Cold Weather Sleeping Pad

This notice is for market research only.  This is not a request for quotations.  No solicitation document exists.  The information received under this announcement may be used to purchase items for Government testing (including laboratory and Soldier evaluations) and determine a future procurement strategy.  You may email your questions for PdM SCIE to the points of contact listed below.

The U.S. Army Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM SCIE) is conducting a market research investigation for individual-Soldier cold weather sleeping pads.  The goal of this effort is to identify firms with capabilities to provide insulated sleeping pads for use by Soldiers operating in extreme cold weather environments. 

Interest is in readily available products or mature developmental items (must be based on a concise and attainable development/commercialization plan).

Required technical capabilities for the cold weather sleeping pad are as follows:

1. Provides maximum insulative properties to support operations with ground temperatures as low as -65 degrees fareinheit.
2. Accommodates 60-inch to 74-inch tall Soldier.
3. Is compressible to minimize space required for packing.
4. Will not compress or deflate after a minimum of 4-hour use and will provide greater comfort than the current sleeping mat.
5. Does not require tools or ancillary equipment to stow or prepare for use.
6. Is mold, rot, and mildew resistant and has a minimum shelf/storage life of 5 years.
7. Designed to be prepared for (or removed from) storage while wearing extreme cold weather hand protection.

Other desired (not required) technical capabilities include:

1. Weighs less than 2lbs.
2. Is resistant to fuel and lubricant.
3. Provides sufficient surface friction with sleeping bag material to prevent sliding during sleep.
4. Is flame resistant.

Interested sources shall, within thirty (30) calendar days of the publication of this RFI, respond with information on their current product(s) and how they address the requirements listed above.

The information package shall contain the following items:

1. General information regarding the firm, including location, size, and special designations (i.e. 8(a), Women-Owned Small Business, etc.)
2. Information regarding the firm's production capabilities for the submitted item(s), to include whether the item(s) can be domestically produced in compliance with Section 2533a of Title 10 U.S. Code (i.e. the “Berry Amendment”).
3. Retail and/or wholesale pricing for currently available products.
4. A detailed description of the product, to include specs and material safety information.
5. Test reports confirming performance claims, if available.
6. Name and location of production facility, production lead time, and monthly production capacity.
7. A product sample may be submitted if available.  If a firm chooses to submit samples, no payment will be made by the government for such samples.

Responses to this notice are to be sent to:

10 General Greene Ave.

ATTN: Robert Drown D207

Natick, MA 01760-5000