Notice ID: 679f94af16f5471f98535053c778963eSolicitation
Call for Solutions for Maritime Body Armor Load Carriage Systems (M-BALCS) Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) Only
Archived on October 14, 2026. Solicitation posted by DEPT OF DEFENSE (DEPT OF THE ARMY) on September 22, 2026. Solicitation W911QY-26-R-MBALCS.
NAICS 315250 (Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors)). Place of performance: Massachusetts. Original response deadline: . Full description on SAM.gov.
Description
Added Attachment Attachment 0002 CFS QandA 20260922
Amendment 0001 - 09/14/2026; Call for Solutions for M-BALCS
Amendment 0002 - 09/22/2026; Call for Solutions for M-BALCS
09 SEPTEMBER 2026 CALL FOR SOLUTIONS
The Program Manager – Protection and Integration (PM-PI) is seeking new innovative solutions for the Maritime Body Armor Load Carriage System (M-BALCS). The requirement is for a modular tactical protection and load-bearing system that supports special operations across a full range of missions.
The Call for Solutions document (.pdf) and associated attachments, outlining the full problem statement and objectives, can be found in the Attachments section of this posting.
The Army Open Solicitation that this Call for Solutions is associated with can be found at: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/923946ff85b94746be9249b5ed5f2fc7/view
Overview
Agency:
Department of WarDepartment of the Army
Office:AMC.ACC.ACC-CTRS.ACC-APG.W6QK ACC-APG NATICK
Posted:September 22, 2026
NAICS:315250: Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors)
Last Updated:Oct 14, 2026
PSC:8465: INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT
Response Deadline:
Set-Aside:Not specified
Type:Solicitation
Place of Performance:Massachusetts, 01760
Award Overview
Possible prior contracts
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Contacts
Contracting Officer
Primary Contact
Lydia Wang
Secondary Contact
Danny Soto
Documents
Select documents to download
Showing 6 of 6 items
Document | Source | Agency | Posted Date | File Size | Actions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solicitation | DEPT OF THE ARMY | Sep 22, 2026 | 181.28 KB | |||
| Solicitation | DEPT OF THE ARMY | Sep 22, 2026 | 103.33 KB | |||
| Solicitation | DEPT OF THE ARMY | Sep 22, 2026 | 72.04 KB | |||
| Solicitation | DEPT OF THE ARMY | Sep 22, 2026 | 129.57 KB | |||
| Solicitation | DEPT OF THE ARMY | Sep 22, 2026 | 283.11 KB | |||
| Solicitation | DEPT OF THE ARMY | Sep 22, 2026 | 129.56 KB |
Lifecycle
Solicitation:
W911QY-26-R-MBALCS- Solicitation
Award typically follows within 30–90 days after the response deadline. (estimate)
- 5×SolicitationCurrentSep 9, 2026
Call for Solutions for Maritime Body Armor Load Carriage Systems (M-BALCS) Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) Only
Similar Opportunities
Title | Phase | Agency | NAICS | Set Aside | Posted | Deadline | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MCRAE Gen 2 Olive Drab Hot Weather Jungle BootsSee attachment for part numbers and sizes | Combined Synopsis | 315250 | Total Small Business Set-Aside | 08/31/2026 | 09/09/2026 | - | |
Womens Briefs Sizes 5-9. Updated amendment to original solicitation. | Combined Synopsis | 315250 | Total Small Business Set-Aside | 11/06/2025 | 11/12/2025 | - | |
Womens Briefs Sizes 4-9. Clarification - the unit of issue is each not package. Example - 300 each is 100 packages of 3 or 50 packages of 6 pairs of underwear. | Combined Synopsis | 315250 | Total Small Business Set-Aside | 11/06/2025 | 11/12/2025 | - | |
Womens Briefs Sizes 4-9 | Combined Synopsis | 315250 | Total Small Business Set-Aside | 11/05/2025 | 11/12/2025 | - | |
SYNOPSIS: This Sources Sought Announcement is to assist the U.S. Marine Corps Portfolio Acquisition Executive Marine Corps (PAE MC) to identify potential sources to provide a Combat Boot Sock. The goal is to provide warfighting capability and mission support in various environments by enhancing foot comfort, durability, and performance for military personnel. The Government requests that responses be submitted electronically to mary.k.prebensen.civ@army.mil and harvey.walker1@usmc.mil by October 30, 2026 by 5 PM EST. Background: Program Manager Combat Support Systems (PM CSS) is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of manufacturing a high-performance combat boot sock that meets the requirements of Purchase Description MC-PD-24-003. The sock is intended for use with the applicable standard-issue combat boots identified in the purchase description. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for market-research and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation, request for proposal, or commitment by the Government to procure any product or service. Description: The Marine Corps is seeking sources capable of manufacturing a durable, reliable combat boot sock designed to provide comfort, protection, and performance during demanding operational use. The sock shall meet the following Salient Characteristics specified in Purchase Description MC-PD-24-003, including, but not limited to, the following key requirements: Sock shall feature an over-the-calf length with cushioning comfort to protect the wearer from hot spots, pressure points, and blisters when wearing combat boots, and they provide graduated compression to promote blood flow from the foot with a non-slip top cuff opening. The foot of each sock includes contouring for the sock to stay in place without bunching, arch support, a gore heel and toe for improved fit, and nylon reinforcement at the heel and toe for durability. A seamless toe closure or a recessed closure with equivalent low profile is used for comfort and durability. Basic Materials. The sock shall contain wool a minimum of 52% wool (no coarser than US 60s (25 microns or finer)), a minimum of 20% nylon, and a minimum of 1% spandex and shall not contain cotton or rayon fiber. Shade. Shall be in accordance with section 3.3 of the Purchase Description Visual shade matching. Shall be in accordance with section 3.4 of the Purchase Description The finished socks shall conform to the requirements specified in table II when tested as specified. **Please refer to Table II. Sock performance requirement** Deliverables: This is a Sources Sought Announcement / RFI to identify potential sources. Based on responses, the Government may plan for a future acquisition. Interested parties should demonstrate their capability to produce socks meeting the above requirements. The Government may request samples for future evaluation. Submission Instructions: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This is not a solicitation, and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. Responses are for information and planning purposes only. This Sources Sought Announcement does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Marine Corps has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject. RESPONSES: Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by sending responses regarding this requirement to PAE MC via e-mail ONLY to harvey.walker1@usmc.mil no later than October 30, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. EST. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this notice. All costs associated with responding to this Notice will be solely at the expense of the interested party. Please provide business size (indicate your socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code, and CAGE code. If you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract, please identify your contract number. QUESTIONS: Any questions for clarification may be emailed to harvey.walker1@usmc.mil no later than October 26, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. An unattributed list of questions and answers will be published at the same web location of this Sources Sought Announcement. **Amendment 0001 - attachment uploaded to answer questions** | Market Research | 315120 | No Set-Aside | 10/09/2026 | 10/30/2026 | Natick, MA |
Additional Details
Solicitation Number
W911QY-26-R-MBALCS
Archive Date
Oct 14, 2026
Office Address
NATICK, MA, 01760-5011