SAFETY AND MUCK BOOTS PURCHASE DESCRIPTION_10.7.26.pdf

SAFETY AND MUCK BOOTS PURCHASE DESCRIPTION

SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS: The Government has a requirement for the supply of varying quantities/sizes/types of safety and muck boots for Fort Riley, Kansas. The primary salient characteristics must align with ASTM F2413-18 standards for protective footwear and emphasize complete waterproofing, slip resistance, and chemical/environmental hazard durability. To meet the highly diverse physical, ergonomic, and trade-specific safety needs of the DPW civilian workforce, any prospective Contractor must meet the following mandatory “salient characteristics” to be considered technically acceptable:

1. Permanent Brick-and-Mortar Storefront Mandate The Contractor must operate a permanent, physical brick-and-mortar retail establishment. Must be available minimum of five days (Monday – Friday) excluding Federal Holidays.

2. Mobile Operations Restriction

MANDATORY RESTRICTION:

The use of mobile retail units, temporary pop-up stations, “boot trucks,” or trailers to fulfill this requirement is strictly prohibited. All fittings, selections, and payment transactions must be executed inside a permanent storefront location to ensure comprehensive inventory access and access to specialized retail safety equipment.

3. Certified Fitting Specialists The Contractor’s physical store must be staffed with qualified shoe-fitting professionals capable of measuring, analyzing, and accommodating various foot widths, orthopedic requirements, and trade-specific safety footwear standards.

4. The Contractor’s brick-and-mortar retail storefront(s), which must include hard-to-fit sizes, custom orthopedic configurations, must be located within a 75-mile radius of Fort Riley, KS. This set boundary will reduce excessive employee travel and time away from work. Storefronts located beyond 75 miles from Fort Riley are technically non-compliant and will not be authorized for contract performance.

5. SAFETY BOOTS-ANY BRAND or EQUAL

No exclusions to Brands or colors if they meet the ASTM F2413-18 Standards

Protective Toe Cap

Must feature a protective toe cap (Steel or non-metallic Composite) that does not restrict toe movement. Must with stand 75 ft-lbs. of impact and 2,500 lbs. of compression.

ASTM F2413 (I/75 and C/75)

Electrical Hazard (EH)

Must provide secondary protection against live electrical circuits. The boot outsole must withstand 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for 1 minute under dry conditions with leakage current not exceeding 1.0 mA.

ASTM F2413 (EH)

Upper Material Constructed from premium full-grain liquid-resistant leather or heavy-duty leather combined with ballistic nylon. Must be highly breathable and abrasion-resistant.

Visual inspection and manufacturer fabric certification

Boot Height Minimum height of 4 inches up to 12 or 14 inches (tactical/field deployment) measured from the footbed to provide adequate ankle support.

Physical measurement

Outsole & Slip Resistance

Rugged, non-marking, slip-resistant rubber or TPU outsole. Must be resistant to fuel, oil, and acid. Must feature multi-directional lugs for traction.

ASTM F2913 (Slip Resistance)

Puncture Resistance (PR)

Optional but critical for construction/demolition: Must include a puncture-resistant midsole plate (steel or woven fabric) capable of resisting at least 270 lbs of nail force.

ASTM F2413 (PR)

Size & Width Range

To ensure complete unit fit-out, the manufacturer must offer a full size run from Men's sizes 3 to 16 (incorporating equivalent women's size) in Narrow, Regular, Wide, and Extra-Wide options.

Manufacturer catalog sizing

Waterproofing 100% waterproof construction. Visual Inspection & Water-immersion testing

6. MUCK BOOTS OR EQUAL-ANY BRAND

No exclusions to Brands. Colors must be Black or Brown. Boots must meet the ASTM F2413-18 Standards

Waterproofing & Upper

100% waterproof construction; dual-material design featuring a vulcanized rubber shell base and a flexible neoprene bootie upper (minimum 5mm thickness) to provide insulating and waterproof capabilities.

Visual Inspection & Water-immersion testing

Toe Protection Protective toe cap (steel or non-metallic composite) capable of resisting impact and compression.

