SOO - A - Updated Law Enforcement Duty Uniform - 06022021.pdf

Updated Law Enforcement Duty Uniform Statement of Objectives

June 2021 Science and Technology Directorate Department of Homeland Security

DISTRIBUTION NOTICE: Further dissemination only as directed by DHS Office of Policy DESTRUCTION NOTICE: Destroy by any method that will prevent disclosure of contents or reconstruction of the document.

Updated Law Enforcement Duty Uniform Statement of Objectives

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1.0 Problem Statement

2.0 Purpose and Scope

3.0 Background Environment

3.1 Mission Scenarios

3.2 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

4.1 Concept of Operations (ConOps)

4.2 Additional Capabilities

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

5.1 Must Have Requirements (Key Performance Parameters, KPP’s)

5.2 Desirable Capabilities or Characteristics

6.0 System Support

6.1 Contractual Requirements

6.1.1 Period and Place of Performance

6.1.2 System Affordability

6.1.3 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

6.1.4 Contract Deliverables

6.2 Solution Support

6.2.1 Training

6.2.2 Other Considerations

6.2.3 Storage and Maintenance

1.0 Problem Statement

The duty uniform is the standard clothing ensemble worn by law enforcement (LE) officers on a daily basis. The development of a duty uniform that provides limited protection against a range of common hazards is a well-established need within the emergency responder community. Responders, such as LE officers, often function in unpredictable environments and may encounter threats before they can don the most appropriate additional personal protective equipment (PPE). Ideally, the duty uniform should help protect responders against the most likely threats encountered, including weapon attacks, fire, blood-borne pathogens, and extreme weather. Additional layers can subsequently be donned, systematically and incrementally increasing the threat protection.1

The traditional LE uniform follows three basic principles: form, function, and fit.2 In the context of this statement of objectives (SOO), form refers to the appearance. Officers have always worn a distinctive uniform that presents a professional presence and makes them readily identifiable to the public. The basic duty uniform is frequently referred to as a Class A, although it is distinct from the dress uniform. The duty uniform is comprised of a dress shirt and pant combination that is often navy blue or black in color.3 Proper fit has as much to do with the materials used as it does with the size and gender options available. Some textile materials are not as stretchable and pliable as others and may lead to uniforms that pinch, bunch, or lack elasticity for ease of movement. Additionally, some fabrics are not as lightweight and breathable as others leading to decreased levels of comfort for the wearer.4 The LE uniform’s function includes recognizability as well as a level of comfort and protection to the officer wearing it.

Traditionally, the fabrics used for LE uniforms have been based on natural fibers such as wool and cotton. However, there has been a shift to employing more man-made materials such as polyester and synthetics as well as cotton and wool synthetic blends.5,6 A 2010 survey of law enforcement agencies indicated that about 80% of officers were outfitted in uniforms with some form of a polyester blend.

However, there is a trend back toward a higher content of natural fibers such as cotton and wool.7

1 Project Responder 4: 2014 National Technology Plan for Emergency Response to Catastrophic Incidents, Department of Homeland Security, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Project%20Responder%204_1.pdf.

2 Police Officer: Uniforms, Equipment and Grooming & Appearance Standards, Anne Arundel County Maryland, https://www.powerdms.com/public/AAC/documents/80.

3 Uniform Classes- What’s the Difference Between Class A, Class B, and Class C?, Blauer, https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/uniform-classes-whats-the-difference-between-class-a-class-b-and-class-c/.

4 Project Responder 4: 2014 National Technology Plan for Emergency Response to Catastrophic Incidents, Department of Homeland Security, https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Project%20Responder%204_1.pdf.

5 Uniform Classes- What’s the Difference Between Class A, Class B, and Class C?, Blauer, https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/uniform-classes-whats-the-difference-between-class-a-class-b-and-class-c/.

6 6 Things You Need to Know Before Buying Your Next Uniform, Police 1, https://www.police1.com/police-products/tactical/apparel/articles/6-things-you-need-to-know-before-buying-your-next-uniform- MwW9wjUDUF2hcTvE/.

