Background: The Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility (NCTRF) is conducting a market research investigation into potential sources for supply for United States Postal Service (USPS) uniform components. The goal of this effort is to identify vendors with the capabilities to provide commercially available performance shorts (see figure 1): Women’s Fitted Performance Short: 6-inch inseam 7-inch inseam 8-inch inseam See attachment for Figure 1. Reference sketch of women’s fitted, high-rise, performance short. Description: NCTRF seeks to identify Berry compliant vendors capable of supplying fitted, high-rise, performance shorts for use by USPS women letter carriers and retail clerks to be worn under a skirt in various environmental conditions i.e., cold, wet, warm. This is a request, solely for information gathering and planning purposes on behalf of USPS. This request does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals and will not directly lead to any contract awards. The performance shorts must meet critical technical requirements as follows: Expected wear life: 12 months minimum Design: Focus on no friction while walking in various weather conditions Reinforced, stable, high-rise waistband Minimum one side pocket Design does not impact performance nor ability to move while carrying a light to medium load Material: Breathable, moisture wicking , 4-way stretch material Sizing: Inclusive women’s size ranges, (i.e., XS-5XL, plus sizing, etc.) Length options including 6-inch, 7-inch, and 8-inch Interested sources shall, within thirty (30) calendar days of the publication of this request for information, shall respond with an information package containing the following: General information regarding the supplier including location, size, and special designations (i.e., Small Business, 8 (a), Women-Owned Small Business, AbilityOne, etc.). Validation that the origin of supply is domestic, produced in compliance with Section 2533a of Title 10 U.S. Code (i.e., the “Berry Amendment”). Up to two (2) styles for evaluation. Estimated unit costs. This notice is for market survey only. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. No solicitation document exists. Please review the following and provide as much information as possible. Contact Information: Please submit electronic responses along with any questions and/or requests for information regarding this notice to Roseanna M. Nastasia (
[email protected] ), 508-206-2759 and Kelly A. Fratelli, (
[email protected] ), 508-206-2762. Please send physical samples to Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility, 10 General Greene Ave, Bldg. 86, Natick, MA 01760-5019. Information will be handled as proprietary, and samples will be Government property and will not be returned. Important Notice: Availability of Solicitations: Availability of solicitations, FAR 5.102(d) applies, as our office no longer issues solicitations or amendments in paper form. Offeror should register to receive notification of this solicitation or solicitation amendments. The solicitation will be posted on https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil//. Important Notice: New Federal Business Opportunities FBO Website: Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) moved to SAM.gov the weekend of November 8, 2019. Visit SAM.gov today to preview new features like saved searches and the ability to follow notices. For more information, please visit the SAM.gov learning center at https://beta.sam.gov/help/new-to-sam. Important Note on Foreign Content: The Defense appropriations and authorization acts and other statutes (including what is commonly referred to as "The Berry Amendment" impose restrictions on the DoD's acquisition of foreign products and services. Generally, Clothing and Textile items (as defined in DFARS clause 252.225-7012) and "specialty metals" (as defined in DFARS clause 252.225-7014) must be grown, reprocessed, reused, melted or produced in the United States, its possessions or Puerto Rico, unless one of the DFARS 225.7002-2 exceptions applies.