Distinctive Red Caps

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Purchase Description (USPD S-5-68A) for distinctive caps for the United States Army Band. It outlines the requirements for materials, construction, and quality assurance for these caps.

• Materials: Specifies detailed requirements for various components including wool barathea and broadcloth for the crown and quarters, rayon twill for lining, specific types of braid, felt, pressed fiber, leather, and various plastic films.

• Construction: Details the manufacturing process, including cutting, assembly, stitching types, and specific measurements for cap dimensions, band width, visor size, and crown dimensions.

• Classification: Caps are to be furnished in Class 1 (Officers) and Class 2 (Enlisted men) as specified.

• Ornamentation: Includes specific requirements for brass bar ornamentation for Class 1 caps, including embroidered oak leaves and acorns on the visor.

• The document supersedes UQC S-5-68 dated 10 April 1968.

• It references various Federal, Military, and ASTM standards that must be met.

• Samples: Guidance samples are provided for contractor information, but the purchase description governs in case of discrepancies.

• Quality Assurance: Requires inspection of finished caps and submission of certificates of compliance for components and materials. The government reserves the right to inspect these items.

• Certification: Suppliers must certify that items meet or exceed the standards and were produced under a specific certificate number.

• Not explicitly stated, but the document specifies requirements for both Officer and Enlisted caps.

• The caps are intended for use by personnel of the United States Distinctive Army Band.

• Access to samples, purchase descriptions, and patterns can be obtained from the U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center.

Sources Sought Notice

This is a Sources Sought Intent to Sole Source Notice. The U.S. Government intends to award a Sole Source contract to Kings Form Cap LLC for Distinctive Red Caps for the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”. The period of performance is anticipated to be 12 months. The statutory authority cited is FAR Subpart 13.501(2)(ii) for Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items, for proposed contracts exceeding $750,000 but not exceeding $15 million, requiring approval from the advocate for competition or designated official.

This notice is NOT a Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or Request for Proposal (RFP). It does not commit the U.S. Government to a contract or solicit quotes/bids/proposals at this time. No unsolicited proposals will be accepted, and no payment will be made for information or administrative costs incurred in response.

Interested parties are requested to provide the following:

• Contract numbers, dollar values, and descriptions of previously or currently performed work demonstrating capability.

• Point of contact information for cited efforts.

• Identification of any conditions unnecessarily restricting competition and suggested alternatives.

• Firm name, point of contact, phone, email, SAM Unique Entity ID, CAGE code, business size, and small business status/certifications.

• Interest in competing as a prime contractor, or information on subcontracting, joint ventures, or teaming arrangements.

• Information on whether the firm is the manufacturer.

• Detailed information on previous experience with similar requirements (size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government/commercial).

• Information to determine commercial availability, including pricing, basis for pricing, delivery schedules, terms, and warranties.

• Recommendations on how the Army can best structure requirements to facilitate competition, especially among small businesses.

• Recommendations to improve the Army's approach, specifications, or draft PWS/PRS.

• Deadline: No later than 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time, March 5, 2026.

• To: Lieutenant Colonel Paul Kilgore (paul.m.kilgore.mil@army.mil) and Major Tavon Cooper (tavon.m.cooper.mil@army.mil).

• NAICS Code: 315990 (Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing) with a size standard of 500 employees.

• Contract Type: Anticipated Firm Fixed Price.

For concerns regarding restricted competition, contact Scott Kukes, MICC Advocate for Competition, at scott.d.kukes.civ@army.mil or 520-944-7373.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for providing Distinctive Red Caps for The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” Distinctive Dress Uniforms for Fiscal Year 2026.

• Deliverables: Construction and distribution of TUSAB Distinctive Red Caps.

• Items:

  • Cap, Scarlet Enlisted (QTY: 170, Unit Price: $110.00)
  • Cap, Scarlet Officer (QTY: 20, Unit Price: $150.00)

• Specifications: Caps must be provided in accordance with USPD S-5-68A. Various sizes are required based on customer needs.

• Services: Includes construction and distribution of the specified red caps.

• Quality Control: The contractor is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining a written Quality Control Plan (QCP) to monitor and document contract performance. The QCP must address continuous process improvement, inspection procedures, discrepancy identification and correction, root cause analysis, trend analysis, and customer feedback.

• Quality Assurance: The government will evaluate contractor performance based on a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

• Delivery Schedule: Items must be delivered no later than 60 days after the completion of construction.

• Place of Performance: Work will be performed at the contractor's manufacturing and shipping location. All orders will be shipped to TUSAB unit address: 400 McNair Rd., Fort Myer, VA, 22211.

• Hours of Operation: Contractor business hours are expected between 0800 - 1700, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

• Contract Type: To be determined by the contracting office.

• Key Personnel: A contract manager and an alternate are required, responsible for daily operations and available during business hours.

• Identification: Contractor employees must wear identification badges at all times while performing work.

• Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI): Contractors must identify and disclose any potential OCI. Specific constraints apply regarding systems engineering, technical guidance, specification preparation, and evaluation of own products or competitors' products.

• Trafficking in Persons (TIP): Contractors must notify employees of the zero-tolerance policy and take appropriate action for violations.

• Service Contract Reporting: Contractors must submit Service Contract Reports (SCR) via www.sam.gov, including total amount invoiced and prime contractor hours expended.