Handwear Solutions

This Request for Information (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. Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any costs incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground, Natick Contracting Division (ACC-APG-NCD), on behalf of the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) is seeking hand wear solutions that are applicable to a variety of mission areas. The solutions should provide percutaneous protection to military personnel against traditional and non-traditional chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) warfare agents as well as Toxic Industrial Materials (TIM). These agents could be present in liquid, vapor, or aerosol form in environments ranging from extreme heat to extreme cold. Ideally, the hand wear should not restrict mobility, have increased tactility and dexterity over fielded glove systems, and integrate with assigned equipment (e.g., weapons, communications equipment, heavy equipment, and body armor). Solutions that include touchscreen compatibility are highly desirable. The government understands that all desired characteristics may not be available in one glove. For example, a user involved in direct combat operations may not need a glove that is overly tactile and compatible with touch screen equipment; however, another user whose mission requirements include touch screen equipment would. Mature technologies are encouraged. Respondents are encouraged to submit the following in response to this RFI: 1. Description and maturity level of technology and concept of use in a CBRN environment; 2. Any available hand wear design concepts for developed or future hand wear, to include concept boards for demonstration. 3. Test reports and other documentation to support claimed performance characteristics such as CBRN protection (challenge level and protection time); 4. Unique test methods required to assess performance; 5. Unique manufacturing techniques, manufacturing location, and manufacturing readiness level; 6. Availability of product; 7. Use of product (i.e., where and how it is currently used); 8. Source of product; 9. Representative samples. Vendors responding to this RFI are welcome to include product samples or swatches of material with the understanding that such samples and materials will not be returned to the vendor. 10. Price of product; 11. Packaging, handling, storage and transportation requirements & procedures; 12. Company name, address, identification of business size (less than 500 employees shall be considered small), and point of contact information (name, phone number and email address) of the vendor responding to this RFI. All intellectual property submitted in response to this RFI will be reasonably protected from distribution to non-government entities or potential competitors. Respondents needing confidential treatment of any proprietary information they furnish must mark their information accordingly and notify the government upon submission. The response date for this Sources Sought Synopsis is Thursday, 16 May 2019. All responses to this RFI may be submitted via e-mail to Katrina Jewell, APM, at katrina.jewell@usmc.mil. Also include CC to Nicole Bernier, Contract Specialist, at nicole.e.bernier.civ@mail.mil and Kenneth Trull, Contract Specialist at kenneth.i.trull.civ@mail.mil. Note: The Title was changed to reflect Handwear on 16 April 2019.