Opportunities

RFI# AFFOA-CROSSFIT

1. Background

High-intensity and/or extended missions are encountered throughout defense operations & training, which induce fatigue and injury to the Warfighter. Countermeasure technologies are needed to accelerate recovery and return to mission-ready status for the warfighter. AFFOA, in collaboration with the US Department of Air Force and the Air Force Research Laboratory, is seeking wearable devices designed to accelerate recovery and/or provide in-operation performance support related to sleep, musculoskeletal system (MSK) recovery, or cognitive recovery. Of specific interest are commercial-off-the-shelf wearable device systems that are suitable for use in scenarios associated with various Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), and are at a manufacturing maturity for scale-up to commercialized production.

1.1. Purpose and objectives

AFFOA is seeking emerging technologies that are viable for accelerated Warfighter recovery. Of particular interest are wearable technologies with textile-based form factors. Please note that acceptable devices for this study must include an active recovery mechanism; data collection alone is not sufficient.

Systems should have the following attributes:

· Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 6+

• (Produce prototype system in a production-relevant environment)

· Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) or “emerging” COTS

· Appropriate for daily use

· Intent for Made in USA, and/or roadmap to US manufacturing

AFFOA will perform a destructive teardown analysis of selected products, develop a manufacturing readiness level (MRL) and technology readiness level (TRL) assessment of related subcomponent materials and devices, identify a bill of materials (BOM), and document limitations for these wearable devices as they relate to integration, reliability, and scalability. Downselected companies will be expected to provide 1-2 functional samples of their products and work with the AFFOA team to answer questions regarding their manufacturing processes and design philosophy. Findings will be shared with the organizations who provided the selected products, as well as government sponsors.

2. Timeline

45-day open call from April 28, 2025 to June 13, 2025.

3. Company Eligibility

Eligibility for this program is limited to companies with a desire to manufacture in the US. Past manufacturing does not need to be domestic, however a vested interest in the development of a roadmap towards US manufacturing is a requirement. AFFOA membership is not a requirement for participation.

4. Application and Submission Information

AFFOA is requesting that organizations submit proposals for the inclusion of their wearable recovery devices in this study. Proposals for inclusion should contain the following:

1. Description of device, associated technologies and form factor, what does it do, and how does it do it? Please include pictures of the product, and/or a link to commercial product if available.

2. Any related studies or test results that can attest to the efficacy of the product, comments on the benefit to the warfighter, and any previous demonstrations and feedback if known.

3. Comments on system readiness – has it been manufactured? How many units? Is the device available to purchase at time of RFI?

Applications must be received by AFFOA by no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time, Friday, June 13, 2025. Applications received after the deadline may not be considered or evaluated.

The RFI response should be submitted to jslade@affoa.org.

Disclaimer

This is an RFI only. The Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) will not pay for any RFI developed or submitted. All costs incurred responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Failure to respond to this RFI will not preclude participation in any future solicitation.

This RFI is not associated with any Air Force or other DoD acquisition program and shall not be construed as a solicitation nor is participation a requirement for other government-funded opportunities

All responses that include business confidential or proprietary information should be clearly marked.

Upon review of all RFIs received, additional terms and conditions and/or ownership and use rights of the device may be requested for downselected systems.

Response Deadline: 06.13.2025

• Topic #: medical
• Link:

The Product Accelerator for Functional Fabrics (PAFF 3.0) is our third PAFF program specifically designed to accelerate advanced textile product development and manufacturing growth for U.S. manufacturers and innovators. PAFF 3.0 provides access to AFFOA’s technical expertise and facilities at no cost to support product and process development, helping US companies bring innovations to market more quickly. The cost of AFFOA labor will be covered by AFFOA’s Government funds, not by the participating companies. 

PAFF 3.0 broadens the scope of no-cost accelerated development to focus on the following topics:  

• Digital Engineering / Manufacturing  

• Textile Manufacturing Automation  

• Manufacturing Scale-Up  

• Progressing TRL/MRL of Advanced Fibers and Fabrics

Learn more about the PAFF 3.0 program here.

• Topic #: Product Development
• Link: