RFI - Non-PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) based Finished Textiles for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment

SYNOPSIS:?This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the Army Product Manager for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM SCIE) and program offices from the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Air Force and Special Operations in understanding how shifting from PFAS to non-PFAS based finishes will affect performance of certain items and the industrial supply chain. The information gathered from vendors will aid the services in the consideration of removing or replacing the oil rating (AATCC 118) as a requirement for certain end items for which oil repellency is not critical unlike items for chemical/biological (CB) protection or flame resistance (FR) in which performance is compromised by exposure to fuel. This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB).?It is a market research tool being used to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources for planning purposes only.?Responses to this notice are not considered as offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.?The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information presented or the use of any such information.? The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil and?natalie.l.pomerantz.civ@army.mil by August 31, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST. Description: The Department of Defense is requesting information and feedback from vendors on textiles and end items regarding the capability and expected performance against current requirements with non-PFAS based finishes and the impact on the military textile supply chain. Specifications:? The objective of this RFI is to determine the performance requirement trade-offs for non-PFAS based finishes where oil repellency is not critical to providing Soldier protection or resistance to material degradation. Examples of these materials include but are not limited parachute: canopy cloth, tents, boots, blast and ballistic protection, cold weather gear, fitness uniforms, dress uniforms, andc load carriage, etc., listed in Table 1. Vendors are encouraged to list the textiles and end items where the oil rating may not be necessary, provide a rationale explaining why, and include recommended alternative textile evaluations and pass/fail criteria for stain and soil release or resistance to petroleum, oils and lubricants (POLs). If available, vendors are encouraged to provide test data and/or materials that can meet performance requirements (excluding AATCC 118) with non-PFAS based finishes and detail potential secondary and tertiary effects to performance. Vendors are also encouraged to provide feedback on the effects of shifting to a non-PFAS based finish on the industry and supply chain, for better or for worse. Please see attachment - Table 1 for RFI - Non-PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) based Finished Textiles for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment for the Examples of materials and end items for which the armed services will consider removing the oil rating requirement. Deliverables:?Vendors who believe the oil rating is not necessary for certain fabrics and end items are requested to submit a summary for each textile and/or end item, including test data and samples if available. Company name and address, point of contact with phone number, DUNS number, CAGE Code and a statement regarding any small business designation (if applicable), by the date and to the address noted below. Vendors can also provide information on how non-PFAS treatments will affect the industrial supply chain. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 313310 and the small business size is 1,000 employees. Responses should include:? A description of the material and end item/service it is used for, if known Rationale as to why the oil rating is not a necessary requirement for the item, including recommended alternative test methods and pass/fail criteria to evaluate, for example, stain and/or soil release or resistance to POLs All available test data measured against the current requirements If available, fabric samples equivalent to one (1) linear yard Any finishes added to the fabrics should be identified in the response If the vendor currently supplies the fabric Cost estimate/difference between PFAS and non-PFAS based textile iterations Impact of using a non-PFAS based finish on the supply chain and ability to compete as a military textile vendor Prioritization of the materials and end items for which removing/replacing the oil rating requirement would be most impactful The submissions will inform possible performance trade space for certain items due to the application of non-PFAS finishes and aid the Department of Defense in the consideration of replacing or removing AATCC 118 as a requirement for certain fabrics and end items. While there is no guarantee that a subsequent solicitation will be issued and/or a contract awarded, currently, it is the Government's interest to explore the vendor interest and capability. Delivery Date:?Respondents are requested to provide information and/or sample materials and designs by 31 August, 5pm EST. Sample materials will not be returned unless requested by the submitter. Responses to this notice are to be sent to Dr. Natalie Pomerantz, DEVCOM Soldier Center, 15 General Greene Ave., Natick, MA 01760-5019.?This notice is for information and sample materials only. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION.?No solicitation document exists.?POC for this request is Dr. Natalie Pomerantz. Email your questions to the POC at the following address:?natalie.l.pomerantz.civ@army.mil. Government Furnished Property: 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 currently. 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 DEVCOM Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil and?natalie.l.pomerantz.civ@army.mil?no later than August 31, 2024, 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@army.mil and?natalie.l.pomerantz.civ@army.mil?no later than August 30, 2024, 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 to answer questions: Question 1: Contractor is capable of producing in Mexico. Answer 1: Please note Government's Berry Amendment restrictions. Question 2: Where to send physical samples? Answer: You can send physical and electronic responses to: Natalie Pomerantz DEVCOM SC Rm D205, Bldg 4 10 General Greene Ave Natick, MA 01760 Natalie.l.pomerantz.civ@army.mil