7 Defining Quality What Police Departments Want in Uniform Programs, Made to Measure Uniform Magazine, https://www.madetomeasuremag.com/defining-quality-what-police-departments-want-in-uniform-programs.

https://www.powerdms.com/public/AAC/documents/80 https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/uniform-classes-whats-the-difference-between-class-a-class-b-and-class-c/ https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/uniform-classes-whats-the-difference-between-class-a-class-b-and-class-c/ https://www.police1.com/police-products/tactical/apparel/articles/6-things-you-need-to-know-before-buying-your-next-uniform-MwW9wjUDUF2hcTvE/ https://www.police1.com/police-products/tactical/apparel/articles/6-things-you-need-to-know-before-buying-your-next-uniform-MwW9wjUDUF2hcTvE/ https://www.police1.com/police-products/tactical/apparel/articles/6-things-you-need-to-know-before-buying-your-next-uniform-MwW9wjUDUF2hcTvE/

Poly-blend textiles allow for lighter uniforms that are more durable and easier to launder and maintain. However, the fabrics do come with some drawbacks such as flammability.8 Law enforcement is an unpredictable and physically demanding career that by its nature creates a high-risk environment for officers.9 Further, the hazard landscape for performance of duty for LE officers has been evolving in recent years. Officers have been seeing an increase in the use of weapons against them in confrontations and crowd control situations.10 A 2017 report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) indicates an increase in intentionally set fire from 2010 to 2014. These fires contributed to a $1billion increase in property damage; 440 civilian deaths; and 1,310 civilian injuries.11 The FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program’s 2018 Uniform Crime Report listed 58,866 assaults against law enforcement officers in 2018, resulting in 18,005 injuries.12 In addition to these targeted assaults (accounting for 36% of all injuries), LE officers also face numerous types of injuries that can result from performance of normal day-to-day duties. Common injuries include falls, slips, and trips (11% of all injuries); overexertion (body motion injuries account of 15% of all injuries); vehicular accidents (14% of all injuries); impacts from various objects; exposure to harmful or infectious substances; and explosions.13,14 These incidents and others have led to higher incidents and the potential of abrasion, cutting, puncture, and melting/burn injuries to officers while on duty. Therefore, there is a need to develop cost-effective materials that offer some protection against these evolving threats to the officer wearing the uniform.

Finally, while these materials must be able to offer some protection to the officer wearing them while performing their assigned duties, they must also be easily removable by the officer or another first responder during times of emergency. Ease of removal of uniform components to perform lifesaving procedures is critical when time is of the essence. It will be important to strike a balance between the protective capabilities of the uniform with ease of removal during times of emergency if an officer is injured and requires treatment.

Overall, the fabrics used for all versions of LE uniforms are expected to do more than in the past.

Officers desire textiles that provide some protection against an evolving set of hazards associated with performance of daily and special duty assignments, as well as stretch; aid in odor control; provide cooling effects; possess color fastness, durability, and ease of care.

2.0 Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this SOO document is to identify potential solutions that are able to provide protection against hazards encountered during performance of duty regardless of type of assignment. Today’s

8 Flame Resistant Clothing and Uniforms: Why NFPA 1975 Matters, Blauer, https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/flame-resistant-clothing-and-uniforms-why-nfpa-1975-matters/.

9 A Profile of Injuries Sustained by Law Enforcement Officers: A Critical Review, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5334696/.

10 Treating Injured Police Officers, Journal of Emergency Medical Services, https://www.jems.com/2018/07/25/treating-injured-police-officers/.

11 Intentional Fires Fact Sheet, National Fire Protection Association, https://www.nfpa.org//-/media/Files/News-and- Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Fact-sheets/IntentionalFactSHeet.pdf.

12 2018 Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, Federal Bureau of Investigation, https://ucr.fbi.gov/leoka/2018/resource-pages/about-leoka.

13 Common Injuries for First Responders, Hardison and Cochran Attorneys at Law, https://www.lawyernc.com/workers-compensation-lawyer/common-workplace-injuries/police-first-responders/.

14 Most Common Injuries for Police Officers Over the Last Decade, National Police Support Fund, https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/most-common-injuries-for-police-officers-over-the-last-decade/.

https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/flame-resistant-clothing-and-uniforms-why-nfpa-1975-matters/ https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/flame-resistant-clothing-and-uniforms-why-nfpa-1975-matters/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5334696/ https://www.jems.com/2018/07/25/treating-injured-police-officers/ https://ucr.fbi.gov/leoka/2018/resource-pages/about-leoka https://www.lawyernc.com/workers-compensation-lawyer/common-workplace-injuries/police-first-responders/ https://www.lawyernc.com/workers-compensation-lawyer/common-workplace-injuries/police-first-responders/ https://nationalpolicesupportfund.com/most-common-injuries-for-police-officers-over-the-last-decade/

LE officer faces a hazard landscape that is different from historical threats faced while on duty.

Current hazards include an escalation in the potential for receiving puncture or slashing injuries15;

marked increase in exposure to fire and flammable substances16; higher frequencies of hand-to-hand confrontations and crowd control measures leading to fall injuries, cuts, and being struck with blunt objects17; exposure to biological and chemical substances such as body fluids, infectious materials and illicit drugs,18 and increasing frequency of exposure to weather extremes. A review of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) statistics over the period between 2003 and 2014 indicates that LE officers are three times more likely to experience a nonfatal injury than any other occupation in the United States. The data also reveals that assault-related injury to officers increased almost 10% annually between 2003 to 2011.19 Any of these injuries or exposures has the potential to put an officer out of duty during a response.

The uniforms historically employed by the discipline are not up to the challenge of protecting the officer from these hazards. This lack of protection has the potential to put LE officers in a heightened state of reaction which may lead to an escalation of the situation to a perceived threat because they do not feel safe. Therefore, agencies are looking to textile manufacturers to assist in developing new materials that can address these hazards in some capacity in order to make the performance of duty in this evolving environment easier. These new duty uniforms should offer some base layer protection against abrasion, slashing/puncture, burn injuries, and absorption of liquids. The more confidence an officer has in the protective capabilities of his or her uniform, the more successful he/she will be in the completing duty assignments safely.

3.0 Background Environment

Currently there are no specific U.S. standards focused on LE duty uniforms. However, NFPA Standards 1975, 1977, and 2112 do have sections that are applicable to duty uniforms.20,21,22 The U.S.

National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is working to address the lack of applicable uniform standards by adapting those in place in the United Kingdom and European Union. Because of the lack of focused standards, those jurisdictions that purchase uniforms for their officers include cost, launderability, and appearance among their purchasing criteria. Officers that are required to purchase their own

15 Bleeding Control for Law Enforcement Officers, Trauma System News, https://www.trauma-news.com/2019/10/bleeding-control-for-law-enforcement-officers/.

16 Intentional Fires Fact Sheet, National Fire Protection Association, https://www.nfpa.org//-/media/Files/News-and- Research/Fire-statistics-and-reports/Fact-sheets/IntentionalFactSHeet.pdf.

17 More Than 400 law Enforcement Officers Injured in Riots Across U.S., 2 Dead, The Cullman Tribune, https://www.cullmantribune.com/2020/06/06/more-than-400-law-enforcement-officers-injured-in-riots-across-u-s-2-dead/.

18 Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities: Fact Sheet- Police Officers for 2018, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/police-2018.htm.

19 Nonfatal Injuries Among Law Enforcement Officers, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-2-12-18.html.

20 NFPA 1975: Standard on Emergency Services Work Apparel, National Fire Protection Association, https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1975.

21 NFPA 1977: Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting, National Fire Protection Association, https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1977.

22 NFPA 2112: Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing of Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short- Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire, National Fire Protection Association, https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=2112.

https://www.trauma-news.com/2019/10/bleeding-control-for-law-enforcement-officers/ https://www.trauma-news.com/2019/10/bleeding-control-for-law-enforcement-officers/ https://www.cullmantribune.com/2020/06/06/more-than-400-law-enforcement-officers-injured-in-riots-across-u-s-2-dead/ https://www.cullmantribune.com/2020/06/06/more-than-400-law-enforcement-officers-injured-in-riots-across-u-s-2-dead/ https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/police-2018.htm https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-2-12-18.html https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1975 https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1977 https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=1977 https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=2112 https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=2112 uniforms use similar criteria. Further, many agencies do not have strict definitions for uniform quality which often leads to variances in the quality of materials purchased by officers.

At present most LE duty uniforms are composed of a polyester-blend or some variant of cotton or wool-blend based textiles. These materials are not ideal when considering the changing hazard landscape that officers must face in day-to-day performance of duties. Key to the issues that cotton blends present are the lack of its moisture wicking and cooling abilities. Additionally, cotton is a fuel to fire, therefore it does not have any flame retardant/resistant capabilities. Polyester blends are plastic based materials. Therefore, these fabrics present a melting/burning hazard to the wearer.23

3.1 Mission Scenarios

Law enforcement officers respond to a variety of situations that requires various types of duty uniforms. Many duty uniforms are mission specific. Law enforcement duty assignments include, but may not be limited to:

• Vehicle patrol;

• Tactical operations (e.g., SWAT, bomb squad);

• Bike/scooter patrol;

• Foot patrol;

• Corrections;

• Field operations (e.g., calls for service).

Any new textile solution should be able to support the duty uniform requirements of a wide range of missions (as described above). Solutions should focus on the providing protection against the hazards listed above (e.g., abrasion, slashing, burning). Potential solutions may have applications for emergency medical response personnel as they often face the same hazards in the field.

3.2 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

Current textiles used for LE duty uniforms do not protect against the most common hazards that officers may encounter during performance of daily missions. These threats include puncture and slicing injuries, abrasion injuries from falls, burns from incendiary devices and fires, etc. To address the rise in attacks with knives and other sharp objects in the United Kingdom, LE agencies are working to collaborate in the development and incorporation of slash and puncture resistant fabrics in all types of duty uniforms to protect their officers.24 Current duty uniforms do not normally incorporate the protective capabilities of body armor which is why those defensive pieces are considered add-on components.25 In some cases, such as flammable substances, currently used materials such as poly-blends may increase the potential for injury to officers.26 Additionally, current duty uniforms are not comfortable for

23 Flame Resistant Clothing and Uniforms: Why NFPA 1975 Matters, Blauer, https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/flame-

24 The Importance of Slash Proof Clothing, Slash Pro Clothing, https://www.slash-pro.com/blog/post/importance-of-slash-proof-clothing.

25 Are Stab and Slash Proof Clothing Worth It?, Bulletproof Zone, https://bulletproofzone.com/blogs/bullet-proof-blog/should-i-invest-in-stab-cut-slash-resistant-clothing-even-if-i-already-have-bulletproof-gear.

26 Flame Resistant Clothing and Uniforms: Why NFPA 1975 Matters, Blauer, https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/flame-resistant-clothing-and-uniforms-why-nfpa-1975-matters/.

https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/flame-resistant-clothing-and-uniforms-why-nfpa-1975-matters/ https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/flame-resistant-clothing-and-uniforms-why-nfpa-1975-matters/ https://www.slash-pro.com/blog/post/importance-of-slash-proof-clothing https://www.slash-pro.com/blog/post/importance-of-slash-proof-clothing https://bulletproofzone.com/blogs/bullet-proof-blog/should-i-invest-in-stab-cut-slash-resistant-clothing-even-if-i-already-have-bulletproof-gear https://bulletproofzone.com/blogs/bullet-proof-blog/should-i-invest-in-stab-cut-slash-resistant-clothing-even-if-i-already-have-bulletproof-gear https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/flame-resistant-clothing-and-uniforms-why-nfpa-1975-matters/ the wearer when experiencing extreme weather conditions (e.g., contribute to causing heat stroke in officers on extended outdoor duty).27

