Cold Weather Combat Boot
Cold Weather Combat Boot RFI:
The U.S. Army Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM-SCIE) is conducting a market research investigation for waterproof, cold weather combat footwear. The goal of this effort is to identify firms with capabilities to provide Cold Weather Combat Boots (CWCB) for use by Soldiers operating in sub-freezing conditions. Interest is in readily available product(s) or developmental items capable of being in production within four (4) months of the close of this RFI (must be based on a concise and attainable development/commercialization plan).
The CWCB must be domestically produced in compliance with Section 2533a of Title 10 U.S. Code (known as the "Berry Amendment") and be capable of meeting critical technical requirements as follows:
When it's completed configuration (including any removable insulation, if applicable) the system shall have minimum thermal insulation values similar or superior to that of the US Army's current Intermediate Cold Wet Boot (ICWB) for the Toe, Heel, and Sole areas, when tested in accordance with the attached Thermal Resistance Test Method (see Attachment 001).
Insulation, as measured by thermal resistance (Clo) shall meet or exceed the values that follow for each of the three critical footwear areas: Toe = 1.1 Clo; Heel = 1.5 Clo; and Sole = 2.3 Clo.
Items that are within ±10% of the insulation provided above shall be considered similar; items that provide less than 90% of the insulation provided above shall be considered inferior and items that provide more than 110% of the insulation provided above shall be considered superior.
The outsole shall provide a slip index of greater than 0.20 when tested in accordance with SATRA TM 144 (cold/ice, rough ice method).
Test in accordance with frosted ice method, flat mode. Sole to be pre-conditioned with 40 grit sand paper for six (6) cycles. Test conducted on end item.
Includes a durable waterproof membrane/layer, as tested using SATRA TM77, Flexing Machine-Water Penetration Test.
Does not interfere with normal walking/running or reduce Soldier performance and capability to move through varied terrain.
Interested sources shall, within thirty (30) calendar days of the publication of this RFI, respond with information on their current product(s) and how they address the requirements listed above.
The information package shall contain the following items:
Detailed information regarding the firm's domestic production capabilities for the submitted item.
Retail and/or wholesale pricing for currently available products.
A list of sources for all component materials to be used in the production of the boot, including name and style/product number of the component (when relevant).
A list of currently available sizes (lengths and widths).
Last being used for production of this item (e.g. U3813).
Test reports verifying the above listed technical requirements are met (if available).
If test reports verifying thermal insulation values are not available, detailed information regarding the insulation package utilized is requested.
A single product sample (size 10, D width) Production Demonstration Model (PDM) may be submitted, if available. If a firm chooses to submit samples, no payment will be made by the Government for such samples.
This notice is for market research only. Responses to this notice are to be sent to Mr. Jay McNamara, U.S. Army NSRDEC, Bldg 4, D-323, 15 General Greene Avenue, Natick, MA 01760-5019. This is NOT a request for proposal/quotation. No solicitation document exists. The information received under this announcement may be used to purchase items for Government testing and/or developing acquisition strategy. You may email your questions to Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment at Jay.McNamara.civ@mail.mil.
Matthew Buchanan, Phone 508-233-6141, Email matthew.r.buchanan6.civ@mail.mil
