This Sources Sought opportunity from Department Of Defense was posted on April 28, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
Domestic Sources for Zero-Porosity, High-Performance Coated Parachute Cloth
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
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AI Contract Overview
The U.S. Army, through the Program Manager for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment, is conducting market research to identify domestic manufacturers capable of producing a Berry Amendment-compliant, zero-porosity silicone-coated ripstop parachute cloth functionally equivalent to the legacy SOAR-COAT® Formulation 9120 R3(228) specified in U.S. Army Source Control Drawing 11-1-9306. This effort addresses a critical supply chain disruption caused by the loss of a domestic coating capability essential for ram-air parachute systems like the RA-1 canopy, aiming to restore industrial base resilience and ensure uninterrupted readiness. The required material must use a base fabric conforming to PIA-C-44378, Type IV, and achieve strict technical benchmarks including zero air permeability under ASTM D737, minimum breaking and tear strengths per ASTM D5035 and D2261, elongation of at least 25%, and a consistent gray color matching AMS-STD-595, Color #26270. The silicone coating must be applied equally to both sides with no visible defects such as pinholes, blisters, streaks, or blocking, and the fabric must meet tight tolerances for skew and environmental resistance. Respondents must provide a comprehensive capabilities statement addressing company profile, CAGE code, and socioeconomic status, with explicit affirmation of domestic manufacturing in full compliance with 10 U.S.C. 2533a. They are required to detail their technical approach to replicating the proprietary silicone coating, including timelines for formulation development, sample production, testing, and full-scale production readiness. Evidence of prior experience manufacturing technical textiles for military or aerospace applications is mandatory, and all submissions must be limited to ten pages and emailed by 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 12, 2026, to the designated government point of contact with a specific subject line format. The Government will not compensate respondents for any costs incurred, and this RFI does not constitute a solicitation, nor does it obligate the Government to issue a contract in the future. The place of performance is Natick, Massachusetts, and the contracting office is located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, with the Contracting Officer and Contracting Specialist serving as the primary contacts for submission guidance and inquiries.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Natick, MA, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Army, on behalf of the Program Manager for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM-SCIE), is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to conduct market research. The Government is seeking to identify domestic manufacturers capable of producing a Berry Amendment-compliant (10 U.S.C. 2533a) parachute cloth that is functionally equivalent to the material specified in U.S. Army Source Control Drawing 11-1-9306.
2.0 BACKGROUND
The specified parachute cloth is a critical component for the production of ram-air parachute systems (e.g., RA-1 Canopies) supporting U.S. Army operations. The established domestic supply chain for the legacy proprietary coated material (historically known as SOAR-COAT® Formulation 9120 R3(228)) has been disrupted due to the loss of a key domestic coating capability. The Government is seeking to identify and qualify new domestic sources to ensure supply chain continuity and industrial base resilience.
3.0 TECHNICAL SUMMARY
The Government requires a high-performance, zero-porosity, silicone-coated ripstop fabric. The base fabric must conform to PIA-C-44378, Type IV. The finished cloth must meet all physical, performance, and visual defect requirements outlined in Source Control Drawing 11-1-9306, including, but not limited to:
- Zero air permeability (0 CFM maximum per ASTM D737)
- Specific breaking, tear, and elongation strengths
- A proprietary-equivalent high-performance silicone formulation applied equally to both sides
- Strict tolerances for visual defects (e.g., pinholes, blisters, coating streaks, blocking)
Note: The full technical requirements are detailed in the attached RFI document and Source Control Drawing 11-1-9306.
4.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION
Interested parties are requested to submit a Capabilities Statement outlining their technical expertise, production capability, and quality control processes necessary to manufacture this material.
Specifically, respondents should address:
- Company profile, CAGE code, and socioeconomic status.
- Confirmation of domestic manufacturing capabilities compliant with the Berry Amendment.
- Current availability of a Berry Amendment-compliant (10 U.S.C. 2533a) parachute cloth that is functionally equivalent to the material specified in 11-1-9306.
- Technical approach to developing/applying a functionally equivalent zero-porosity silicone coating. Estimated timelines for formulation development, sample production, testing, and full production readiness.
- Relevant past performance in manufacturing and coating technical textiles for military or aerospace applications.
5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Responses must be submitted electronically via email to jeffrey.m.campbell18.civ@army.mil no later than 1700 EDT on May 12, 2026.
Responses shall provide a courtesy copy to the Contracting Officer and Contracting Specialist points of contact included below.
Please include "RFI Response: Zero-Porosity Parachute Cloth - [Company Name]" in the subject line. Submissions should not exceed 10 pages.
6.0 DISCLAIMER
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 request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contracting Office Address
Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground, Division D
6515 Integrity Court Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5001
Contracting Officer
Alexander Obriwin, alexander.s.obriwin.civ@army.mil
Phone: (520) 671-3072
Contracting Specialist
Christine Chase, christine.n.chase2.civ@army.mil
Phone: (520) 671-2585
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