SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- REQUEST FOR CONCEPT PAPERS FOR FLAME RESISTANCE (FR)/HEAT RESISTANCE (HR) SEWING THREADS UNDER THE US ARMY NATICK SOLDIER RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND ENGINEERING CENTER (NSRDEC) BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT
- Notice Date
- 4/4/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- ACC-APG - Natick (SPS), ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011
- ZIP Code
- 01760-5011
- Solicitation Number
- NSRDEC-BAA-13-15
- Response Due
- 4/18/2014
- Archive Date
- 6/3/2014
- Point of Contact
- Michelle Miller, 508-233-6127
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC-APG - Natick (SPS)
(michelle.m.miller22.civ@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Natick Contracting Division in support of the Textile Materials Evaluation Team - Warfighter Directorate (WARPDD) located at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center, Natick, MA, is requesting concept papers from industry to conduct research to develop and be capable of offering large scale manufacturing of new multiple sized Flame Resistance (FR)/ Heat Resistance ( HR) sewing threads to be capable of fabricating FR/HR type military uniforms and various end-items. Specifically, this effort is to develop new multiple sized FR/HR sewing threads with the following specific requirements: 1)Thread shall be either a staple, filament, multi-filament, core type or unique combination design ranging from two - four multiple cord or plies. 2)Tex sizes being based on weight in grams / 1,000 meters, thread shall be capable to accommodate for primary uniform seams being double-stitched seam type side, seat, underarm, crotch and other heavy duty constructions using a typical ASTM 6193, quote mark Standard Practice Stitches and Seams quote mark, LSc-2 seam type ranging from Tex size 50-70/ 3 or 4 ply offering minimum of 3.5 lb breaking strength with elongation set between 15 - 35 % at peak break strength. 3)Tex sizes being based on weight in grams / 1,000 meters, thread shall be capable to accommodate for secondary uniform seams being single-stitched type for components such as zippers, hook and loop, plackets, collars, cuffs, pockets, other medium duty constructions using typical ASTM, 301 Lockstitch and including SSa-2, 516 chain stitch or similar seam type ranging from Tex size 20- 49 / 2 or 3 ply offering minimum of 1.5 lb breaking strength with elongation set between 15 - 35% at peak break strength. 4)Other Tex sizes may be developed provided the contractor can explain significant factors such as lower cost, production equipment capabilities or other manufacturing justifications that offers an advantage towards large scale manufacturing. 5)As an initial parameter, sewing threads shall be Flame Resistant at a minimum to demonstrate no burning, melt drip and no extended self burning per ASTM D 6413 quote mark Flame resistance of Textiles (Vertical Test) quote mark, after 12 sec flame exposure. Thread shall be hanging within flame in a double twisted construction to represent both needle and bobbin (looper) thread densities. 6)As an initial parameter, sewing threads shall be Heat Resistant and at a minimum demonstrate heat resistance in a 500 Degree F for minimum of 5 minute time per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1977, Heat and Thermal Shrinkage Resistance Test. Threads shall be capable of retaining minimum of 80% break strength as compared to initial non-heated tests. 7)It is a developmental goal to lower manufacturing costs for FR / HR threads, therefore threads shall not possess more than 30% by weight either Kevlar and/ or Nomex or combination of each within its' structure. In other words, if so designed combinations of each fiber cannot exceed 30% weight. 8)FR finishes can be considered provided they are laundering resistant and pass all required test methods. 9) Colorfastness to Laundering for threads shall pass AATCC TM 61 Test 2A after 3 cycles with thread dried after each cycle using. AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1 and 2, Gray Scale for Color Change and Staining respectively with a minimum of 3-4 rating. 10)Colorfastness to light testing shall be conducted to assure no color fading per AATCC TM 16 after 40 hrs or 170kJ using AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1, Gray Scale for Color Change with minimum 3 - 4 rating. 11)Threads shall be capable of dyeing to color match typical Military shades such as Foliage Green 504, Coyote, Tan 499 or other. Final completed shade-match for contract delivery shall be determined at appropriate time toward completion. 12)Threads shall be capable of withstanding minimum 5 min of high speed sewing using ASTM 301, lock stitch sewing machine. Threads shall be able to continue sewing in smooth, even manner via 4 layers of military FR fabric to be designated at appropriate time towards completion. Sewing machine speed shall be set to maximum speed. Furthermore, completed thread stitch line shall be set-aside for minimum of 3 days to observe if there is wicking of thread lubricant or FR finish upon fabric surface as designated by a darkened area parallel to stitch line. Threads cannot stain base fabric in any manner. 13) The thread must be Berry Amendment compliant, lower cost FR/HR sewing thread for use as an alternate to current Nomex and Kevlar threads for military uniforms, gloves and related end-item applications. 14)Threads shall be capable of passing ASTM F 1930 -, quote mark Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Flame Resistant Clothing for Protection Against Simulations Using an Instrumented Manikin quote mark such that no seams exhibit melting, opening, or degraded seam strength of no lower than 50% seam strength value compared to initial strengths. This shall represent final test criterion to be conducted at Natick Flammability Facility. Government shall produce FR garment representative of technology at time of completion of contract but in typical Army Combat Uniform design using typical LSc-2, SSa-2, 301, 516 or combination of stitch and seam types. The proposed technical approach must clearly identify how and why the effort will be successful including the proposed materials required to develop the FR/HR sewing thread. Concept development strategies without supporting technical information will be weighed negatively.. Concept technology developed under this effort must be scalable to potential low rate production. The main effort should last approximately no more than 12 months from contract award. Technical reporting shall be conducted at a minimum, on a monthly basis and/or associated with significant technical milestones outlined in the concepts programmatic approach. Technical reporting will require complete documentation of the research and development efforts including cost, schedule and performance updates. At the completion of the main effort, the contractor shall: 1) Construct and deliver six (6) 20 quote mark x 20 quote mark sewn units using ASTM LSc-2 seam type in middle of swatch with designated military FR fabric, to be determined at appropriate time towards completion to conduct a 25 home laundering per AATCC TM 135-Machine cycle 1, Washing Temperature V, Drying Procedure A i, with drying in between for evaluation of colorfastness and/ or color change. Threads shall maintain standard shade color and not discolor in any manner. 2) Include report of all aspects of FR / HR Thread manufacturing, Thread data based on internal laboratory testing, cost breakdown based on fiber content and related manufacturing processes, physical properties with focus on Tex size, break strength, elongation, length per pound data, plies, twist directions, related color fastness and other related details needed as basis to develop a FR / HR Mil-spec. 3) Deliver a minimum of 18 cones (500 yards minimum each cone), both sizes of FR/HR thread per designated military shade for Government confirmation FR/ HR, sewability, ASTM Manikin evaluations or other tests deemed pertinent. All efforts are subject to availability of funds. All interested firms are encouraged to submit a Concept Paper to NSRDEC in accordance with NSRDEC Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Solicitation Number W911QY-13-R-0032, which can be found at https://www3.natick.army.mil. The BAA contains instructions for submission of Concept Papers against Topic F. Textile Technologies. Proprietary information will not be disclosed outside the U.S. Government. Nothing shall be construed herein or through the synopsis process to commit or obligate the Government to further action as a result of this synopsis. Firms responding to this synopsis shall bear all risk and expense of any resources used to provide the requested information, and all information submitted in response to this request shall become the property of the Government, and will not be returned to the submitter. Interested parties are invited to submit a concept paper under the topic referenced above and shall submit via email to ann.t.dickhut.civ@mail.mil by 18 April 2014. The Government shall evaluate all white papers and provide a written response/proposal invitation to the offerors on or about 1 May 2014. Any technical questions concerning this acquisition should be addressed to Tom Gilroy, NCD, via email thomas.d.gilroy.civ@mail.mil. The Natick BAA is effective from 1 March 2013 through 28 February 2015. This synopsis expires 30 April 2014.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/c86cc8b46de354b8c4b4f9e05a4229ef)
- Place of Performance
- Address: ACC-APG - Natick (SPS) ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street Natick MA
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Record
- SN03330645-W 20140406/140404234858-c86cc8b46de354b8c4b4f9e05a4229ef (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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