Inactive

This is a Request for Information (RFI). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to obtain knowledge and information for project plannin... This is a Request for Information (RFI). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this RFI is to obtain knowledge and information for project planning purposes. Background: US military forces operate in all types of environments and terrain and require capabilities to camouflage equipment and critical fixed facilities for force protection that enhance assault and tactical flexibility. The Ultra-Lightweight Camouflage Net System (ULCANS) Increment I camouflage system was developed as a replacement to the legacy ULCANS camouflage system. ULCANS Increment I is a multi-spectral camouflage system that is quickly and easily erected and struck by dismounted personnel to conceal stationary vehicles, weapons systems, and equipment. ULCANS Increment I is applied to all vehicles and systems in the operational force, conceals them from detection, is employed throughout entire operational themes from peacetime military engagement to major combat operations, and provides U.S. forces the ability to quickly employ camouflage, rapidly respond to changing tactical situations, and reduce battlefield signatures. Purpose: The US Army CCDC-SC Expeditionary Maneuver and Support Directorate is seeking information on camouflage solutions manufactured from natural materials or biosimilar materials that may be used in whole or in part to create expeditionary camouflage solutions to support research and development efforts that would impact concealment performance of future military products. These materials may include anything from fibers up to textiles, to include any fiber or textile coatings, treatments, or colorants that may be used to augment or enhance the substrate’s performance. In all instances, the intent with this RFI is for textiles that will be used on larger expeditionary equipment (not personnel uniforms). This equipment may eventually take the form of materiel like tents/shelters, solar shades, camouflage netting, tarpaulins, etc. In all cases, it will be exposed to the elements for extended periods of time, so it will be subject to UV degradation, precipitation, and extreme temperatures throughout its use. For camouflage performance, the US Army needs to mitigate (or conceal assets to prevent detection from) as wide an array of the electromagnetic spectrum as possible across all operational terrains and environments. This would include multispectral and hyperspectral sensors that can detect in any combination of the following bands: ultraviolet, visual, near-infrared, shortwave-Infrared, midwave-Infrared, and longwave- infrared, along with radar between 1 and 100 GHz and Hyperspectral Imaging. To that end, the US Army is requesting information about any items that could be used in support of the expeditionary use cases described. The Army will welcome small swatches (not to exceed 4-ft x 4-ft) of material with any test data that supports your organization’s statements about its performance in addition to the whitepaper. The Army also asks that you provide answers to the following questions, in addition to any marketing materials submitted. For Fibers: What is the material? (e.g. Plant-based, Animal-based, Mineral-based, or synthetic) How can the fiber be manufactured into a textile -- can it be woven, knit, made into a non-woven, or some other process? Who does the manufacturing process? What features does it have? Can you share any spectral data of the fiber material? Is it Berry Amendment compliant? (Ref: https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/cpic/ic/berry_amendment_faq.html) For Greige Goods: What fibers is it made from? What is the type of greige? (Knit / Woven / Non-Woven, etc.) What colorants can be used on it? (acid dyes / vat dyes / other?) What printers use it? Is it Berry-compliant? What mills supply it? Is there any limit to the roll width? What features does it have? Does it have any limitations if it were used outside? (e.g. flame resistance, UV degradation, water absorption?) Can treatments be applied to it? If so, which ones have been used before? Has it been used in camouflage before? Can you share any spectral data from the greige goods? For Colorants: What substrates are the colorants typically printed on? Are there natural substrates that these colorants can NOT be printed on? Does the substrate need to undergo any treatment or processing prior to being printed? What printing processes are generally used with these colorants? (ex. rotary screen, inkjet, heat transfer, flat bed screen, etc.). Once printed, what follow-on steps are required to set the print? Can you share any spectral data from the dyes? Are there other markets or commercial sectors where these colorants are typically used? Are there any known impacts to human health and safety? For Treatments and/or Coatings: What substrates are the treatments typically used on, and for what purpose? (e.g. Flame Resistant, Anti-Microbial, Anti-Bacterial, UV protection, etc.) Are there natural substrates on which these treatments can NOT be used? Once treated, what follow-on steps are required to set the finish? Can you share any spectral data from the coatings? Are there other markets or commercial sectors where these treatments are typically used? If so, please elaborate. Does it have any performance limitations if it were used outside? (such as flame resistance, UV degradation, water absorption?) Does it have any limitations if it were used within varying temperatures? (e.g. Basic, Hot, Cold, Severe Cold and Coastal) ref MIL-STD-810 Rev. H Are there any negative affects to combining this treatment with other treatments/ coatings and or colorants? If so, please elaborate. Are there any known impacts to human health and safety? Capability Statement / Information sought: Respondents may at their option submit a capability statement and/or relevant information to the Government of their ability to develop/modify/or manufacture natural material and natural based material solutions. Include past experience and any relevant contract both military and commercial as you see fit. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. Any information or sample materials submitted will not be returned, and no payment will be made by the government for such information or sample materials. Any testing results will be controlled and used for government purposes only. Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Please submit your company’s capabilities to Mr. Steven Tucker at 10 General Greene Avenue; ATTN: FCDD-SCE-E (Steven Tucker); Natick, MA 01760 or email your questions to the POC at steven.r.tucker10.civ@mail.mil. This notice is for information and sample materials only. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. No solicitation document exists. Include past experience and any relevant contract both military and commercial as you see fit.