RFI - WNUK-22-002 - Wool-PolyWool-PolyWoven.pdf

Worsted Wool, Polyester/Worsted Wool Blend, and Polyester Fabrics for Dress Uniforms Request for Information (RFI) #WNUK-22-002

General Introduction:

1. This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) only. Air Force Life Cycle

Management Center (AFLCMC) Human Systems Program Office (AFLCMC/WNU) is conducting a market assessment to identify potential sources, and companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to respond to the requirements listed in this document. AFLCMC/WNU is issuing this RFI to explore cost effective options to provide this capability and to obtain valuable feedback in regards to the requirements for the Worsted Wool, Polyester/Worsted Wool Blend, and Polyester Fabrics for Dress Uniforms listed within this RFI. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and may be considered to determine the acquisition strategy for Worsted Wool, Polyester/Worsted Wool Blend, and Polyester Fabrics, as well as potential future solicitations.

2. This is not a request for competitive proposals. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this RFI. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense.

3. AFLCMC is not seeking proposals at this time, and will not accept unsolicited proposals.

4. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

Small Businesses are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI in order to assist the Program Office in determining potential levels of competition available in the industry, as well as helping to establish a basis for developing any subsequent subcontracting goals. The acquisition strategy is still being determined. Market research results will assist the Air Force in determining whether this requirement will be a full and open competition, a small business set aside, a sole source acquisition, or another contracting method.

5. If there is sufficient demonstrated interest and capability among small business contractors, then it may be determined that a small business set-aside is appropriate. A key factor in determining if an acquisition will be a small business set-aside is that two or more potential small business prime contractors must be capable of performing at least 50% of the effort, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.219-14, “Limitations on Subcontracting.” Note: The Non-manufacturer Rule exception applies to this acquisition (see FAR 19.102(f) for more details).

6. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor the Beta.SAM.gov site for additional information pertaining to this RFI.

7. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this inquiry.

This announcement is not to be construed as a formal solicitation. It does not commit the Government to reply to the information received, or to later publish a solicitation, or to award a contract based on this information.

8. Companies may be contacted if additional information is needed to fully understand the marketplace and/or comments to the requirements presented below.

Purpose:

The purpose of this RFI is to gather information on the availability of vendors which are capable of providing worsted wool, polyester/worsted wool blend, and polyester woven fabrics for use in the production of dress uniforms. See estimated quantities listed below.

Wool, Poly/Wool, and Poly Woven Requirements:

Only Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a) compliant materials should be submitted.

The materials sought shall meet physical characteristics and finishes of current materials specified in their respective Product Descriptions (PD) or Military Specifications (MIL-SPEC). Table I lists the current woven fabrics and product descriptions. Table II lists the physical characteristics and corresponding test methods for verification.

Table I – Woven Fabrics and Product Descriptions Fabric description Shade Associated End Item Product Description (Fabric)

Estimated AF Yardage

100% Worsted Wool Gabardine

AF

Blue

Premium Service Dress Uniform

PD WNUV 15-08

Attachment #1 10,000/year

80% Polyester and 20% Worsted Wool

AF

Blue

Service Dress Shirt PD AESC-83-9, Type I / Amendment Attachment #2

25,000/year

55% Polyester and 45% Worsted Wool Gabardine

AF

Blue

Lightweight Jacket MIL-DTL-10176 Attachment #3 5,000/year

55% Polyester, 45% Wool, Serge

AF

Blue

Service Dress Uniform

MIL-DTL-823, Type III, Class 4 Attachment #4

30,000/year

55% Polyester, 45% Wool, Plain

AF

Blue

Mess Dress Uniform PD AESC 82-2 Attachment #5 40,000/year

100% Polyester Cloth, Textured, Woven, Twill

AF

Blue

Service Dress Pant PD WNUV 13-02 Attachment #6 10,000/year

Table II – Material Physical Characteristics Characteristics Test Method

Fabric description Name and Style Number Weave Visual Weight (oz/yd2) ASTM D3776/D3776M Contents AATCC TM 20/20A Wool grade (US Standard) ASTM D6466 Yarn size (count)

Warp Filling

ASTM D1907

Yarn ply Visual Yarns per inch

Warp Filling

ASTM D3775

Brush pilling (after 4 minutes) ASTM D3511 Mothproofing (wool or polyester/wool fabric only) Chemicals used Tensile strength (Ibs)

Warp Filling

ASTM D5034

Dimensional stability (%) Warp Filling

AATCC TM158 - (worsted wool or poly/worsted wool fabric only) AATCC 135, (3), (IV), Aiii (poly)

Colorfastness Laundering (100% polyester fabric only) (after 5 launderings) Light (40 hrs) Perspiration Crocking (wet and dry) Dry cleaning (wool or polyester/wool fabric only) Dry heat

AATCC TM61, 2A

AATCC TM16.3

AATCC TM15

AATCC TM8

AATCC TM132

AATCC TM117

The scope of your responses should include the following:

1. Is your firm currently capable of producing any of the materials listed in Table I?

2. If your firm is not currently capable of producing any of the materials listed in Table I, is your firm interested in beginning production? Please provide additional context, such as timeline, quantities, and cost estimates, as necessary.

