LETTER OF INTEREST - SSTRM Technology Network Working Group - Layering Concept

LETTER OF INTEREST SSTRM Technology Network Working Group - Layering Concept 1.0 Purpose The purpose of this Letter of Interest (LOI) is to inform Industry, Academia and Government personnel of an ongoing sub-committee to address future technology requirements for dismounted soldiers. The result of this LOI will be a list of suppliers, academics and government personnel that will be invited to participate in a forum. This sub-committee, composed of participants from all branches of the textile and clothing industry, assisted by the Army Director of Land Requirement will prototype the next layering concept for the Army's Combat Uniform. The aim is to bring together industry to provide soldiers with the best garments and layering system industry can provide and, is capable of meeting the Canadian Content Policy (https://buyandsell.gc.ca/policy-and-guidelines/supply-manual/annex/3/6). The Army is trying to prepare the industry for future performance base procurement (no specific project at this time) by enabling industry to shape Research and Development (R&D) efforts to align with future potential requirements and Requests for Proposal (RFP). All interested participants will be provided information regarding the current layering concept for the Army's Future Combat Uniform. More specifically, information regarding the operational and environmental performance requirements of the combat uniform. The Army Director of Land Requirement will then encourage all participants to undertake their own in-house / cooperative R&D textiles / clothing laying prototype concepts to meet the Army’s operational and environmental performance requirements. The Army will further assist participants by providing them with access to Army personnel (trials, focus group, etc.) in return for their time and investment, thus ensuring they are developing as per soldier’s requirements. This LOI is not a call for Tenders or a RFP. No agreement or contract will be entered into, with any person or entity, based solely on this LOI. The issuance of this LOI is not to be considered in any way a commitment by the Government of Canada or as authority to potential participants to undertake any work that could be charged to Canada. This LOI is not to be considered as a commitment to issue a Request for Proposal or award contract(s) for these projects. 2.0 Background In November 2012, an LOI was posted to form two working groups; one in the Power/Energy domain, which focused on Power Sources (Fuel Cells) and Power Generation (Energy harvesting technologies), the second concerning multi-layer, integrated operational clothing for the soldier. The Canadian Army soldier is in need of a fully integrated clothing solution allowing him/her to be able to operate in all climatic zones (-57 to +40) and in all weather conditions. On May 1st 2013, the Soldier System Technology Roadmap (SSTRM) Working Group on Operational Clothing (Op Clothing WG) held their initial meeting. Following from discussions at the event, a sub-committee was formed to work specifically on the concept of a Combat Uniform Layering System. The Army began work on the layering concept in November 2012, when three conceptual layering systems were defined by users at a Soldier Systems Requirement Working Group (SSRWG) meeting. The Army is now refreshing this initiative by reminding industry of the ongoing subcommittee and looking to attract new participants. 3.0 Current Situation The Army is looking for additional volunteers from industry to undertake their own prototyping efforts for these layering concepts in order to arrive at a model that meets the challenging requirements of the Canadian Army and is in compliance with the Canadian Content Policy; therefore, providing the participants with their own in-house concept that can be bid on a future clothing RFP. All prototypes, results, and intellectual property (IP) generated via this process are solely the property of the participants. Canada will not retain any ownership rights to any IP. Canada will also not approve, verify, review or provide feedback for any resulting prototypes and or IP generated via this process. Note that no funds or contracts will be awarded to participating companies / academia for contributing to this project. All national or new capability procurements will be done through a competitive process, on the Government Electronic Tending System. Participation is free and voluntary, and open to manufacturing, services, and technology-based companies of all sizes, as well as researchers and other experts from academia, government, and not-for-profit research organizations. Interested participants must be able to contribute to the development of the layering concept in some manner that will ultimately meet the Canadian Content Policy. The work described herein and the deliverable items exclude the development of any statement of work, evaluation criteria or any document related to a bid solicitation. Any participants, directly or indirectly, involved in the participation in the sub-committee or forum, and/or in the production of the deliverables will not be precluded from bidding on any potential future bid solicitation related to the production or exploitation of any concept or prototype developed or delivered under any resulting contract. Once all interested companies / academia have been identified for this project, further details will be sent to registered participants. The aim of this sub-committee is to bring companies / academia to work together to achieve Canadian Army objectives. This will help create new partnerships amongst participants and lead to a better sharing of information between the military and industry / academia. 4.0 Response - Registration Procedures a) For inquiries relating to this Letter of Interest please contact the contracting authority Joseph Hulse 11 Laurier, Gatineau QC 873-469-4832 Joseph.hulse@pwgsc.gc.ca b) Interested individuals wishing to participate are invited to send their contact information to: Patrick.Lottinville@forces.gc.ca Delivery Date: Above-mentioned Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.