LOI - SOLDIER SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this Letter of Interest (LOI) is to inform
Industry, Academia and Government personnel of a new
sub-committee to address future technology requirements for
dismounted soldiers. The result of this LOI will be a list of
suppliers, academics and government personnel that will be
invited to participate in the forum.

This sub-committee, composed of participants from all branches
of the textile and clothing industry, will work with the Army
Director of Land Requirement to prototype the next layering
concept for the Army's Combat Uniform. The aim is to bring
together Canadian industry to provide soldiers with the best
garments and layering system Canadian industry can provide.

This LOI is not a call for Tenders or a Request For Proposal. No
agreement or contract will be entered into, with any person or
entity, based solely on this LOI. The issuance of this LOI is
not to be considered in any way a commitment by the Government
of Canada or as authority to potential participants to undertake
any work that could be charged to Canada. This LOI is not to be
considered as a commitment to issue a Request for Proposal or
award contract(s) for these projects.

2.0 Background

In November 2012, an LOI was posted to form two working groups;
one in the Power/Energy domain, which focused on Power Sources
(Fuel Cells) and Power Generation (Energy harvesting
technologies), the second concerning multi-layer, integrated
operational clothing for the soldier. The Canadian Army soldier
is in need of a fully integrated clothing solution allowing
him/her to be able to operate in all climatic zones (-57 to +40)
and in all weather conditions.

On May 1st 2013, the Soldier System Technology Roadmap (SSTRM)
Working Group on Operational Clothing (Op Clothing WG) held
their initial meeting. Following from discussions at the event,
a sub-committee was formed to work specifically on the concept
of a Combat Uniform Layering System.
The Army began work on the layering concept in November 2012,
when three conceptual layering systems were defined by users at
a Soldier Systems Requirement Working Group (SSRWG) meeting.
Now, the Army is looking for volunteers from Canadian industry
to help in prototyping these layering concepts in order to
arrive at a model that meets the challenging requirements of the
Canadian Army. Note that no funds or contracts will be awarded
to participating companies for contributing to this project.
All national or new capability procurements will be done through
a competitive process, on the Government Electronic Tending
System. The sole purpose of this subcommittee is to help the
Army define the next layering concept and assist in generating
future Statement of Requirement (SOR) for clothing items.

Participation is free and voluntary, and open to Canadian
manufacturing, services, and technology-based companies of all
sizes, as well as researchers and other experts from academia,
government, and not-for-profit research organizations.
Interested participants must be able contribute to the
development of the layering concept in some manner. The Army is
particularly interested in the following areas:
· conceptual designs;
· advanced manufacturing processes;
· advanced textile properties; and
· advanced layering techniques.

Once all interested companies have been identified for this
project, further details will be sent to registered
participants.

The aim of this sub-committee is to bring Canadian companies to
work together to achieve Canadian Army objectives. This will
help create new partnerships amongst participants and lead to a
better sharing of information between the military and Canadian
industry/academia.

For more information on SSTRM, please visit the website at:

http://materiel.forces.gc.ca/en/sstrm.page

3.0 Response - Registration Procedures

a) For inquiries relating to this Letter of Interest please
contact the contracting Authority
Heather Palmer
11 Laurier, Gatineau QC
(number on the official notice)
(email on the official notice)

b) Interested individuals wishing to participate are invited to
send their contact information to:

(email on the official notice)
Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any
procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.