RFI - Congressional Military Footwear Research – Technology Assessment and Manufacturing Footwear

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army DEVCOM Soldier Center to identify potential sources interested in identifying footwear technology capabilities and/or advance manufacturing processes within their facilities. The goal is to improve capabilities for the domestic military footwear base.  

The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to wendy.k.johnson26.civ@army.mil and anita.a.perkins.civ@army.mil by 16 June 2025 by 5pm EST. 

Background:  

The Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC) is seeking information on footwear manufacturers interested in identifying possible gaps and process and/or equipment improvements to enhance domestic processing capabilities, which may be beneficial to future military footwear systems. This request is part of a research and development effort under the FY24 Congressional Military Footwear Research Initiative. 

Description: The Army DEVCOM SC, as part of the FY24 Congressional Military Footwear Research Initiative, is looking to identify footwear manufacturers that are willing to share knowledge about existing processes and constraints, provide feedback about identified gaps and recommendations, suggest alternatives to improvement recommendations, evaluate feasibility and impact of agreed-upon improvements, and participate in piloting of these recommendations to compare results with baseline processes. 

Specific Specifications: Interested parties would be footwear manufacturers interested in utilizing Congressional Military Footwear Research Initiative or internal innovation efforts to improve footwear performance and manufacturing processes with the goal of increasing surge capacity of the domestic footwear military base. Key capabilities include uppers, soling, and shoe construction.  

Deliverables: Details on current manufacturing capabilities and equipment within the facility. End item development that will show improvement of footwear processing.  

Delivery Date: The Government anticipates up to 4 months to deliver responses after participating in a footwear technology assessment.  The Government anticipates 6-12 months to deliver footwear items if needed for manufacturing process advancement. 

Government Furnished Property (Equipment/Materials/Information/Computer Utilization): DEVCOM Soldier Center’s Footwear Performance Lab will be used to conduct end item testing of footwear if test machines are available. 

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 on 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 regarding this requirement to DEVCOM Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to wendy.k.johnson26.civ@army.mil  and anita.a.perkins.civ@army.mil no later than 16 JUN 2025 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. 

Please respond to the RFI with the following information: 

1. Whether you are interested in participating in the footwear technology assessment. Are you open to sharing current footwear manufacturing capabilities to identify potential and future capabilities to ensure domestic military footwear technological dominance, competitiveness, and longevity? 
2. Whether you are interested in participating in the manufacturing process advancement. Are you open to suggested improvements/technology or have any internal manufacturing improvements that you would like to work on? 

**Amendment 0001 - Attachment 1 posted to answer vendor questions**