75mm Ski Boot JA_ Final 15 Apr 26_Redacted.pdf
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- 75mm Ski Boots
- Solicitation number
- 26172
- Issued by
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United States Marine Corps
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Sole Source Justification Memorandum
This is a sole source justification memorandum from the United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps Systems Command, dated 6 April 2026, justifying the use of other than full and open competition for a specialized procurement under the simplified acquisition threshold.
Procurement Overview and Technical Requirements
The USMC intends to procure 500 pairs of specialized 75mm ski boots designed for integration with the Military Ski System (MSS) to enhance mobility and operational effectiveness in extreme cold weather and mountainous terrain. Current Marine Corps Intense Cold Weather Boots are incompatible with the MSS's 75mm telemark binding interface, creating safety and operational risks. Key performance specifications include: a 75mm "duckbill" toe design for binding compatibility; operating temperature range of -40°F to 40°F (threshold) with -40°F objective capability; maximum weight of 8 lbs (size 10); removable inner bootie; outer boot dimensions between 9-11 inches; and waterproof or highly water-resistant construction. This is a one-time definitive contract (purchase order) with Danner Inc., valued at an estimated amount with 500 pairs estimated at a unit price that has been redacted.
Justification for Sole Source Award to Danner Inc.
The Marine Corps determined that only one responsible source exists, citing market research showing Danner Boot Company as the sole domestic vendor with capability and willingness to produce the specialized 75mm ski boot meeting technical and Berry Amendment compliance requirements. Although domestic vendors Belleville, Rocky, and McRae possess technical capability, all cited return-on-investment concerns due to minimal civilian market applications, high tooling costs, limited DoD demand, and inability to amortize R&D costs through commercial markets. A Request for Information posted 22 September 2025 resulted in only one response from Danner. The justification emphasizes operational urgency with required delivery between November 2026 and February 2027 to support scheduled cold weather training at Mountain Warfare Training Center and Norway operations. The procurement aligns with 2025 Force Design priorities, the 2024 Department of Defense Arctic Strategy, and ensures long-term Berry Amendment compliance for future operations and maintenance purchases. Production lead time spans November 2026 through February 2027, with intent for expedited delivery to meet training schedules.
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is required to ensure proper integration with the fielded MSS and to maintain operational safety and performance.
The purpose of this acquisition is to provide Marines with a dedicated ski boot designed specifically for integration with the MSS. This capability is distinct from the ICWB, which is designed primarily for general cold weather protection. This acquisition addresses a critical capability requirement by providing Marines with equipment specifically designed to improve mobility, safety, and operational effectiveness in cold weather and Arctic environments, while ensuring full compatibility with the fielded MSS. Below are mission impacts:
- Degraded Mobility and Maneuverability: Standard boots lack the specialized "duckbill" toe and heel welt needed for a secure connection with 75mm telemark bindings. This often results in boots slipping out of bindings, making it difficult for Marines to move or maneuver effectively in mountainous terrain.
- Reduced Operational Readiness and Fatigue: Non-specialized boots, such as those designed for static use, are often heavy and cumbersome for dynamic skiing. This increases physical fatigue, slows movement, and ultimately reduces the combat readiness of units operating in extreme cold weather and mountain warfare conditions.
Safety Hazards in Steep Terrain: Without proper integration with the MSS and compatibility with essential gear like crampons, Marines face higher risks when navigating icy or steep ascents.
On 22 September 2025, (Contracting Office, Natick Division, Natick, MA) posted a Request for Information to SAM.gov to seek vendors capable of supporting the 75mm ski boot requirement.
The program office received only one response, from Danner Boot Company, the only domestic vendor with the potential to develop a 75mm ski boot. Due to a lack of interest from other domestic vendors, this requirement is being pursued as a sole-source procurement.
To get more vendors interested in supporting the 75mm ski boot requirement, the team is actively educating industry partners on the need. While domestic vendors like Belleville, Rocky, and McRae have the technical capability to produce the boot, they have cited concerns regarding return on investment (ROI). While ROI is the primary driver, there are several deeper technical and structural reasons why domestic vendors like Belleville, Rocky, and McRae remain hesitant to support the 75mm ski boot requirement:
- For domestic vendors, investing in specialized molds and tooling for a 75mm sole which has almost no civilian market growth is a high-risk expense that is difficult to amortize.
- Many vendors find it more profitable to focus on standard combat boots that use readily available domestic materials
- The DoD's demand for specialized ski boots is relatively small compared to standard issue combat boots.
- Vendors are less likely to participate when they cannot sell a slightly modified version of the same boot to the civilian police, first responder, or outdoor enthusiast markets to recover their R&D costs
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