Request for Information on 75mm Ski Boot

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army DEVCOM Soldier Center to identify potential sources to provide a 75mm Ski Boot that will integrate with the current Marine Ski System (MSS). A 75mm ski boot will provide warfighting capability and mission support in cold weather and mountainous environments by enabling silent, swift, and reliable movement over snow covered terrain. The goal is to find boots that are compatible with 75mm telemark bindings for silent and reliable movement in snowy and mountainous conditions. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to Harvey.walker1@usmc.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil by October 22, 2025 by 5pm EST. Background: The Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) and Program Manager Combat Support Systems (PM CSS) are conducting market research for vendors who can develop a new 75mm telemark ski boot. This procurement is intended to replace the Intense Cold Weather Boot (ICWB) with a specialized boot exclusively for use with skis, while remaining compatible with other existing Marine Corps cold weather gear. The Military Ski System (MSS) was a specialized set of skis designed for the Marine Corps to replace older, outdated ski equipment. Introduced around 2018, the MSS was intended to improve the mobility and operational capabilities of Marines in cold, snowy, and mountainous environments. Description: The Marine Corps is seeking a durable and reliable 75mm telemark ski boot that provides optimal mobility for operating on snow in mountainous and open areas during cold weather deployments. This boot must be compatible with the Voile Switchback telemark binding system. Below are key requirements for the 75mm ski boot: Binding Compatibility: The boot shall feature a 75 mm "duckbill" toe design. The rear of the boot shall have a heel welt that provides a shelf for the Voile Switchback Binding wire heel bail to properly seat. This ensures a secure connection with the ski binding and allows for the effective employment of military skiing maneuvers. Construction & Materials: The outer boot shall be made from high quality, full-grain leather. The boot shall have a gusseted tongue that provides comfort and prevents snow from entering into the boot. Color: The boot shall be black with no reflective surfaces. Mobility & Terrain Versatility: The boot shall offer a balance of comfort and performance, with sufficient flexibility for natural movement while providing the support needed for demanding activities in varied terrain. Durability & Performance: The boot shall be built to withstand the harsh conditions of military use in cold, mountainous environments. Inner Bootie: The boot shall have a separate inner bootie that can be removed from the outer shell for faster drying. Insulation: The boot shall be insulated to keep the wearer's feet warm in wet cold, dry cold, and intense cold environments. Water Resistance: The boot shall be waterproof, or highly water resistant, to prevent melted snow and water from penetrating into the boot. Additionally, the boot shall be capable of allowing moisture from sweat to escape from the boot. Ankle Support: The boot shall provide adequate ankle support to maintain stability and prevent injuries. The stiffness of the boot shall be capable of providing the necessary torque for a user to effectively turn a ski on its edges. Lacing System/Closure: The boot shall feature a lacing system that allows the user to adequately tighten the boot and limit foot slippage during use. The laces shall be capable of - self-locking, allowing the lacing on the lower foot to stay taut while the upper boot laces are still being tied. Given the environment that the boot will be used, users will often be wearing cold weather gloves, which should be taken into consideration. In addition to the lacing system, the boot shall also feature two - power straps that lock the foot in place and provide additional ankle support. Weight & Bulk: A pair of boots, with inner liners, shall weigh no more than 8 lbs. (size 10). Minimizing weight and bulk is beneficial for enhancing mobility and reducing fatigue during long patrols or missions. Height: The height of the outer boot shall be more than 9 and no more than 11. Outsole: The outer boot outsole shall maintain grip on snow and prevent snow and ice from accumulating between the traction lugs. Compatibility: The boot shall be compatible with ice creepers, crampons, and the Marine Corps Assault Snowshoe. Operating Temperature: The boot shall enable the wearer to operate in conditions between 40 F and -25 F (Threshold); 40 F and -40 F (Objective). Specific Specifications: The boots must be designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing MSS. The boot must be suitable for diverse terrains, including mountainous and cold weather environments. The boots must be compatible with crampons, which are essential for icy or steep ascents. The boots need to integrate with the Marine Corps modular snowshoe system, implying a specific outsole design or attachment points. The boots must be designed to perform in extreme cold weather and mountain warfare conditions, suggesting features like sufficient insulation and cold impact resistance. The boots must withstand the rigors of Marine Corps storage environments, which include hot, dry, humid, and cold conditions, implying durable materials and construction that resist degradation from these factors Deliverables: The U.S. Marine Corps is looking to acquire 150 pairs of 75mm ski boots to integrate with their existing Marine Corps Military Ski System (MSS). A Limited User Evaluation (LUE) is planned for FY26 during winter training in Norway and Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC). The MSS is a specialized set of skis designed for military use, specifically to enhance the mobility and operational capabilities of Marines in snowy, mountainous, and cold weather environments, including mountains, open areas, and forested terrain. This system also provides the capability to conduct cross-country missions in these forward-deployed areas. Delivery Date: The Government anticipates 16 weeks/4 months lead time for this item. The boots must be delivered No Later Than 3rd quarter FY26. 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 SAM.gov 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 DEVCOM Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to harvey.walker1@usmc.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil no later than October 22, 2025 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 harvey.walker1@usmc.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil no later than October 18, 2025 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.