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SCIE_SOAR-COAT_Zero-Porosity_RFI
Response Deadline
May 12, 2026, 9:00 PM(EDT)14 days
Eligibility
Contract Type
Sources Sought
1.0 INTRODUCTION
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.
2.0 BACKGROUND
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® 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.
3.0 TECHNICAL SUMMARY
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:
Note: The full technical requirements are detailed in the attached RFI document and Source Control Drawing 11-1-9306.
4.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION
Interested parties are requested to submit a Capabilities Statement outlining their technical expertise, production capability, and quality control processes necessary to manufacture this material.
Specifically, respondents should address:
5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Responses must be submitted electronically via email to jeffrey.m.campbell18.civ@army.mil no later than 1700 EDT on May 12, 2026.
Responses shall provide a courtesy copy to the Contracting Officer and Contracting Specialist points of contact included below.
Please include "RFI Response: Zero-Porosity Parachute Cloth - [Company Name]" in the subject line. Submissions should not exceed 10 pages.
6.0 DISCLAIMER
This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes—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’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contracting Office Address
Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground, Division D
6515 Integrity Court Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5001
Contracting Officer
Alexander Obriwin, alexander.s.obriwin.civ@army.mil
Phone: (520) 671-3072
Contracting Specialist
Christine Chase, christine.n.chase2.civ@army.mil
Phone: (520) 671-2585
Jeffrey Campbell
DEPT OF DEFENSE
DEPT OF THE ARMY
AMC
ACC
ACC-CTRS
ACC-APG
W6QK ACC-APG
W6QK ACC-APG
DIVISION D
6515 INTEGRITY COURT
ABERDEEN PROVING GROU, MD, 21005-5001
NAICS
Fabric Coating Mills
PSC
PARACHUTES; AERIAL PICK UP, DELIVERY, RECOVERY SYSTEMS; AND CARGO TIE DOWN EQUIPMENT