RFI - Tropical Combat Uniform

UPDATE - "new tropical boot" paragraph only; A Product Demonstration Models (PDM) Tropical Boot shall be received at MARCORSYSCOM, PdM ICE no later than 21 March 2016. PDM shall be delivered to the following address and POC; Todd A. Towles, Project Officer MARCORSYSCOM Program Manager (PdM ICE) 2200 Lester Street Quantico, VA 22134 Tel: 703-432-3608 An inspection and down select of the boot PDMs will be conducted and manufacturers will be notified of the findings. Successful PDMs (as identified by PdM ICE) may be awarded a contract to provide boot field test prototypes for use during a Field user Evaluation (FUE) taking place during summer of 2016. Only one PDM is required per manufacturer. Submitted initial PDMs must successfully pass the visual examination. If awarded a contract, an estmated 100 pairs will be purchased for the FUE. Sizes will range from 9R - 12R with half sizes 9.5R and 10.5R. A complete size tariff will be provided at time of contract award. FUE prototypes will be required to arrive at MARCORSYSCOM NLT 1 June 2016 Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) Product Manager Infantry Combat Equipment (PdM-ICE) is conducting market research to identify tropical uniform fabrics, uniform designs, and boots that provide durability and protection, improved moisture management, and reduced dry time in a tropical environment. The tropical combat uniform includes a blouse, trouser, and boot. PdM ICE plans to conduct a user evaluation on the most promising materials and end items. Respondents are encouraged to submit fabrics or uniform prototypes that are suitable for a tropical environment. PdM ICE intends to use a Government-owned design for the tropical uniform, although end- item designs will also be considered as an alternative to the Government-owned designs. The primary consideration in development of the new tropical uniform will be improved performance in a tropical environment. It is expected the tropical combat blouse and trousers will have similar durability and protection as either the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) or the Enhanced Flame Resistant Combat Ensemble (EFRCE). In addition fabrics should meet the additional performance attributes listed in Table I, but trade-offs may be considered. For reference, the MCCUU and EFRCE Product Descriptions are included with this announcement. Preference will be given to materials that do not deteriorate in tropical conditions (e.g. materials that do not become weaker when wet) and materials that significantly exceed MCCUU durability requirements (e.g. break and tear strength) while meeting weight and dry out time requirements (see Tables I and II - Performance Attributes for Woven and Knit Tropical Combat Uniform Fabrics). The primary consideration in development of a new tropical boot will be improved performance in a tropical environment. The new tropical boot shall have similar qualities to the Marine Corps Combat Boot requirements. The boot must operate within a tropical environment, with performance based upon boot durability. Submissions shall incorporate innovative designs which utilize fabric and synthetic leathers to increase dry out time, while reducing weight and moisture retention caused by natural leather. Additionally, the tropical boot must be lighter weight and faster drying when compared to the current combat boot. The outsole must allow for easy removal of mud, debris, and foreign substances. The Marine Corps tropical boot can vary in height as long as the boot provides ankle support to the wearer. (see Table III - Performance Attributes Tropical Boot) Lastly, PdM-ICE is conducting market research to determine if the current Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) could be flame resistant (FR) treated. Treatment should be low cost, and could be applied during fabric manufacture, as a post treatment, or in garment form. Treatment shall not alter appearance, comfort, or durability properties. The treatment must meet the vertical flame performance Objective (desired) requirement contained in Table I below. For reference, the MCCUU Product Description is included with this announcement. Offerors may submit test data from similar test methods that demonstrate performance of their submitted fabric and/or end item. INDUSTRY DAY PdM-ICE will hold an Industry Day from 7-10 January 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Government plans to conduct one-on-one meetings with industry. The purpose of this Industry Day is to exchange information regarding this RFI and the performance requirements, and discuss with Industry their potential materials, garment designs, and boots. Industry must inform PdM-ICE representatives if they are able to supply materials and end-items that could meet these requirements. Industry Day Registration: All sources who want to meet with the Government should request a meeting. Date, time, and meeting location will be provided once all meeting requests are received. Meeting requests should be sent via e-mail to Betsy Moore at betsy.a.moore.civ@mail.mil by 15 December 2015 with a courtesy copy to the Contract Officer Kevin Parker, kevin.j.parker3.civ@mail.mil . Please provide the name and position or title of the attendees, contact information, items to be discussed, and business size. Meeting requests after the deadline will not be fulfilled unless space is unavailable. Meeting time per source