ASTM F2413-18 (I/75 and C/75 impact and compression ratings)

Electrical Hazard

Incidental exposure protection against open electrical circuits. Must withstand 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for 1 minute under dry conditions with no leakage.

ASTM F2413-18

EH (Electrical Hazard Protection)

Outsole & Slip Resistance

Rugged, non-marking rubber outsole featuring self-cleaning, deep lugs to shed mud and debris. Must provide slip and oil resistance.

ASTM F2913 (Standard Test Method for Slip Resistance) or equivalent

Puncture & Shank Support

Integrated steel shank or high-density composite shank to provide structural arch support and reduce underfoot fatigue. Ballistic or puncture-

ASTM F2413-18

PR (Puncture Resistant, if required) resistant layer optional depending on the operational environment.

Interior & Climate Control

Moisture-wicking breathable lining to regulate internal boot temperature and manage sweat during prolonged use.

Manufacturer Performance Data

Shaft Height & Fit

Pull-on "Chore" style bootie with a minimum height of 12 inches to protect up to the mid-calf. Includes a stretch-fit top binding snug to the leg to prevent debris and water from entering the boot from above.

Physical measurements / standard sizing charts (Sizes 3–16 narrow to extra-wide)

7. SIZING, FIT, AND MEASUREMENT REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General Requirement

The Contractor shall provide protective footwear (safety boots and muck boots) that accommodates the diverse physical demographics of the government workforce. Due to the highly diverse operational roles and physical demands within the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) workforce, all safety and utility footwear must be procured exclusively through a brick-and-mortar physical retail establishment. To ensure maximum workplace safety, injury prevention, and proper ergonomic fit, employees must be physically measured and fitted by an in-store specialist. All footwear must be manufactured using industry-standard lasts (molds) that ensure proper anatomical support, weight distribution, and compliance with ASTM F2413 safety clearances.

4.2 Required Size Matrix

To ensure complete personnel outfitting, the Contractor shall offer the approved footwear in the following minimum size and width configurations:

• Men’s Sizing: Sizes 3.0 through 16.0.

• Women’s Sizing: Sizes 5.0 through 12.0 (If gender-specific lasts are not manufactured, the Contractor must provide a direct conversion chart mapping women’s sizes to unisex/men’s sizes).

• Half Sizes: Required for all sizes between 4.0 and 12.0.

• Widths: At a minimum, all sizes must be available in Regular/Medium (D) and Wide

(EE/W).

• Custom Sizes: The Contractor shall provide a procedure and pricing for ordering sizes outside of the standard matrix (e.g., Extra Wide EEEE, or sizes 17+) upon government request.

4.3 Technical Fit Standards

Footwear provided by the Contractor must adhere to the following functional fit standards to prevent musculoskeletal injury and ensure operational readiness:

• Toe Clearance: Boots must provide a minimum of 0.5 inches (1/2") of clearance between the user's longest toe and the interior safety cap when standing.

• Heel Lock: The heel cup must securely anchor the foot. Vertical heel slip during a normal walking stride must not exceed 0.25 inches (1/4") to prevent friction injuries.

• Instep and Volume: The boot must allow the foot to rest flat on the footbed without lateral pinching at the metatarsal joints, while accommodating standard issued cold-weather or moisture-wicking socks.

• Calf Seal (Muck Boots Only): The upper shaft/collar of pull-on muck boots must feature a flexible binding that creates a flush seal against the mid-calf to prevent debris and fluid ingress, without restricting vascular circulation.

7.4 Fit-Related Returns and Exchanges

The Contractor shall guarantee the fit of all issued footwear. If a boot is issued to a government employee and deemed an improper fit under operational conditions (prior to heavy field soilage), the Contractor shall process an exchange for the correct size at no additional cost to the Government, inclusive of all return shipping fees. Exchanges must be made within fifteen (15) business days of Contractor notification.

5.WARRANTY AND DEFECTIVE ITEMS

5.1 Standard Commercial Warranty

The Contractor shall provide a standard commercial warranty for all supplied footwear.

