Cold Temperature and Artic Protective System (CTAPS) L5 Upgrade   2

General
The US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center (NSRDEC) is conducting a front end analysis under the Cold Temperature and Artic Protective System (CTAPS) project. CTAPS is a soldier head to toe clothing ensemble with -65 to +45F environmental protection. The CTAPS objective shall improve the cold weather soldiers' survivability, mobility and lethality potential in the fewest number of clothing layers with increased utility that allow soldiers to configure the clothing protection to match their activity any environment conditions from-65 to 45F. The analysis to date has identified performance gaps and is now examining new technology and design improvements to quantify capability advancements over the Army's 2000 era Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (Gen III). While NSREDC evaluated April 17 submissions received from a CTAPS RFI, NSRDEC is now proceeding with concepts and improvements on an experimental cold weather jacket and trouser to quantify what advancements can be achieved in the Gen III Layer 5 Softshell jacket and trouser. The findings from this effort and others shall lead to a complete integrated clothing ensemble for winter 19 field testing. The FY19 field test results shall inform the requirements and acquisition entities of CTAPS capability advancements to determine if Army full scale development and fielding will be pursued.

Requirement
The US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center (NSRDEC) plans to award a single fixed priced contract to one innovative clothing design/cut/ sew supplier to produce approximately 104 each of an experimental cold weather jacket and trouser in approximately 6 sizes with a receipt date no later than 1 Dec 17 for a winter 17-18 limited field user evaluation. For this pre-solicitation notice, the Government is furnishing technical drawings of the jacket and trousers design concept with a list of anticipated fabrics to interested parties to allow potential suppliers to determine if they are interested in bidding on this effort and provide them an opportunity to seek clarification from NSRDEC. NSRDEC will be finalizing the design and grading patterns until the solicitation is posted. Given the pre-solicitation notice, the solicitation shall be limited to 14 calendar day open period where the specifications shall include detailed technical drawings for the recommended jacket and trouser design, size Medium Regular pattern, a list of required material components with source information, and any specific construction requirements that may not be included in commercial garment sewing practices. NSRDEC will not provide a detailed performance specification and will rely on suppliers to fabricate the garments based upon their experience constructing military garments and utilizing their best commercial production and inspection practices. During the first 10 days of the solicitation period, a prototype jacket and trouser can be inspect at NSRDEC in Natick MA by appointment for a maximum of 2 hours without exchange. At contract award, Natick will furnish a nest of patterns with an anticipated 4" grade (specify the digital format) and the prototype garments as guide samples. The Government owns all data rights from this effort.

Scope of Work
- A Design Review will be conducted while meeting the required 1 Dec 17 receipt date.
o The minimum design review requires the supplier fabricate a jacket and trouser in size medium regular based upon the specifications provided and furnish it to NSDREC for review/comment/approval. The supplier may also propose alternate designs within the scope of the Government's requirements. NSRDEC requires 3 business days for review and a telecom to share results. The sample will be returned tagged with agreements from telecom.
o The desired design review allows time for a slight design change as follows:
The supplier has up to 3 days to review the design and formulate any recommendations to improve its performance or manufacturability and submit findings to NSRDEC.
NSRDEC has up to 3 business days to review the recommendations and select none, some or all feature changes which will be conveyed in a telecom with the supplier.
If changes are approved by NSRDEC, the supplier has 5 business days to produce and furnish a prototype of the modified design. NSRDEC requires up to 2 days to review the prototype sample and approve none, some or all changes. Natick shall return the prototype garments to the supplier with a tag listing approved and disapproved changes as applicable.

Fabricate approximately 104 each of the experimental jackets and trousers, in the proposed tariff listed below (expect this to change), using the supplier equipment and staff. The supplier shall implement best commercial fabrication and quality practices to minimize defects that cause failure in the military field use.
Size Quantity
SmallRegular 5
Medium Regular 60
Medium Long 10
Large Regular 15
Large Long 10
XLarge Regular 4

Each garment shall include a label with Garment identification as CTAPS Jacket Concept 17 or CTAPS Trouser Concept 17, Size, and Contract Number. The label shall be positioned at the center back of the coat neckline and center back of the trouser waist band and shall not cause wearer discomfort.
- The supplier shall perform a 100% finish garment quality inspection and make any repairs necessary to prevent latent defects causing failure in military field use. The Government reserves the right to participate in the suppliers end item inspection at their location.
- The supplier shall furnish finished garment dimensions identified by the Government and their quality inspection record. The supplier shall provide the Government a list of proposed changes to improve manufacturability based upon their experience fabricating the 104 garment sets.
- Jackets and trousers shall be boxed and marked separately and ship to 2-3 CONUS and/or Alaska locations. Cartons containing mixed sizes are permitted provided they are clearly marked on the exterior.