5-RFP 26-112 Scope of Work-Submittal Info 01212026.pdf

March 2025

CITY OF ALPHARETTA REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

RFP Number: 26-112 RFP Title: Firefighter Structural Turnout Gear

RFP SCOPE OF WORK & PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

1. RFP Period of No Communication The “No Communication” period starts on the issue date of this Request for Proposals (RFP) January 29, 2026, and lasts until the City Council meeting for contract award recommendation (or until contract award if this isn’t required to go before council for approval).

No person or company, their employees, representatives, agents, attorneys, etc. will contact the City’s elected officials or any City staff concerning this RFP.

Contacting anyone other than the Procurement Agent named below for this RFP during this time will be reason to remove a proposal from consideration and review.

2. Procurement Agent, Single Point of Contact Abby Shipp is the designated Procurement Agent and the sole point of contact for this RFP on behalf of the City. Offerors must direct all questions and comments exclusively through the Opportunity Q&A tab prior to the posted Question Due Date on the Bonfire project webpage.

Link to Bonfire: https://cityofalpharetta.bonfirehub.com/ All official communication will be provided through the Bonfire project webpage and Consultants are responsible for monitoring the Bonfire webpage for any status updates, addenda, or the final bid award notice. Direct communication with any other City staff regarding this RFP is not permitted and may result in disqualification.

Abby can be reached at 678-297-6052 or purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us.

City of Alpharetta 2 Park Plaza Alpharetta, GA 30009 Attn: Abby Shipp, Procurement Agent

3. Please Note: To all current and previous City of Alpharetta vendors, contractors, and consultants.

Regardless of any previous relationship with our City, you must build out your proposal as requested in this RFP.

Do not neglect to provide requested information or details requested simply because you expect that we already know your work.

Your response to this procurement will be reviewed and evaluated solely on the information provided in your response.

https://cityofalpharetta.bonfirehub.com/ mailto:purchasing@alpharetta.ga.us

City of Alpharetta RFP # 26-112, Firefighter Structural Turnout Gear Scope of Work and Proposal Submission

4. RFP Schedule of Events

A. Proposal Close Date, Deadline for Submissions: Feb 26, 2026, 10:00 AM. We may change this date during the RFP process. We will post any change in an addendum.

Review web page for addenda.

B. Link to Bonfire Project Web Page: https://cityofalpharetta.bonfirehub.com/

C. This project web page has the important dates and all project documents for this RFP.

D. Enter all questions, comments, requests for information before the Questions Due Date using Message – Opportunity Q&A at the Bonfire project web page.

E. In each question, clearly note the RFP document and section that is in question.

F. We will share any changes or added information from the City by a written addendum publicly posted online with the project procurement documents. Anything assumed as a change that was only communicated in email or verbally does not qualify as a change to the project or procurement information.

G. It is your responsibility to check the project web page for any addenda, other information, status updates, or other messages before finally uploading a proposal. You must respond using any updated information.

H. No public openings are held for an RFP. Review the Bonfire project site after proposal submission deadline for the Record of Receipt to be posted with other project files. It will post after the City’s administrative review has been completed.

5. Our Review of Proposals and Review Criteria:

A. The City will make investigations as we feel necessary to make sure of the Offeror’s ability to provide the supplies or perform the work or services detailed in this RFP.

B. We will first review all proposals to be sure that each proposal includes the basic requirements and information.

C. Some scoring may simply be Pass/Fail. Any proposal that Fails any part or section that is required will be removed from further review and scoring.

D. The Review Team will only receive correct proposals for further evaluation and scoring.

E. Proposals will be scored based on the evaluation criteria noted herein. We may consider accepted industry standards. We may compare all proposals to each other for price, quality, quantity, contract terms, etc. We will use this review and scoring to decide the top-scoring proposal[s] and the best value for our City.

F. The Review Team may decide to create a shortlist of the top-scoring proposals. If so, the shortlisted firms may be invited for a presentation or interview with us, may be asked to set-up a site visit, or may be asked to supply more information for review. We may ask for discussion, negotiation, or a “best and final offer” to finally decide the highest-scoring proposal.

Phase I Each Offeror will be evaluated individually using weights for each criterion below. A shortlist to proceed to Phase II will be developed based on the Evaluation Committee’s review of the information provided.

Evaluation Criteria Maximum Points

Company References 20

Approach to Project/Method of Providing Service/Scheduling/Ordering/Delivery Timeframe

Cost 42

Local Vendor Preference 3

Phase I Total 100

Phase II Only those Offerors on the shortlist will be invited for further evaluation.

To facilitate review at this stage, the City will request a sample of all items offered by shortlisted firms (jacket, pants, boots). Once requested, the Offeror must provide the samples to the procurement agent, Abby Shipp, within two (2) weeks of notification.

Samples must be sent to:

City of Alpharetta Attn: Abby Shipp

2 Park Plaza Alpharetta, GA 30009.

After the award recommendation to Council, Offerors may request the return of samples at the Offeror’s expense.

