Source Sought Notice Cold Weather System of Socks

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM SCIE) to identify potential sources to provide a Cold Weather System of Socks, or a portion of an overall system. The RFI is issued solely for information gathering and planning purposes. The RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals and will not directly lead to any contract awards. The following sections of this announcement contain details of the scope of technical efforts of interest as well as instructions for the submission of responses. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and mary.b.armacost.civ@mail.mil by 30JUNE2020 by 5pm EST. Background: PM SCIE is conducting market research to identify domestic manufacturers and suppliers of a Cold Weather System of Socks. In winter 2018/19 and 2019/20, PM SCIE and the Combat Capabilities Development Command- Soldier Center (CCDC-SC) evaluated various weights of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) socks. Using feedback from Soldiers operating in cold weather environments, salient characteristics that affect Soldier performance were identified. This RFI is intended to identify suppliers and products that meet the requirements developed from these evaluations. Description: The Cold Weather System of Socks shall include various weights of socks. Response to this RFI may contain one, many, or all parts of the System of Socks outlined below. The system is designed to allow Soldiers to layer socks, or choose different weights depending on level of activity, environmental conditions or Soldier preference. Requirements: The Cold Weather System of Socks may include socks in each of the following weights: Light Weight Sock Fiber Content: Minimum 50% wool Structure: Terry loop cushioning on interior of sock in toe and heel, areas of mesh ventilation, arch support, Welt finish at the top of sock Height: Mid-Calf Weight: Not to exceed 40 grams Color: Black or Coyote 498 Medium Weight Sock Fiber Content: Minimum 65% wool Structure: Terry loop cushioning on interior of sock in toe and heel, Welt finish at the top of sock Height: Mid-Calf Weight: Not to exceed 60 grams Color: Black or Coyote 498 Heavy Weight Sock Fiber Content: Minimum 70% wool Structure: Terry loop cushioning on interior of sock in toe and heel, Welt finish at the top of sock Height: Mid-Calf Weight: Not to exceed 75 grams Color: Black or Coyote 498 Vapor Barrier Sock Properties: Waterproof, breathable Height: Mid-Calf Color: Black or Coyote 498 Deliverables: Interested parties shall provide: Company address, telephone number, primary contact(s) with email address(es) Business size, applicable NAICS code, CAGE code, and if you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, your contract number Brief statement of capability demonstrating background, relevant past experience, technical skills, and available production capacity 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. A fact sheet/white paper detailing system specifications (materials, construction, finishes, design features) and relevant testing data/analysis that would indicate performance properties against the requirements listed above. Documentation of Berry Amendment compliance. One pair (to fit men's size 10) of each submitted sock. Estimate of minimum and maximum delivery schedule for each submitted item. The part or item number for each style of socks submitted. Additional Information: Responses must be electronic only (recommended in PDF file format). All properly marked proprietary information will be appropriately handled. Submitted materials will not be returned. The sample item(s) will be submitted to the following address: Mary Armacost 5981 13th Street, BLDG 1155 Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060 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 mary.b.armacost.civ@mail.mil no later than 30 June 2020 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. QUESTIONS: Any questions for clarification may be emailed to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and mary.b.armacost.civ@mail.mil no later than 26 June 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: Question 1: Can we supply only the three socks and not the Vapor Barrier and still be eligible for award? Answer 1: Yes Question 2: In the RFI response can we send samples of only the three socks and be in compliance? Answer 2: Yes Question 3: Will the contract be an all or none for the full system or multiple awards, i.e. 1 awardee for the three socks and 1 awardee for the Vapor Barrier? Answer 3: This may not result in an award. All submissions will be considered. If an award is made in the future, it may be a mix of different vendors or a full kit of socks from a vendor. Question 4: If this will be all or none I am assuming the Berry Amendment applies to the Vapor Barrier unless it's a non textile material like a waterproof plastic? Answer 4: N/A, this will not be all or none Question 5: What's the estimated annual quantity for the socks combining all three types? Answer 5: Unknown at this time Question 6: Do you have an anticipated timetable of when the Army will complete the review of RFI responses, issue a formal solicitation and will awards be in the fall to allow fielding of the socks this winter? Answer 6: This is an RFI, and may not result in a formal solicitation. Responses will be reviewed in the 2 weeks following the close on the RFI. Question 7: Is a solution with heating elements and wearable battery within the scope of this notice? Answer 7: It is not within the original intent, but could be submitted Question 8: Are you seeking only COTS products, or is a solution that requires further development and testing acceptable? Answer 8: Seeking COTS or modified COTS solutions. Further development will not be pursued at this time. Question 9: Are you seeking only sock solutions? Our solution is a thin liner that is meant to be worn between the sock and the boot. Answer 9: A liner would be considered if it meets the requirements outlined for a vapor barrier liner/sock Amendment 0002: Question 10: Are you disqualifying products for consideration if they do not meet your minimum stated wool percentages, even though per the Federal Trade Commission, the Textile Act allows a +/-3% tolerance for fiber content claims on labels and the Wool Products Labeling Act applies the +/-3% tolerance specifically to wool products? Answer 10: We are looking assessing the availability of socks that meet the stated thresholds for wool content. A +/-3% tolerance for fiber content is allowed. Question 11: Is the maximum weight you have specified for each iteration listed per sock or per pair? Answer 11: Per sock Question 12: What is the specific method used for weighing the sock or pair? Answer 12: Will be weighed on a scale, in non lab conditions, +/-3% tolerance for weight is allowed Question 13: Since each size sock will have a different weight, what is the specific size sock or pair to be weighed, and/or what is the largest size sock or pair size range to be weighed? Answer 13: Size that corresponds to a Men's size 10 Question 14: Since every single knit item will have variances, what tolerance is being afforded with the maximum weights you have specified; +/- what amount? Answer 14: +/-3% tolerance for weight is allowed Question 15: For each weight of wool socks listed, you have specified terry loop cushioning in the heel and toe. Are these the only areas of the sock where terry loop cushioning is permitted ie no cushioning is to be provided under foot, top of the foot, around the calf? Answer 15: No, Terry loop cushioning is required in those areas, but not limited to those areas. Question 16: You have specified an arch support, but only for the lightweight sock. Is the lightweight sock the only iteration in which an arch support is permitted? Answer 16: No, Arch support may be included in any submission, but is only required in the light weight sock. Question 17: Is there an email file size system limitation when submitting responses? Answer 17: Please do not exceed 16 MB.