Insect Repellent Treatment of IHWCU

Questions - posted 12 August 2020: 1) This end item consists of three fabrics, base NYCO, 100% Nylon Reinforcement fabric and a knit fabric (trouser only). Would not all three need to be vector treated if fabric is processed with Etofenprox rather than garments? - We will only be requiring treatment of the base fabric in the IHWCU (NYCO) if the fabric is treated with Etofenprox. 2) Please advise who the chemical supplier is for Etofenprox. Also, please provide the supporting bite protection data comparing Etofenprox to Permethrin. - The chemical manufacturer is Mitsui Chemicals and the only current EPA licensed clothing treater in the US is Warmkraft. I am attaching test results on the IHWCU which were conducted by PdM SCIE last year. 3) Who applied the chemicals to the cloth? - The chemical treatment to the IHWCU was performed by Warmkraft. 4) Who did the testing for the report? The attached testing for GC content was performed at our test lab at Natick and Percent Bite Protection was performed at the USDA. Insect Repellent Treatment of Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform using Etofenprox Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM SCIE), is conducting market research into the manufacturing capability for Etofenprox treated Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniforms (IHWCUs). This Request for Information (RFI) is solely for information gathering and planning purposes. This RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals and will not directly lead to any contract awards. The following sections of this announcement contains the details of the Government's interest as well as instructions for the submission of responses. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to contact@example.gov by 31 August 2020 at 5pm EST. BACKGROUND: The IHWCU is designed specifically to improve performance and safety in hot, extreme hot, and wet weather environments. As a hot weather uniform, the IHWCU also provides insect protection to the Soldier. Typically, insect protection is achieved by treating the IHWCUs with an Active Ingredient (AI) called Permethrin. PdM SCIE has identified a new AI, Etofenprox, that when applied to the IHWCU performs significantly better in Bite Protection (BP) testing than Permethrin treated IHWCUs. As a result, PdM SCIE will require that future IHWCUs be either pre treated with Etofenprox in fabric form or post treated with Etofenprox in garment form. Additionally, within approximately 12 months, higher BP requirements will be implemented for this item. The purpose of this RFI is to notify manufacturers of this intention, to identify the manufacturers that can either pre-treat or post treat IHWCUs with Etofenprox, and to obtain cost estimates for IHWCUs treated with Etofenprox. DESCRIPTION: Mosquito borne illnesses are a serious threat to Soldiers in combat so it is essential that they have the best protection from disease carrying mosquitos. Until recently, Permethrin was the only Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved repellent treatment for clothing and fabric. Etofenprox has been identified as an alternative registered AI that when applied to the IHWCU provides improved bite protection over Permethrin. In an effort to determine differences between Etofenprox and Permethrin treatments, PdM SCIE conducted side-by-side tests using IHWCUs treated with both Etofenprox and Permethrin. Etofenprox treated IHWCUs achieved over 90% Bite Protection (BP) after 20 launderings and almost 80% BP after 50 launderings. This is a significant improvement in bite protection performance over Permethrin treated IHWCUs. As such, to ensure that the Warfighter is provided with the greatest protection possible, future IHWCUs will be either pre-treated or post-treated with Etofenprox instead of Permethrin. PdM SCIE is requesting information from manufacturers regarding the impact the use of this new treatment will have on manufacturing. REQUIREMENTS: - Future BP performance levels for the IHWCU are estimated to be: Initial (After 1 Laundering) - 90% minimum BP After 20 Launderings - 85% minimum BP After 50 Launderings - 75% minimum BP - IHWCUs can be either pre-treated in fabric form with Etofenprox, or post-treated in garment form with Etofenprox. - All local, regional and Federal EPA requirements must be met. DELIVERABLES: - Company address, telephone number, primary contact(s) with email address(es). - Business size, applicable NAICS code, CAGE code, and if you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, your contract number. - A brief statement of capability demonstrating background, relevant past experience, technical skills, and available production capacity. This can also include current or past performance of providing this or similar products to the Government. - The part/item number of the IHWCU. - Documentation of Berry Amendment compliance. - Documentation of EPA compliance or a letter of intent to comply in the future. - Pricing estimate for 50,000 Etofenprox post-treated IHWCUs (Coat and Trouser) and for 500,000 Etofenprox post-treated IHWCUs (Coat and Trouser). - Pricing estimate for 50,000 Etofenprox pre-treated IHWCUs (Coat and Trouser) and for 500,000 Etofenprox pre-treated IHWCUs (Coat and Trouser). - Provide comments on the DRAFT FAT Verification for Vector Fabric Treatment. - OPTIONAL BUT DESIRABLE: Any performance data regarding Etofenprox vs Permethrin performance in the IHWCU or other clothing items. - A discussion on any challenges or barriers you foresee in the implementation of this transition plan. RESPONSES: - Responses must be electronic only (recommended in PDF file format) and should be submitted to contact@example.gov by 31 August 2020 at 5pm EST. - All properly marked proprietary information will be appropriately handled. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this RFI. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this RFI is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Beta.Sam website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject. The U.S. Government will NOT pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party. QUESTIONS: Any questions for clarification may be emailed to contact@example.gov by 21 August 2020 at 5pm EST. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location as this RFI. FAR 52.215-3 - Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes, applies herein.