Heated Flight Clothing (HFC)
Request for Information (RFI) #WNUK-21-005
General Introduction:
1. This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) only. Air Force Life Cycle
Management Center (AFLCMC) Human Systems Program Office (AFLCMC/WNU) is
conducting a market assessment to identify potential sources, and companies that may
possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to respond to the requirements listed in
this document. AFLCMC/WNU is issuing this RFI to explore cost effective options to
provide this capability and to obtain valuable feedback in regards to the requirements for
the Heated Flight Clothing (HFC) Solution listed herein. This RFI is issued solely for
information and planning purposes and will be considered to determine the acquisition
strategy for Air Force (AF) as well as potential future solicitations.
2. This is not a request for competitive proposals. Respondents are advised that the Government
will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this RFI.
Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be
returned. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding
party’s expense.
3. AFLCMC is not seeking proposals at this time, and will not accept unsolicited proposals.
4. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this inquiry.
This announcement is not to be construed as a formal solicitation. It does not commit the
Government to reply to the information received, or to later publish a solicitation, or to
award a contract based on this information.
5. Companies may be contacted if additional information is needed to fully understand the
marketplace and/or comments to the requirements presented below.
Purpose:
The Government is seeking to obtain an electrically or criteria equivalent heated under-layer/outerlayer
system of clothing covering feet, hands, torso, and legs. Equipment warming the hands and
feet are the primary focus for this requirement with torso and leg capabilities being the secondary
focuses. Active warming will increase core temperatures and increase blood circulation to
extremities, reducing the likelihood of cold injuries and reduced dexterity. The purpose of this
RFI is to gather information on the current state and availability of vendors which are
capable of providing gear which provides active heating to aircrew members exposed to extreme
cold temperatures - reducing bulk of clothing - and an instant heat option when aircraft doors are
opened or closed, facilitating a broad working envelope. This equipment will meet the below
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requirements, be sustainable, include inspection and maintenance procedures, and integrate with
existing Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE).
If a company is capable of some, but not the entire requirement stated in this RFI, please
provide a response that explains the requirements for which you are capable. WNU is
interested in any commercially available heated cold weather clothing solution to include:
electrically heated motorcycle gloves/garments, electrically heated snowmachine
gloves/garments, electrically heated mountain climbing gloves/garments etc. Additionally,
battery sources capable of supporting such equipment on aircraft are desirable.
Heated Flight Clothing Solution Requirements:
The Government is requesting feedback on the requirements contained below, and to gain an
understanding of potential existing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions. Please provide
us with a list of commercial customers if applicable. The feedback received will be used to assess
the achievability of the requirements.
The Heated Flight Clothing solution requirements are as follows:
Key Performance Parameter
(KPP)
Threshold (T)/Objective (O)
Physical Features (T) Will be modular/configurable to enable the user to
tailor the capability to each mission profile. Component
should not have to be worn as an entire ensemble to be
utilized. (Each component should be able to be used
separately if desired).
(T) Will provide heat and flame protection (FR) equal to
the equipment it covers/replaces (outer layers). Will not
melt or drip when exposed to heat and flame.
(T) Will not degrade tactility and dexterity for mission
requirements. Aircrew must be able to perform tasks for
pre-flight, in-flight, post flight and emergency
procedures. CWAS glove testing should be used as the
base line for this requirement.
(T) Will enable the Commercial Mobile Devices (CMD)
touch screen to be operated by touching;
(O) without causing any delay, without causing increased
in touch-contact error or miscommunication, when
compared to bare hand.
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(T) Will not become stiff or crack under cold
environments that interferes with its use, wear life,
durability, and required protection or dexterity
performances.
(T) Will properly fit the 5th- 95th percentile population
of each based on sizing systems for both women’s and
men’s sizing).
(O) Will include options for female fitment
considerations to include bladder relief capability.
Solution should accommodate bladder relief systems,
such as the “travel john” and AMXD.
(T) Active controlling measures for increase/decrease of
heat power source.
(O) Control mechanism should be located near the power
source to facilitate ease of operation and adjustment.
(T) Shall be capable of withstanding the extreme
environmental conditions induced by aircraft operation,
ground transport, storage and rough handling.
(O) Shall perform as required with ambient temperature
range of - 65°F (-54°C) and with wind-chill to - 140° F (-
96.5°C)
(T) Shall be worn in conjunction with CWAS equipment
and layering.
Capability (cold protection) (T) Electronically Powered/Portable Battery System or
combination (no aircraft modifications)
(O) If electronically battery powered, battery will weigh
no more than 15 lbs. and be man-portable and or able to
be aircraft secured to an 8G minimum IAW aircraft flight
manual.
(T) Man-portable battery should be capable of operating
unit for a minimum of 1.5 hours without recharge with a
target capability of 4 hours without recharge.
(O) Man-portable battery should be conforming to the
individual and not limit range and mobility.
(T) Man-portable batteries should be user changeable to
eliminate need for connection cables to the battery
source.
Power Source (T) Shall not cause injury or irritation to using personnel.
(O) Any encounter with fire will not render the system
unusable or unsafe.
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(T) Will not cause ancillary problem on aircraft platforms
or mission operation.
(T) Will not cause snag hazard in the aircrew-operating
environment.
Integration (T) Will not require aircraft modification.
(T) Will not cause interference with aircraft systems.
System may require EMI shielding.
No Impact on Other Systems (O) Textiles/materials used will match current OCP
pattern for outer/external components.
Please document any feedback to each of the requirements. The scope of your comments should
include the following:
• Your ability to provide HFC which can meet the above listed requirements.
Please provide current product specifications and capabilities (including description of
appearance, manuals, drawings, weight, information on inspection and maintenance
procedures, etc.)
o Recommended changes to the requirements based on your capabilities.
o Please provide current or estimated unit cost.
o Please provide any available test reports to include but not limited to;
 Tensile Strength Testing
 Fire Resistance Testing
 Vertical Flame Testing
 Compression Testing (Top to Bottom, Side to Side, Front to Back)
 Drop Weight Impact Test ( Top, Back, Front, Sides)
 Environmental/Accelerated Wear Test
 High Temperature (Storage/Operation) Test
 Low Temperature (Storage/Operation) Test
 Low Pressure (Altitude) Test
 Temperature Shock (Rapid Temperature Change) Test
 Solar Radiation (Sunshine) Test
 Flame (No Drip/ No Melt) Test
 Delamination Strength Test
 Fungus Test
 Humidity Test
RFI Responses:
1. Please provide your Request for Information responses to [email protected] and
[email protected] by 12:00 pm EST on 5 Feb 2021. Title e-mail responses in the
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subject line of the e-mail as follows: “Response to Heated Flight Clothing Solution” Request
for Information #WNUK-21-005.”
2. Responses shall include the following information:
Company/Institute name
Address
Point of Contact
Cage Code
DUNS Number
Phone Number
E-mail Address
Web page URL
3. All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM)
database to be awarded a DoD contract. The North American Industry Classification System
(NAICS) code for this requirement, if applicable to the company’s capabilities, should be included
in the company’s NAICS code listing in SAM.
4. The NAICS Code for this action is 315280, size standard 750 employees. Based on the NAICS
Code, state whether your company qualifies as a:
• Small Business (Yes/No)
• Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)
• Economically Disadvantaged Small Business Women-Owned Small Business
(Yes/No)
• 8(a) Certified (Yes/No)
Date certified: ____________________
• HUB Zone Certified (Yes/No)
• Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)
• Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)
• Statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign
owned, please indicate country of ownership).
5. Please limit your responses to no more than 20 pages, to include product sheets, test data, graphs,
charts and answers to the questions above; and, identify a representative to support further
Government inquiries and requests for clarification of the information provided, if needed.
Marketing materials are considered an insufficient response to this Request for Information.
6. Respondents should indicate which portions of their responses are proprietary and mark
accordingly. All information received in response to this RFI that is properly marked as
“proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Proprietary information must be clearly marked on the
outside container and on the materials inside. The Government shall not be liable for, or suffer any
consequential damages, for any proprietary information not properly identified.
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Questions:
1. Responses to questions from interested parties will be promptly answered and posted on the
Beta.SAM.gov website, unless some release of proprietary information is involved or the answer
addresses a question specific to a company or that company’s response. Post submittal, one-onone
information sessions with respondents are not contemplated; however, they may be offered to
responders to clarify the government’s understanding of their submittal, the capability
ramifications, or to discuss their business approach. Information feedback sessions may be offered
to respondents after the RFI assessments are completed.
2. Points of Contact (POC) for this RFI:
Lila Ivanovska, Contracting Officer
[email protected]
Jay B Phillips, Contract Specialist
[email protected]
Contracting Office Address:
Bldg. 12
1981 Monahan Way
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433
Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. All questions will be answered via posting answers to
this Beta.SAM.gov website; except as provided above. Additionally, questions must NOT contain
trade secrets or classified information. The Government reserves the right to not address questions
received after 5 Feb 2021.