Prototype materials for Soldier-borne radar mitigating textile materials

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) to identify potential sources to provide new concepts and technology to protect Soldiers and extend soldier borne textile capabilities across the electro-magnetic spectrum. This is a research area to develop specific advanced functional materials to mitigate detection of Soldier movement from ground surveillance radar (GSR) threats on the battlefield. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to contact@example.gov and contact@example.gov by November 12, 2018 by 5pm EST. Background: The Government (NSRDEC) is in the need of innovative materials not currently available for use in Soldier operational clothing and individual equipment. Traditionally, radar absorbing materials studied and fabricated into composite materials are for use on aerial systems used by the military for stealth technology. Materials for reducing the signature and mitigating the detection of dismounted Soldier movement from GSR threats do not exist. The successful development of materials able to be used in Soldier operational clothing and individual equipment for these purposes will require new innovative manufacturing processes and methods. Description: The following specifications are required. General Specifications: Breathable textile fabric tested in the X and Ku bands demonstrating reduction in transmission in radar. Specific Specifications: The material must demonstrate successful performance in the X and Ku frequency bands. The feasibility assessment must include the scientific and technical rational for how the preliminary material will scale and perform effectively. It is not necessary to demonstrate the integration of the technology. Deliverables: Sample material 1x1 ft2 (or larger), textile cloth sample(s) with preliminary analysis of both mechanical properties and spectral absorbent effectiveness and design. Delivery Date: Please identify timeframe required. Government Furnished Property (Equipment/Materials/Information/Computer Utilization): N/A 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. 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 contact@example.gov and contact@example.gov no later than November 12, 2018 by 5:00 p.m. 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 contact@example.gov and contact@example.gov no later than November 1, 2018 by 5:00 p.m. 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.