At a minimum, the warranty shall cover all items against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of not less than twelve (12) months from the date of final acceptance by the Government, or the duration of the manufacturer's standard commercial warranty, whichever is greater.

5.2 Covered Defects

Under this warranty, a "defect" is defined as any failure of the footwear to meet the required performance specifications under normal operational use. Covered defects include, but are not limited to:

• Delamination: Separation of the outsole or midsole from the boot upper.

• Waterproofing Failure: Leakage or failure of the waterproof membrane (for safety boots) or the vulcanized rubber/neoprene shell (for muck boots) under normal water-exposure conditions.

• Structural Failure: Tearing of seams, unravelling of high-stress stitching, or premature breakdown of interior linings.

• Hardware Failure: Detachment or breakage of eyelets, speed hooks, zippers, or composite/steel safety toes shifting out of alignment.

5.3 Exclusions

The warranty shall not cover damage resulting from:

• Normal wear and tear (e.g., tread depletion from standard use).

• Intentional destruction, misuse, or abuse outside the scope of normal operational duties.

• Improper post-issue storage or exposure to unauthorized caustic chemicals not specified in the protective requirements.

5.4 Defect Reporting and Replacement Procedure

In the event that the Government identifies defective footwear within the warranty period, the following procedures shall apply:

• Notification: The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or designated receiving official will notify the Contractor of the defect and request a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA).

• Replacement Timeline: Upon notification, the Contractor shall provide a direct replacement of the defective item (in the exact same size and model) within fourteen (14) calendar days.

• Credit Option: If a direct replacement is unavailable, the Contractor shall issue a full credit or refund to the Government for the defective item.

5.5 Shipping and Handling Costs

All costs associated with the return and replacement of defective footwear—including packaging, outbound shipping of the defective item, and return shipping of the replacement item—shall be borne entirely by the Contractor at no additional cost to the Government.

5.6 Latent Defects

Acceptance of the footwear by the Government shall not relieve the Contractor of liability for latent defects, fraud, or such gross mistakes as amount to fraud. The Government reserves the right to reject items containing latent defects (e.g., systemic manufacturing flaws that only become apparent after widespread operational use) even after the standard warranty period has expired, subject to standard FAR provisions.

6. QUALITY ASSURANCE. Government contracts for the procurement of commercial items will rely on the Contractors’ existing quality assurance systems, as a substitute for government inspection and testing before tender of acceptance, unless customary market practices for the commercial item has been acquired including in-process inspection. Any in-process inspection by the Government will be conducted in a manner consistent with commercial industry practice.

7. PAYMENT INFORMATION. Mandatory Monthly Schedule: The Contractor shall invoice strictly on a once-monthly basis using the Contractor Invoice and Government DD 250, Material.Inspection.and.Receiving.Report, provided by the Government Contracting Officer Representative (COR). Each invoice must consolidate all accrued fees, milestones, and reimbursable expenses across all active work streams or projects.

1. Limitation on Exceptions: Invoicing on any schedule other than monthly is strictly prohibited, provided that only minor exceptions may be allowed. For the purposes of this provision, a "minor exception" is strictly limited to an isolated, temporary delay caused by verifiable third-party documentation delays or minor administrative discrepancies.

2. Written Notice for Minor Exceptions: To qualify for a minor exception, the Contractor must provide written notice to the Government Contracting Officer Representative (COR) prior to the monthly billing deadline detailing the justification for the delay.

Repeated, habitual, or substantial deviations shall not constitute minor exceptions and may result in invoice rejection or deferred payment until the subsequent billing cycle.

3. All invoicing and.payments will be executed through the Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) system; information.regarding WAWF can be found at the following link:

https://wawf.eb.mil/. Invoices will be separated.according to CLIN structure in the contract..DPW CLIN(s): 0001 thru 4001

8. GOVERNMENT PICK UP PROCEDURES.

DPW – Each employee authorized to make purchase will provide to the vendor a completed copy of purchase request authorization (Exhibit A) with all approving signatures included.

Employees with incomplete purchase request authorization will not be allowed to complete purchase with vendor. DPW employees are authorized to purchase safety boots up to and not exceeding the contracted amount.