government for such sample and the sample will not be returned to the offeror after evaluation of the product by the Government. Firms shall provide current pricing of all available products that the offeror manufacturers or sells. This notice is for market research only. This is not a request for quotations. No solicitation document exists at this time. The Government does not have any funding for this program at this time. The information received under this announcement may be used to purchase items for Government testing and/or developing acquisition strategy in the future. Email your questions to Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment at contact@example.gov.