Air Force Boots (Full Grain Sage Green Boots).

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: FULL GRAIN SIDE OUT SAGE GREEN LEATHER BOOTS SUMMARY DESCRIPTION The current sage green boot (PD 77AESG-06-03) is used by the Air Force as a working & field boot; however, the current sage green boots do not hide most stains. The Air Force Uniform Office (AFUO) has received feedback and compiled data on stains that are most frequent for Airmen (see "Functional Concerns" section). As a result, AFUO is seeking samples of industry available, full grain side out leather boots. This is not a solicitation, and no award will be made for this effort at this time. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only, and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The Government holds the right to test any of the submissions. All submissions must be Berry Amendment compliant. Proposed solutions shall be currently available technologies. FUNCTIONAL CONCERNS Types of stains encountered by the Airmen have a correlation to their functional daily tasks & responsibilities. In Maintenance functions typical stain types include engine exhaust soot, tire break grime, fuel, deicing fluid, hydraulic fuel, mineral vegetable and ester based oils, and liquid oxygen. In Field use Airmen reported sand stains, blood, grass stains, dirt stain, red clay, flare (orange/red), and muddy water as typical. General staining in everyday tasks such as eating and drinking are tomato, coffee, soda and juices. TECHNICAL INFORMATION AF requests pertinent specification and test data results for each product. Any available Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) sheets should also be forwarded. Since this product will come in close proximity to the skin while in use, proof is required that no potential health issues are posed by the proposed remedy. Solutions should not cause changes in shade. If this fabrication is currently in use please note current applicable industry or military end uses as well as any known positive or negative feedback from current end uses. The Government WILL NOT provide materials. RESPONSE GUIDANCE Interested parties must submit at least two samples of full grain leather/stain resistant boot and marketing literature if applicable, for potential solutions to the staining problems encountered by Airmen. Include in key points any additional benefits or risks, manufacturing constraints, effect of finishes on specified salient characteristics, any known health concerns, and associated MSDS information. All boxes/packages submitted in response to this solicitation should be clearly marked with the following information: the company name or identifier, the solicitation number, the number of the box per total boxes/packages shipped (such as 1 of 8) and the type of product contained within. Address samples to: 2Lt Ashley Hawkes Air Force Uniform Program 1901 10th St., Area B, Bldg 63 Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7605 INFORMATION APPROACH When the responses to this RFI are received, they will be evaluated and analyzed by the Government. The information received will be considered in the development of the acquisition strategy and may serve as input to a business case. In all cases pertaining to this RFI, the Government will take absolute care not to present information outside of the Government in a way that clearly identifies individual vendors or products. CONTACT INFORMATION Responses should include the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with us. The following are the Government Point of Contacts (POCs) for this RFI: Terry Wilkinson Contracts Specialist 77 Aeronautical Systems Group/PSK 7980 Lindbergh Landing Brooks City-Base TX 78235 terry.wilkinson@brooks.af.mil Capt William Vu Air Force Uniform Program 1901 10th St., Area B, Bldg 63 Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7605 william.vu@wpafb.af.mil MSgt James Lynn Air Force Uniform Program 1901 10th St., Area B, Bldg 63 Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7605 james.lynn@wpafb.af.mil *Please include all parties listed above during e-mail correspondence.