REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): NAVY CLOTHING AND TEXTILE RESEARCH FACILITY – NAVY SHIPBOARD FLAME RESISTANT COLD WEATHER CLOTHING SYSTEM Background: The Navy is modernizing and improving the performance of shipboard organizational cold weather clothing (CWC). The shipboard CWC system must provide flame and flash fire protection in addition to environmental protection. The shipboard CWC system must integrate with the newly approved two piece flame resistant (2PCFR) uniform, the improved shipboard cold weather (CW) jacket, and existing safety and individual equipment. Description: Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility (NCTRF) is conducting a market survey to determine the availability of Berry compliant materials and end items for use in the shipboard CWC system. The CWC system will consist of moisture wicking under garments, insulation garments, protective outer garments, handwear, headwear, and socks. The intent of the shipboard CWC system is to provide shipboard and flight deck personnel protection from the following: A. Environment The shipboard CWC system must provide environmental protection to Sailors aboard ship operating in the temperature range of -60 °F to 40 °F. The shipboard CWC system must provide protection from cold, wind, liquid and frozen precipitation, and sea spray. B. Flame and Flash Fire The shipboard CWC system must provide flame protection resulting in less than 25% total burn injury prediction during a 3 second flame exposure at 2.0 calorie per square centimeter per second heat flux and tested in accordance with ASTM F1930. The shipboard CWC system materials worn next-to-skin must not melt or drip when exposed to heat or flame must self-extinguish within 2 seconds and with a maximum char length of 6 inches (T), 4 inches (O), when tested in accordance with ASTM D6413. C. Safety Hazards for Shipboard and Flight Deck Operations Compatibility with Safety and Individual Equipment – The CWC system garments must be compatible with individual equipment worn by shipboard and flight deck personnel, including life vest, body armor, hearing protection, eye protection, and helmets. Electro-Static Dissipation – The shipboard CWC system materials must prevent or minimize the buildup of an electrostatic charge. Foreign Object Debris (FOD) and Snag Hazard Prevention – Shipboard CWC system garment design and construction features such as straps, buttons, draw cords, strings, and seams must be minimized to mitigate foreign objects debris in and around the flight deck and prevent snag hazards. The shipboard CWC system garments must not snag or impede entrance or egress from aircraft and confined spaces into which Sailors or flight deck personnel may need to access. Petroleum, Oils and Lubricant (POL) Resistance – The shipboard CWC system hand protection and outerwear components shall provide repellency and resistance to saturation from POL materials associated with ship and aircraft maintenance activities. Interested Parties : To respond to this RFI, interested parties are requested to submit the following: A cover sheet that identifies the interested party, their cage code, their business size under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), their technical point of contact (TPOC), and contact information (email and phone number) for the TPOC. Material Submission(s) a. A swatch of each material submission. b. A material description, to include: identification of fiber content percentage; material structure; performance characteristics and test data supporting that the material addresses the environmental protection, flame and flash fire protection, and safety hazard requirements (see A - C above); production lead time; production locations (fiber, yarn, weaving, and finishing); and available colors. c. An estimated unit cost per linear yard (specify width of material), which may be broken down by quantity reflecting economies of scale. d. Identify which shipboard CWC system component(s) the material should be considered. e. Identify any military specifications or product descriptions to which the material complies. Identify any military items in which the material is currently used End Item Submission(s) a. A product description, to include: description of the product’s design features; performance characteristics and test data supporting that the product addresses the environmental protection, flame and flash fire protection, and safety hazard requirements (see A - C above); production lead time; production location(s); available colors; and pictures or drawings of the product. b. A swatch of each material used in the product as well as material description(s) (see 1b above) for all materials used in the product. c. An estimated unit cost per end item, which may be broken down by quantity reflecting economies of scale. d. Identify whether the product has been certified for use by any military service. Complete disclosure of chemical treatment or topical finishes, applicable safety data sheets (SDS), and documentation for Berry Amendment (10 USC 2533a) compliance are required. Provide information which certifies that the finished material has been safely used commercially or provide sufficient toxicity data to show compatibility with prolonged, direct skin contact. The finished cloth shall not present a dermal health hazard when used as intended. Required documentation and fabric sample(s) are due no later than COB 15 Apr 2021. Documentation may be submitted electronically via email or hard copy shipped with fabric sample(s). Information provided will be handled as proprietary and samples will not be returned. Submissions will be evaluated for suitability for use in the shipboard CWC system. Contact : Point of contact for this request is Chris Diaz, 508-206-2750,
[email protected]. Shipping address: Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility, ATTN: Chris Diaz – Bldg. 86, 10 General Greene Ave, Natick, MA 01760-5019. THIS NOTICE IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS.