The U.S. Army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify domestic products, suppliers and manufacturers of seam sealing tape that will support the Joint Chemical/Biological (CB) Coverall for Combat Vehicle Crewmen (JC3).

The JC3 is a one-piece, membrane-based coverall that provides protection to mounted warfighters from chemical and biological warfare agents. The coverall consists of two layers that are attached at most seams. The outer layer is a shell face fabric and the inner layer is a three-layered knit laminate consisting of a selectively permeable membrane with an aramid face and backing. CBRN resistant seam sealing tape is used to cover all seams and stitching in the three-layered knit laminate to prevent CB agent penetration through the seams and stitching.

The seam sealing tape must provide a complete seal against CB agents, battlefield contaminants, and water, for the three-layered knit laminate material system that composes the coverall. The seam sealing tape cannot be toxic to the skin and must provide protection from liquid and vapor chemical challenges for 16 hours after 30 days of field wear, 4 launderings, and exposure to battlefield contaminants such as sweat, seawater, munitions residue, JP8 fuel, and fungus. Additionally, the seam tape must maintain its operational integrity over extreme temperature ranges and be flame resistant.

Interested sources must provide a description of the seam sealing process and identify Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or specialized pieces of equipment required to apply the seam tape on the garment.

The Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Command (NSRDEC) is conducting the market investigation on behalf of the Product Manager-Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM-SCIE), and stated that the findings from this market research effort may impact future solicitations related to this requirement.

Full details on the RFI are available under Solicitation Number: W911QYJC3SST12. The response deadline is June 15, 2012.