Cool Vest Fabrics

The Unites States Army Product Manager Air Warrior (PM AW), on behalf of the Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO Soldier), is issuing this request as a means of conducting a Market Survey to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support the production of the fabrics that compose the Environmental Control Vest (ECV). The ECV is a lightweight heat transfer garment that provides heat stress relief when connected to an aircraft-mounted or body-worn personal cooling system. Flexible, small-diameter tubing is affixed to the ECV fabric through which a chilled coolant is pumped, providing the personal cooling effect. Specifically, PM AW is seeking sources for lightweight, knit fabrics that are fit-for-use as a military heat transfer garment worn next to the skin for which conformal fit, moisture management, breathability, durability, flexibility, flame management, and skin comfort are important characteristics. The fabric must enable the ECV to fit snugly against the body and must resist shrinkage, as it is important that the stitched tubing pattern remains undistorted and lays flat against the body after twenty-five machine wash/dry cycles (wash temperature 41±3°C (105±5°F); drying procedure: permanent press; detergent shall be without optical brighteners (WOB)). The fabrics, when manufactured into the ECV, must be durable to wear by U.S. Army aircrew in mission days as long as 11 hours, and with 180-day inspection cycles. The ECV is worn under protective clothing (chemical/biological protective garment or surface immersion suit), body armor, and a survival gear carrier. **See attached documents for full requirement information**