Request for Information - Injection Molded Polymers

SYNOPSIS: The U.S. Army DEVCOM, Natick seeks sources for injection molded polymers for use in military pack frames, individual equipment fasteners, and like molded items that are part of individual soldier battle kit. The polymers physical characteristics must be able to meet all of the following properties: 1) Injection Molded Thermoplastic; 2) UV Stabilized; 3) Impact Modified Polymer; 4) Chemical Resistant to DEET, lube/oil/petroleum/gun cleaning solvents; 5) Environmental Temperature Range: -40F to 160F+; 6) Specific Gravity Not To Exceed 1.25 (ASTM D 792) ; 7) Flexural Modulus/1.2 mm/min, 50 mm span: 2290 MPa (ASTM D 790) or greater; 8) Tensile Strain, brk/Type I/50 mm/min: 145% (ASTM D 638) or greater 9) Must display ductile failure properties when pierced by a high-speed projectile without evidence of propagating fractures or excessive fragmentation. 10) the polymer must be able to be Tan 499 in color and meet the following Spectral Reflectance Requirements (Reference Table attached to RFI). This RFI will be used to determine if alternate solutions to currently used materials are available. The RFI requests data sheets from companies for the purpose of identifying potential sources that will assist the Army in identifying plastic injection molding materials as described above. This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. The resin must be fully compliant with the Berry Amendment and the Buy American Act. The findings from this Market Research effort may impact future solicitations related to this requirement. This Market Research is not a solicitation as defined by FAR 2.101, and the Government is not requesting offers or proposals at this time. Any responses to this RFI Request for Information received by the Government will not be accepted to form a binding contract. This is a Request for Information and does not constitute a solicitation or request for proposal. This is a market survey for planning purposes and no award will be made as a result of this sources sought notice. If a solicitation is issued, the Government does not guarantee that it will be issued to RFI respondents. The Government is also requesting that restrictive or proprietary formulas not be divulged in response to the RFI. The Capability Statements, including attachments, are limited to ten (10) pages. Any Capability Statements, including attachments, that are not submitted in MS Word and/or MS EXCEL or PDF format will be rejected and considered nonresponsive. Capability Statements should include: business size (i.e. small/large/HUB Zone), CAGE Code and DUNS number, current contract/task order numbers that utilize this material, contract information and any information that can be used to determine contractor capability for providing these polymers in molded products. No telephonic submissions will be honored. All product information shall be submitted at no cost or obligation to the government. RESPONSES: Interested parties should respond by 15 April 2022 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Address any questions about this request for information to Mr John Kirk via e-mail at John.Kirk.civ@army.mil. Qualified sources are requested to electronically send their information via email with their Company Name and Solicitation number in the email subject line to: Mr John Kirk via e-mail at John.Kirk.civ@army.mil. Please include the following information in the body of your email in the following format: 1) NAICS code(s) under which you perform this task 2) Company address, telephone number, primary contact(s) with e-mail address (es) and CAGE code. 3) Business size (i.e., small/large/HUB Zone), and DUNS number. (Respondents must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database in order to obtain a DUNS number. Firms may register with CCR at http://www.ccr.gov) 4) Brief statement of capability demonstrating background, experience, skills, ability and availability to fulfill the Government's requirements described herein. This can also include current or past performance of providing this or similar products to the Government.