Flame Resistant and Water Repellent Cold Weather Jacket - RFI

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: NAVY CLOTHING AND TEXTILE RESEARCH FACILITY MATERIALS FOR FLAME RESISTANT AND WATER REPELLENT COLD WEATHER JACKET Background: The Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility (NCTRF) is conducting a market survey for the outer shell, insulation, and lining materials for use in the shipboard Cold Weather Jacket (CWJ), NSN 8415-01-495-0890, size Medium. The objective of this research is to identify material layers (outer shell, insulation, and lining) which as a system will meet the flame resistance, water repellency, and thermal properties outlined in Tables I – IV (see attachment); decrease pack volume; and reduce the total cost of the jacket. The most promising fabrics may be down selected and subjected to testing. Successful fabrics could be used in future uniform procurements. Outer Shell Description: NCTRF seeks to identify cost-effective flame resistant and water repellent materials for use in the shipboard CWJ. The materials may be commercially available or experimental materials utilizing durable finishes and/or inherently protective fiber compositions. The material should meet or exceed the physical and performance characteristics outlined in Table I (see attachment). Insulation Description: NCTRF seeks to identify cost-effective commercially available or experimental materials, with improved packability, for use in the shipboard CWJ. The material should meet or exceed the physical and performance characteristics outlined in Table II (see attachment). Not all batting layers (batting filler, scrim, film) may be required. Flame resistant materials are encouraged but not required. Lining Description: NCTRF seeks to identify cost-effective, no-melt no-drip commercially available or experimental materials for use as a lining in the shipboard CWJ. The material should be meet or exceed the physical and performance characteristics outlined in Table III (see attachment). Interested Parties: While the Navy is interested in testing all material layers as a system, vendors are not required to submit all material layers; vendors are encouraged to submit material layers that apply to their company. To respond to this RFI, interested parties are REQUIRED to submit the following for their submission to enable the Government to efficiently evaluate the viability and benefit of the proposed material(s): A product description, to include: material description(s), identification of fiber blend (including fiber percentages), performance characteristics, production lead-time, fiber production location, yarn production location, weaving/knitting location, finishing location, and illustrations/photographs with corresponding descriptive information that best describes the material(s). Complete disclosure of chemical treatment if using topical finish, applicable Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) shall be submitted. Documentation and compliance with the Berry Amendment, 10 USC 2533a, are required. Information which certifies that the finished product is composed of materials which have been safely used commercially or provide sufficient toxicity data to show compatibility with prolonged, direct skin contact. The finished cloth shall not present a dermal health hazard when used as intended. Outer Shell : Flame Resistant tests (IAW ASTM D-6413) including the standard test and the test with modified test specimen must be provided for each submission. Test results must include initial and after five (5) launderings. Outer Shell : Water Absorption Resistance test results (FED-STD-191A,TM 5504) must be provided for each submission. Test results must include initial and after ten (10) launderings. Outer Shell : Water Repellency: Spray Test results (AATCC 22) must be provided for each submission. Test results must include initial and after ten (10) launderings. Insulation : The batting filler Thermal Resistance (ASTM C518) must be provided for each submission. Insulation : It is encouraged to submit results for Finished/Quilted batting Dimensional Stability (AATCC 135,1,V,Ai) after five (5) launderings and Flame Resistance (IAW ASTM D-6413) initial and after five (5) launderings. Lining : The threshold minimum protection requirement is No Melt No Drip when tested to the standard vertical flame test (IAW ASTM D-6413). Material shall contain at minimum 50%, preferred 60% of natural fibers (cellulose or wool) including wool, cotton, lyocell, or rayon in the fabric content. Flame resistance is encouraged but not required. Lining : No Melt No Drip test results (IAW ASTM D-6413) must be provided for each submission. Test results must include initial and after five (5) launderings. Any additional physical property test data may be submitted but is not required. An estimated unit cost per linear yard (specify width of material), which may be broken down by quantity reflecting economies of scale. A minimum of five (5) yards in any color or print available and written assurance that the material can be produced in solid Navy blue colors. Vendors shall provide a point of contact, phone number, and email address. Submissions are limited to five (5) materials per each of the three material layers per company. Fabric samples and required documentation are due by COB 30NOV20 at NCTRF. Information will be handled as proprietary and samples will not be returned. Contact: Please submit responses to this notice to Ms. Magdalena Mulherin, Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility, 10 General Greene Avenue, WHSE 20 / BLDG 86, Natick, MA 01760-5019. This notice is for market survey only. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. No solicitation document exists. POC for this request is Ms. Magdalena Mulherin, 508-206-2740, [email protected].