Evaluation Criteria Maximum Points

Review of Sample Items (jacket, pants, boots) for specification compliance. 100%

Phase II Total 100%

WHAT WE WANT TO DO

1. General Description The City of Alpharetta (City) requests proposal responses from Offerors experienced in working with municipality and fire department personnel to provide Structural Turnout Gear and Pull-on Boots. The City’s intent is to award a 1-year non-exclusive contract with a 1-year option to renew to one or more successful Offerors that supply the requested items. Offerors are not required to provide all items (jacket, pants, and boots) in this procurement to be considered. The City reserves the right to enter into contracts with multiple companies for Structural Turnout Gear and Pull-on Boots.

Each Offeror shall understand that no guarantee is made for the number of items to be purchased by the City. During the term of any contract awarded based on this RFP, items may be changed, added to, or eliminated from the list by the City.

The successful Offeror shall have a convenient location for in-store fitting and ordering within a 75-mile radius of our City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, GA.

At no extra charge to the City, the Offeror shall also provide on-site measuring/fitting of fire personnel at one or more of the City’s fire stations if requested by the City. This request would be for multiple fittings for orders of multiple items.

2. Scope of Work The Items requested in the RFP are:

• Protective Jacket for Structural Fire Fighting

• Protective Pants for Structural Fire Fighting

• 14” Pull-on Boots for Structural Fire Fighting

For jackets and pants, the complete specification details, design, and materials criteria to afford protection to the upper and lower body, excluding head, hands, and feet, against adverse environmental effects during structural firefighting are in Appendix A of this RFP. All materials and construction will meet or exceed current Nation Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for structural firefighters' protective clothing.

• Certified to NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Firefighting and Proximity Firefighting, Current Edition for Structural Fire Fighting and

• NFPA 1992, Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensembles and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies, Current Edition.

For boots, the complete specification details, design, and materials criteria to protect the lower legs and feet against adverse environmental effects during structural firefighting is in Appendix B of this RFP. All materials and construction will meet or exceed current NFPA and OSHA standards for structural firefighters' protective clothing.

Measuring and fitting shall be provided at the Offeror’s site within a 75-mile radius of our City Hall. For large orders requiring the fitting of multiple fire personnel, the Offeror shall also provide on-site fitting at one or more of the City’s fire stations if requested by the City at no extra charge to the City.

All items, Jackets, Pants, and Boots shall be manufactured in the United States.

Replying to this RFP is confirmation that the Offeror can and does comply with information within this RFP. Any Exceptions (exceeds request or cannot comply) must be noted in the Offeror’s response.

Offeror must complete and return specification forms found in Appendix A for protective jacket and pants and in Appendix B for pull-on boots. Any exceptions require explanation. See instructions for completing at the beginning of each appendix.

FOLLOW THIS OUTLINE

How We Want You to Construct Your Proposal

1. Using Bonfire to Submit Proposal

1.1. This is the link to Bonfire Project Web Page to get our documents and to upload your proposal: https://cityofalpharetta.bonfirehub.com/

1.2. We are accepting all proposals by online response only. You must upload completed proposals online before the closing date and time found in Project Details of the project web page for this RFP.

1.3. Don’t send proposals by mail, fax, or email. We will not accept paper copy proposals.

We will not accept any proposals after the closing time deadline has passed.

1.4. You have not completed your response simply by uploading proposal documents and information. You must successfully upload all the required documents, including filling out any questionnaires, price sheets, or data requests, and then you must click the submit button before the closing time.

1.5. You will receive an email confirmation receipt with a unique confirmation number shortly after you complete your proposal upload. This confirms that you have successfully turned in your proposal with all required information.

1.6. You can update your proposal at any time until the closing time.

1.7. All uploaded items and responses are Sealed and will only be visible by the City after the closing time has passed.

1.8. If the file is ‘mandatory’ or ‘required’, you won’t be able to complete your proposal until you have met all requirements.

1.9. Uploading large documents may take more time, depending on the size of the file(s) and your Internet connection speed.

1.10. Pay attention to the type and number of files we have asked you to upload.

1.11. The largest upload file size is 1000 MB.

1.12. Don’t embed any documents within your uploaded files. They won’t be accessible or evaluated.

1.13. Minimum system requirements: Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox. Java Script must be enabled.

2. Required Proposal Document Formats Each proposal must follow these document formats.

• Failure to follow these formats will reduce our review team’s ability to evaluate and may result in a lower proposal score or in complete removal of a proposal from scoring.

• Format your document text using the following outline. Excluded from noted formatting are cover pages, section separators, company logos, photos, charts, and headers.

o formatted to single space lines, o 10 to 12-point font size, o black font color, and o upload proposal documents in PDF format unless otherwise requested.

o OK, but not necessary, to bookmark PDF files by sections included.

3. Proposal Submittal Instructions

What We Want You To Provide To Us In Your Proposal

• We have outlined information to be submitted in this technical portion of your response.

• The following are required sections for each proposal submitted in response to our request.

• For each section there are certain topics listed to be included within each section.

• Evaluation criteria maximum review points are provided with sections that will be scored.

• Each section must begin on a new page.

• Each proposal must be responsive to all requested information.

• Note and follow any direction concerning page number limits.

Cover Letter Required but not scored.

Limited to two (2) page maximum.

A. Provide a brief company introduction and business profile.

B. Include the following information:

i. Brief business profile.

ii. Office Location.

iii. Number of years in business.

iv. Single point of contact for your proposal

• Name, including business title,

• mailing address,

• telephone number, cell phone number, and

• e-mail address.

