RFI_Zero-Porosity_High-Performance_CoatedParachuteCloth_Attachment_1.pdf

Attachment 1:

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

RFI Number: RFI-SCIE-2026-XXXXXXXXX Issued By: Program Manager - Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM-SCIE) Date Issued: April 28, 2026 Response Deadline: May 12, 2026

SUBJECT: Domestic Sources for Zero-Porosity, High-Performance Coated Parachute Cloth

1.0 PURPOSE

The U.S. Army Program Manager for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM-SCIE) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to conduct market research and identify domestic sources capable of manufacturing a Berry Amendment-compliant parachute cloth that is functionally equivalent to the material specified in U.S. Army Source Control Drawing 11-1- 9306.

The Government is seeking to identify potential manufacturers with the technical expertise, production capability, and quality control processes necessary to produce a high-performance, zero-porosity, silicone-coated ripstop fabric.

This is an RFI only. This is not a solicitation for proposals and does not commit the Government to award a contract, now or in the future.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The parachute cloth defined in drawing 11-1-9306 is critical for the production of ram-air parachute systems supporting U.S. Army operations. The established domestic supply chain for the specified proprietary coated material, historically known as SOAR-COAT® Formulation 9120 R3(228), has been disrupted due to the loss of a key domestic coating subcontractor.

To ensure supply chain continuity and industrial base resilience, the Government is seeking to identify and qualify new domestic sources for this critical material.

3.0 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The cloth must meet all physical and performance requirements outlined in Source Control Drawing 11-1-9306. Key characteristics are summarized below:

Property Specification Test Method

Base Fabric Conforming to PIA-C-44378, Type IV -

Weave Pattern Ripstop Visual

Weight 1.35 oz/yd² (maximum)

ASTM

D3776

Yarns Per Inch Warp: 128 (min), Fill: 130 (min)

ASTM

D3775

Breaking Strength

45 lbs (minimum), Warp & Fill

ASTM

D5035

Tear Strength 12 lbs (minimum), Warp & Fill

ASTM

D2261

Elongation 25% (minimum), Warp & Fill

ASTM

D5035

Air Permeability 0 CFM (maximum)

ASTM

D737

Finish/Coating A high-performance silicone formulation applied equally to both sides of the fabric to achieve the specified zero-porosity requirement.

N/A

Color Gray, conforming to AMS-STD-595, Color #26270 -

Additional Critical Requirements:

• Visual Defects: The finished cloth must be free of major finish defects as defined in Note 11 of the drawing, including but not limited to pinholes, blisters, coating streaks, abrasion, and fabric adhesion/blocking.

• Skew: Biased and bowed filling must not exceed 3 degrees of skew.

• End item characteristics: PIA-C-44378, Type IV requirements include colorfastness and resistance to light and heat.

4.0 INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM RESPONDENTS

Interested parties are requested to provide a capabilities statement that addresses the following:

4.1 Company Information:

• Company Name, Address, CAGE Code, and Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, Email).

• Business size and socioeconomic status (e.g., Small Business, Veteran-Owned, etc.).

4.2 Manufacturing & Technical Capability:

• Confirmation that your company is a domestic manufacturer and that the proposed product would be fully compliant with the Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 2533a).

• A detailed description of your capability to procure/produce a base fabric with PIA- C-44378, Type IV construction.

• A detailed description of your capability to apply a high-performance silicone coating to achieve zero-porosity performance and meet all 11-1-9306 requirements.

While the legacy formulation is proprietary, describe your technical approach to developing a functionally equivalent coating.

• Describe your preferred catalyst curing/crosslinking system for the high-performance silicone coating.

• Description of your quality management system (e.g., ISO 9001 certified) and specific quality control processes for inspecting coated fabrics for defects as listed in Drawing 11-1-9306, Note 11.

• Describe any in-process manufacturing controls/procedures to monitor key performance indicators (KPI) (i.e. coating add-on, total weight, bow/bias, thickness, air permeability, etc.).

• Describe any environmental mitigation techniques used in the application or on by-products of the high-performance silicone coating (i.e. avoid, minimize, reuse or disposal).

4.3 Production & Timeline:

• An estimated timeline for:

o Formulation development and initial sample production.

o Completion of internal testing against all required specifications.

o Full production readiness after potential government qualification.

• Information on current production capacity and lead times.

4.4 Past Performance:

• A summary of your company's experience in manufacturing and coating technical textiles for military, aerospace, or other high-performance applications. Please provide examples of similar contracts, projects or materials.

5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses must be submitted electronically via email to jeffrey.m.campbell18.civ@army.mil no later than 1700 EDT on May 12, 2026.

Responses shall provide a courtesy copy to the Contracting Officer and Contracting Specialist points of contact included below.

Please include "RFI Response: Zero-Porosity Parachute Cloth - [Company Name]" in the subject line. Submissions should not exceed 10 pages.

Proprietary information, if any, should be clearly marked. The Government will protect such information from unauthorized disclosure.

6.0 DISCLAIMER

The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contracting Office Address Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground, Division D 6515 Integrity Court Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5001

Contracting Officer Alexander Obriwin, alexander.s.obriwin.civ@army.mil Phone: (520) 671-3072 https://www.google.com/url?q=mailto%3Ajeffrey.m.campbell18.civ%40army.mil

Contracting Specialist Christine Chase, christine.n.chase2.civ@army.mil Phone: (520) 671-2585