84--Request for Chemical and Biological Integrated Design Concepts

The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), Natick, MA, in collaboration with Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), is pursuing novel/advanced system level concept designs for an integrated Chemical and Biological (CB) protective combat ensemble for potential inclusion into a technology demonstration. Integrated ensemble design concepts are desired that reduce overall system level thermal burden/ stress when compared to current CB protective ensembles. The goal is for these concepts to seamlessly integrate with all Warfighter combat ensemble components to include future head-gear concepts. Concepts should be representative of a small unit ground Warfighter (i.e. infantry wearing the Flame Resistant (FR) Army Combat Uniform (ACU) using the Land Warrior communication suite, as defined later below). The Government plans to conduct a technology demonstration in FY10 assessing the integration of novel CB protective garment materials, respiratory and ocular protection technologies into Solider as a System-Ground (SaaS-G) concept ensemble. Design concepts, integrated with these CB technologies, will be assessed for improvements to overall mission performance to include physiological/thermal burden, overall human performance (cognitive/physical), mobility, weight/bulk, tactility/dexterity, situational awareness and integration with SaaS-G. Chemical and Biological Protection will be considered across a range of challenge levels ranging from 3-10 grams/m2 liquid and 500-5000 mg-min/m3 vapor and aerosol. However, concepts must demonstrate modularity/flexibility to allow for increase or decrease in protection based on the threat level. Trade-space will be assessed between performance characteristics, as well as Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel and Facilities (DOTMLPF impacts/trades) and cost. This Request for Information should be considered an open call for any designs and/or concepts of technology, regardless of maturity level, that have the possibility to provide an integrated CB ensemble with similar performance (i.e. heat stress, durability, etc.) to that of the FR ACU ultimately, having a system that can go from a non-CB to CB environment at various levels is highly desired. The needs listed below indicate a range of desired performance levels and are not intended to eliminate concepts from submission or evaluation: (1) Thermal burden when wearing the garment and associated combat load in various configuration combinations for incremental CB protection: Objective equivalent to that of the FR-ACU; Threshold reduced thermal burden over existing protective garments. (2) CB protection ranging from 3-10 grams/m2 liquid and 500-5000 mg-min/m3 vapor and aerosol. (3) Garment integration with key interfaces (i.e. boots, gloves, body armor, wrist, neck, helmet, respiratory protection, load carriage and communications components) (as listed later below) Concepts must interact with associated combat load equipment, (e.g. does not interfere with firing weapon): Objective for components to be modular/fully integrated and/or demonstrate significant improvements to integration when compared to existing ensembles. (4) Design concept will provide a CB protective combat utility uniform/ensemble that can be worn as either a combat uniform or a CB protective garment. It is desired that the system have inherent CB protection. Please provide a white paper (10-page limit) describing your concept designs and include how your concept designs address the needs listed above. Describe improvements to mission performance and provide information on estimated wear time and service life. Please include any test data (including test method utilized) that demonstrates the performance of the material, design and/or concept proposed. Include additional supporting documentation as applicable. Respondents must also include concept drawings of ensemble system, subsystems and component concepts as applicable to demonstrate the overall system concept. In addition, respondents are encouraged to explain the concepts as follows: via descriptions of design; intended functions; innovative and novel design elements; descriptions of how the concept will facilitate a reduction in system level thermal burden; descriptions of how the concept will still maintain CB protection and what level of protection is expected (based on design and proposed materials); descriptions of potential design risks; descriptions of trade-offs considered in concept development; descriptions of capability for prototype fabrication and how the concept address each of the needs listed above. Respondents should also include a description of the product/material technology (if necessary to overall concept performance), which demonstrates the trade space above, and any unique or proprietary construction requirements related to the concept. Information for submission should include, but is not limited to, technical testing information (e.g. physical properties, performance characteristics, test methodology (e.g. ASTM), available test results for CB performance of proposed materials, certification/compliance of proposed materials, relevant company background/experience, and any other information that the company believes demonstrates the value, performance and capabilities of their concept and the ability to meet the aforementioned desired needs. After all papers have been received and reviewed, additional materials, prototypes and/or information may be requested for further consideration in the demonstration. Please submit responses by 31 December 2008 to the point of contact identified below. This RFI is solely for information and does not constitute a solicitation or the issuance thereof. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Any information submitted will not be returned, and no payment will be made by the government for such information. Responses to this notice are to be sent to Ms. Nazli El Samaloty, ATTN: AMSRD-NSR-TS-M, 15 Kansas St., Natick, MA 01760-5019. This notice is for market survey only. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. No solicitation document exists. POC for this request is Nazli El Samaloty (contact@example.gov). Email your questions to US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center at contact@example.gov. Combat Load Out Description For purposes of this RFI, the components listed below must be included in the system level concepts. Components used do not need to be currently fielded items and may be future technologies. System concepts that use non fielded components as part of the concept will not be penalized. The components used are not as important as the emphasis on how the concepts take the components and integrate them to achieve the needs listed in the Request for Information. List of Components/Capability that is required: Helmet, Protective Mask, Body Armor (with soft and plate inserts), Grenade pouches (4), M-16/M-4 Assault Rifle with carriage sling, M-16/M-4 Magazine pouches (3), M-9 Pistol with holster, M-9 magazine pouch (1), Improved First Aid Kit with pouch, MBITR Radio with pouch, Ballistic Knee and elbow pads, Combat boots, Gloves, 100 oz hydration system, and Load carriage system (FLC as an example). List of Additional components to consider in concept development: Head Mounted or hand held Display, Soldier Control Unit, Computer subsystem, Navigation subsystem, Li-80 batteries (2), Microphone for voice communications, Ear piece (in ear, ear cup, bone conductor, etc.) for audio communication, and Eye protection.