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

A potential solution for this capability gap should function in daily operations. It should be lightweight, comfortable, and easily incorporated with other pieces of equipment for both daily and specialized missions. These solutions should not add to the load borne by officers in the performance of mission duties. Potential solutions would also offer protection in all types of LE response environments (e.g., smoky, windy, hazardous) and temperature extremes. Finally, flexibility of the materials used for uniform for day-to-day wear and activities is critical. These new textiles should be developed to be as thin as possible since every additional protective layer has the potential to add to the thickness and weight of the uniform materials. Finally, these new textiles and uniform designs should comfortably accommodate size, gender, and fit limitations.

4.1 Concept of Operations (ConOps)

The protective textiles will be incorporated into the daily duty uniform worn by LE officers while performing a wide variety of missions. A duty uniform product that only provides a single level of protection rather than options for a range of protective levels will not work if the protective capabilities lie outside of the mission space. Additionally, some missions require variance to the areas within the uniform that offer additional protection (e.g., arms, legs, hands).

The solutions must integrate seamlessly with other layers of protective garments or gear without prohibiting, impeding or degrading the use of equipment. Finally, the solution should offer the ability to customize to the needs of the day’s operations and conditions (i.e., options for warm or cold weather, regional uniform standards). The uniform will be employed throughout the shift as part of the base layer for the uniform. This solution is not intended to remain in the trunk until needed for no-notice incidents.

The purpose of the protective capabilities afforded by these textiles is to give LE officers a true sense of security while performing mission duties. This will help officers focus on the mission rather than worrying about hazards that may be encountered in the field.

4.2 Additional Capabilities

Future iterations of this technology might integrate into other PPE components of the LE uniform and equipment to provide additional protective capabilities. Additionally, adoption of this textile technology by other first responder disciplines would provide greater protection to those operating in the field (i.e., emergency medical technicians often encounter similar hazards as LE officers during a response). Manufacturers should stay abreast of any new hazards that these new textiles might be able to address as the threats evolve.

27 Flame Resistant Clothing and Uniforms: Why NFPA 1975 Matters, Blauer, https://www.blauer.com/dispatch/flame-

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

5.1 Must Have Requirements (Key Performance Parameters, KPP’s) The proposed solution must:

• Provide abrasion-resistance to key areas such as elbow, knee, heel of hand (limited to areas most needing reinforcement).28 Related standards may include:

o ASTM D4158- Standard Guide for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics -measures the number of rubs before fabric failure29 o AATCC 93-30 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Fabrics

• Flame/melt retardant. Related standards may include:

o ASTM D6413: Standard Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles31 o NFPA 2112: Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing of Clothing for

Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire32

• Provide slash and puncture resistance protection.33 Related standards may include:

o Provides abrasion resistance (e.g., ASTM D4158, AATCC 93, etc.);

o Provides tear resistance (e.g., ASTM D2261, etc.);

o The garment material should be non-slip to ensure responder safety; and o Minimal snagging of uniform material (ASTM 5362, etc.)

• Provide comfort and flexibility of movement;

• Provide ease of extraction/removal for life-saving interventions by incorporating cut points (e.g., seam that can be cut placed next to cut resistant panels);

• Adaptable to extreme weather and environments (i.e., high and low temperatures, humidity);

• Cost-effective (i.e., unit price point compatible with current duty uniform ensembles);

• Durable, color fast, and easy to maintain:

o Able to withstand at least 150 wash cycles;

o Launderable by end user;

o No ultraviolet (UV) degradation;

• Include gender, size, and fit gradients;

• Compatible with add-on layers and load bearing equipment (i.e., specialized protective and mission specific garments and equipment); and

• Breathable;

• Does not prohibit, degrade or interfere with use of weapons or other equipment.

28 According to standard EN 388, there are four levels of abrasion protection which are based on number of abrading cycles during testing.

29 ASTM D4158, https://www.astm.org/Standards/D4158.htm.

30 AATCC 93: Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Fabrics, https://global.ihs.com/doc_detail.cfm?document_name=AATCC%2093&item_s_key=00264471.

