The U. S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Command (NSRDEC), Natick, MA is conducting a market investigation to identify domestic products, suppliers, and manufacturers of retroreflective materials with advanced interface and adhesion technologies that are capable of meeting military requirements for retroreflection, launderability and abrasion resistance of the near infrared patch on the uniform as described by purchase description Patch and Brassard, Identification, Infrared Retroreflective (CO/PD-05-06A, attached). The U.S. Army is interested in identifying firms with products, technologies and capabilities to provide a more durable, launderable and abrasion resistant IR patch. The IR patch shall be permanently affixed to the garment and must meet the launderability and abrasion resistance requirements as described in the attached purchase description. Currently the IR patches are suffering layer delamination and in turn a decrease in operational effectiveness as a result of laundering and abrasive field conditions. The abrasive field conditions are also causing the gloss finish of the patches to become scratched and matte, which hinders their retroreflective response. The U.S. Army is interested in identifying potential solutions to this layer delamination and surface marring so that an improved more durable IR patch can be issued to the solider. The U.S. Army is specifically interested in information pertaining to one or more of the following and will consider all potential solutions for the incorporation of one or more solutions: 1) Alternate means of adhering the layers of the IR tape material together. The current IR tape material is used, but an alternate means of adhering the layers together is suggested. The modified IR tape shall be affixed to the uniform with the current sewing procedure and shall be capable of passing AATCC Test Method 150: Dimensional Changes of Garments after Home Laundering for launderability and the After Abrasion test method as described in section 4.6.2 of the attached purchase description for abrasion resistance. 2) Alternative permanent affixation methods to sewing on the current IR patch. The current IR tape material is used, but the proposed method of affixing it to the uniform is one that does not puncture the film. This affixation method shall be capable of passing AATCC Test Method 150: Dimensional Changes of Garments after Home Laundering for launderability and the After Abrasion test method as described in section 4.6.2 of the attached purchase description for abrasion resistance. Affixation methods may include, but are not limited to: Removable backing: IR patches peel and stick to uniform for easy replacement if/when needed. Hot air sealing Glue line bonding Any other affixation technique that will not destructively puncture the thin film. 3) Total replacement of the current IR patch. New development of an IR tape material that meets the technical requirements as stated in CO/PD-05-06A, is permanently affixed by means that do not facilitate layer delamination, and shows improved abrasion resistance over the current material. The newly developed material must pass AATCC Test Method 150: Dimensional Changes of Garments after Home Laundering for launderability and the After Abrasion test method as described in section 4.6.2 of the attached PD for abrasion resistance. The tape thickness must not exceed 0.014-0.015 inches and must weigh between 230 and 270 grams, it shall be scratch proof, non-marring and shall not crack, melt, or lose color or infrared retroreflective properties. The retroreflectivity of the IR material shall be tested at three orientations in accordance with ASTM E810 and as described in section 4.6.1 both before and after laundering and abrasion tests. The finished end item shall not present a health hazard to the user. The findings from this Market Research effort may impact future solicitations related to this requirement. This Market Research is not a solicitation as defined by FAR 2.101, and the Government is not requesting offers for proposals at this time. This is a Request for Information and does not constitute a solicitation or request for proposal. This is a market survey for planning purposes. If a solicitation is issued, the Government does not guarantee that it will be issued to RFI respondents. The Government is also requesting that restrictive or proprietary markings not be used in response to the RFI. The information received under this announcement may be used for developing acquisition strategy and refining operational requirements. Capability Statements, including attachments, are limited to ten (10) pages. Any Capability Statements, including attachments, that are not submitted in MS WORD and/or MS EXCEL or PDF format will be rejected and considered nonresponsive. Interested sources shall include information regarding a firm's experience, personnel, and facilities. Information should include product cost, technical information (i.e., technical literature, data and illustrations, photographs, patents), relevant company background/experience, and a sample (optional). Firms responding shall indicate whether or not they are a small business. Any information/samples submitted will not be returned. If a firm chooses to submit samples, no payment will be made by the Government for such samples. No telephonic submissions will be honored. All product information shall be submitted at no cost or obligation to the Government. Interested parties should respond by December 8th, 2013. Address any questions about this request for information to Megan Hoey via e-mail at:
[email protected] Or the following address: Megan Hoey Natick Soldier RD&E Center 15 Kansas St Natick, MA 01760