Novel Materials for Use in Army Combat Footwear

This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (CCDC Soldier Center) in seeking information on novel component materials that may be beneficial to future combat footwear systems. This request is part of an applied research effort titled "Army Combat Boot Improvement Effort". Interest is specifically in responses defining component materials that are optimized for a hot weather environment, i.e. temperatures greater than 70'F. The following sections of this announcement contain details of the scope of technical efforts of interest as well as instructions for the submission of responses. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to anita.a.perkins.civ@mail.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil by October 25, 2019 by 5pm EST. Background: The CCDC Soldier Center Soldier Clothing and Configuration Management Team (SCCMT) is conducting market research to identify innovative materials which may provide improved performance and enhanced capabilities to next generation combat footwear. CCDC Soldier Center is specifically requesting information on materials optimized for performance and protection in a hot weather environment (where temperatures range from 70 to 120'F) which may benefit future Army footwear designs, with a special interest in materials that reduce footwear weight and increasing comfort. The targeted capability improvements include but are not limited to: 1. Lightweight upper materials which match the durability and protection of full grain cattle hide leather 2. Midsole materials which are lower density than the compounds currently found in Army Combat Boots (i.e. polyether polyurethane density range from 19 to 23 lb/cu.ft.), but still resistant to hydrolysis 3. Reduced or eliminated break-in time of footwear 4. Highly flexible soling system, specifically in the break line/ball area, so as to increase comfort and reduce foot fatigue during long marches 5. Increased ventilation to allow airflow in and out of the footwear 6. Improved wicking of sweat and moisture away from the foot 7. Increased energy return during walking and running 8. Faster drying time 9. Alternatives to fiberglass or steel shanks which maintain the appropriate flex point in the boot while stabilizing and supporting the midfoot Manufacturers of component materials and/or footwear systems which meet these requirements are encouraged to submit a response defining the novel material/system of interest. The submissions may be used by the Government in formulating a program to assess the performance of the submitted materials and design concepts for functionality in the above defined environments. CCDC Soldier Center requests that material submittals be accompanied by all available and relevant performance and cost data. Responses must have the following: 1. A one page cover sheet that identifies the title, organization(s), respondent's technical and administrative points of contact - including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of all co-authors - and clearly indicating its association with this RFI. 2. A substantive, focused, information paper of no more than ten (10) pages that includes: a description of the materials/system being submitted or developed; a summary of the technical approaches taken to meet the performance requirements of this RFI; and the ability and lead time needed to scale up production if requested. 3. Estimated cost per material or system in a relevant unit of measure (e.g. price per yard, price per pair, etc.) 4. All available test data demonstrating the performance of the material being submitted as it compares to the technical requirements of this RFI. 5. A material description including subcomponent materials, e.g. fiber blend percentages, and a statement of Berry compliance. Additional Information: 1. Responses are not required to include a complete end item sample (i.e. combat boot). If a physical sample of the end item or system is not available, drawings or renderings of the candidate system are requested, along with an estimate of lead time needed to complete manufacturing of a physical sample. 2. All properly marked proprietary information will be appropriately handled. 3. Submitted material will not be returned. 4. Respondents may submit up to four (4) different candidate materials/systems, but should clearly identify the advantages/disadvantages of each of the competing products. 5. Any coatings/finishes added to component materials should be described in the response. 6. Samples that do not meet all requirements listed above may still be considered and respondent should clearly identify any shortcomings and discuss the trade-offs. 7. Specifications and Purchase Descriptions of current Army issued combat boots are available upon request for comparison purposes. Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This Sources Sought Announcement 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 Sources Sought 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 Sources Sought Announcement 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 Sources Sought Announcement 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. All information received in response to this request for concept papers that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Capability Statements, including attachments, are limited to ten (10) pages. Responses should be submitted in MS WORD and/or MS Excel or PDF, including attachments. Interested sources shall include information regarding a firm's experience, personnel, and facilities. Any information/samples submitted will not be returned, and no payment will be made by the government for such information/samples. Any testing results will be controlled and used for governmental purposes only. Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject. RESPONSES: Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to the NSRDEC via e-mail ONLY to anita.a.perkins.civ@mail.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil by October 25, 2019 by 5pm EST. 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. Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number. QUESTIONS: Any questions for clarification may be emailed to anita.a.perkins.civ@mail.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil by October 18, 2019 by 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 of this Sources Sought Announcement.