31 ASTM D6413, https://www.astm.org/Standards/D6413.htm.

32 NFPA 2112: Standard on Flame-Resistant Clothing of Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Short- Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire, https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=2112.

33 According to the ANSI 105 and EN 388 standards, there are five to nine levels of protection offered by these materials.

https://www.astm.org/Standards/D4158.htm https://global.ihs.com/doc_detail.cfm?document_name=AATCC%2093&item_s_key=00264471 https://www.astm.org/Standards/D6413.htm https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=2112 https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=2112

5.2 Desirable Capabilities or Characteristics

The proposed solution should:

• Allow for flexible badging/marking to allow for agency customization including both pins and Velcro patches;

• Maintain professional appearance with a less military profile;

• Variance in levels of protection from minimal to maximal levels and types of coverage: (i.e., options will encourage more agencies to buy solution);

• Option to customize duty uniform (e.g., define the areas that offer greater levels of protection to specified hazard) based on likely threats and hazards encountered;

• Repellant to liquids (e.g., protection from absorption of blood borne pathogens, common chemicals, riot control agents such);

• Ability to perform rapid decontamination in the field (or withstand a decontamination process); and

• Pressable to maintain a professional appearance.

• Option to conform to high visibility clothing standards. Related standards may include:

o ANSI/ISEA 107-202034- American National Standard for High-Visibility

Safety Apparel

6.0 System Support

6.1 Contractual Requirements

6.1.1 Period and Place of Performance

The length of time of the contract shall be between 12-18 months and shall not exceed the latter. All developmental activities will be performed at the contractor-designated site(s). DHS may require the contractor to perform critical design reviews and/or product presentations at DHS-specified locations.

6.1.2 System Affordability

First responders’ budgets are limited and should be taken into consideration when developing and determining a price per unit cost model.

6.1.3 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

The solution must meet the requirements laid out in:

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards: (e.g., NFPA 1975, 1977, and 2112)

• ASTM (e.g., D4158, D6413, D2261, 5362

• AATCC (e.g., 93)

34 ANSI/ISEA 107-2020: American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel, https://safetyequipment.org/ansiisea-107-2020/.

https://safetyequipment.org/ansiisea-107-2020/

6.1.4 Contract Deliverables

It is expected that this project would be divided into three phases, with different deliverables required in each phase as described below. Each phase would be six months in length, resulting in a project lasting 18 months from kickoff to completion of prototypes.

DHS is committed to ensuring the success of their technology by requiring the project performer to provide DHS multiple prototype deliverables which will be used for post-contract testing and evaluation. A minimum of 5 prototype devices for evaluation by first responders shall be provided as a final project deliverable.

6.2 Solution Support

6.2.1 Training

Training information as required shall be provided on any specialized equipment, and shall include how to properly store, clean, deploy, and maintain the basic ensemble/unit. Any specialty requirements of personnel conducting maintenance, storage, extraction, or delivery will be identified including certification requirements.

Training material shall be available initially in hard-copy, and subsequently in soft-copy format.

6.2.2 Other Considerations

Human Interface Requirements: The target user is law enforcement, but solutions may also be applicable to EMS. The solution should be able to integrate with other equipment/PPE currently used by these emergency responders. It should also be able to operate in all types of environments and in temperature extremes.

Logistics and Readiness: The solution developed under this award is envisioned as an enhanced version of already available technology. It is envisioned that the solution will be portable and integrated as to increase responder efficiency which ultimately saves more lives.

6.2.3 Storage and Maintenance

The contractor shall identify all necessary storage and maintenance requirements for the proposed solution including the required maintenance schedule, identification of the specific components of the ensemble that requires the maintenance, the type of maintenance required, and whether the maintenance can be performed in the field by operational personnel or if it will be required to be returned to the manufacturer for the required maintenance.

Physical solutions including PPE, shall include all special laundering instructions, including recommendations for frequency of laundering. Laundering recommendations should be viable and cost effective for first responders and responder agencies and should ideally be able to be performed “in house”.