Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge

Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge

The Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge, a partnership between Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) and the US Army Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (CPE CBRND) and sponsored by SPARK, seeks commercially available or near-commercial textile materials that enhance protection for Warfighters against hydrofluoric acid, hydrogen fluoride gas, jet and rocket fuel hazards, and related threats. By engaging material manufacturers, textile innovators, and industry partners, the program identifies high-potential materials for performance evaluation and eventual integration into protective garments and accessories. Top solutions, judged by an AFFOA-assisted evaluation panel, receive awards. Participation is voluntary; awards do not constitute government contracts or future obligations.

The Problem

Warfighters and support personnel in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense environments face exposure to corrosive acids, acid gases, and fuel-related hazards. Hydrofluoric acid and hydrocarbon fuels can cause severe health consequences through skin contact, inhalation, and contamination of protective equipment. Existing protective textiles often struggle to balance chemical barrier performance with durability, manufacturability, and wearer comfort. The challenge aims to identify commercially available or high-TRL materials that offer improved protection while remaining practical to produce and field.

The Goal

The objective is to identify materials that provide better protection against HF, HF gas, and fuel hazards, while maintaining durability, manufacturability, and compatibility with Warfighter protective clothing. Manufacturers and textile innovators are invited to submit candidates for review. The initiative is organized under SPARK and supported by CPE CBRND, with AFFOA overseeing the challenge, industry engagement, testing, and manufacturing-readiness activities.

Your Solution

Candidates should be commercially available or near-commercial, high-TRL textile materials that deliver enhanced protection against HF, hydrogen fluoride gas, and fuel hazards. Solutions should balance chemical barrier performance with durability, manufacturability, and user comfort, and be suitable for integration into Warfighter clothing and equipment. The process favors practical performance data, real-world usability, and scalable manufacturing potential.

Important Dates

Guidebook

Download the Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge Guidebook for full details including evaluation criteria, timelines, and requirements.

Industry Day

The challenge moves from early engagement to evaluation and awards. An Industry Day is taking place on August 4, 2026, at Fayetteville Technical Community College (2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303) to provide requirements, allow participants to present initial concepts, and discuss testing and manufacturing readiness.

During this Industry Day, attendees will hear from stakeholders from multiple US Military divisions who will present mission needs, performance criteria, and validation pathways. Technical briefings will follow, detailing the scope of the Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge, the evaluation methods, and the milestones for down-selection.

Attendees will have dedicated Q&A sessions with subject-matter experts and program sponsors to clarify requirements and discuss potential approaches. After a brief lunch break, qualified companies will have the opportunity to pitch their solutions individually and privately to project stakeholders. These private presentations will be conducted for evaluation and consideration in the down-selection process, offering a direct pathway to potential support and funding.

To learn more about the Chemical Protective Textiles Challenge, Industry Day, register, and pitch your solution to the selection committee, go here: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/sparkcpt

Participation at a Glance

Step 1: Learn more and confirm eligibility (Guidebook Section 3. Eligibility Requirements)

Review the official Challenge Guidebook to verify your materials meet eligibility criteria and understand submission requirements.

Step 2: Prepare your materials (Guidebook Section 5. Submission Requirements)

Assemble your candidate textile material(s) along with performance data, manufacturing details, and a plan for testing and garment integration.

Step 3: Engage in Industry Day (Guidebook Section 4. Challenge Process and Timeline)

Register for Industry Day, attend, and prepare an Industry Day Pitch that clearly communicates your solution and its advantages.

Step 4: Industry Day submission (Guidebook Section 5.1 Submission Materials – Industry Day Pitch)

Submit a concise summary of your solution as part of the Industry Day package.

Step 5: Develop the formal Challenge submission (Guidebook Section 5.2 Required Submission Materials – Challenge)

Create a comprehensive technical package with data, manufacturing readiness, and deployment considerations.

Step 6: Submit the formal materials (Guidebook Section 5.4 Submission Formatting Guidelines and Section 5.5 Submission Process)

Follow the official submission process, adhere to formatting guidelines, and meet deadlines.

Step 7: Participate in the evaluation (Guidebook Section 6. Evaluation Process and Selection Criteria)

Be prepared to provide requested data, participate in demonstrations or testing, and respond to questions from the evaluation panel.

Step 8: Await results (Guidebook Section 7. Awards)

Winners are announced according to the published timeline. Awards are merit-based and subject to stated terms and conditions.

Important Notes

The Challenge is also open to organizations located outside the United States based on qualifying country provisions contained in DFARS 225.003 and the exception for chemical warfare protective clothing acquisitions contained in DFARS 225.7002-2(m)(2), which permits acquisitions of chemical warfare protective clothing and components thereof when the acquisition furthers an agreement with a qualifying country. As of February 2026, qualifying countries include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The Challenge Sponsor and Administrator reserve the right to update eligibility requirements and qualifying country determinations if applicable regulations or program requirements change.

Awards are merit-based and do not constitute government contracts or future obligations. Public releases and publicity follow the program’s guidelines, and participants may receive recognition if successful.

Who is Involved

The Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (CPE CBRND) leads efforts to deliver integrated CBRN defense capabilities. SPARK, the CPE CBRND innovation incubator, collaborates with industry, academia, and non-traditional innovators to accelerate emerging technologies. AFFOA (Advanced Functional Fabrics of America) administers the challenge and leverages its national textile ecosystem to convene participants, coordinate evaluation, and support manufacturing readiness.