The U. S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Command (NSRDEC), Natick, MA is conducting a market investigation on behalf of the Product Manager-Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM-SCIE), to identify domestic products, suppliers and manufacturers of seam sealing tape that will support the Joint Chemical/Biological (CB) Coverall for Combat Vehicle Crewmen (JC3). This is a request for information (RFI) only. The JC3 is a one-piece, membrane-based coverall that provides protection to mounted Warfighters from Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents. The coverall consists of two layers that are attached at most seams. The outer layer is a shell face fabric and the inner layer is a three-layered knit laminate consisting of a selectively permeable membrane with an aramid face and backing. CBRN resistant seam sealing tape is used to cover all seams and stitching in the three-layered knit laminate to prevent CB agent penetration through the seams and stitching. The seam sealing tape cannot be toxic to the skin and must provide protection from liquid/vapor chemical challenges for 16 hours after 30 days of field wear, 4 launderings, and exposure to battlefield contaminants (sweat, seawater, urine, bleach, munitions residue, JP8, POL, fungus, etc) according to DTC TOP 8-2-501. Additionally, the seam tape shall maintain its operational integrity over extreme temperature ranges (IAW MIL-STD-810, Method 501.4) and be flame resistant (ASTM F1358). The seam sealing tape shall provide a complete seal against CB agents, battlefield contaminants, and water, for the three-layered knit laminate material system that composes the coverall. In order for the seam sealing tape to be considered effective, it must meet the above requirements and show no evidence of seam tape lift that is greater than or equal to 1/8 inch in depth and 1 inch in length. Interested sources must also provide a description of the seam sealing process and identify Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or specialized pieces of equipment required to apply the seam tape on the garment. Interested sources must reply no later than 15 June 2012, respond with information (electronic and hard copy) on their current commercial product(s) and how they might address the Military requirement. Interested sources shall include the following information: cost, manufacturability (quantities produced per year, manufacturing quality), technical information (i.e., technical literature, instructions, data and illustrations, photographs, patents), and a sample. Firms responding shall indicate whether or not they are a small business. Any information/samples submitted will not be returned. No telephonic submissions will be honored. All product information shall be submitted at no cost or obligation to the government. Hard Copy responses to this notice are to be sent to: Mr. Calvin Kwon U. S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Command, Natick Soldier Center 15 Kansas Street, ATTN: AMSRD-RDNS-WPW-P Natick, MA 01760-5019 Electronic responses to this notice are to be sent to
[email protected]. This notice is for market research only. The findings from this Market Research effort may impact any 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 or proposals at this time. Any responses to this RFI received by the Government will not be accepted to form a binding contract. 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. Information submitted should be pertinent and specific in the technical area under consideration, on each of the following qualifications: (1) Experience: An outline of previous projects, specific work previously performed or being performed and any in-house research and development effort; (2) Personnel: Name, professional qualifications and specific experience of scientist, engineers and technical personnel who may be assigned as a principal investigator and/or project officer; (3) Facilities: Availability and description of special facilities required to perform in the technical areas under consideration. Any other specific and pertinent information as pertains to this particular area of procurement that would enhance the government's consideration and evaluation of the information submitted. Please limit your response to 5 pages or less.