The Program Manager-Special Operations Forces Survival, Support & Equipment Systems (PM-SOF SSES) office at the U.S. Army Soldier Research Development, and Engineering Center, Natick, MA is seeking waterproof breathable materials for test and evaluation purposes. POC for this request is Charlotte Jennings, (508) 233-6298 or Email at [email protected]. The material shall meet the following critical performance requirements:

Characteristic Specification Test Method
Weight, oz/sq. yd (max) 3.7 ASTM D-3776 (Method C)

Breaking Strength, lbf (min)
Warp 100 ASTM D-5034 (G-E or G-T)
Filling 100 ASTM D-2582

Hydrostatic Resistance (to burst) [min psi]
Initial 90 ASTM D-751
After diethyltoluamide 90 ASTM D-751
After strength of coating 90 ASTM D-751
After high humidity 90 ASTM D-751

Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate - g/m2/24 hr initial (min)
Procedure B 700 ASTM E-96
Procedure BW 5000 ASTM E-96

Stiffness, warp only, cm (max)
At 70o F 8.0 ASTM D-747
At 0o F 9.0 ASTM D-747

Water Permeability (min)
Initial No leakage ASTM D-751
After physical surface appearance No leakage ASTM D-751
After diethyltoluamide No leakage ASTM D-751
Taped seams No leakage ASTM D-751

Spray Rating, rating -
Initial 100, 100, 90 AATCC-22
After 5 launderings 100, 90, 90 AATCC-22

Colorfastness to:
Laundering Equal to or better than "3-4" rating on AATCC Gray Scale for Color Change AATCC-61, Test 1A (3 cycles)
Light Equal to or better than "3-4" rating on AATCC Gray Scale for Color Change AATCC-16, Option A (after 40 fading units) or E (after 170 kilojoules)
Crocking Equal to or better than the standard sample or not less than AATCC chromatic transference scale rating of 3.5. AATCC - 8

Dimensional Stability, percent (max)
Warp 4.0 AATCC - 96, Option 1C
Filling 2.0 AATCC - 96, Option 1C

This Sources Sought notice is subject to the Berry Amendment, 10 USC 2533a. Manufacturers who believe they have product(s) capable of meeting the above requirements are requested to submit 1 yard of material and a test report showing performance characteristics of the material by 21 February 2012. Manufacturers must be able to supply 40 yards of the material for testing and prototyping if their material is selected for evaluation. There is no color requirement for the testing material; any readily available material may be utilized.

Any information/samples submitted will not be returned, and no payment will be made by the Government for such samples. Responses to this notice are to be sent to Charlotte Jennings at PM-SOF SSES, Attn: Charlotte Jennings, 15 Kansas Street, Bldg. 4 Room D-017, Natick, MA 01760. This notice is for market survey only. 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. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement. POC for this request is Charlotte Jennings, (508) 233-6298 or Email at [email protected].

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