Help Shape the Future of Military-Grade Apparel
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JULY 17, 2026
Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, Inc. (AFFOA) seeks proposals from qualified domestic cut-and-sew manufacturers to execute a Prototype Garment Demonstration effort supporting the DOW Design for Manufacturability Business Case Analysis Project. This prototyping effort builds directly on the completed Commonality Recommendations Report, which identified priority combat uniforms and suggested design-for-commonality modifications.
Download the Request for Proposal Design for Manufacturability Prototype Garment Demonstration
The goal of this effort is to validate manufacturability, cost impacts, and scalability of selected design changes through the fabrication of physical prototypes and associated manufacturing analysis.
AFFOA is looking for partners currently producing or have recently produced one or more of the following combat uniform types:
• ACU / FR ACU = Army Combat Uniform / Fire Retardant Army Combat Uniform
• IHWCU = Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform
• MCTCU = Marine Corps Tropical Combat Uniform
• NWU Type III = Navy Working Uniform Type III
• ACP = Advanced Combat Pant
• AFFOA anticipates awarding one or more contracts to qualified industry partners.
Program Objectives
The objectives of this program are to:
• Fabricate prototype garments incorporating AFFOA-selected commonality recommendations.
• Evaluate the manufacturability of selected design changes under representative production conditions.
• Quantify the impact of the proposed changes on manufacturing complexity, labor content, setup and changeover requirements, and overall production efficiency.
• Assess the potential effects of the proposed changes on production scalability, automation readiness, and broader implementation across DOW combat uniform programs.
• Generate objective manufacturing data and industry feedback to support validation of the Commonality Recommendations Report and future DOW decision-making.
Why Participate
• Access to furnished patterns, design changes, and purchase descriptions
• Opportunity to fabricate 5 prototypes of a currently produced garment and 5 prototypes of a different service pattern with the same design changes
• Real-world data: process steps, cycle times, labor inputs, equipment utilization, and production efficiency
• 100% quality inspection and documentation
• Data rights: AFFOA retains data rights; you gain insights into manufacturability and cost drivers
• Potential for future scale-up: projected unit cost estimates and cost-reduction opportunities
Eligibility Requirements
• Open to companies of any size with US manufacturing capabilities
• Compliance with Berry Amendment required
• Previous performance producing products under analysis (listed in Section Purpose and Program Overview)
• Organizations are not required to be AFFOA members to submit a proposal or be awarded
Scope of Work
This project will include two sets of prototypes: 1) prototypes of a garment the proposer currently produces with commonality modifications, and 2) prototypes of a garment previously- or never-produced by the proposer with the same commonality modifications. Proposals can be submitted for coats, trousers, or both garment types.
Note: Before the contract award, minor changes to the final design recommendations and patterns may be made. Changes may include minor modifications in pattern for fit, components, stitch specifications, and bartack specifications.
Proposal Submission
Interested proposers should contact AFFOA at proposals@affoa.org. Proposals should include a quote for delivering garments incorporating recommended design changes (labor and material costs). Base materials shall meet existing Purchase Descriptions. Contractors must identify risks to meeting delivery schedules and mitigation plans. No detailed Technical Data Package will be furnished; suppliers fabricate based on experience producing combat uniforms and standard commercial practices.
- Download the review the RFP – Design for Manufacturability Guidebook here.
- Request the list of commonality recommendations from AFFOA by emailing proposals@affoa.org.
- Download the RFP – Design for Manufacturability Proposal Template here.
- Download the RFP – Cost Proposal Template here.
- Complete both proposal templates.
- Email both completed templates to proposals@affoa.org. Before the end of the day on July 17, 2026.
AFFOA expects awarded contractors shall follow best commercial practices.
This RFP does not constitute a guarantee or commitment to future funding or procurement.
Questions should be sent to proposals@affoa.org and include “Design for Manufacturability RFP” in the subject line to facilitate timely processing.
Schedule (Notional):
Evaluation Criteria
Questions
Interested proposers may submit questions regarding the RFP requirements, eligibility, submission procedures, and other administrative matters via email. Questions and responses that may be relevant to multiple participants may be shared through the RFP Opportunity Webpage or FAQs to ensure equal access to information. Questions should be sent to proposals@affoa.org and include “Design for Manufacturability RFP” in the subject line to facilitate timely processing.
Learn more about the context of this program, and how the recommended commonality designs were developed, please view the webinar below: