MARINE CORPS INFANTRY COMBAT BOOT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

The purpose of this Special Notice is to establish the procedures for certification/recertification of manufacturers for the Hot Weather and Temperate Weather Infantry Combat Boot. Upon being certified, your company will have the opportunity to sell the certified product within the Marine Corps Exchanges. THE CERTIFICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT YOUR PRODUCT WILL BE SOLD IN THE EXCHANGE; the decision will be made by the Marine Corps Exchange. It is the manufacturer's responsibility to engage all contract talks with the Exchange. This command will have NO INVOLVEMENT in this area. All current and future vendors will go through a two step process of testing; consisting of a technical evaluation and a Field User Evaluation (FUE). All certification announcements will be posted on FEDBIZOPS. Phase 1-Technical Evaluation To begin the certification/recertification process, manufacturers will complete the Request for Certification utilizing the current Manufacture's Application for Certification form. This form can be obtained from the certification officer, Lisa Dishman, at PM'ICE at +1 (555) 000-0000. Once the form is complete, submit it and the test results from a certified testing facility identifying that the product has passed all testing requirements based on the Purchase Description (CR-PD 06-31 temperate weather and CR-PD 06-32 hot weather) for each type of boot. All purchase descriptions can be obtained via this office. The cost of the initial lab testing will be the responsibility of the manufacturer. PM ICE will then review the test results and notify the manufacturer in writing that they have been approved/disapproved to participate in the Certification Program. The manufacturer will have 10 days from the date of the notification letter to submit 6 samples, 3 of each size (12R ma! le and 8R female) to PM ICE for Phase 1 testing. Time line for certification will be opened from 1 March to 1 September. Product received after 1 September will not be considered for certification until 1 March of the following year. Phase 1- Technical Evaluation-Part 2 PM ICE will conduct a visual inspection and follow on lab testing at DSCP on each of the 6 samples. All testing will be based on the Purchase Description for each type of boot. Once the product has passed the visual inspection and lab testing, the manufacturer will be notified in writing that they have successfully completed Phase 1 of the certification process and may now proceed to Phase 2. If the manufacturer's product fails in any of the two areas of Phase 1 testing, a notification letter will be issued identifying all failures within Phase 1. This will count as the first attempt, with one attempt at certification remaining. Phase 2- Field User Evaluation (FUE) The manufacturer will have 30 days to submit 50 pairs of boots in the identified size range for Phase 2 testing (8-12.5 male sizes only to include regular and wide sizes) with the cost being the responsibility of the manufacture. Manufacturer provided boots will be field tested to define their respective product utility within units for controlled testing up to 90 days. Size breakdown provided below. Size breakdown: 8R-2 9R-3 9.5R-6 9.5W-2 10R-7 10.5R-10 10.5W-2 11.0R-10 11.5R-4 12.R-3 12.5R-1 The FUE will be used to quantitatively identify user validation of the boots material characteristics and provide user-based information on product performance, durability, and functionality in an operational environment. PM ICE will not accept the FUE boots until the successful completion of Phase 1. The FUE will define user acceptance in the following areas: a. Fit b. Comfort c. Durability of all components in a variety of environments d. Breath ability e. Regulation of foot temperature and moisture f. Resistance to sole delimitation g. Biomechanical design resistance to lower leg injuries h. Overall User Acceptance Marines participating in the FUE will complete a survey and a FUE report will be compiled. Manufactures must achieve an 80% acceptance in each category to be certified. Manufacturers will be notified in writing as to the test results noting the deficiencies and subsequent certification decision. If certification is awarded, the certification will be valid for two years from the certification date at which time recertification will be required. PM ICE reserves the right to revoke any certification based off of quality deficiencies identified throughout the Marine Corps. In order to reduce man hours and cost involved in testing for all parties, each manufacture will be authorized to submit for certification twice within a calendar year to include failures. If the manufacture does not pass on the second attempt, they will be prohibited from participating in the Marine Corps certification program for two years on that particular item. PM ICE reserves the right at any time to make any modifications, updates or suspend the certification in regards to the best interest of the Marine Corps. All current manufacturer's certifications are valid until their expiration date per PM ICE. The projected date to re-open the certification process is March 1, 2007. All documentation and boots are to be mailed to the address below: CG MARCORSYSCOM ATTN: PM ICE/CESS (Todd Towles) 2200 Lester Street Quantico, VA 22134-6050 The point of contact for certification/recertification is Todd Towles, COML: +1 (555) 000-0000, Cell: +1 (555) 000-0000; email: contact@example.gov.