RFI Domestic Footwear Manufacturing Processing Advancements

SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the US Army DEVCOM Soldier Center to identify potential sources which will support the re-shoring of the domestic footwear industry, improve capabilities for the domestic military footwear industrial base, and ultimately provide the best performing footwear technology to the Warfighter.

The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to anita.a.perkins.civ@army.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil by 05 June 2026 by 5pm EST.

Background: The Combat Capabilities Development Command - Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC) is seeking information on footwear manufacturers interested in identifying possible gaps and process and/or equipment improvements to enhance domestic processing capabilities, which may be beneficial to future military footwear systems. This request is part of a research and development effort under the FY24 Congressional Military Footwear Research Initiative. 

Description: Projects of interest should focus on approaches that:

1. Increase domestic production capacity and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance productivity. Efforts should provide tangible improvements to footwear manufacturing processes.
2. Re-shore critical footwear technologies and strengthen domestic production capabilities.
3. Improve the cost-effectiveness, quality, or performance of military footwear.
4. Implement flexible, automated, or digital manufacturing approaches adaptable to multiple footwear types.

Specific Specifications:  To qualify for participation, respondents must have U.S.-based manufacturing facilities with the capability to produce military footwear that complies with all Berry Amendment requirements and meets the specifications detailed in the relevant Department of Defense (DoD) purchase descriptions. Eligibility is based on this demonstrated capability, not on prior DoD experience.

All proposed solutions must align with the project scope and the following constraints:

1. Product Compliance: The proposed manufacturing improvements must not alter the footwear’s design, materials, or construction in any way that would result in non-compliance with the applicable DoD purchase description. Any footwear prototypes delivered must meet all specifications of an existing purchase description.

2. Funding Limitations: Funding may not be used for capital expenditures, defined as purchases of long-term physical assets such as equipment, facility improvements, or tooling intended for full-scale production. Tooling used for short-run prototype production (e.g., lasts or molds), as well as consumables, prototype materials, labor, and short-term leases, are considered allowable project expenses.

3. Excluded Platforms: Proposals for the Army Extreme Cold Weather Boot (often called the "Bunny Boot") and the Army Jungle Boot will not be considered for this effort. The purchase descriptions and technical requirements for these specific platforms are under revision, making them unsuitable for this initiative.

Deliverables: Interested parties are invited to submit their interest and capability by sending a response package to DEVCOM SC POCs listed above. A single response package may contain multiple distinct projects. For clarity, each project should be a separate section within your submission. A complete response should include the following components:

1. Cover Page:

• Name, mailing address, phone number, and email of designated point of contact (POC).
• Business website.
• SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI) and Contractor and Government Entity (CAGE) Code (if your company has these).

2. Company Capability Statement:

• A brief overview of your company’s experience in footwear manufacturing.
• Description of your U.S.-based manufacturing facilities and their current production capabilities.

3. Project Description(s):

For each project, provide a detailed description structured as follows:

• Need: A clear statement of the manufacturing challenge or opportunity the project addresses.
• Approach: Describe the proposed solution, targeted manufacturing improvements, and high-level project plan. Explain how the approach addresses the need and delivers benefits. Projects that include footwear prototypes demonstrating the manufacturing improvement are preferred.
• Benefit: Describe the anticipated impact of the project. This description should address the benefits to:
  • Military Footwear: How does this improve performance, quality, or cost-effectiveness for the Warfighter?
  • The Proposing Vendor: What are the internal benefits to your company (e.g., efficiency, capability, competitiveness)?
  • The Domestic Industrial Base: How does this project strengthen the broader U.S. footwear manufacturing industry, and could the improvements be adopted by other domestic manufacturers?
• Formal responses, may include Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Define the specific, measurable KPIs that will be used to evaluate the project's success. These should be quantifiable and directly related to the project's goals. Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Annual production capacity increase (units per year).
  • Defect rate reduction (percentage).
  • Production velocity improvement (e.g., cycle time reduction).
  • Enhancement of specific performance metrics (e.g., bond strength, water resistance).
  • Cost reduction per unit.

Delivery Date: The Government anticipates 6-12 months to deliver footwear items for manufacturing process advancement. 

Government Furnished Property (Equipment/Materials/Information/Computer Utilization): DEVCOM Soldier Center’s Footwear Performance Lab will be used to conduct end item testing of footwear if test machines are available. 

Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY

This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject.

RESPONSES:
Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to DEVCOM Soldier Center via e-mail ONLY to anita.a.perkins.civ@army.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil no later than 05 June 2026 by 5:00 p.m. EST. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this Notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party.

Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number.

QUESTIONS:
Any questions for clarification may be emailed to anita.a.perkins.civ@army.mil and mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil no later than 02 June 2026 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement.