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REQUEST FOR INFORMATION – NAVY CLOTHING AND TEXTILE RESEARCH FACILITY

MULTIPLE VENDORS NEEDED FOR DRY BAGS TO HOLD PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Product Service Code: 8415 – Clothing, Special Purpose

NAICS Code: 3152 – Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors

Background: Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility (NCTRF) is conducting a market survey to determine availability of Berry Amendment Compliant materials and components and Domestic end item manufacturing capability for dry bags to hold personal protective equipment (PPE). After review of industry submissions, the most promising materials, components, and end item manufacturers may be considered for use in the U.S. Navy Chemical/Biological/Radiological Duffel Bag.

Description: This Request for Information (RFI) is seeking sources of materials, components, and end item manufacturing for dry bags that shall

• withstand 10-year wear life of bag which is primarily kept in warehouse or ship storage (temperatures can range from 140oF to -20oF)


• exposure to maritime environment (salt water or air)


• occasional spot cleaning

Interested parties are not required to respond to all four (A, B, C, D) requests.

Requests:

1. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) materials, required attributes:
   
   
   
   
   • Meets requirements for A-A-55308 Type I, Class 1, Form 1
   
   
   • Suitable for thermal bonded construction
   
   
   • Must be able to be printed on (e.g. screen print, ink jet, bonded decal)
   
   
   • Commercially available in green (any shade acceptable)
   
   
   
   

1. Seam tapes for waterproofing, required attributes:
   
   
   
   
   • Suitable for seam sealing on PVC materials that meet the requirements for A-A-55308 Type I, Class 1, Form 1
   
   
   • Commercially available
   
   
   
   

1. Water resistant zippers, required attributes:
   
   
   
   
   • Shall be water resistant and comparable to the current zipper which conforms to A-A-55634 Type I, Style 18, Size 9, individual element fastener, plastic, Class 2 - heavy duty from a continuous roll of chain. The sliders are metal, throat-to-throat, non-reversible and non-locking. The slider pulls are 1-3/8 inch, non-reversible and non-locking.
   
   
   • Commercially available in black
   
   
   
   

1. Dry bag end-item manufacturing, required attributes:
   
   
   
   
   • Must have experience in thermal bonded seam construction OR stitched seam with seam sealing capabilities
   
   
   • Estimates based on the requirements of Enclosure 1 with the addition of seam sealing
   
   
   
   

AND/OR

• 
  
  
  
  • Estimates based on the requirements of Enclosure 2 (dry bag)
  
  
  
  

Interested Parties: To respond to this RFI, interested parties shall submit a cover sheet that identifies the interested party, their technical point of contact with email and phone number, RFI title, and the letter and title of the request(s) you are responding to (e.g. “A. PVC materials”). Specific information is required for each request.

Submissions for request A:

• Include a minimum of 5 yards full width fabric, preferred in any shade of green if available and written assurance that the material can be produced in a green to match Navy’s color standard.


• A spec sheet that identifies:

• Style number


• Fiber blend with fiber percentages


• Material width and weight


• All physical properties with associated test methods


• Performance characteristics


• Estimated cost/yard


• Order minimums


• Production lead-time


• Fiber production location


• Yarn production location


• Weaving location


• Finishing location


• Statement of compliance to Berry Amendment, 10 USC 2533a


• Statement noting if the material contains or does not contain Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS).

Submissions for request B:

• Include sample yardage in any color.


• A spec sheet that identifies:

• Style number


• All physical properties with associated test methods


• Performance characteristics


• Estimated unit cost


• Order minimums


• Production lead-time


• Production location(s)


• Statement of compliance to Berry Amendment, 10 USC 2533a


• Statement noting if the seam tape contains or does not contain PFAS.

Submissions for request C:

• Include 1 sample, preferred in black.


• A spec sheet that identifies:
  
  
  
  • Style numbers
  
  
  • All physical properties with associated test methods
  
  
  • Performance characteristics
  
  
  • Estimated unit cost for 75 zippers
  
  
  • Estimated unit cost for 5,000 zippers
  
  
  • Order minimums
  
  
  • Production lead-time
  
  
  • Production location(s)
  
  
  • Statement of compliance to Berry Amendment, 10 USC 2533a
  
  
  • Statement noting if the zipper contains or does not contain PFAS.
  
  
  
  

Submissions for request D:

• Include a list and photos of examples of similar end items.


• A spec sheet that identifies:
  
  
  
  • Construction type: “thermal bonded” or “stitched and seam sealed”
  
  
  • Order minimums
  
  
  • Estimated production cost and lead-time for 75 bags
  
  
  • Estimated unit cost for 5,000 bags
  
  
  
  

Submissions for request A, B, and C: Include a complete disclosure of chemical treatment(s) if using topical finish, applicable Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and documentation for Berry Amendment, 10 USC 2533a (compliance is required).

Include information which certifies that the finished product is composed of materials which have been safely used commercially or provide sufficient toxicity data to show compatibility with prolonged, direct skin contact. The finished cloth shall not present a dermal health hazard when used as intended.

RFI submission date: Submissions are limited to five (5) items per interested party. Requested information and/or samples listed above shall be received at NCTRF no later than COB 31 July 2023. Information provided will be handled as proprietary and samples will not be returned.

Contact: Point of contact for this request is Julie Kontos, 508-206-2780, julie.m.kontos.civ@us.navy.mil. Shipping address: Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility, Attn. Julie Kontos, Bldg. 86/Seach, 10 General Greene Avenue, Natick, MA 01760-5019.

This notice is a request for information only. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. No solicitation document exists.

Enclosure 1 – NU/PD 20002

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