RFI Fabrication and/or Testing of Textile-based Specimens

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM Soldier Center) to identify potential sources to provide services to fabricate specimens (e.g., fibers, yarns, swatches, knit garments) and/or services to test fibers, coatings, fabrics, materials, garments, textile-based end items. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and kristine.d.isherwood.civ@mail.mil by 6 July 2021 by 5pm EST. Background: The Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center's (SC's) Textile Material Evaluation Team (TMET) is a fee-for-service team that has a mission to evaluate and test fibers, coatings, fabrics, materials, garments and end items on behalf of the DEVCOM SC and its other Government, academic and industry customers. There are times when either the testing demand is too high or a testing need is unavailable at the DEVCOM SC. This extended testing capability will enable TMET to both off-load testing and leverage additional test methods in order to satisfy customer needs during the development process. As an S&T organization, the DEVCOM SC is also active in developing new fibers, coatings, fabrics, materials, and garments for the Soldier. The exploration associated with S&T is often too costly for a credit card purchase and too fast to be hampered by contract development. This fabrication capability will enable scientists and engineers to quickly explore new fiber, coating, fabric, and material ideas, while also building small quantity knit garments to prove out R&D concepts. Description: The testing Contractor's primary focus shall be to execute tests and evaluations on textile-based specimens. The tests and evaluations will utilize either standard (e.g., ASTM, AATCC, ISO) or non-standard test methods. The Contractor shall also develop test methods, as required, if not provided by the DEVCOM SC. The fabrication Contractor, if different, shall be required to fabricate specimens (e.g., fibers, yarns, swatches, garments) prior to testing but may not be required to execute the testing. Specific Specifications: The Contractor must be qualified and able to satisfy the testing and/or fabrication requirements identified below: The Contractor must be recognized as a reputable entity capable of executing testing and evaluation on fibers, yarns, coatings, membranes, fabrics, garments and textile-based end items. The Contractor must be able to execute standardized test methods and standardized test methods that have been modified. The Contractor must be able to execute tests under standard and non-standard conditions. When required, the Contractor must be able to execute developmental test methods using hardware either provided by the DEVCOM SC or fabricated by the Contractor in accordance with the DEVCOM SC's specifications. When required, the Contractor must be able to develop a test method that meets the DEVCOM SC's testing needs and execute the test in a timely manner. In all cases, the Contractor must be able to produce high quality, repeatable results. The Contractor must be able to evaluate fibers, yarns, coatings, membranes, and fabrics using equipment such as the SEM, GC/MS, and thermal imager. The Contractor must be able to execute testing that pertains to the following areas of interest: Personal protection Thermal and physical comfort Heat and flame protection Chemical protection Smart materials Soft-walled shelters Textile-based clothing and equipment (e.g., parachutes, load carriage) The Contractor must be able to fabricate test specimens, as needed. Test specimens could include, but would not be limited to fibers, yarns, swatches and garments. Swatches or material yardage could be of knit, woven or nonwoven construction. Garments could be of knit construction. Specimens could have conductive, sensing and/or - smart elements. Deliverables: For a given task order, each relevant deliverable (i.e., report or technical data package) shall be completed in accordance with the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) DD Form 1423. a. A written report documenting the test matrix (e.g., specimen identifier, specimen state prior to testing, test methods, test conditions), the raw data, the averaged data, analysis, mention of any unusual results, etc. The Contractor will make an electronic copy of each report available within 14 working days of testing completion. b. A written report documenting a new or modified test methodology. The new or modified test method should be written in accordance with ASTM formatting. c. All test equipment or fixtures developed under a task order, including CAD drawings and material specs (e.g., Al T6061). Drawings must be compatible with Government software. d. All test specimens created under a task order, including all relevant details, such as machine settings, fiber attributes, yarn attributes, and construction structure, to enable future fabrication if found to be promising. e. For specialty knit garments and/or end items developed under a task order, including 3D knit files and garment/end item specifications (such as machine settings, end item finished dimensions, or anything required to replicate the production of such item). Government Furnished Property (Equipment/Materials/Information/Computer Utilization): Except when required under a task order, the Government shall provide the test specimens that are to be evaluated. All specimens shall be returned upon test completion. Except when required under a task order, the Government shall provide any specialized fixture or test rig that is required to complete the testing. All fixtures or rigs shall be returned upon request or at the end of the contract period, whichever comes first. All Government furnished property shall be accompanied by a hand receipt that the Contractor will be required sign and return. The Government shall provide a test matrix that identifies the specimens, test methods and testing conditions. Except when required under a task order, the Government shall provide the feedstock, fibers, yarns or other required for specimen production. The Government shall provide a fabrication matrix that identifies the construction, final dimensions, and such needed to produce the required specimens. 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 CCDC Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and kristine.d.isherwood.civ@mail.mil no later than 6 July 2021 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 mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and kristine.d.isherwood.civ@mail.mil no later than 1 July 2021 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. Amendment 0001: Personnel Qualifications: It is essential the Contractor have an understanding of the processes required to produce quality test specimens and/or to provide quality test results. a. General Experience. The fabrication (F) and/or testing (T) Contractor shall have expertise in the following areas: (T) General understanding of material testing and the appropriate level of competence to execute the specified testing with consistent results; (F) General understanding of fibers and material properties and the appropriate level of competence to produce specimen fibers, yarns, and swatches/garments, whether knit, woven or nonwoven; (F,T) Safety protocols; (F,T) Quality management in place with traceability of materials and calibration of equipment; (T) Textile testing and evaluation with training specific to the requested tests; (F,T) Documentation of training and calibration of equipment; (F,T) Internal quality reproduction of testing and/or specimen development; and (F) Understanding of equipment and fibers to produce specimens in accordance with construction specifications (e.g., sourcing of materials for Berry Amendment compliance) or performance requirements. (F) Understanding of capability integration to enable multi-functionality within a fabric, material or knit garment to meet target performance requirements. b. Specialized Experience: The Contractor shall have demonstrated qualified experience and understanding on the operation of test and/or production equipment. The Contractor shall have demonstrated skills in the following areas: Ability to develop statistically relevant textile test methods that can be successfully executed by other test labs; Ability to develop unique test fixtures and/or equipment; Ability to test fabrics to evaluate swatch or garment level performance related to: Personal protection Thermal and physical comfort Flame and thermal testing Chemical protection Smart materials Ability to produce specialty fabrics (of any construction type) and specialty knit garments with some or all of the following performance attributes integrated within: Personal protection Thermal and physical comfort Flame and thermal testing Chemical protection Smart materials (e.g., sensor integration, conductive materials) Soft-walled shelters Textile-based clothing and equipment (e.g., parachutes, load carriage)