Request for Novel Load Frame

Request for Information for External Rucksack Frames/Suspension Systems Compatible with the Standard Issue MOLLE 4000 Rucksack

Department/Ind. Agency:  Dept of Defense

Sub-tier:  Dept of the Army

Major Command:  AMC

Sub Command:  ACC

Sub Command 2:  ACC-CTRS

Sub Command 3:  ACC-APG

Office:  W6QK ACC-APG NATICK

General Information

• Contract Opportunity Type:  Sources Sought (Original)
• Original Published Date:  TBD
• Original Response Date:  TBD
• Inactive Policy: 15 days after response date
• Original Inactive Date: 

Classification

• Product Service Code:  8465 – Individual Equipment
• NAICS Code:  54171 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
• Place of Performance:  Natick, MA 01760

DESCRIPTION

Synopsis:

The U.S. Army is seeking commercial external rucksack frames/suspension systems that are compatible with the standard issue MOLLE 4000 Rucksack.  This is not a request for rucksacks.  This request is for rucksack frames compatible with the MOLLE 4000 rucksack and other soldier equipment/kit, capable of supporting a 120 lb. rucksack worn by an individual Soldier.  The frame must be capable of surviving the following drop tests at ambient temperatures (65-70 degrees F), and after being cold soaked at -60 deg F for four hours and test completed within 3 min after being removed from the cold chamber.  The MOLLE 4000 Rucksack with frame and suspension, uniformly loaded with sandbags and cloth ballast to a capacity of 120 pounds, shall be capable of withstanding an 8-foot free-fall drop three (3) times, with impact on the frame.  The same item shall be dropped an additional three (3) times with impact on the Rucksack.  There shall be no visual damage to the frame or the suspension or components.  An airdrop slide impact test final velocity of 31 to 34 feet per second at 45 degrees from vertical (3 times) shall be conducted with impact on the frame.  An additional three (3) drops shall be conducted with impact on the Rucksack.  There shall be no visual damage to frame or suspension components.  The frame and suspension will also be subjected to human factors type testing when loaded with typical combat loads. 

This is NOT A SOLICITATION or a request for proposal.  This RFI is seeking product literature of any domestically produced rucksack frame (not including a ruck) that is compatible with the MOLLE 4000 Rucksack. 

Responses should include company name, CAGE code (if available), large or small business, location of manufacturing, product description, photos or illustrations, and retail price, production capacity, description of quality management system. 

Information will be used to inform small procurements for further testing.  If chosen, external frames will be evaluated based on fit/compatibility with the MOLLE 4000; ability to be safely and effectively rigged for airborne operations with a Harness Single Point Release (HSPR); ability to be configured for 2%-98% of Army population with regard to stature; evaluation with as many as 30 Soldiers; environmental conditioning to determine durability in extreme hot and extreme cold conditions.

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 SAM.gov 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 with information on their current commercial product(s) and how they might address the Military requirement via e-mail ONLY to Mr. Blaise Liess, blaise.p.liess.civ@army.mil and Mr. John Kirk, john.kirk.civ@army.mil, no later than 6 February 2026.  Interested sources shall include information regarding a firm's experience, personnel, and facilities.  Information should include product cost, technical information (i.e., technical literature, test data and illustrations, photographs, patents), relevant company background/experience, and a sample (optional).  Firms responding shall indicate whether or not they are a small business.  Any information/samples submitted will not be returned.  If a firm chooses to submit samples, no payment will be made by the Government for such samples.  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.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contracting Office Address

• NATICK DIVISION

10 GENERAL GREENE AVE

NATICK, MA 01760-5011

Primary Point of Contact

• Blaise Liess

blaise.p.liess.civ@army.mil

Phone Number:  703-223-1993

Secondary Point of Contact

• John Kirk

john.kirk.civ@army.mil 

Phone Number:  508-206-3060