THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY for waterproof breathable materials which are capable of meeting the basic requirements described below. 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 on the basis of responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information presented or the use of any such information. DESCRIPTION: The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), Natick, MA is seeking waterproof breathable materials for test and evaluation purposes. The intended use for this material is for use in garments to provide environmental protection in cold and wet weather in various terrains worn with and without tactical equipment. The main focus is to improve on the breathability and moisture management capabilities of the cold/wet weather shell. The characteristic listed below are desired but not required performance criteria as applied to this RFI, responses to this RFI for materials unable to meet the values listed, but offer advantages in aspects of breathability, are still requested and will be reviewed. The following are the performance requirements for the materials: Characteristic Specification Test Method: Weight, oz/sq. yd (max) 3.7 ASTM D-3776 (Method C) Breaking Strength, lbf (min): Warp 100 ASTM D-5034 (G-E or G-T) Filling 100 ASTM D-2582 Hydrostatic Resistance (to leakage) and (to burst) [min psi]: Initial 90 ASTM D-751 After diethyltoluamide 90 ASTM D-751 After strength of coating 90 ASTM D-751 After high humidity 90 ASTM D-751 Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate - g/m2/24 hr initial (min): Procedure B 700 ASTM E-96 Procedure BW 5000 ASTM E-96 ASTM E 96 with temperature and humidity conditions of 73.5oF (+ 1)oF and 50 (+ 2) percent relative humidity. The linear air flow velocity in the wind tunnel shall be set to yield an upright, 'open cup' evaporation rate at all test specimen positions of 15,000 (+ 1,000) grams/square meter/24hours, (the evaporation rate shall be determined by conducting an upright cup, Procedure B test without a test specimen for a period of exactly two (2) hours. Procedure B. ASTM E 96 The back side of the basic material shall face the water. The test specimen shall be conditioned, after set-up in the test cup with water level of 3/4 (+ 1/16) inch below the specimen surface, in the wind tunnel for a period of not less than four (4) hours and not more than sixteen (16) hours. Conditioning time of less than four (4) hours may be used provided that equilibrium conditions have been demonstrated to exist within the test sample/sample cup/wind tunnel. (In cases of dispute, the conditioning time shall be four (4) hours.). After conditioning, the cup shall be immediately weighed to start the test and again after exactly twenty-four (24) hours to complete the test. Five (5) specimens shall be tested. Air Permeability, cu.ft/sq.ft/ ASTM D 737:Stiffness, warp only, cm (max): At 70o F 8.0 ASTM D-747 At 0o F 9.0 ASTM D-747 Water Permeability (min): Initial No leakage ASTM D-751 After physical surface appearance No leakage ASTM D-751 After diethyltoluamide No leakage ASTM D-751 Taped seams No leakage ASTM D-751 Spray Rating: Initial 100, 100, 90 AATCC-22 After 5 launderings 100, 90, 90 AATCC-22 Colorfastness: Laundering Equal to or better than quote mark 3-4 quote mark rating on AATCC Gray Scale for Color Change AATCC-61, Test 1A (3 cycles) Light Equal to or better than quote mark 3-4 quote mark rating on AATCC Gray Scale for Color Change AATCC-16, Option A (after 40 fading units) or E (after 170 kilojoules) Crocking Equal to or better than the standard sample or not less than AATCC chromatic transference scale rating of 3.5. AATCC - 8 Dimensional Stability, percent (max): Warp 4.0 AATCC - 96, Option 1C Filling 2.0 AATCC - 96, Option 1C Other: Manufacturers must be capable of supplying 40 yards of the material suitable for testing and prototype evaluation. There is no color requirement for the testing material; any readily available material may be utilized. Materials must be capable of being printed and meeting NIR. Materials must also meet the requirements of the Berry Amendment, 10 USC 2533a. REQUESTED INFORMATION: Vendors who believe they have product(s) capable of meeting the above requirements, or have materials unable to meet the values listed but offer advantages in aspects of breathability, are requested to submit a short (no more than 5 pages total) summary, including test report(s) showing performance characteristics of the material, describing their products' capabilities in each of these areas. Vendors are also requested (but not required) to submit a sample of one (1) yard of material with their response to this RFI. The five (5) page summary must include 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. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 313320 and the small business size is 1,000 employees. Any information/samples submitted will not be returned, and no payment will be made by the Government for such information and samples. Responses to this notice are to be sent to the RFI POC below. This notice is for market survey only. This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information and/or samples provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement. POINT OF CONTACT (POC): Interested parties shall submit responses to this RFI to: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center Attn: Scott Gaumont, 15 Kansas Street, Bldg. 4 Room D-017 Natick, MA 01760 Questions concerning this RFI may be addressed by contacting: Scott Gaumont Phone: (508) 233-6432 Email:
[email protected] Responses to this RFI shall be received no later than 4:00PM EST 10 November 2014. Documents and samples shall be mailed to the address above. No telephonic or e-mail responses to this RFI will be considered. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responses to this RFI are not offers for contract and will not be used by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.