Boot/Gaiter RFI

The U.S. Army Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM-SCIE) is conducting a market research investigation for cold weather boot/lower leg gaiters. The goal of this effort is to identify firms with capabilities to provide gaiters for use by Soldiers operating in cold/extreme cold/arctic conditions (i.e. temperatures from -65 F to +32 F).
Interest is in readily available product(s) or developmental items capable of being in production within four (4) months of the close of this RFI (must be based on a concise and attainable development/commercialization plan).

Desired technical requirements for the gaiter are as follows:
1) The gaiter shall be capable of being worn over combat boots to protect from debris and inclement weather/conditions.
2) The gaiter shall include a durable waterproof membrane/layer.
3) The gaiter shall utilize a closure system that prevents the gaiter from slipping down the leg during movement and that is easy and fast to don/doff.
4) The gaiter shall utilize a durable inseam strap to prevent the gaiter from rising up the leg.
5) The gaiter shall not interfere with normal walking/running or reduce Soldier performance and capability to move through varied terrain.

Interested sources shall, within fifteen (15) calendar days of the publication of this RFI, respond with information on their current product(s) and how they address the requirements listed above.

The information package shall contain the following items:
1) Detailed information regarding the firm's production capabilities for the submitted item, to include whether the item can be domestically produced in compliance with Section 2533a of Title 10 U.S. Code (i.e. the "Berry Amendment").
2) Retail and/or wholesale pricing for currently available products.
3) A detailed description of the product, to include information regarding the materials utilized.
4) A list of currently available sizes.
5) A product sample (capable of fitting a boot of size 10, D width) may be submitted, if available. If a firm chooses to submit samples, no payment will be made by the government for such samples.

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 the NSRDEC via e-mail ONLY to Jay.McNamara.civ@mail.mil no later than July 11, 2018 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 Jay.McNamara.civ@mail.mil. 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.