Rugged-All-Terrain(RAT) Boot Request For Information

The purpose of this modification is to post a Question and Answer. The government recieved the following question:



Q) Are you looking for a list of the components used to manufacture the boots and their suppliers? Would that be sufficient?



A) To show proof of Berry Amendment compliance we would like interested parties to submit the following:

- Item/material used

- The components of each item/material used

- Where the items and components are manufactured

- Manufacturer of items and components

The purpose of this modification is to:

- Extend the date that responses are due from no later than 2:00 PM EST on 17 March 2011 to 2:00 PM EST on 7 April 2011.

- Remove the statement “The Government expects to release a solicitation during the 2nd Qtr of FY11.â€



Market research efforts are ongoing. All questions and answers received from Industry will be posted on this site as an amendment to RFI M6785411I3017.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): RUGGED ALL TERRAIN BOOT



BACKGROUND:

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is conducting a market survey to identify interested participants that may have the capabilities to manufacture the Marine Corps Rugged All Terrain Boot (RAT). The RAT boot is currently being produced commercially in accordance with certain salient characteristics as listed under Purchase Descriptions. The intent is to replace the USMC’s current Infantry Combat Boot (ICB) with a Commercial RAT boot with USMC specifications. The ICB is issued to all recruits attending basic training as well as the Active and Reserve Marine Forces. Companies with the capabilities and the capacity to manufacture 80,000 to 150,000 pairs of Hot (defined as -40 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit) and Temperate (defined as -20 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit) Weather RAT Boots combined per every 12 months.

This is only a preliminary estimate and is subject to change at any time. The Marine Corps may modify the current commercial purchase description as a result of laboratory testing; this enhanced requirement description will be available at a later date.



PURCHASE DESCRIPTION:

Marine Corp Systems Command (MCSC) will publish an official Purchase Description to include additional USMC specifications for true construction of the RAT Boot after completion of lab testing. The USMC seeks information on products satisfying these baseline characteristics outlined below. Please note that the below are only salient characteristics; Interested parties shall clearly demonstrate in their response to this RFI that their product can, at a minimum, meet the following baseline characteristics:



• Lace to toe pattern

• Stitch-Down Construction

• Double Stitch at toe through midsole and outsole

• 1000 denier polyester

• 5-5.5oz water proof nubuck leather

• Impregnated leather, split leather to rand and heel counter

• 2 layer thermal plastic counter

• 3 layer thermal plastic toe box

• Fiberglass shank

• 5 iron composition mid sole (stitch down construction)

• Polyurethane mid sole

• 139 dry ice vibram out sole

• Solid brass eyelets

• 72: color match lace

• No pull tab on the back of the boot

• Color is to be Olive Mojave shade 200512



In response to this RFI, interested parties are REQUIRED to submit electronically to daniel.story@usmc.mil a statement of their ability to support the requirement.

Responses should address the following areas in no more than 10 pages:



• Business Size

• Production Capability Plan

• Current Rugged All Terrain product Prices

• Delivery Schedule

• Proof of Berry Amendment compliance (address down to the basic component or fiber level)

• Ability to meet the baseline characteristics listed above



No telephone calls will be accepted. Vendors that would like to send product demonstration models (PDMs) may send to Marine Corps Systems Command, 2201A Willis Street , Attn: Daniel Story, Product Group -16, M67854-11-I-3017, Quantico, VA 22134. Companies seeking return of PDMs must be prepared to pay for return postage. MCSC may provide feedback to facilitate competition in a future procurement.





The Berry Amendment will apply to any future procurement actions resulting from this RFI. All information will be handled as proprietary and therefore must be marked a such. Responses are due no later than 2:00 PM EST on 17 March 2011. The Government expects to release a solicitation during the 2nd Qtr of FY11. Any set-aside decision will be impacted by the information received in response to this market survey. Submission of information is for market research purposes only, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to procure any item, or the government to pay for the information or samples. This is not a request for proposal or quotation and the Marine Corps will not award on the basis of this RFI.

No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RFI. No solicitation document exists at this time.