RFI for Prototype: Reversible Signature Management Overwhite Garments

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army DEVCOM Soldier Center to identify potential sources to provide prototypes for Reversible Signature Management Overwhite Garments.The Government requests responders submit a Broad Other Transaction Authority Announcement (BOTAA) preproposal as outlined in the DEVCOM Soldier Center BOTAA (DEVCOM SC BOTAA_22-01) located at: "https://sam.gov/opp/126eaf3a78d847f69b7c94b606877f92/view”Please refer to Topic Area of Interest “C. SOLDIER PROTECTION DIRECTORATE (SPD)” starting on page 21.Submit the BOTAA preproposal to: justin.a.murphy16.civ@army.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.milObjective: The Soldier Protection Directorate (SPD) is seeking information on the capabilities and

willingness of prospective offerors (academic, non-profit and commercial) to generate novel reversible multi-spectral camouflage fabrics, (visible through longwave infrared (IR) wavelengths) as defined in the BOTAA. This is an Advanced Technology Development project targeting technology development between Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3 to 4. Background: With today’s advanced battlefield sensors, the dismounted Solider is at increased risk of detection from various electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors ranging from visible through longwave infrared wavelengths. Additionally, the battlefield can often span multiple environments within a given area of responsibility which necessitates the need for camouflage options available to the individual Soldier. For these reasons the Government is pursuing the development of an overgarment made from fabric that is reversible with Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) on one side and Snow Marine Pattern (MARPAT) camouflage on the other side with visible through IR camouflage properties. Requirements: Requesting proposals for the availability or approaches to develop reversible camouflage-printed fabrics with IR mitigating properties. This next gen fabric may be made into trousers, jackets, ponchos and pack cover prototypes for spectral mitigation against battlefield EO/IR sensor threats. A prototype is generally described as particular technology, process, concept or other discrete feature, which for this program is a reversible IR mitigating fabric incorporating the improvements highlighted above. The proposal should identify the current TRL, concept, materials, methodology, and technology of the proposed fabrics. The Government anticipates the award of a prototype agreement for an innovative technology, process, or concept proposed in response to this announcement. Overwhite systems in use today do not currently meet the specified requirements described in the following sections. The specific fabric design requirements are separated into two categories, essential and elective. SPD is seeking fabrics that will meet all the essential requirements, as well as meet any or all elective requirements. Specific essential design requirements are listed below. Contractor shall apply thermal signature management technology onto different fabrics that are reverse camouflage printed. One side of the fabric/layer shall be printed in OCP and provide IR mitigating properties, while the reverse side of the fabric shall be Snow MARPAT printed and provide additional IR mitigating properties. Each side shall be its own pattern that does not allow the opposite pattern to be seen or bleed through to the other side. The fabric shall provide thermal signature mitigating properties while maintaining or improving upon the performance of the current fielded Snow Overwhites in respect to spectral performance, durability, weight, and drying rate. The fabric shall maintain acceptable visual and near infrared (NIR) signatures. Contractor shall provide 15-20 yards of treated/printed fabric samples to DEVCOM SC for evaluation of comfort, durability, strength, water repellency, oil repellency, drying rate, and signature properties. Technology shall be scalable to produce several hundred yards of material should options of a potential contract be exercised. Specific elective design requirements are listed below (not ranked in order of importance). The fabric should incorporate SWIR reflectance on fabrics. The fabric should incorporate up to 2 functional finishes (anti-microbial, PFAS free water repellency, etc.) The fabric should be fire resistant (no melt/no drip) and shall not possess toxicity characteristics. The fabric should be lightweight (less than 4 oz/sq yd) The fabric should be water repellent. The fabric should be durable. The fabric should dry quickly. The fabric should retain spectral performance after laundering. ***Please see Key Performance Parameter (KPP) / Key System Attribute (KSA) document uploaded as attachment***Anticipated deliverables for the fabrics are listed below. 15-20 yards each of the multispectral fabrics (vis/NIR, MWIR, LWIR); Incorporation of desired SWIR reflectance on the OCP/MARPAT fabrics from (1, if executed Incorporation of up to two (2) functional finishes (anti-microbial, PFAS free water repellency, etc.) on the fabrics from (1) or (2), if executed Up to 150 yards from the final iterations of each fabric Monthly Reports shall include the contractor’s progress, status and any test data.Final Technical report for each Phase or Option.Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLYThis 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 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 BOTAA preproposals regarding this requirement to DEVCOM Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to justin.a.murphy16.civ@army.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil no later than May 22, 2024 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.QUESTIONS:Any questions for clarification may be emailed to justin.a.murphy16.civ@army.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil no later than May 21, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. EST. 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.