Environmentally Preferable Tent Fabric

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (DEVCOM-SC) to identify potential sources to provide environmentally preferable fabrics to the often used Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) base tent fabric.

The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to jean.m.trumpis.civ@army.mil and karen.a.scagnelli.civ@army.mil by 19 July 2024 by 5pm EST.

Description:  DEVCOM-SC is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) on technologies or capabilities to provide tent fabricsthat are more environmentally friendly than tent fabrics produced with polyvinyl chloride (PVC).  Tent fabrics are purchased based on the MIL-PRF-44103D.  Most suppliers respond to this performance specification with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coated or laminated fabric.  PVC is known to have a negative environmental impact from manufacturing, use, to disposal.  Additionally, to meet the performance specification, the fabric also has plasticizers and flame retardants that are considered toxic and carcinogens.  DEVCOM SC is requesting information on fabric solutions that can meet the performance specification MIL-PRF-44103D and have significantly lower environmental impact than current PVC solutions.

Specific Specifications:  MIL-PRF-44103D

Deliverables:

All documentation submitted shall be submitted as MS Word, Adobe PDF, MS PowerPoint, Visio, or MS Excel files.

Respondents: The White Paper should be written in respondent format, double spaced, and minimum font size of 10 pt.  Paper should not exceed 12 pages, including cover.

1. 1. This paper should cover company information (company name, CAGE code, mailing address, and primary point of contact information (to include telephone number and email address).
   2. The paper should cover the 5 Ws, as applicable. (e.g., What, Where, When, Why and Who.   Example focus areas:
      1. Please discuss any/all relevant current products and services that currently meet or will be able to meet the enclosed requirements.
      2. Vendors are encouraged to propose alternative products that may be able to meet or exceed the requirements.
      3. As applicable, please discuss how your product(s) was implemented within industry/Government.
   3. Please discuss, as applicable, proposed hardware used as part of the solution.
   4. For Foreign companies:  Discuss how the proposer will be able to work with the US Government in the future (i.e., US subsidiary or partner) if required.
   5. Additional documentation accepted (and not included in the page count for the White Paper) includes, but is not limited to, the following: PowerPoint presentations, Training documentation, product specification sheets, user handbook/guides, pictures, link to demonstrations, test data, etc. 
   6. Fabric swatches

Test, Certification and Accreditation (C&A) Documentation:

Vendors are requested to provide any supporting documentation illustrating safety certification, government approval, test data, etc. 

Cost.

Delivery Date: The Government anticipates 4 weeks lead time for this item.

Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY.

This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject.

RESPONSES:
Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to DEVCOM Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to jean.m.trumpis.civ@army.mil and karen.a.scagnelli.civ@army.mil no later than 19 July 2024 by 5:00 p.m. EST. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party.

Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number.

QUESTIONS:
Any questions for clarification may be emailed to jean.m.trumpis.civ@army.mil and karen.a.scagnelli.civ@army.mil no later than 16 July 2024 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement.

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Extended closing date to July 19, 2024.  Questions due by July 16, 2024.

Contracting Office Address:

BLDG 1

1 General Greene Ave.

Natick, Massachusetts 01760-5011

United States