Improved Ghillie System (IGS)

This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM SCIE) to identify potential sources to provide jute yarn/twine/cord/rope to be used in a Government designed Improved Ghillie System.

The RFI is issued solely for information gathering and planning purposes. The RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals and will not directly lead to any contract awards. The following sections of this announcement contain details of the scope of technical efforts of interest as well as instructions for the submission of responses.

The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to [email protected] and [email protected] by 5:00 pm EDT on 16 November 2020.

Background: PM SCIE is conducting market research to identify domestic manufacturers of Jute yarn/twine/cord/rope to be used in a Government designed Improved Ghillie System.  Army snipers attach coarse, multi-ply jute yarn/twine/cord/rope, to their Ghillie suit to enhance their concealment.

Description: The jute yarn or thread can be provided in a cone, spool or skein. Yarn or twine must meet the requirements below.

Requirements: 
Yarn/twine/cord/rope should meet the following requirements:
•    Construction
o    Minimum of 3 ply
o    Minimum 48lb thickness
o    100% jute
•    Color – Natural
•    Shall not be died or finished
•    Berry compliant

Deliverables: 
Interested parties shall provide:

•    Company address, telephone number, primary contact(s) with email address(es).
•    Business size, applicable NAICS code, CAGE code, and if you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, your contract number.
•    Brief statement of capability demonstrating background, relevant past experience, technical skills, and available production capacity to fulfill the Government’s requirements described herein. This can also include current or past performance of providing this or similar products to the Government.
•    A fact sheet detailing item specifications (materials, construction, physical properties).
•    Documentation of Berry Amendment compliance.
•    Description of yarn/twine/cord/rope available, physical submissions are not required
•    Bulk pricing estimate as well as minimum and maximum delivery schedule for each submitted item.
•    Any minimums for orders.

Additional Information:
•    Responses must be electronic only (recommended in PDF file format).
•    All properly marked proprietary information will be appropriately handled. Submitted materials will not be returned.
•    Sample item(s) may be submitted to the following address.  The Government will not purchase any items that are submitted.

Mary Armacost
5981 13th Street, BLDG 1155
Fort Belvoir, Virginia 
22060

Interested 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 on the Beta.SAM 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 [email protected] and [email protected] no later than 16 November 2020 by 5:00 p.m. EDT. 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.

QUESTIONS: 
Any questions for clarification may be emailed to [email protected] and [email protected]. 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.

FAR 52.215-3 - Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes, applies herein.