Response must follow instructions and supply information based on Section 2 Scope of Work pages 4 - 5 of this document.

Company References 20 Review Points

Limited to one (1) page maximum.

i. Provide at least three (3) references from the last three years where your company provided services as detailed in this document:

• Provide contact name, phone number, and email address for each reference provided.

NOTE: We contact references to verify your ability to do the work. We also reserve the right to use any information or other references to decide your ability to perform the work in this RFP. Poor references from any source are grounds to disqualify a proposal.

Approach to Project/Method of Providing Service/Scheduling/Ordering/Delivery Timeframe

35 Review Points

Limited to five (5) page maximum.

Offeror shall provide a description of the work plan and the methods to be used that will convincingly demonstrate to the City what the Offeror intends to do, the timeframes necessary to accomplish the Work, and how the Work will be accomplished. Items to address in the proposal include, but may not be limited to:

• Scheduling of sizing for new employees or for replacement turnout gear.

Explain scheduling for fittings at the Offeror’s site and for on-site fitting at the City’s location.

• Lead time for delivery once orders have been entered.

• Warranty

• Packaging and shipping information.

• Order notifications.

• Invoicing process.

4. Cost Proposal 42 Review Points

Do not include Cost proposal with other Proposal documents.

• Submit Cost Proposal separately using the Excel formatted cost proposal.

5. Optional Form Local Vendor Preference application is not a required document. 3 review points

Submit only if your firm is a registered and holds a current City of Alpharetta Business License.

Only if your company fits the requirements for a City of Alpharetta Local Vendor, provide the completed application along with all requested information, documents, and a copy of your current City of Alpharetta business license.

6. Required Forms:

• We have provided three required forms. You must complete these forms and return to us with every proposal.

• Below are the required forms for all proposals:

a) IRS Form W-9

b) Bidder’s Disclosures and Certifications

c) E-Verify (Affidavit Verifying Contractor Participation in Federal Work Authorization Program)

All the following must be on the E-verify affidavit.

Federal Work Authorization User Identification Number – this is only five to eight numbers.

No A, B, C’s.

It’s different from your Tax ID, Employer Identification, or Social

Security Number.

It won’t have a combination of letters and numbers.

Date of Authorization – this is when you first signed up and got the E-verify number.

Name of Contractor – your company.

Name of Project – Same as RFP title.

Date, City, and State – when and where this form was signed.

Signature of Authorized Officer or Agent – to be signed.

Printed Name and Title of Authorized Officer or Agent – the person that signed the form.

Notarized with seal.

E-Verify side note: Companies return this form to us incorrectly more often than anything else we request in our RFPs.

State of Georgia law requires that we have this completed form before we can review a RFP or bid.

A form with errors doesn’t fulfill this requirement.

Top mistakes include:

Wrong number or missing information.

Not notarized.

Not signed.

Wrong form returned.

7. Questionnaire We use a questionnaire to gather important information needed for legal requirements, your acknowledgements, our proposal review, or information needed for writing a contract.

You will fill out the questionnaire provided.

Questionnaire response types are as follows:

• Authorized signer.

o For Corporations (President or Vice President) or o For LLCs (Member of the LLC) for contract execution in DocuSign: Name, corporate title (‘Member’ for LLC), email address.

o Response Type: text entry.

• For Corporations only, Secretary or Assistant Secretary to attest to signing for contract execution in DocuSign:

o Name, business title, email address, (if not a corporation, enter N/A).

o Response Type: text entry.

• Contact for legal notices-needed for contracting:

o Business name and mailing address, contact name.

o Response Type: text entry.

• Unique Entity ID / identifier used at SAM.gov, o Response Type: alphanumeric entry.

• Note the Employee-Number Category for your company (all locations).

o Select either 500 or more employees, 100 or more employees, or less than 100 employees.

• Acknowledge Addenda, o enter the number of addenda received: 0, 1, 2, etc.

• Acknowledge Insurance Requirement, o Response Type: Yes, No entry.

• Location distance from our City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, GA o Response Type: numeric entry. Enter the number of miles from your location to City Hall. Will be scored as pass/fail.

Appendix A: General Specifications for Protective Jacket and Pants for Structural Fire Fighting Instructions:

1. This completed General Specification Form must be included with Offeror’s proposal to be considered responsive and eligible for review by the Evaluation Committee.

2. Offerors must review each specification, then note if Offeror will comply or if there is an exception to the specification.

3. ALL exceptions to these specifications must include an explanation clearly stating the reason for the exception. Use additional pages as needed, noting the number / title of the exception.

4. If Offeror is not offering items exactly as listed in these specifications, Offeror shall be prepared to supply a sample (at Offeror’s expense) to the City, within one week of the City’s request. Offeror shall not send samples unless requested by the City after the City’s review of exceptions.

5. After award recommendation to Council, Offerors may request the return of any samples at Offeror’s expense.

1. SCOPE

This specification details design and materials criteria to protect the upper and lower body, excluding the head, hands, and feet, against adverse environmental effects during structural firefighting. All materials and construction will meet or exceed current NFPA and OSHA standards for structural firefighters’ protective clothing.

_______ Comply _______ Exception

2. MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION

OUTER SHELL MATERIAL - JACKETS AND PANTS

The Kombat Flex™ (a.k.a. Kombat Flex™ with PBI® Technology) outer shell shall be constructed of 60/40 Kevlar®/PBI™ twill weave outer shell fabric with an approximate weight of 6.9 oz. per square yard. TENCATE shall manufacture the Kombat Flex™ material and must be treated with SSTÔ (SUPER SHELLTITE), a durable water-repellent finish that enhances abrasion resistance. Color of the garments shall be natural/gold.

THERMAL INSULATING LINER - JACKET AND PANTS

The thermal liner shall be constructed of TENCATE “CALDURA® ELITE SL2i”; with an approximate weight of 7.7 oz per square yard. This thermal liner consists of one layer of 1.5 oz.

and one layer of 2.3 oz. per square yard Nomex® E-89™ spunlaced Nomex®/Kevlar® aramid blend, quilt stitched to a Kevlar® filament and FR rayon/para-aramid/nylon inherently wicking Caldura® face cloth. The thermal liner shall be attached to the moisture barrier and bound together by bias-cut neoprene-coated cotton/polyester around the perimeter. This provides superior abrasion resistance to the less expensive, less durable “stitch and turn” method. Further mention of “Thermal Liner” in this specification shall refer to this section.

MOISTURE BARRIER - JACKETS AND PANTS

The moisture barrier material shall be W.L. GORE CROSSTECH® black moisture barrier - Type 2F, which is comprised of a CROSSTECH® membrane laminated to a 3.3 ounce per square yard Nomex® IIIA woven pajama check substrate. The CROSSTECH® membrane is an enhanced bicomponent membrane comprised of an expanded PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene, for example, Teflon®) matrix having a continuous hydrophilic (i.e., water-loving) and oleophobic (i.e., oil-hating) coating that is impregnated into the matrix. CROSSTECH® moisture barrier seams shall be sealed with GORE-SEAM® tape using a Series 6000 (or higher) GORE-SEAM™ sealing machine to afford comparable bacteriophage penetration resistance performance. Further mention of “Specified Moisture Barrier” in this specification shall refer to this section.

SEALED MOISTURE BARRIER SEAMS

All moisture barrier seams shall be sealed with a minimum 1-inch-wide sealing tape. One side of the tape shall be coated with a heat-activated glue adhesive. The adhesive side of the tape shall be oriented toward the moisture barrier seam. The adhesive shall be activated by heat and the sealing tape shall be applied to the moisture barrier seams by means of pressure exerted by rollers for that purpose.

METHOD OF THERMAL LINER/MOISTURE BARRIER ATTACHMENT FOR JACKETS

AND PANTS

The thermal liner and moisture barrier shall be completely removable from the jacket shell. Two strips of 5/8 inch wide FR hook and loop fastener tape shall secure the thermal liner/moisture barrier to the outer shell along the length of the neckline under the collar (see Collar section). The remainder of the thermal liner/moisture barrier shall be secured with snap fasteners appropriately spaced on each jacket facing and Are-Shield® snap fasteners at each shell sleeve end. There shall be one Ara-shield® snap tab in the liner in addition to snap fasteners to correspond with color-coded snap tabs for ease of matching the liner system to the outer shell after inspection or cleaning is completed.

The thermal liner and moisture barrier shall be completely removable from the pant shell. Nine snap fasteners shall be spaced along the waistband to secure the thermal liner to the shell. The legs of the thermal liner/moisture barrier shall be secured to the shell by means of Ara-Shield® snap fasteners, 2 per leg. The Arashield ® snap tabs shall be color-coded to a corresponding color-coded snap tab in the liner to easily match the liner system to the outer shell after inspection or cleaning is completed.

THERMAL PROTECTIVE PERFORMANCE

The assembled garment, consisting of an outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner, shall exhibit a TPP (Thermal Protective Performance) rating of not less than 35.

STITCHING

The outer shell shall be assembled using stitch type #301, #401, #514 and #516. The thermal liners and moisture barriers shall be assembled using stitch type #301, #401, #504, #514, and #516. Major A outer shell structural seams and major B structural liner seams shall have a minimum of 8 to 10 stitches per inch. All Major A seams shall be sewn with ballpoint needles only. All seams shall be continuously stitched only.

3. JACKET CONSTRUCTION BODY

The body of the shell and AXTION® liner system shall be constructed of three separate panels consisting of two front panels and one back panel. The body panels shall be shaped so as to provide a tailored fit thereby enhancing body movement and shall be joined together by double stitching with Nomex® thread. One-piece outer shells shall not be acceptable.

SIZING

The jacket length shall be sloping in design, measured from the juncture of the collar and back panels to the hem of the jacket, and shall measure

27 inches in the front/31 inches long in the back. (women’s) 29 inches in the front/33 inches long in the back. (standard) 32 inches in the front/36 inches long in the back.

35 inches in the front/39 inches long in the back.

The jacket shall be available in male and female patterns in even size chest measurements of two-inch increments and shall range from a small size of 30 to a large size of 68. Generalized sizing, such as small, medium, large, etc., will not be considered acceptable.

