The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground, Natick Contracting Division (ACC-APG-NCD) in support of the U.S. Army Product Manager - Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM-SCIE), intends to award a firm fixed price contract on a sole source basis to the American Sheep Industry Association, Inc., 9785 Maroon Circle, Suite 360, Englewood, CO, 80112. This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

The U.S. Army Product Manager - Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment as a transition partner of the ongoing Cold Temperature and Arctic Protection System (CTAPS) effort by Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) is interested in the proposed Mercerized Wool for Individual Wear as a result of the FY2017 CTAPS evaluation of developmental base layers of a multi-layer clothing system for extreme cold weather. As evaluated in FY2017, a base layer constructed in a wool fiber blend would improve performance characteristics in order to provide protection in extreme cold conditions down to -65˚F. However, it is thought that the additional process of mercerization of wool will increase comfort of wearing wool next-to-skin while still providing the performance. An investigation of the wool mercerization process will determine if the physical properties of a wool blend fabric using mercerized wool fiber and various knit constructions will provide improved performance of moisture management and thermal protection.

The American Sheep Industry Association, Inc., is the only known source that can employ relevant subject matter experts knowledgeable of wool fiber processing and manufacturing within the United States. The American Sheep Industry Association, Inc. would process the wool and follow the trial fiber all the way through production to ensure quality results of yarn and fabric.

Interested parties may address questions pertaining to this acquisition to Jason Papadopoulos at [email protected].

Bid Protests Not Available