will be limited to 30 minutes. Questions and Answers: Initial questions about the RFI may be submitted via email no later than 26 Nov 2015 to the Contracting Officer, Kevin Parker, kevin.j.parker3.civ@mail.mil. All questions, answers, information discussed, test protocols, and any other information pertinent to this RFI will be posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website (https://www.fbo.gov/). Information considered intellectual property will not be posted. RFI Response Submission: Written Submission: In addition to Industry Day meetings, industry is encouraged to submit information papers that describe tropical combat fabrics and end-items being developed, and outline the technical approaches taken to meet the performance requirements specified in this RFI. Submissions shall contain production, production capacity, estimated cost (linear yards for fabric and unit item cost for end item) and manufacturing capability for linear yards of fabric or end item. Comments to improve the performance specification or other requirements outlined in this RFI are also welcome. All written submissions shall be provided electronically. Offerors should upload and submit their RFI responses by 15 December 2015 to the Safe Access File Exchange (SAFE) application that can be accessed via https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe2/. Proceed as a Guest user by clicking on "I do not have a CAC or this machine is not configured to read my CAC and I would like to access SAFE as a Guest User." Fill in all required fields, upload your RFI response, grant access to files to the following: susan.dlugos@usmc.mil and betsy.a.moore.civ@mail.mil and then press the "Submit" button. All properly marked proprietary information will be appropriately handled. Material Samples: Respondents that believe they can provide materials or samples that meet the Government's performance requirements are invited to submit samples with their written responses. These samples will be degraded or destroyed during evaluation and will not be returned to the vendor. In addition, the respondent must provide the following information on the submitted samples. 1. A material description, fiber blend percentages, and Berry compliance documentation. The supplier must identify the requirements the submitted material meets. If a supplier submits multiple materials to fulfill a requirement, they must identify the advantage/disadvantages of their competing products. 2. Provide an estimated unit cost (linear yards for fabric and unit item cost for end item). 3. Submit minimum of one (1), but preferably five (5) linear yards or one end item (in any color or print on hand) and written assurance that Marine Corps shade requirements can be met. If the required colors are not submitted, the manufacturer must provide information that the materials can be successfully dyed and printed in the required colors. The submitted tropical combat blouse and trouser material is not required to have permethrin treatment, although the offeror shall provide a narrative how they plan to meet permethrin content and bite protection requirements. Fabric or garment permethrin application will be considered. Offeror may submit up to three (3) of the most promising fabric candidates, three (3) of the most promising boot candidates and/or only one (1) end item uniform for each item submission. Fabric, garments, or boots shall be shipped to: US Army Natick Soldier Systems Center Attn: Betsy Moore General Greene Avenue Natick, MA. 01760 And shall arrive NLT 1700 on 15 Dec 2015. 4. The finished cloth or end item shall not present a dermal health hazard when used as intended and tested. The contractor must furnish information, which certifies that the finished product is composed of materials, which have been safely used commercially or provided sufficient toxicity data to show compatibility with prolonged, direct skin contact. Utilization of Non-Government Support Contractors: Vendors are advised that the Government will utilize support contractors/non-Government personnel from Patricio Enterprises and Kalman and Company to assist in collecting and reviewing market research information. Proprietary information submitted in response to this RFI will be protected from unauthorized disclosure as required by Subsection 27 of the Office of Procurement Policy Act as amended (41 U.S.C. 423) (hereinafter referred to as "the Act"), as implemented in the FAR. This company is bound contractually by Organizational Conflict of Interest and non-disclosure clauses with respect to proprietary information. Supporting contractor personnel are procurement officials within the meaning of the Act, and will take all necessary action to preclude unauthorized use or disclosure of Vendor's proprietary data. The Berry Amendment will apply to any future procurement actions resulting from this RFI. Inability to attend this Industry Day will not preclude any interested party from responding to future notices regarding this effort. THIS RFI IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE ANY ITEMS/SERVICES, NOR FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THE INFORMATION RECEIVED. NO ENTITLEMENT TO PAYMENT OF DIRECT OR INDIRECT COSTS OR CHARGES BY THE GOVERNMENT WILL ARISE AS A RESULT OF SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES TO THIS RFI AND GOVERNMENT USE OF SUCH INFORMATION. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS.