--Safety Toe Combat Boots

The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center, in support of Product Manager - Clothing and Individual Equipment, is conducting a market research investigation for Safety Toe Combat Boots. The goal of this effort is to iden tify firms with capabilities to provide/design/develop safety toe footwear for use by the combat soldier in all terrains and conditions. Interest is in a readily available product or information on development that will be available within the next six to twelve months. This will be based on a concise and attainable development/commercialization plan. The safety toe footwear must be capable of meeting critical technical and uniform requirements including: 1) Protection - the footwear shall meet current ASTM F2413-05 Standard for Safety Toes; 2) Configuration  shall be between 8 and 10 inches in height and be constructed from tan-colored, flesh side out cattle leather with a plain toe and a rubber outsole; 3) Weight (objective) less than 2.5 pounds (1.13 kg) per boot for an average size (approximately) U.S. size 9. Interested sources must, within thirty (30) days following the publication of this synopsis, respond with information on their current product(s) and how they are made or could be modified to addre ss the US Army requirement. Interested sources shall include detailed information regarding their firm's experience, personnel, and facilities. Product information should include product cost, technical information (e.g. technical literature, data and illu strations, technical certifications), performance capabilities, independent laboratory test results, and relevant company background/experience, and product sample if available. If a firm chooses to submit a sample, no payment will be made by the governmen t for such sample. Firms should provide pricing for currently available product and estimated pricing for footwear currently under development. Firms responding shall indicate whether or not they are a small business. This notice is for market research onl y. Responses to this notice are to be sent to Mr. Michael Holthe, U.S. Army Natick Soldier RDEC, AMSRD-NSC-IP-A, Bldg #4 Room D323, 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 for developing acquisition strategy. Email your questions to US Army Natick Soldier RDEC at [email protected].