Athletic Wear Fabrics for Physical Training Gear

1. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Human Systems Division (AFLCMC/WNU) is conducting market research to identify, as potential sources, companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to respond to the requirements listed in this document. AFLCMC/WNU is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to explore cost effective options to provide this capability. This is an RFI only in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3 - Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997). This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. 2. AFLCMC/WNU is not at this time seeking proposals, and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this RFI. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. 3. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. Small Businesses are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI in order to assist AFLCMC/WNU in determining potential levels of competition available in the industry, as well as helping to establish a basis for developing any subsequent potential subcontract plan goal percentages. 4. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor the FedBizOps site for additional information pertaining to this RFI. 5. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this inquiry. This announcement is not to be construed as a formal solicitation. It does not commit the government to reply to information received, or to later publish a solicitation, or to award a contract based on this information. 6. The acquisition strategy has not yet been determined. Market research results will assist the Air Force in determining whether this requirement will be a full and open, a small business set aside, or a sole source acquisition. If it is a small business set-aside, FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting will apply. Note that, if there is sufficient demonstrated interested and capability among small business contractors, a key factor in determining if an acquisition will be a Small Business Set-Aside is that two or more potential small business prime contractors must be capable of performing at least 50% of the effort, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting. If it is determined that a small business set-aside is appropriate and your company anticipates submitting a proposal as the prime contractor for a small business set-aside, please provide specific details and rationale as to how compliance with FAR clause 52.219-14 would be achieved, including specific details regarding teaming arrangements, etc. If subcontracts are to be used, provide anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small or large businesses will be used. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements should be clearly delineated and previous experience in teaming must be provided. If this effort is not set-aside for small business, small business utilization will be considered. Request that large and small businesses provide a reasonable expectation for small business utilization as a percent of total contract value. Please provide supporting rationale for the recommended percentage. 7. Companies may be contacted if we need further information to fully understand the marketplace. Performance Requirements: The Air Force Uniform Office (AFUO) is conducting market research for any fabrics suitable for use in the Air Force physical training gear including base, mid, and outer layers. The AFUO is seeking firms with the capability to provide suitable fabrics for use in athletic shirts, shorts, pants, jackets, pullovers, and compression wear. The materials sought may include characteristics and finishes such as breathability, moisture wicking, water repellency, and antimicrobial as listed in Table I and II. Fabric shall exhibit suitable stretch as appropriate for each end item, have a desirable soft hand, and have no dry hand snagging upon touch. Any fabrics with finishes, inherent characteristics, or technologies not listed will also be considered so long as they improve the function of the end item for which they are intended. Fabrics may be of any knit or woven construction. AFUO is looking for expressions of interest and capability statements. Only Berry Amendment compliant materials/capabilities or Berry waivered materials and information should be submitted. Response Guidance: Please provide a white paper and technical data sheets describing your capabilities and why you believe your product's attributes will best meet the needs previously outlined as well as the requirements listed in Table I and II below. Please include a small sample (12"x12") of proposed material(s). Respondents should include a description of the company's background, experience, and any other information that demonstrates value, performance, and capabilities. As white papers are received and reviewed, the Government may request additional materials and/or information. Please submit responses by (31 January 2019) to the point of contact (POC) identified below. TABLE I: Interim PTG Material Functional Finishes General Guideline for Fabric Weight Test Method Proposed functional finishes as appropriate for each end item Knit Shirt (base) 3.0 - 5.0 oz/yd2 ASTM D3776/D3776M, Option C Wicking, Antimicrobial Knit Shirt (middle) 4.5 - 9.0 oz/yd2 Wicking, Antimicrobial Woven or Knit Short (running) 2.0 - 4.5 oz/yd2 Wicking, Antimicrobial Woven or Knit Short (all purpose) 3.0 - 7.0 oz/yd2 Wicking, Antimicrobial Woven or Knit Pants 3.5 - 7.0 oz/yd2 Water repellency, Wicking Woven or Knit Jacket (light weight) 2.5 - 7.0 oz/yd2 Water repellency, Wicking Woven or Knit Jacket (mid weight) 5.0 - 10.0 oz/yd2 Water repellency, Wind Resistance Knit Compression 4.0 - 8.0 oz/yd2 Wicking, Antimicrobial TABLE II: Interim PTG Material Requirements Characteristic (Min.) Interim Requirement Test Method Weight (oz/yd2) See Table I ASTM D3776/D3776M, Option C Dimensional stability Warp Filling ? 4.0% ? 4.0% AATCC 135 (3); (IV); (A)iii AATCC 135 (3); (IV); (A)iii Colorfastness Laundering Light (40 hrs) Perspiration Crocking (wet and dry) 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 AATCC 61 Option 3A AATCC 16.3 AATCC 15 AATCC 8 Wicking Initial After 25 launderings 5 inches/15 min AATCC 197 AATCC-135 (3); (III); (A)iii Moisture Vapor Transmission (gram/m2/24 hrs) Initial After 50 launderings 12,000 9,000 ASTM E96 (Upright cup test method with desiccant) AATCC-135 (3); (III); (A)iii Random Tumble pilling (60 min) 4.0 ASTM D3512 Water Repellency Initial After 25 launderings 95 80 AATCC-22 AATCC-135 (3); (III); (A)iii Antimicrobial Initial After 25 launderings 1 log reduction 1 log reduction AATCC-100 AATCC-135 (3); (III); (A)iii RFI Responses: 1. Please provide your RFI responses to Abby Hoefler by 5:00pm EST on 31 January 2019. Title e-mail responses in the subject line of the e-mail as follows: "Response to Physical Training Gear Fabrics RFI # WNUK-19-002." 2. Please limit your responses to no more than 15 pages and identify a representative to support further Government inquiries and requests for clarification of the information provided, if needed. Marketing materials are considered an insufficient response to this RFI. 3. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. All questions will be answered via posting answers to this FBO website; except as provided above. Additionally, questions must NOT contain trade secrets or classified information. The Government reserves the right to not address questions received after 31 January 2019. 4. Respondents should indicate which portions of their responses are proprietary and should mark them accordingly. All information received in response to this RFI that is properly marked as "proprietary" will be handled accordingly. Proprietary information must be clearly marked on the outside container and on the materials inside. The Government shall not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages, for any proprietary information not properly identified.Additional Information Responses shall include the following information which is not counted against the 15 page response limit: 1. Company/Institute name 2. Address 3. Point of Contact 4. Cage Code 5. DUNS Number 6. Phone Number 7. E-mail Address 8. Web page URL 9. Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 314999, size standard 500 employees. Please indicate number of employees relative to the aforementioned size standard. Based on the NAICS Code, state whether your company qualifies as a: a. Small Business (Yes/No) b. Woman Owned Small Business (Yes/No) c. Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes/No) d. 8(a) Certified (Yes/No) e. HUB Zone Certified (Yes/No) f. Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes/No) g. Service Disabled Small Business (Yes/No) h. Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No) 10. Central Contractor Registration (Yes/No) 11. Statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign owned, please indicate country of ownership). Send Material Samples to: ATTN: Marshal Q. Quebatay 1901 10th St., Bldg 63 Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433 United States Contracting Office Address: 1981 Monahan Way Building 12 Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433 United States POINT OF CONTACTS: Marshal Q. Quebatay, 1Lt, USAF Program Manager marshal.quebatay@us.af.mil 937-904-8807 Abby Hoefler Contracting Officer abby.hoefler@us.af.mil 937-938-3727