Soldier Combat Protective Ensemble (CAPE)

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC Soldier Center) in identifying sources with novel approaches to integration and technologies related to Soldier body worn protection, survivability and power and data distribution. This effort is not aimed at incremental improvements to existing equipment. Rather, the CCDC Soldier Center is looking for white papers that outline holistic, capabilities-based solutions that integrate these areas of interest and contain the flexibility to accommodate future developments.The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and shaun.f.filocamo.civ@mail.mil by 1 May 2020 by 5pm EST.Background: The Government (CCDC Soldier Center) is planning two, multi-year Advanced Technology Development

(Budget Activity 6.3) programs: the Soldier Combat Protective Ensemble (CAPE) and the Integrated Multi-threat Head-borne System (IMHS). IMHS is focused on the integration of Soldier head-borne technologies. CAPE is focused on the Soldier of 2030 and will develop and demonstrate new ensemble concepts with Soldier body worn technologies. Results from this RFI will inform the research and development and future acquisition strategies for CAPE over its development timeline. RFP(s) resulting from this market research are anticipated to be announced in 1QFY21. IMHS program planning is taking place separate from CAPE. Future RFIs will be published regarding IMHS.Description: In order to demonstrate substantial gains in Soldier survivability and lethality, the CAPE program has the following objectives:(1)        Reduce overall size and weight of Soldier body worn equipment by identifying significant improvements and efficiencies in new ensemble designs and equipment;(2)        Demonstrate improved capabilities in Soldier signature management, environmental protection, ballistic and blast protection and Soldier body worn power and data distribution.(3)        Identify and address integration deficiencies between Soldier operational clothing and individual equipment (OCIE), personal protective equipment (PPE), and power and data distribution components.Through the application of systems engineering approaches and the incorporation of state of the art and emerging novel materials, the CCDC Soldier Center aims to develop and demonstrate newly designed combat ensembles with improved integration and capability. CAPE’s combat ensemble(s) will be designed to enhance the mission effectiveness of the Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad across all terrain and weather conditions. Currently, the Soldier Center envisions the development of two systems to bridge the transition between temperate and extreme climates. One system will focus on optimizing the operation of infantry squads from temperate to jungle/extreme heat climates. The other system will focus on optimizing the operation of infantry squads from temperate to extreme cold/arctic climates.As a development effort, approaches must address how specific capability development efforts will produce significant savings in system size, weight and bulk and increase mission effectiveness with respect to survivability and lethality.The CAPE program will begin in FY21 and end in 4QFY25. The program will utilize an iterative development process, wherein each iteration will incorporate multiple Soldier touch points and culminate with demonstrations at Army-sponsored events such as the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiments. The final culminating program event in FY25 will demonstrate complete Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 ensemble(s). However, the program structure will allow for mature sub-components (i.e. TRL 6: System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment) to spiral out of CAPE and into current and/or future programs of record.Specifications:  The following are initial capability areas of interest for integration into CAPE concepts (not in order of priority).1.         Environmental ProtectionThe Soldier ensemble concept(s) shall include protection from environmental threats, and while multiple concepts are welcome to address the range in climates, it is desired that the number of concepts be minimized. Vector protection shall be included to protect against mosquitos, ticks, mites, and other vector threats. Climate changes by region, season and time of day present unique challenges for thermal and moisture management, and should be addressed in the temperate to jungle/extreme heat system, and temperate to extreme cold/arctic system. The concepts must at least be no melt no drip for next to skin layers, although flame resistance is more desirable to prevent burn injury. The new concepts shall have properties, such as air permeability, durability, and water resistance, similar to current ensembles. Finally, the materials used in the concepts must also be able to provide camouflage and concealment.2.         Camouflage and ConcealmentSoldier ensemble concepts shall incorporate capabilities that enable camouflage and concealment from enemy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance threats. Concepts shall include approaches that build on the current capability of the Army’s Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) to reduce Soldier detectability from threat sensors that span the visual, Near Infrared (NIR), Short Wave Infrared (SWIR), Mid Wave Infrared (MWIR) and Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) sections of the electromagnetic spectrum.  Concepts that also include approaches to reduce detectability from Battlefield Surveillance Radar (BSR) and Ground Surveillance Radar (GSR) threats are also of interest. Approaches for camouflage and concealment shall address the complete Soldier worn ensemble as well as exposed skin (e.g. face, neck and hands).3.         Load Management SystemSoldier ensemble concepts shall include approaches that specifically address the integration of load carriage equipment and individual hydration / water purification systems with body armor. Load carriage equipment concepts should take each Rifle Squad position and set of responsibilities into consideration to ensure the equipment is best suited for their potential mission requirements. Anticipated mission durations will be 24-72 hours in length with the potential to extend up to 7 days. Load carriage equipment concepts may incorporate load distribution capabilities that allow individual Soldiers to manage and redistribute equipment weight during active patrol. Load carriage equipment concepts must accommodate a wide range of anthropometries.Adequate Soldier hydration is a vital part of their health and sustainability in the field. While Soldiers can survive for up to 2 weeks without food, they can be compromised after 1-2 days without water. Current solutions require either vehicle-borne water supplies or multiple body-worn containers that are highly dependent on re-supply, which limits Soldier autonomy and mission length. As part of the new load management system design, an individual hydration solution shall be included that at a minimum has the following attributes:a.         Low profile design such that the weight of the water is distributed;b.         Expandable system to carry at least 6 quarts that minimizes the volume when empty compared to hard canteens;c.         Robust design that must prevent leakage or bursting during extended field exercises/missions;d.         Built-in purification technologies to provide potable emergency drinking water from any indigenous source;e.         Integrates well with the overall load management system design to eliminate interference and physical discomfort.4.         Ballistic and Blast ProtectionSoldier ensemble concepts shall include modular body armor designs to protect Soldiers from blast, fragmentation and small arms threats. Under the current timeline, the CAPE program will not fund the design and development of new front, back and side torso plate geometries. CAPE concepts shall include the integration of current ESAPI/XSAPI and shooters-cut variants. Separate efforts outside of CAPE, led by the CCDC Soldier Center, will fund the research and development of new small arms protection technologies for integration into CAPE. CAPE concepts shall focus on the design and integration of modular high-performance composite components for tiered head-to-toe protection, including extremity, pelvic, joint, lower abdomen, and lower back protection. Threats of interest for these modular components include high velocity fragmentation threats from conventional and non-conventional anti-personnel munitions as well as 7.62x39 armor piercing small arms threats. Please reference one or more of the following Tiers when submitting:Tier       ---    Threat Level Protection   ---       ThreatLevel 1  ---    Low-level fragmentation  ---     Earth, soil, & ejectaLevel 2  ---    Low-level fragmentation  ---     Conventional munitionsLevel 3  ---    High-level fragmentation ---     Conventional munitionsLevel 4  ---    Low-level rifle                  ---     7.62x39mm AP5.         Soldier-worn Power and DataThe CAPE program aims to solve the challenges of providing power and data between the inner and outer layers of Soldier worn equipment, as well as between the head, torso, legs, ruck, and weapon sub-systems.  CAPE concepts shall include approaches that enable Soldiers to distribute and manage power and data between connected devices on their body. The objective is to reduce the size, weight and power draw (SWAP) of the Soldier-worn power and data system by achieving integration efficiencies and reducing the reliance on multiple cables and incompatible interfaces. The vision for CAPE is to integrate a physical power and data bus on the Soldier that supports the attachment of several devices to a central common interface. Open and common interfaces between the bus and individual connected devices will ensure modularity and extensibility. Example Soldier worn electronic devices for integration may include: batteries; tactical radios; end user devices; GPS; displays; wearable sensors; power generation devices; power management systems; multi-functional materials; and weapon systems.Deliverables: The Government anticipates concept/white papers that demonstrate the interest, capabilities, and qualifications of the submitter.Delivery Date: N/AGovernment Furnished Property (Equipment/Materials/Information/Computer Utilization): N/AInterested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY.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 CCDC Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and shaun.f.filocamo.civ@mail.mil no later than 1 May 2020 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 mary.k.prebensen.civ@mail.mil and shaun.f.filocamo.civ@mail.mil no later than 17 April 2020 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.Amendment 0001:Question 1: Is support currently being provided by a contractor as described in the sources sought? I.e., Is there an incumbent?Answer 1: No, this is a new requirement and there is no incumbent.Question 2: Sources sought states that CAPE is focused on the Soldier of 2030 and that results from this sources sought will be used for CAPE over its development timeline. What is the development timeline for CAPE?Answer 2: As stated in the opportunity, the CAPE program is a multi-year Advanced Technology Development (Budget Activity 6.3) programs, planned to be executed from FY21-25. This gives time for development iterations with the anticipation of a TRL 6: System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment by FY25 for the entire ensemble.Question 3: If we have multiple capability areas of interest (e.g., Load Management System, Ballistic & Blast Protection, etc.), should we submit separate concept/white paper for each or provide one concept/white paper with all capability areas of interest included?Answer 3: At this time, this opportunity is focused on understanding the capabilities of the organization to support development and integration of a full ensemble with all capability areas addressed, and the expectation is one concept/white paper that illustrates that. If an organization chooses to provide more information of capabilities or specialties in a given area, that is at the organization's discretion.