DRAG RESCUE DEVICE (DRD)

A Firefighter Drag Rescue Device (DRD) shall be installed in each jacket. The ends of a 1-inch wide strap, constructed of Kevlar®, shall be sewn together to form a continuous loop. The strap shall be installed in the jacket between the liner system and outer shell such that when properly installed will loop around each arm. The strap will be accessed through a portal between the shoulders on the upper back where it is secured in place by an FR strap. The DRD shall be removable for laundering. The access port shall be covered by an outside flap of shell material, designed to fit between the shoulder straps of an SCBA. The flap will have a NFPA-compliant 3M Scotchlite™ reflective logo patch sewn to the outside to clearly identify the feature as the DRD (Drag Rescue Device). The DRD shall not extend beyond the outside flap. This device provides a quickly deployed means of rescuing a downed firefighter. Flimsy, rope-style DRD straps will not be considered.

LINER ACCESS OPENING - JACKET

The liner system of the jacket shall incorporate an opening at the leading edges of the right front panel. This opening shall run a minimum of 11 inches for the purpose of inspecting the integrity of the jacket liner system. When installed into the outer shell, the Liner Access Opening will be covered and protected by the overlap of the outer shell facing.

LOGOS

The garment brand shall be identified by means of red FR Nomex thread embroidery on the top of the left collar denoting the manufacturer. There shall be a reflective label specific to the garment style, measuring 1 inch wide by 4 inches long, installed on the left pocket flap.

RETROREFLECTIVE FLUORESCENT TRIM

The retroreflective fluorescent trim shall be lime/yellow 3M Scotchlite™Triple Trim (L/Y borders with silver center). Each jacket shall have an adequate amount of retroreflective fluorescent trim affixed to the outside of the outer shell to meet the requirements of NFPA #1971 and OSHA. The trim shall be in the following widths and shall be NYC style; 3 inch wide stripes

- around the bottom of the jacket within approximately 1 inch of the hem, around the back and chest area approximately 3 inches below the armpit, around each sleeve below the elbow, around each sleeve above the elbow.

REINFORCED TRIM STITCHING

All reflective trim is secured to the outer shell with Nomex® thread, using a locking chainstitch protected by Kevlar trim abrasion cording. This strip of 3/32-inch strong, durable, flame resistant black Kevlar® cording provides a bed for the stitching along each edge of the retroreflective fluorescent trim surface and affords extra protection for the thread from abrasion. Two rows of stitching used to attach the trim in place of the TrimTrax® shall be considered an unacceptable alternative. All trim ends shall be securely sewn into a seam for a clean finished appearance.

SEWN ON RETROREFLECTIVE LETTERING

Each jacket shall have 2” lime/yellow 3M Scotchlite™ lettering on Row A reading:

ALPHARETTA.

LETTER PATCH

Hanging Letter Patch The Hanging letter patch shall be constructed of a double layer of outer shell material. The letter patch will attach to the rear inside hem of the jacket with a combination of snap fasteners, FR hook, and loop fastener tape. 3” letters shall be sewn on for the firefighter’s name.

COLLAR & FREE HANGING THROAT TAB

The collar shall consist of a minimum four-layer construction and be of one-piece design. The outer layers shall consist of one layer of specified outer shell material on outside and a layer of PCA black Advance™ as standard on the inside and two layers of specified moisture barrier. The rear inside ply of aramid pajama check shall be sewn to the collar’s back layer of outer shell at the edges only. The forward inside ply of moisture barrier shall be sewn to the inside of the collar at the edges only. The multi-layered configuration shall provide protection from water and other hazardous elements. The collar shall be a minimum of 3 inches high and graded to size. The leading edges of the collar shall extend up evenly from the leading edges of the jacket front body panels so that no gap occurs at the throat area. The collar’s back layers of outer shell and moisture barrier shall be joined to the body panels with two rows of stitching. The collar’s front layers of moisture barrier and outer shell shall have a strip of ⅝ inch wide FR hook fastener tape stitched to the inside lower edge and running the full length of the collar. The inside strip of ⅝ inch wide FR hook fastener tape sewn to the underside of the collar shall engage a corresponding piece of FR loop fastener tape on the neck extension of the liner system. A self-material fabric hanger loop shall be sewn at the top of collar. The throat tab shall consist of a minimum 4-layer construction, and it shall be of be a scoop type design and constructed of two plies of outer shell material with two center plies of moisture barrier material. The throat tab shall measure not less than 3½ inches wide at the center tapering to approximately 2 inches at each end with a total length of approximately 9 inches. The throat tab will be attached to the right side of the collar by a 1 inch wide by 1½ inch long piece of Nomex® twill webbing. The throat tab shall be secured in the closed and stowed position with FR hook and loop fastener tape. The FR hook and loop fastener tape shall be oriented to prevent exposure to the environment when the throat tab is in the closed position. A 1½ inch by 3-inch piece of FR loop fastener tape shall be sewn horizontally to the each end of the throat tab and a 1 inch by 3 inch piece of FR hook fastener tape shall be sewn horizontally to the throat tab. A corresponding piece of FR hook fastener tape measuring 1 inch by 3 inches shall be sewn horizontally to the leading outside edge of the collar on the left side, for attachment and adjustment when in the closed position and wearing a breathing apparatus mask.

The collar closure strap shall fold in half for storage with the FR loop fastener tape engaging the FR hook fastener tape.

