Overview
In a Request for Information (RFI), the Joint Project Manager for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Protection (JPM CBRN P), has called on industry, academia, and non-traditional innovators to help reimagine how protective gear prevents the infiltration of harmful airborne particles and vapors. This initiative aims to address a longstanding issue known as the “bellowing effect,” where dynamic body movements cause pressure fluctuations, leading to potential gaps at interface points in protective gear. This RFI marks a strategic move toward identifying forward-leaning solutions that will inform future research and development.
At the heart of this effort is the Army’s interest in mitigating the loss of protective seal at junctions between garments, gear, and wearable equipment under real-world operational conditions. Unlike traditional R&D calls focused on improving current systems, this RFI seeks exploratory ideas across any technical readiness level. The scope of this RFI is deliberately wide and welcomes ideas from sectors such as smart textiles, adaptive materials, soft robotics, fluid dynamics, and wearable systems design.
Submissions can range from component-level fixes to full system concepts and even entirely new paradigms. Respondents are asked to provide detailed descriptions of proposed technologies, including materials used, technology readiness level (TRL), manufacturing readiness level (MRL), production capacity, cost drivers, potential users, and any reuse or decontamination protocols. Power usage and weight specifications should also be included if applicable.
Key Dates:
- Questions Deadline: July 25, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. EST
- Response Deadline: August 8, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. EST
Funding and Participation Details:
At this time, no funding is attached to the RFI, and it does not commit the Government to any future procurement. However, participation in this RFI ensures visibility in the Army’s ongoing market research and may inform future solicitations. Responses should also include business size classification, NAICS code, CAGE code, and applicable federal contract vehicles such as GSA Schedule numbers.
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