Request For Information for Individual Water Treatment Device (IWTD) Laboratory Testing

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks to identify laboratories capable of validating the purification capabilities of Individual Water Treatment Devices (IWTDs). The Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PdM SCIE) is gathering information to inform a future Request for Proposal (RFP). The goal is to ensure IWTDs can effectively purify water for Soldiers using indigenous sources, potentially enhancing Soldier lethality by reducing load and increasing operational duration.

• Certification to ISO 17025:2017 or equivalent.

• Equipment and personnel to conduct validation testing according to National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Protocols P248.01 (Microbiological Water Purifiers) and P248.02 (Chemical Water Purifiers).

• Ability to draft product-specific test plans in accordance with the P248 scheme.

• Capability to provide all raw data, test data, and internal standard data.

• Confirmation of ISO 17025:2017 or equivalent certification (Yes/No).

• Confirmation of capability to evaluate against NSF P248.01 and P248.02 protocols.

• Estimated timeline for executing validation testing (assuming a May 2026 award).

• Business size (including socioeconomic status), applicable NAICS code (541380 - Testing Laboratories), and CAGE code.

• Identification of any GSA Federal Supply Schedule contract numbers.

• Firm's experience, personnel, and facilities.

• Cost, technical information (literature, test data, illustrations, photographs, patents), and relevant company background.

• Submit responses via email ONLY to Blaise Liess (blaise.p.liess.civ@army.mil) and Carla Gorton (carla.f.gorton.civ@army.mil).

• Deadline: March 23, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. EST.

• Submit questions via email ONLY to Blaise Liess and Carla Gorton.

• Deadline: March 20, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. EST.

• Verbal questions will not be accepted. Questions should not contain proprietary or classified information.

• NSF P248.01 - Military Operations Microbiological Water Purifiers

• NSF P248.02 - Military Operations Chemical Water Purifiers

• This is a Sources Sought Announcement ONLY. It is not a Request for Proposal.

• The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice.

Protocol / Standard

This document, NSF P248.02-2025, establishes the protocol for evaluating the chemical reduction capabilities of Small Water Purifiers (SWPs) intended for military operations. It is a follow-on to a previous protocol for microbiological water purifiers and aims to ensure that SWPs effectively reduce targeted chemical contaminants, providing safe drinking water for military personnel in various operational environments.

• Scope: The protocol applies to SWPs designed to reduce chemical contaminants, including organics and metals, from freshwater sources encountered during military training and deployments. It covers individual water purifiers (IWPs), small unit water purifiers (SUWPs), and squad water purification systems (SWPS).

• Chemical Reduction: Devices must demonstrate the ability to reduce specific chemicals (e.g., arsenic, cyanide, mercury, benzene, toluene, chloroform) to specified minimum percentages. Chloroform is used as a surrogate for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

• Operational Capability: SWPs must be watertight, durable, and suitable for field use under various conditions. Desirable characteristics include ease of filling/servicing, compatibility with existing equipment, and clear indicators of effective use.

• Product-Specific Test Plan (PSTP): A PSTP must be developed for each product, outlining specific testing procedures and parameters, and must be approved by the Government Review Agency (GRA).

• Testing: Testing is conducted by accredited Equipment Testing Organizations (ETOs) under the supervision of the GRA.

• Compliance: Compliance is determined by the GRA based on successful testing results and review of material safety certifications. A GRA P248.02 Letter of Compliance is required to market devices as compliant.

• Test Sponsor: Manufacturers or organizations initiating the testing.

• Equipment Testing Organization (ETO): Accredited labs that conduct the testing.

• Government Review Agency (GRA): Primarily the Defense Health Agency – Public Health (DHA-PH), responsible for protocol administration, PSTP approval, and compliance determination.

• This is the first edition of the protocol.

• The protocol is voluntary for manufacturers but required for military acceptance.

• Suggestions for improvement are welcome and should be sent to NSF.

Other / Unclassified

This document is NSF Protocol P248, "Military Operations Microbiological Water Purifiers," developed by NSF International in conjunction with the U.S. Army Public Health Command. It outlines the procedures and requirements for testing small water purifiers (SWPs) intended for military use to ensure their effectiveness in reducing or inactivating microbiological contaminants in water.

This protocol is crucial for any vendor seeking to market water purification devices to the U.S. military. It details the rigorous testing procedures, performance requirements (including specific log reduction targets for bacteria, viruses, and cysts), and evaluation criteria that devices must meet. Vendors can use this document to:

• Understand Testing Standards: Familiarize themselves with the microbiological challenge organisms, test water properties, and analytical procedures required.
• Develop Products: Design and refine water purification devices to meet the stringent performance criteria outlined.
• Prepare for Testing: Understand the roles of the Test Sponsor, Equipment Testing Organization (ETO), and Government Review Agency (GRA), and the steps involved in developing and submitting a Purifier Specific Test Plan (PSTP).
• Achieve Compliance: Learn the requirements for obtaining a GRA P248 Letter of Compliance, which is necessary for marketing devices for military use.

The document also specifies requirements for materials, product literature, labeling, and auditing, providing a comprehensive framework for compliance.