JACKET FRONT

The jacket shall incorporate separate facings to ensure no thermal or moisture protection interruption in the front closure area. The facings shall measure approximately 3 inches wide, extend from collar to hem, and be double stitched to the underside of the outer shell at the leading edges of the front body panels. A breathable moisture barrier material shall be sewn to the jacket facings and configured such that it is sandwiched between the jacket facing and the inside of the respective body panel. The breathable film side shall face inward to protect it. A wicking barrier constructed of Crosstech 2F moisture barrier material shall be installed on the front closure system on the left and right sides directly below the front facings to ensure continuous protection and overlap. The wicking barrier shall extend no more than a maximum of ¾ inch beyond the inner facing, and false facing shall be unacceptable. The thermal liner and moisture barrier assembly shall be attached to the jacket facings by means of snap fasteners.

STORM FLAP

A rectangular storm flap measuring approximately 3¼ inches (6 inches for hook and dee inside/FR hook and loop fastener tape outside closure; aka #7C) wide and a minimum of 21 inches long shall be centered over the left and right body panels to ensure there is no interruption in thermal or moisture protection in the front of the jacket. The outside storm flap shall be constructed of two plies of outer shell material with a center ply of breathable moisture barrier material. The outside storm flap shall be double stitched to the right-side body panel and shall be reinforced at the top and bottom with backtacks.

STORM FLAP AND JACKET FRONT CLOSURE SYSTEM

The jacket shall be closed by means of a 20-inch size #10 heavy-duty high-temp smooth-gliding YKK Vislon® zipper on the jacket fronts and FR hook and loop fastener tape on the storm flap.

The teeth of the zipper shall be mounted on black Nomex® tape and shall be sewn into the respective jacket fronts. The storm flap shall close over the left and right jacket body panels and shall be secured with FR hook and loop fastener tape. A 1½ inch piece of FR loop fastener tape shall be installed along the leading edge of the storm flap on the underside with four rows of stitching. A corresponding 1½ inch piece of FR hook fastener tape shall be sewn with four rows of stitching to the front body panel and positioned to engage the loop fastener tape when the storm flap is closed over the front of the jacket.

SEMI-EXPANSION (BELLOWS) POCKETS

Each jacket front body panel shall have a 8 inch wide by 8 inch high semi-expansion pocket double stitched to it and shall be located to provide accessibility. The leading edge of the pockets shall be sewn flush with the jacket. The rear of the pockets shall expand to a depth of 2 inches.

The semi-expansion pocket shall be reinforced with a layer of Kevlar® approximately 5 inches up on the inside of the pocket. Two rust-resistant metal drain eyelets shall be installed in the bottom of each semi-expansion pocket to facilitate water drainage. The pocket flaps shall be constructed of two layers of outer shell material and shall measure approximately 3 inches deeper than the pocket expansion and ½ inch wider than the pocket. The pocket flaps shall be angled with the front edge 1” shorter than the back edge, the upper pocket corners shall be reinforced with proven backtacks, and the pocket flaps shall be reinforced with backtacks. The pocket flaps shall be closed by means of FR hook and loop fastener tape. Two pieces of 1½ inch by 3-inch FR hook fastener tape shall be installed vertically on the inside of each pocket flap (one piece on each end). Two corresponding pieces of 1½ inch by 3-inch FR loop fastener tape shall be installed horizontally on the outside of each pocket near the top (one piece on each end) and positioned to engage the hook fastener tape. A separate hand warmer pocket compartment will also be provided under the expandable cargo pocket. This compartment will be accessed from the rear of the pocket and shall be lined with Nomex® fleece for warmth and comfort.

SLEEVES

The sleeves shall be of two-piece construction and contoured, having an upper and a lower sleeve.

Both the under and upper sleeves shall be graded in proportion to the chest size. For unrestricted movement, on the underside of each sleeve there shall be two outward facing pleats located on the front and back portion of the sleeve on the shell and thermal liner. On the moisture barrier, the system will consist of two darts, rather than pleats, to allow added length in the under sleeve.

The moisture barrier darts will be seam sealed to assure liquid resistance integrity. The pleats shall expand in response to upper arm movement and shall fold in on themselves when the arms are at rest. This expansion shall allow for greater multi-directional mobility and flexibility in the shoulder and arm areas, with little restriction or jacket rise. Neither stove-pipe nor raglan-style sleeve designs will be considered acceptable.

SLEEVE CUFF REINFORCEMENTS

The sleeve cuffs shall be reinforced with an extra layer of outer shell material.

The cuff reinforcements shall not be less than 2 inch in width and folded in half, approximately one-half inside and one half outside the sleeve end for greater strength and abrasion resistance.

The cuff reinforcement shall be double stitched to the sleeve end; a single row of stitching shall be considered unacceptable. This independent cuff provides an additional layer of protection as compared to a turned and stitched cuff. Jackets finished with a turned and stitched cuff do not provide the same level of abrasion resistance and will be considered unacceptable.

WRISTLETS / SLEEVE WELLS

Each jacket shall be equipped with PBI®/Kevlar® blend hand and wrist guards (over the hand) not less than 7 inches in length and of double thickness. A separate thumbhole with an approximate diameter of 2 inches shall be recessed approximately 1 inch from the leading edge.

