Domestic Sources for Zero-Porosity, High-Performance Coated Parachute Cloth

Summary

<p><strong>1.0 INTRODUCTION</strong><br /> The U.S. Army, on behalf of the Program Manager for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM-SCIE), is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to conduct market research. The Government is seeking to identify domestic manufacturers capable of producing a Berry Amendment-compliant (10 U.S.C. 2533a) parachute cloth that is functionally equivalent to the material specified in U.S. Army Source Control Drawing 11-1-9306.</p> <p><strong>2.0 BACKGROUND</strong><br /> The specified parachute cloth is a critical component for the production of ram-air parachute systems (e.g., RA-1 Canopies) supporting U.S. Army operations. The established domestic supply chain for the legacy proprietary coated material (historically known as SOAR-COAT&reg; Formulation 9120 R3(228)) has been disrupted due to the loss of a key domestic coating capability. The Government is seeking to identify and qualify new domestic sources to ensure supply chain continuity and industrial base resilience.</p> <p><strong>3.0 TECHNICAL SUMMARY</strong><br /> The Government requires a high-performance, zero-porosity, silicone-coated ripstop fabric. The base fabric must conform to PIA-C-44378, Type IV. The finished cloth must meet all physical, performance, and visual defect requirements outlined in Source Control Drawing 11-1-9306, including, but not limited to:</p> <ul> <li>Zero air permeability (0 CFM maximum per ASTM D737)</li> <li>Specific breaking, tear, and elongation strengths</li> <li>A proprietary-equivalent high-performance silicone formulation applied equally to both sides</li> <li>Strict tolerances for visual defects (e.g., pinholes, blisters, coating streaks, blocking)</li> </ul> <p><em>Note: The full technical requirements are detailed in the attached RFI document and Source Control Drawing 11-1-9306.</em></p> <p><strong>4.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION</strong><br /> Interested parties are requested to submit a Capabilities Statement outlining their technical expertise, production capability, and quality control processes necessary to manufacture this material.</p> <p>Specifically, respondents should address:</p> <ol> <li>Company profile, CAGE code, and socioeconomic status.</li> <li>Confirmation of domestic manufacturing capabilities compliant with the Berry Amendment.</li> <li>Current availability of a Berry Amendment-compliant (10 U.S.C. 2533a) parachute cloth that is functionally equivalent to the material specified in 11-1-9306.</li> <li>Technical approach to developing/applying a functionally equivalent zero-porosity silicone coating. Estimated timelines for formulation development, sample production, testing, and full production readiness.</li> <li>Relevant past performance in manufacturing and coating technical textiles for military or aerospace applications.</li> </ol> <p><strong>5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS</strong><br /> Responses must be submitted electronically via email to <strong>jeffrey.m.campbell18.civ@army.mil</strong> no later than 1700 EDT on May 12, 2026.</p> <p>Responses shall provide a courtesy copy to the Contracting Officer and Contracting Specialist points of contact included below.</p> <p>Please include &quot;RFI Response: Zero-Porosity Parachute Cloth - [Company Name]&quot; in the subject line. Submissions should not exceed 10 pages.</p> <p><strong>6.0 DISCLAIMER</strong><br /> This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes&mdash;it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party&rsquo;s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.</p> <p><strong>CONTACT INFORMATION</strong><br /> <strong>Contracting Office Address</strong><br /> Army Contracting Command &ndash; Aberdeen Proving Ground, Division D<br /> 6515 Integrity Court Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5001</p> <p><br /> <strong>Contracting Officer</strong><br /> Alexander Obriwin, alexander.s.obriwin.civ@army.mil<br /> Phone: (520) 671-3072</p> <p><br /> <strong>Contracting Specialist</strong><br /> Christine Chase, christine.n.chase2.civ@army.mil<br /> Phone: (520) 671-2585</p> Solicitation Number: SCIE_SOAR-COAT_Zero-Porosity_RFI Type: Sources Sought Base Type: Sources Sought NAICS: 313320 Classification Code: 1670 Response Deadline: 2026-05-12T17:00:00-04:00 Office Address: ABERDEEN PROVING GROU, MD Place of Performance: Natick, Massachusetts POC: Jeffrey Campbell, jeffrey.m.campbell18.civ@army.mil