RFI - Novel or Multifunctional Fibers, Yarns, Coatings/Finishes and Fabrics for Soldier Protection and Comfort (MFFYF)

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army DEVCOM Soldier Center, in coordination with the Product Manager for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM SCIE), to identify potential sources of multifunctional fibers, yarns, fabrics, coatings, or finishes for Soldier protection, thermal comfort and/or physical comfort. The RFI is issued for the purpose of identifying and assessing novel fibers, yarns, fabrics, coatings or finishes. Of primary interest are multifunctional submissions that provide at least two (2) functionalities (e.g., a moisture management fiber knit into a vector protective structure, an oil repellant coating or finish applied to flame resistant fabric). The Government seeks both near- and far-term approaches: Near-Term Solutions (TRL 5 7+): Mature, drop-in, or near-term standalone textile solutions that can be rapidly validated by DEVCOM SC and could be inserted into active military Programs of Record (PORs). Near-term solutions should be able to withstand laundering and abrasion while maintaining functionality. Far-Term Next-Generation Concepts (TRL 2 4): Emerging, exploratory concepts (e.g., novel fiber cross-sections, grooved/star-shaped capillaries, re-entrant geometries, mechanical vector-barrier architectures, vector protective chemistries, biomimetic moisture channels, and advanced microclimate finishes) to inform technology investments for future uniform platforms. The RFI is issued solely for information gathering and planning purposes. The RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals and will not directly lead to any contract awards. The following sections of this announcement contain details of the scope of technical interest as well as instructions for submitting a response. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to paola.a.dangelo.civ@army.mil and joseph.a.orlando38.civ@army.mil by 23 December 2026 by 5pm EST. Background: This RFI is intended to identify products and suppliers that provide textile multifunctionality to enhance the environmental protection of dismounted Warfighters. Dismounted Warfighters are often exposed to rapid shifts between extreme physical exertion (producing high metabolic sweat and vapor) and prolonged static postures (firing in the prone, kneeling on sub-zero surfaces, sitting in observation posts/foxholes). Protection against extreme environmental conditions (cold or hot, wet or dry) and the compounding physiological stresses induced by their specific mission profiles, equipment loads, and operational postures is desired. Description: Each material submission should ideally provide at least two (2) multifunctionalities that, when combined with other DEVCOM Soldier Center developments, have the potential of providing optimal protection for dismounted Warfighters operating in either temperate to cold or temperate to hot environments. While the primary interest of this RFI is in multifunctional solutions, the Government is also interested in novel, single-function materials in early stages of development (e.g., TRL 2-4) that demonstrate advancements in their respective performance areas. Submissions for single-function materials should include a description of their potential to be integrated with other materials (e.g., through coatings, fiber blends, or multi-layered systems) to create a multifunctional product in the future. These functionalities include but are not limited to: Moisture management: Approach features a moisture management solution that can transport liquid sweat rapidly to the outer face of the fabric and spread it across a large surface area. Evaporation directly against the skin in sub-freezing climates must be minimized to prevent cold related injuries. Must dry quickly in all temperature and humidity conditions. The movement of moisture out from trapped places is also of interest. Thermal protection: Approach must maintain uniform insulation value regardless of state (wet, dry, etc.). Solution must be lightweight and packable. Packing and unpacking should not impact level of insulation provided. Thermal Barrier: Solution/approach should be thin, lightweight, packable and have low thermal conductivity and should not be impacted by load or compression. Repellency: Outer layers must balance environmental protection with thermal and physiological management, categorized by the following distinct repellency performance tiers: Tier 1A: Aqueous Repellency (Water): Approach must repel liquid water (hydrophobicity) to prevent moisture saturation, and subsequent injuries. Tier 1B: Cryospheric Repellency (Ice): Approach must possess active ice-shedding properties to prevent ice buildup, moisture saturation, and subsequent cold-weather injuries. Tier 2: Organic Chemical Repellency: Approach should repel fuels (e.g., JP8), oils, and lubricants (oleophobicity). Vector protection: Approach should reduce the ability of the insect to find a blood meal (e.g., prevent landing and/or crawling, inhibit probing/feeding, block mouthpart penetration or other means of insect bite-through). Near-term approach must provide data that proves the functionality is durable after laundering and that air permeability and vapor transmission are maintained. Flame resistance (FR): All next-to-skin (N2S) near-term approaches (TRL 6+) must demonstrate superior flame resistance than defined in ASTM D6413 (char length ? 6.0 inches, after-flame ? 2.0 seconds) and exhibit no visible melting and dripping of polymer from the sample during testing. FR capability should not be affected by laundering. Far-term materials must also show promising heat release, heat capacity, arc flash and char yield performance. All approaches utilized to achieve these properties must be completely free of fluorinated compounds (PFAS-free). Respondents are welcome to submit militarily-relevant functionalities not listed here. Multifunctionalities can be an inherent component of the fiber, yarn, fabric construction, coatings or finishes and should be durable to laundering or abrasion. Near-term approaches (TRL 5-7+) that are submitted must meet DoD human-health toxicity and dermal contact safety requirements. Formulations must strictly avoid cyclic siloxanes (e.g., D4, D5, D6), silicones, and heavy metal catalysts. Specific Specifications and Deliverables: Respondents who are interested in responding to this announcement shall fill out the attached Appendix and provide: Company address, telephone number, primary contact(s) with email address(es). Business size, applicable NAICS code, CAGE code, and if you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, your contract number. Explicit statement verifying whether the end product, intermediate processes, and raw precursor materials are 100% compliant with the Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 4862) or will be in the future (and compliance target date is stated). Complete Global Harmonized System (GHS)-compliant Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) / Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all fibers, material components and chemicals included in each submission. Broad Construction Scope: Fabric submissions across all textile architectures including wovens, knits (circular, warp and flat), nonwovens (including lofted insulation materials) felts, membranes, and hybrid composite constructions are encouraged. A submission that displays at least two functionalities (e.g., moisture management and vector protection) is of higher interest. Architecture & Composition: Fiber generic type, cross-sectional morphology (round, star, multi-lobal), yarn linear density (denier/dtex), blend ratios/fiber content, areal weight (oz/yd2 or g/m2), yarn count, fabric construction, thickness and applied finishes. A fact sheet/white paper containing relevant standardized testing data/analysis that would indicate performance properties against the partial requirements listed above. Samples of each submission Fabric submissions: A minimum of five (5) continuous linear yards of full-width fabric, OR at least five (5) individual 24 in x 36 in cut swatches per candidate material. Yarn/Filament/Fiber submissions: Minimum of two (2) to four (4) cones, bobbins, or skeins (minimum 1000 meters) per candidate for single-end tensile, cross-sectional SEM imaging, thermal analysis and micro-wicking analysis. Coating or Finish submissions: If approach is a textile coating or finish, please provide MSDS / SDS of any chemicals used for treatment and apply to a 50/50 nylon/cotton (NYCO) blended fabric that has had no prior finishes/coatings applied for submission. Each sample must be clearly labeled with company name, materials ID, style number (if applicable), and fiber content (if applicable). NOTE: All submissions will undergo destructive laboratory testing (i.e. flammability, wicking, tearing) and will not be returned to the respondent. Delivery Date: The Government requests that all electronic white papers and completed templates must be submitted electronically…