The wristlets shall be sewn to the end of the liner sleeves. Flame resistant neoprene coated cotton/polyester material shall be sewn to the inside of the sleeve shell approximately 5 inches from the sleeve end and extending toward the cuff forming the sleeve well. The neoprene sleeve well shall form a cuff end that shall be elasticized providing a snug fit at the wrist and covering the knit wristlet. This sleeve well configuration serves to prevent water and other hazardous elements from entering the sleeves when the arms are raised. The neoprene material shall also line the inside of the sleeve shell from the cuff to a point approximately 5 inches back, where it joins the sleeve well and is double stitched to the shell. Four Ara-shield® snap tabs will be sewn into the juncture of the sleeve well and wristlet. The tabs will be spaced equidistant from each other and shall be fitted with female snap fasteners to accommodate corresponding male snap tabs on the liner sleeves. One of the Ara-shield® snap tabs shall be a different color in the liner to correspond with color-coded snap tabs for ease of matching the liner system to the outer shell after inspection or cleaning is completed. This configuration will ensure there is no interruption in protection between the sleeve liner and wristlet.

LINER SHOULDER THERMAL ENHANCEMENT PLUS ADDITIONAL THERMAL

A minimum of one additional layer of thermal liner material shall be used to increase thermal insulation in the shoulder area of the liner system. This thermal enhancement layer shall drape over the top of each shoulder, extending from the collar to the sleeve/shoulder seam and 5 inches to the front 2 inches to the back of the shoulder cap. The shoulder thermal enhancement layers shall be sandwiched between the thermal liner and moisture barrier layers of the liner system and shall be stitched to the thermal liner layer only. The thermal enhancement layer shall have finished edges by means of overedging. Raw or unfinished edges shall be considered unacceptable. Thermal scraps shall not be substituted for full-cut fabric padding. Smaller CCHR reinforcements shall not be considered acceptable since they provide far less area of coverage. In addition to the enhancement above, additional thermal protection shall be provided with a front/back padded Nomex thermal liner.

RADIO POCKET

Each jacket shall have a pocket designed to store a portable radio. This pocket shall be of box type construction, double stitched to the jacket, and have one drainage eyelet in the bottom. The pocket flap shall be constructed of two layers of outer shell material measuring approximately 3 inches longer than the depth of the pocket and approximately ¼ inch wider than the pocket. The pocket flap shall be closed by means of FR hook and loop fastener tape. A 1½ inch by 3-inch piece of FR hook fastener tape shall be installed on the inside of the pocket flap beginning at the center of the bottom of the flap. A 1½ inch by 3-inch piece of FR loop fastener tape shall be installed horizontally on the outside of the pocket near the top center and positioned to engage the hook fastener tape. In addition, the entire pocket inside shall be lined with neoprene-coated cotton/polyester material to ensure that the radio is protected from the elements. The impermeable barrier material shall also be sandwiched between the two layers of outer shell material in the pocket flap for added protection. The radio pocket shall measure approximately 3 inches deep by 3.5 inches wide by 9 inches high and shall be installed on the left chest.

MICROPHONE STRAPS

A strap shall be constructed to hold a microphone for a portable radio. It shall be sewn to the jacket at the ends only. The size of the microphone strap shall be 1 inch x 3 inches. The microphone strap shall be mounted above the radio pocket and over the right chest and shall be constructed of double layer outer shell material.

SELF STRAP WITH HOOK & LOOP

Each jacket shall be equipped with a Strap Below the microphone clip on the right chest will be a strap constructed of outer shell material measuring approximately 1 inch by 12 inches and shall hold the barrel of the flashlight. The strap will be equipped with a 1 inch by 3 inches FR hook and loop closure at front of the strap to facilitate easy removal of the flashlight.

4. PANT CONSTRUCTION

BODY

The shell's body shall be constructed of four separate body panels consisting of two front panels and two back panels. The body panels shall be shaped so as to provide a tailored fit, thereby enhancing body movement, and shall be joined together by double stitching with Nomex® thread. The body panels and seam lengths shall be graded to size to ensure accurate fit in a broad range of sizes.

SIZING

The pants shall be available in even size waist measurements of two-inch increments and shall be available in a range of sizes from 24 to 68 for both men and women. The pant inseam measurement shall be available in two-inch increments. Generalized sizing, such as small, medium, large, etc., shall not be considered acceptable. Sizing specifically for women shall also be available.

LINER ACCESS OPENING (PANT)

The thermal liner and moisture barrier layers of the pant liner system shall be constructed in such a way as to allow an access opening for interior inspection, service and replacement. The thermal liner and moisture barrier layers shall be stitched together for security and prevention of inadvertent use of one layer without the other. The liner system shall have a reinforcement material sewn to the bottom of the fly opening. This reinforcement shall serve to prevent the liner from tearing in that area from the constant donning and doffing of the pants. The liner system of the pant shall incorporate an opening along the back of the waistline for ease in inspecting the inner layers and to facilitate performing the complete Liner Inspection. The thermal liner and moisture barrier shall be individually bound with a neoprene coated bias cut tape and joined together on each of the front panels, along the waistband from the front fly opening to side seam.

The back of the liner system shall be allowed to remain open with two snaps on either side of the back seam to attach the moisture barrier layer to the thermal liner layer. As described previously, the pant thermal layer system snaps directly to the independent waistband by means of nine snap fasteners. No hook and loop shall be used to close the liner access opening.

