84--Alpine Combat Boots - Request for Information

The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center, in support of Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment, is conducting a market research investigation for waterproof, extreme cold weather mountaineering boot. The goal of this effort is to indentify firms with capabilities to provide boots for use by the combat Soldier mountaineering in sub-freezing conditions. Interest is in readily available product(s) only, available for fielding in the next 30 days. The alpine combat boots must be capable of meeting critical technical requirements as follows: 1) Protect in temperature down to -20 F; 2) Include a waterproof and breathable membrane; 3) A pronounced heel to allow for improved grip when walking down loose mud and snow covered declines; 4) Rubber toe rand to protect against abrasion caused by sheer rock and ice; 5) Designed to reduce pressure points and discomfort during descents on uneven, rugged terrain; 6) A moisture wicking liner to dissipate any sweat or moisture that may accumulate in the boot; 7) Outsoles that provide propulsion and superior traction on both snow and ice; 8) Able to keep debris, snow and water out of boot while maneuvering through high altitude, mountainous environments; 9) Rigid upper to provide superior ankle support; and 10) Rigid rubber outsole with welt, lip, or grooves at the heel and toe to make it compatible with step-in, strap-on, and hybrid ski and cramp-on bindings. Interested sources must, within fourteen (14) days (NLT 14 August 2014) following the publication of this synopsis, respond with information on their current product(s) and how they address the U.S. Army requirements. Interested sources shall include detailed information regarding their firm's experience, personnel, facilities and domestic production capabilities, independent laboratory test results, and relevant company background/experience, and a single product sample (size 9.5R) if available. If a firm chooses to submit a sample, no payment will be made by the government for such sample. Firms should provide pricing for currently available products. This notice is for market research only. Responses to this notice are to be sent to Mr. Albert Adams, U.S. Army NSRDEC, RDNS-SEW-EWC, D-323, Natick, MA 01760-5019. This is not a request for quotations. No solicitation document exists. The information received under this announcement may be used to purchase items for Government testing and/or developing acquisition strategy. Email your questions to Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment at [email protected]. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick R&D (RDECOM-CC), ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, 15 Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Albert Adams, 508-233-6498 RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick R&D (RDECOM-CC)