1.0 DESCRIPTION Hierarchically Structured Nanofiber Catalyst for Chemical and Biological (CB) Individual Protective Equipment (IPE). THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to any future requirement. 2.0 BACKGROUND The Chemical and Biological Physical Science Technology Division, Protection and Hazard Mitigation is currently seeking to develop revolutionary solutions that provide full Chemical and Biological, Toxic Industrial Chemical, and/or Toxic Industrial Materials (CB, TICs, and/or TIMs) individual protection (IP) capabilities, either respiratory or percutaneous, with reduced physiological and logistical burden, as well as rapid inactivation of CB hazards. For example, traditional fiber layers within CB IP clothing are inert, serving as support layers for CB adsorbents within the garment. In parallel, fiber layers within CB IP filters provide particulate protection against dust and aerosols via mechanical removal mechanisms. These layers may pose vulnerability within CB IP capabilities, providing storage for persistent agents that can leach out over time. This RFI addresses the need for a robust, highly adsorptive and/ or reactive nanofiber technology that provides personal protection against CB aerosols and/or vapors. The intent is to use hierarchically structured nanofibers - nanofibers upon which well-controlled pore network structures are produced to bound catalytic moieties. These pore networks can be optimize to mitigate diffusion limitations and deactivation problems associated with attaching traditional catalyst to fiber substrates. Novel synthetic and deposition growth methods that demonstrate nano-scale control are strongly desired. Derivative benefits of hierarchically structured nanofiber catalyst may include allowing for a reduced profile of the CB protective components, reducing thermal burden associated with CB IP clothing, and reducing breathing resistance associated with CB IP filters. This RFI is part of an ongoing effort to identify promising technologies that will fill this identified gap. The goal of the RFI is to identify candidate hierarchically structured nanofiber catalyst that may provide a level of CB aerosol/vapor protection via inactivation of CB, TICs, and/or TIMs that are persistent upon adsorption. 3.0 SUMMARY: THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS SOLELY to identify sources which can provide adsorptive/ reactive nanofibers for CB IPE. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding to the Government. The government has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Format and classification Responses must be UNCLASSIFIED and limited to five (5) pages, NOT including cover page (1 page), cover letter (1 page) and table of contents (1 page). One inch margins at top, bottom, left and right sides; 10 point type minimum for narrative text, figure captions and tables are required. Respondents will be expected to follow their internal information security policies and any appropriate internal or government supplied security guidance to insure that responses to this RFI are UNCLASSIFIED. Any proprietary concepts of information should be clearly identified as such with disposition instructions. Data and information submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned. Additional information on technical aspects of the responses may be solicited by DTRA/RD-CB from non-government consultants/experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. For all RFI responses, a non-proprietary cover page is requested identifying your company name, technical point of contact, contact information and known or anticipated conflict of interest issues. Each response should address the following: • Response to the RFI topic requested above • Status and/or capability of the submitter's operation, including the number of employees and core competencies • Description of laboratory and manufacturing facilities Additional Information Upon review of all submissions in response to this RFI, respondents may be contacted to schedule individual meetings to gain further understanding of their specific responses. Only electronic submissions of information provided to the email address specified will be accepted. RFI responses should be sent to the following email address:
[email protected] , with a CC to
[email protected] , an attachment of no greater than 5 megabytes in .pdf format. All emails should include, in the subject line, the RFI title and the submitting organization's name. Responses should be submitted electronically not later than 2:00 p.m. EST on August 13, 2012.