Orion Design Group provided us with this statement in reference to their status in the Army’s Camouflage Improvement Effort.
“So What Happened with CIP?”
We were asked this question at SHOT and OR and here on SSD and on FB several times, so at this point we felt it’s time to release a statement.
Did we submit for CIP?… Yes.
Were we down selected?….No.
Why you ask? The bottom line is we failed to meet the requirement set fourth by Natick in the RFP. We submitted an advanced design methodology, advanced file type, and an advanced proprietary print technology. All of which were outside the scope of what they wanted and asked for. We accept the fact that it was solely our fault for the file type over sight period, end of story. Are we going to whine and feel sorry for ourselves? Nope, not in the least. Instead we will push forward with our outstanding team of industry leading manufacturers and affiliates and continue to bring cutting edge designs in hard goods, soft goods, and signature management technologies to the SOF, hunting, and outdoor performance communities. Simply, we will focus on what is important and the main reason most of us are in this business. To help build kick ass gear, for kick ass people! A sincere and special thanks to those companies that put their trust and confidence in us and helped make Orion Design Group a reality. We look forward to your continued mentorship, friendship, and guidance as we embark on our first year. Best of luck to all the companies that were down selected for CIP, and to all of our competitors.
Tags: Orion Design Group
This is the best of these statements so far. Most of the rest have come across as very whiny.
Straight up class right there.
Here here!!
How many of these patterns were disqualified based on something OTHER THAN camouflage pattern performance? Seems like a lot were disqualified on technicalities. I smell a rat…
Thanks for the post George. Not only were we dismissed, we were never even evaluated because we submitted all our pattern files in adobe CS5 CMYK file format instead of a “spot channel” color format. Like I said our fault lesson learned, gotta read the fine print on those government contracts!
As an IT guy who previously worked for a design firm working a military contract, I can see the, “We just sent in the Photoshop file, they couldn’t read it, and everything went south,” as both:
1) completely believable, of both the artists and the soldiers
2) kinda hilarious (sorry, ODG, I’m just laughing near you, not directly at you)
No worries Jason, it was frustrating but what can you do besides crack a beer open and laugh at yourself and do better next time.
Swing on by I’ll supply the beer.
Am I only person, who thinks, that such a method of simulation does not respect the reflective properties of the camouflage surface and its real non-flat form, casting and receiving shadows?
Every man, who ever played with 3D editing software, knows, that color texture means less than a half in reproducing (or mimicking) some real surface.
Thanks for the post bushman. The effects of environmental lighting conditions make or break camo, this was factored into our design process and is a reason why we are getting great performance on fabric.
Sorry ODG, that sucks but your response was spot on. I am dying to see the patterns that were downselected though.
Bravo ODG
BTDT. Miss one little detail and your submission is out. I feel for you guys, but way to man up. Looking forward to your future endeavors.
read this for near real world testing:
http://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/handle/10204/5077
pdf at bottom of the page.
My idea, they executed it.
I’m looking forward to seeing more of your Camo patterns. I looked at the patterns involved in the down select and personally wasn’t all that impressed. Crye is about the only deserving participant and I believe your patterns could’ve gave them a run for their money. When will we be seeing the ODG family of patterns available for purchase?
Thanks for the post Frank. I agree with you and appreciate your opinion it would have been an honor to compete against Crye they are a great company, Caleb and Greg have worked hard over the last decade and since we are out, I am hoping they pull it off. After the ACU abortion the troops deserve a great camouflage that works. As for availability we are going to try and have the website up by March/April and a small line of products available shortly there after.
Did I see some Mystery Ranch 3-Day Assault packs floating around in your patterns?
Yes, we had 3 of our military colorways in MR’s 3-day assault pack. Our theory is if your going to design the best in personal concealment patterns you must put them on the best packs as well.