3. Provide rough order of magnitude (ROM) for any of the materials listed in Table I that your firm can produce.

4. What are your firm’s estimated lead times for initial procurement (within one calendar year), based on the estimated yardage in Table I?

5. What are your firm’s estimated lead times for ongoing procurement (outside of one calendar year), based on the estimated yardage in Table I?

6. Describe the amount of production capacity your firm is able to dedicate solely to the production of materials listed in Table I.

7. If available, please include a small sample (12 Inch by 12 Inch) of the proposed material(s).

8. If your firm does not have Berry Compliant materials readily available, are there any alternative materials that match, or are similar to, the material characteristics in Table II?

General Information:

The Air Force Uniform Office (AFUO) is conducting market research for Air Force worsted wool, polyester/worsted wool blend, and polyester woven fabrics for use in dress uniforms. The AFUO is seeking firms with the capability to provide suitable woven fabrics for use in service dress coats, service dress pants, premier service dress, and mess dress uniforms.

RFI Responses:

1. Please provide your Request for Information responses to benjamin.gatson@us.af.mil and lila.ivanovska@us.af.mil by 12:00pm EST on 1 February 2022. Title e-mail responses in the subject line of the e-mail as follows: “Response to the Worsted Wool, Polyester/Worsted Wool Blend, and Polyester Fabrics for Dress Uniforms; Request for Information #WNUK- 22-002.”

2. Responses shall include the following information:

a. Company/Institute name

b. Address

c. Point of Contact

d. Cage Code

e. DUNS Number

f. Phone Number

g. E-mail Address

h. Web page URL

3. All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement, if applicable to the company’s capabilities, should be included in the company’s NAICS code listing in SAM.

4. The NAICS Code for this action is 313310, size standard 1000 employees. Based on the

NAICS Code, state whether your company qualifies as a:

a. Small Business (Yes/No)

b. Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

c. Economically Disadvantaged Small Business Women-Owned Small Business

(Yes/No)

d. 8(a) Certified (Yes/No)

Date certified: ____________________

e. HUB Zone Certified (Yes/No)

f. Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No) mailto:benjamin.gatson@us.af.mil mailto:lila.ivanovska@us.af.mil

g. Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

h. Statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign owned, please indicate country of ownership).

i. Statement as to whether your company is the manufacturer of the item or the reseller.

5. Please limit your responses to no more than 15 pages, to include product sheets, charts and answers to the questions above; and, identify a representative to support further Government inquiries and requests for clarification of the information provided, if needed. If a company is capable of some, but not the entire requirement stated in this Request for Information, please provide a response that explains the requirements of which you are capable. Marketing materials are considered an insufficient response to this Request for Information.

6. Respondents should indicate which portions of their responses are proprietary and mark accordingly. All information received in response to this RFI that is properly marked as “proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Proprietary information must be clearly marked on the outside container and on the materials inside. The Government shall not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages, for any proprietary information not properly identified.

Questions:

Responses to questions from interested parties will be promptly answered via email, unless some release of proprietary information is involved or the answer addresses a question specific to a company or that company’s response. Post submittal, one-on- one information sessions with respondents are not contemplated; however, they may be offered to responders to clarify the government’s understanding of their submittal, the capability ramifications, or to discuss their business approach. Information feedback sessions may be offered to respondents after the RFI assessments are completed.

Points of Contact (POC) for this RFI:

Benjamin Gatson, Contract Specialist benjamin.gatson@us.af.mil

Lila Ivanovska, Contracting Officer lila.ivanovska@us.af.mil

Contracting Office Address:

Bldg. 12 1981 Monahan Way Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433

Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. All questions will be answered via email, except as provided above. Additionally, questions must NOT contain trade secrets or classified information.

The Government reserves the right to not address questions received after 1 February 2022.

mailto:benjamin.gatson@us.af.mil mailto:lila.ivanovska@us.af.mil