RFI - MODPROT Collective Protection Liners and Barriers

Active

Contract Opportunity

NOTE: This is an update to a previous Sources Sought Announcement with the same title (https://sam.gov/opp/952c7344bc1544d09518cb6fd7499b87/view) that was posted 20 March 2024 through 19 April 2024. This updated posting includes information about the upcoming Innovation Day on 09 October 2024. If an interested party responded to the previous posting, then that interested party should not submit a second response unless updated/new information is now available. In that case, an email that only includes the updated/new information is preferred. All interested parties that would like to attend the Innovation Day must register for the event per the instructions provided in this Sources Sought Announcement. Interested parties may find additional information below the Description and Specifications sections of this Announcement.

The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to madisyn.l.fox.civ@army.mil and janet.ocallahan.civ@army.mil by 08 November 2024 by 5:00 p.m. EST.

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US ARMY DEVCOM Soldier Center and Joint Project Manager for Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Protection (JPM CBRN Protection) to identify potential sources to provide chemical/biological protective liners and barriers that will be suitable for use in the modernization of CBRN Collective Protection (ColPro) Materials. The Government is interested in materials that may still be in development but need to be matured. While test data demonstrating capability against the below requirements is desired, these data are not required to submit a response.

This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB). Also, it is not an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation or a request seeking contractors interested in placement on a solicitation mailing list. It is a market research tool used to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources for planning purposes only. Responses to this notice are not considered as offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information presented or the use of any such information. Data and samples submitted in response to this market survey will not be returned. No solicitation document exists at this time, and calls requesting a solicitation will not be answered.

Background: Emerging regulations regarding the manufacture and use of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have impacted the availability of chemical/biological (CB) protective materials and textiles from the market base. The use of PFAS chemicals, which include PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanoic sulfonic acid), have generated significant public health concerns. Due to existing local and anticipated DoD regulations, traditional textile and material vendors in the chemical/biological protective textiles and materials marketplace have either stopped manufacturing items containing these materials or have implemented significant cost increases and minimum purchase requirements for these textiles/materials. These marketplace changes have made it economically unfeasible to continue procuring items made with materials that include PFAS substances. Additionally, these changes significantly increase the cost of sustaining DoD systems that include these materials.

Collective protection liners are a key component in several U.S. Military shelter systems, allowing military personnel to perform medical functions, command and control (C2), and rest and relief (R2) in a CBRN-protected environment without being encumbered by Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear. The liners are required to provide liquid and vapor protection against several chemical warfare agents.

Information is sought regarding any liner or barrier material that is manufactured without PFAS while remaining suitable for CBRN protection.

Description: JPM CBRN Protection is requesting information on commercially available or developmental liner and barrier composites for chemical/biological (CB) defense. The objective of this effort is to investigate the availability of alternate materials and material sources that can meet chemical/biological protection requirements without the use of PFAS chemicals in the composition of the materials.

Specifications: The Government is interested in learning more information about materials which meet the recommended requirements for CBRN protection. These requirements may depend on whether the materials are suitable as tent liners or barriers, and each requirement applies to all materials unless otherwise specified.

• Materials of interest are commercially available or under development fabric composites.


• Material composite should demonstrate capability against a chemical agent protective test (i.e., “challenge”) at 72 hours from known chemical agents when tested according to TOP_08-2-501A.


• Desired weight of the material composite should not exceed 8.0 oz/yd2 when used as a liner and tested in accordance with ASTM D751 or 17.0 oz/yd2 when used as a single-skin barrier and tested in accordance with PER MIL-PRF-44.


• Desired peel strength of the composite should reach 2.5 lbs/inch when used as a liner and tested in accordance with ASTM D1876-01 and 7 lbs/inch when used as a single-skin barrier and tested in accordance with MIL-PRF-44103D/ASTM D751.


• Submitted materials must exhibit no growth of mildew or fungus when tested in accordance with MIL-PRF-44103D.


• If submitted materials are no melt/no drip, they shall not exhibit melting and dripping when exposed to a flame when tested in accordance with ASTM D6413.


• If submitted materials are Flame Resistant (FR), they should exhibit the following properties when tested in accordance with ASTM D 6413:
  
  
  
  • After Flame
    
  • After Glow
    
  • Char Length
    
  • Self-Extinguish Flameout
    
  
  


• Single-skin barriers must pass when tested for Color and Spectral Reflectance and Blackout in accordance ASTM 44103D. Single-skin barriers must pass when tested for Cold Crack, Extreme Temperature Exposure, and Petroleum Resistance in accordance with MIL-PRF-44271D.

The above requirements represent guidelines for materials that the Government is interested in learning more about. However, contractors should not disqualify any materials that they are interested in submitting information to the Government based on failing to meet one or any of the requirements above.

Innovation Day: An Innovation Day is scheduled for 09 October 2024 at the US Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, VA. This is an opportunity for interested parties to learn more about the Liners, Barriers and Closure effort and to discuss how available/developmental technologies, concepts, and fabrics/closures solutions could be used to meet the anticipated requirements. Breakout sessions will be available to provide interested parties with the opportunity to meet one-on-one with JPM CBRN Protection personnel. These breakout sessions will allow interested parties to ask questions about the LBC effort and for JPM CBRN Protection personnel to learn more about how available/developmental fabrics/closures solutions could support the needs of the project.

Announcements and registration for the Innovation Day will be managed through the Joint Enterprise Technology Tool (JETT) at https://jacks.jpeocbrnd.army.mil/JETT. Interested parties will have the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one session during the registration process. See the figure below for instructions to register and schedule a one-on-one session.

Please note that all personnel from an interested part that are attending the Innovation Day must register; however, each interested party should only schedule a single one-on-one session.

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