City of Dallas

Request for Information (RFI)

Project Title: Structural Firefighting Ensemble - Coats and

Pants

Buyer Solicitation Number: BD26-00029714 http://www.dallascitynews.net/

I. Introduction, Purpose, & Intent

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather insights, capabilities, and recommendations from interested suppliers, service providers, or consultants regarding Structural

Firefighting Ensemble - Coats and Pants. The information collected will help Dallas Fire Rescue better understand the current market landscape, refine project requirements, and guide future procurement decisions.

This RFI is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation or guarantee of future procurement.

Responses to this RFI will not result in contractual obligations for the City of Dallas, nor will they provide any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement process.

II. Background

Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather detailed technical information regarding structural firefighting coats and pants suitable for a large metropolitan, interior-attack, all-hazards fire department.

DFR seeks information on ensembles certified to National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1970

(2025) and maintained in accordance with NFPA 1851 (2020), and which support compliance with

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.156.

III. Notices and Inquiries

This RFI and any related amendment and notices will be published to this solicitation on

Bonfire. Notices related to this RFI will be sent to the vendor lists registered with Bonfire for the associated goods/services, and other known potential vendors through additional outreach search functions/databases.

Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted in writing through Bonfire, the City’s procurement portal website at https://dallascityhall.bonfirehub.com/login. Verbal questions will not be accepted. Responses to any inquiries submitted through Bonfire will be answered by publishing an addendum to this solicitation

IV. RFI Response Guidelines

1. Format

Please submit responses in a clear and organized format, ideally in PDF or Microsoft Word. Include a cover page with your company name, primary contact, and contact information.

2. Project Overview

Give a high-level summary of the project. Describe the area of interest, implementation of new technology, development of a particular service, or identification of suitable products and the business problems or opportunities that the department aims to address.

3. Submission Instructions

Please submit your response through the Bonfire Portal https://dallascityhall.bonfirehub.com.

https://dallascityhall.bonfirehub.com/

V. Specifications

1. Requested Information

1.1. DFR requests technical information for ensembles that:

• Are independently certified by Underwriters Laboratory (UL), Safety Equipment Institute

(SEI), or an equivalent accredited laboratory to NFPA 1970 (2025)

• Achieve Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) ≥ 39 cal/cm²

• Achieve Total Heat Loss (THL) ≥ 250 W/m² measured per NFPA 1970 (2025)

Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) Test Method Clarification

DFR recognizes that Thermal Protective Performance (TPP) values reported under NFPA 1970

(2025) will be lower than values reported under previous editions, due to the transition from the former three-burner test configuration to the updated single-burner method. As a result, TPP values between standards are not directly comparable. DFR will evaluate thermal protection based on NFPA 1970 (2025) certification and operational performance during wear testing.

Resistance to Evaporative Heat Transfer (RET) Clarification

DFR recognizes that Resistance to Evaporative Heat Transfer (RET) is a newer performance metric that was not included or emphasized in prior DFR specifications. Lower RET values generally indicate greater breathability and may support improved heat-stress mitigation in Dallas’ high-heat, high-humidity environment. DFR will evaluate RET values in accordance with NFPA

1970 (2025) certification while placing ultimate weight on operational performance demonstrated during controlled evaluations and field wear testing.

OSHA Compliance

Respondents should confirm Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) meets applicable elements of OSHA

29 CFR 1910.156.

2. Material Information Requested

2.1 Moisture Barrier

DFR requests information for the GORE-TEX Endure moisture barrier, including certification, performance data, and compatibility with proposed garment builds.

3. Outer Shell & Thermal Liner

DFR requests information on materials produced by:

• TenCate Protective Fabrics, or

• Safety Components

Material documentation should describe:

• Flame resistance and thermal stability under repeated interior-fire exposure

• Durability against abrasion, tearing, UV, and station wear

• Compatibility with the Endure moisture barrier

• Outer Shell Weight of ≥ 7.0 oz/yd²

4. Per-and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Regulation Contingency (Information Only)

Respondents should describe the ability to substitute compliant components if PFAS regulations change during product lifecycle, including maintaining NFPA 1970 certification and equivalent performance.

4.1 Design & Ergonomics – Information Requested

DFR requests garment-design information addressing:

• Full mobility for crawling, ladder work, victim removal, ventilation

• Preservation of insulating airspace even in athletic or close-fit patterns

• Reinforcement of high-stress areas

• Performance through NFPA 1851 wash/dry/decon

• Low water uptake and rapid-dry characteristics

5. ISP Capability – Technical Support Information Requested

Respondents should provide information describing:

• ISP training support

• Regional support availability

• Experience assisting large metro departments

• Capability to support DFR’s in-house ISP program

• Compatibility with Apptricity and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)/barcode workflows

6. Market Trends and Innovations

Vendors shall provide insight into emerging trends, new technologies, or innovations that might impact the project. Suggest ways that Dallas Fire Rescue Department could stay ahead of industry changes.

VI. Field Wear Trial

Representatives of Dallas Fire Rescue will conduct a Six-Month Field Wear Trial assessing the following areas:

• Thermal protection retention

• Repair frequency

• Comfort/RET performance

• Mobility durability

• NFPA 1851 cleanability

• Shell/barrier/liner/trim durability

VII. Additional Information requested

1. Coat Features – Information Requested

DFR requests coat information addressing:

• Drag Rescue Device (DRD)

• Radio pocket

• Mic strap

• Flashlight holder

• Pocket layout

• NFPA 1970 trim (stitched preferred)

• “DALLAS” 3” reflective

• Liner access

• Particulate interfaces

• Light tan/natural colors

• Mobility patterning maintaining 3-layer continuity

2. Pant Features – Information Requested

DFR requests pant information addressing:

• Reinforced knees

• Abrasion-resistant knee panels

• Cargo pockets

• Cuff reinforcement

• Suspender integration

• Particulate interfaces

• Liner access

• Light tan/natural colors

• Mobility patterning (diamond gusset, multi-panel, articulated)

3. Warranty Information Requested

DFR seeks information on:

• Endure moisture-barrier warranty

• Ensemble warranty duration

• Component-level warranties

• Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) material manufacturers

• Extended warranty availability

4. Sizing & Delivery Information Requested

• Endure moisture-barrier warranty

• Gender-specific sizing sets

• Individualized sizing systems

• Lead times for sizing events

• Strategies for swap-out cache support

• Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) material manufacturers

• Extended warranty availability

5. Operational Sizing Practices – Information Requested

DFR uses individualized fit for primary assignments and maintains a standard-size swap-out cache for emergency exchanges.

6. Training Support Information Requested

DFR requests information on training offered for:

• PPE capabilities/limitations

• NFPA 1851 cleaning/inspection

• Donning/doffing

• OSHA-relevant training

7. Training Support Information Requested

Respondents should list the country of origin for:

• Assembly

• Shell fabrics

• Moisture barriers

• Thermal liners

• Reinforcements

• Hardware / trims

8. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) / Apptricity Information Requested

DFR requests information on:

• Permanently affixed RFID/barcode

• Durability through NFPA 1851 wash/dry/decon

• Apptricity compatibility

• Lifecycle survivability