This Request for Information (RFI) is for market research purposes.
DLA Troop Support, Clothing & Textile Directorate is conducting market research and seeking information from interested parties concerning the availability of domestic "GOAT/KIDSKIN" in the United States for use in the manufacture of various gloves. Currently, the FAR 25.104(a) provides an exception to the Berry Amendment in allowing the use of non-domestic "GOAT/KIDSKIN" for DOD procurements. This market research is intended to help determine the need for this exception as it relates to DLA procurements for the Army Combat Gloves-Capacitive (Type II) IAW Purchase Description GL-PD-08-81D, dated November 08, 2017 with an estimated annual requirement of 210,000 pairs.
PGC(s) - Nomenclature
03250 - USMC dress glove
IAW CR/PD 02-06D SYSCOM, Dated December 30, 2013 with an estimated annual requirement of 47,065 pairs.
03304 -ICW glove
IAW Purchase Description MIL-DTL-44419A, dated 12 April 2016, with an estimated annual requirement of 43,308 pairs.
03127 - Glove Fuel handlers
IAW Purchase Description GL/PD-07-06C, dated July 21, 2011 with an estimated annual requirement of 13,104 pairs.
10214 - Glove shell electric
IAW ASTM F696-06 dated 2011 with an estimated annual requirement of 6,000 pairs.

Please answer the following questions:
1. Is there sufficient domestic Goat/Kidskins available in the U.S. to satisfy the DLA estimated annual requirements for these gloves?

2. If not, is it possible to get sufficient Goat/Kidskins from non-domestic sources in a pickled state and then "tanned" in the US to satisfy the above requirements?

3. If non-domestic Goat/Kidskins are required, how much processing of those skins should be permitted to be performed by non-domestic sources to meet quality requirements in the referenced (PD/Spec/CID) versus those that can or should be performed in the US on the above list of requirements?

4. Please confirm that domestic tanning capability exist to process hides needed to make the glove requirements specified above and if requirements for any other Goat/Kidskin products have an adverse impact on the domestic tanning capability of the above requirements.

5. Is there a price difference between the pickled form and the blue form of the Goat/Kidskins?

In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals. Your response to this notice will be treated as information only.
Please submit your response to Samuel Clifton via email: [email protected] by 3:30 PM EDST July 16, 2018.

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