Brand_Name_Justification_-_Scarpa_Ski_Boots_002_new.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

ADVANCE SKILLS COMPANY

GROUP SUPPORT BATTALION, 10TH SPECIAL GROUP (AIRBORNE)

FORT CARSON, COLORADO 80913

AOSO-SFC-ASC 6 November 2018

MEMORANDUM FOR MICC-Fort Drum

SUBJECT: Brand Name Exact Match Memo for FedBid Buy [#]

1. The Scarpa Maestrale ski boots in grey color are designed for the conduct of military operations in a winter arctic environment. The requested boots are specifically made in grey color scheme without any silver or bright pieces that reflect light. This allows the boots to blend in tactically as this color blends in to varied environments and surroundings and does not stand out when seen with Night Vision Devices. These are the premier boots to conduct military operations effectively in an arctic environment.

2. Extensive market research was conducted from 14 November 2017 until 16 May 2018.

Site visits and product tests were conducted by several units within 10th SFG(A) and at various winter training locations in Colorado and throughout the United States. Additional arctic events include B Co, 3rd Bn, 10th SFG(A) involvement in Exercise ARCTIC EDGE in Alaska and joint training with SEAL Team 4 in California.

3. There are several reasons that the Scarpa Maestrale works best for the wide variety of individuals that will use them for training evolutions and exercises. The Scarpa Maestrale is suited for use with older alpine touring (AT) bindings on some skis in the unit with a toe and heel piece and they also work with new bindings with a pin-tech design. The Scarpa Maestrale is also well suited for use on AT skis, walking in snow shoes, attaching and using crampons for icy conditions and mountain operations or walking long distances.

The Scarpa Maestrale uses a three piece tongue design. Through our testing, the three piece tongue design accommodates a wider variety of foot shapes. Additionally, the Scarpa Maestrale has a flex rating of 110, which means it is not as stiff as other brands and prevents the user from fatigue and possible injury caused by moving long distances or steep uphill climbs on skis in a boot with less flexibility. This flex rating also means the user can use the boots with snow shoes more easily, which provides more choices of movement equipment for a unit that may encounter varied snow conditions requiring snow shoes. The Scarpa Maestrale also utilizes a rocker’ed alpine touring sole, which makes a Soldier more operationally mobile when walking without skis on mixed terrain. Other brands use a standard din sole which is flat and not as ergonomically suited for an individual expected to walk long distances in these boots. The unit already has older versions of the Scarpa Maestrale ski boot and it is better to keep Soldiers in the same brand of equipment rather than have various boot brands within the same element conducting training.

AOSO-SFC-ASC

SUBJECT: Brand Name Exact Match Memo for FedBid Buy [#]

4. For the reasons listed above, the 10th SFG(A) Winter Warfare Detachment requests that a brand name purchase of the Scarpa Maestrale ski boot in grey color be approved.

5. For any questions regarding this memo, please contact SFC Daniel, Stephen at 719- 526-8961 or stephen.daniel@socom.mil.

ROLF L. JENSEN

SGM, USA

Operations Sergeant Major

Thomas J. Brown

Contracting Officer mailto:stephen.daniel@socom.mil