RETROREFLECTIVE FLUORESCENT TRIM

The pant shall have a stripe of retroreflective fluorescent trim encircling each leg below the knee to comply with the requirements of NFPA #1971 in 3 inch lime/yellow 3M Scotchlite™ Triple Trim (L/Y borders with silver center). Bottom of trim band shall be located approximately 3” above cuff.

REINFORCED TRIM STITCHING

All reflective trim is secured to the outer shell with Nomex® thread, using a locking chainstitch protected by Kevlar trim abrasion cording. This strip of 3/32-inch strong, durable, flame resistant black Kevlar® cording provides a bed for the stitching along each edge of the retroreflective fluorescent trim surface and affords extra protection for the thread from abrasion. Two rows of stitching used to attach the trim in place of the TrimTrax® shall be considered an unacceptable alternative. All trim ends shall be securely sewn into a seam for a clean finished appearance.

WAISTBAND

The waist area of the pants shall be reinforced on the inside with a separate piece of black aramid outer shell material, cut on the bias (diagonally). The reinforcement shall be folded in half, for a finished bottom edge and shall have a finished width of not less than approximately 1½ inches. The top edge of the waistband reinforcement shall be double stitched to the outer shell at the top of the pants. The lower edge of the waistband shall be unattached to the shell to accept the thermal liner and moisture barrier. The top of the thermal liner and moisture barrier shall be secured to the underside of the waistband reinforcement by means of nine snaps, spaced equidistant along the length of the waistband reinforcement. Inserting the liner system between the waistband reinforcement and outer shell serves to reduce the possibility of liner detachment while donning and doffing. The independent waistband construction affords greater comfort and fit than a turned and stitched method. Pants that do not include an independent waistband or are not cut on the bias shall not provide the same amount of stretch to the garment and shall be considered unacceptable.

PANT CLOSURE SYSTEM

The exterior primary positive locking closure shall be an inward facing metal safety hook and dee ring. The safety hook shall be threaded through an Ara-Shield® material strap. The strap shall measure a total of approximately 10 inches and shall be folded in half to create a double layer strap for the safety hook to be threaded through. The double layer strap shall be folded in half and stitched to the waist area using three heavy duty bar tacks, for a finished strap length of approximately 2 ½ inches. A dee ring shall be riveted to the leading edge of the fly flap near the top. The snap hook shall engage the dee ring located on the fly flap when in the closed position.

EXTERNAL / INTERNAL FLY FLAP

The pants shall have a left-handed opening and shall have a vertical outside fly flap constructed of two layers of outer shell material, with a layer of moisture barrier material sandwiched between. The fly flap shall be double stitched to the right front body panel and shall measure approximately 2 ½ inches wide, with a length graded to size based on waist measurement and reinforced with backtacks at the base. An internal fly flap constructed of one layer of outer shell material, thermal liner, and specified moisture barrier, measuring approximately 2 inches wide, with a length graded to size based on the waist, shall be sewn to the leading edge of the left front body panel. The inside of the left front body panel shall be thermally enhanced directly under the outside fly with a layer of moisture barrier and thermal liner material. The underside of the outside fly flap shall have a 1½-inch wide piece of FR loop fastener tape quadruple stitched along the full length and through the shell material only; stitching shall not penetrate the moisture barrier inserted between the two layers to ensure greater thermal protection and reduced water penetration. A corresponding strip of 1½ inch wide piece of FR hook fastener tape shall be quadruple stitched to the outside left front body panel, securing the fly in a closed position.

Appropriate snap fastener halves shall be installed at the waistband's leading edge to further secure the pants in the closed position.

KNEE

The outer shell of the pant legs shall be constructed with horizontal expansion pleats in the knee area with corresponding darts in the liner to provide added fullness for increased freedom of movement and maximum flexibility. The pleats shall be folded to open outwardly towards the side seams to ensure no restriction of movement. The AXTION® knee shall be installed proportionate to the pant inseam so it falls in an anatomically correct knee location. The thermal liner shall be constructed with four darts per leg in the front of the knee. Two shall be located above the knee (one on each side), and two shall be located below the knee (one on each side). On the moisture barrier, the system shall consist of two darts, rather than pleats, to allow added length in the under knee. The darts in the liner provide a natural bend at the knee. The darts in the liner work in conjunction with the expansion panels in the outer shell to increase freedom of movement when kneeling, crawling, climbing stairs or ladders, etc.

LINER KNEE THERMAL ENHANCEMENT

A minimum of one layer of specified thermal liner and one layer of moisture barrier material, measuring a minimum of 9 inches by 11 inches, shall be sewn to the knee area of the liner system for added CCHR protection and increased thermal insulation in this high compression area. The knee thermal enhancement layers shall be sandwiched between the thermal liner and moisture barrier layers of the liner system and shall be stitched to the thermal liner layer only. The thermal enhancement layer shall have finished edges by means of overedging. Raw or unfinished edges shall be considered unacceptable. Thermal scraps shall not be substituted for full-cut fabric padding. Smaller CCHR reinforcements shall not be considered acceptable since they provide far less coverage area.

KNEE REINFORCEMENTS

The knee area shall be reinforced with a layer of black Dragonhide® material. The knee reinforcement shall be slightly offset to the outside of the leg to ensure proper coverage when bending, kneeling, and crawling. The knee reinforcements shall measure approximately 9 inches wide by 12 inches high and shall be double-stitched to the outside of the outer shell in the knee area for greater strength and abrasion resistance.