Department of Defense Conducting Market Research on Availability of Wool Knits, Battings and Wovens

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ("RFI") ONLY for domestic wool knits, battings and wovens for use in base layers and insulation layers of cold weather clothing systems. This is not a Request for Quotation ("RFQ"), Request for Proposal ("RFP") or an Invitation for Bid ("IFB"). It is a market research tool being used to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources for planning purposes only.

The Department of Defense is seeking wool and wool blended materials for test and evaluation purposes. The following information is requested:

Characteristic Specification Test Method:

Weight, oz/sq. yd ASTM D-3776 (Method C)

Fiber content:

Fabric care instructions:

Dimensional Stability, percent (max):

Warp 4.0 AATCC - 96, Option 1C

Filling 2.0 AATCC - 96, Option 1

Manufacturers must be capable of supplying 3 yards of the material suitable for testing and prototype evaluation or garments. There is no color requirement for the testing material; any readily available material may be utilized.

MATERIALS MUST ALSO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BERRY AMENDMENT, 10 USC 2533a, meaning they must be made of wool raised in the U.S. with all processing done in the U.S.

Manufacturers who believe they have product(s) capable of meeting the above requirements are requested to submit 1 yard of material and a short summary including test report(s) showing performance characteristics of the material (no more than 5 pages total) describing their products' capabilities in each of these areas, by the date noted below. The summary must include Company name and address, point of contact with phone number, DUNS number, Cage Code and a statement regarding any small business designation (if applicable). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 313210 - Broadwoven Fabric Mills, with a size standard of 1,000 employees.

The deadline to respond is April 17th.

For more information contact David Trumbull at david@agathonassociates.com and I'll pass on to you the contact information at the Department of Defense.