Public Works and Government Services Canada on behalf of the Department of National Defence has finally published a Request for Proposal for around 3000 various rigs and pouch sets based on the initial testing conducted in Gatineau, Quebec. The solicitation for this possible Tactical Vest replacement is quite extensive at 103 pages long and goes into some serious detail.

According to the documentation provided by Public Works, “Recent operational experience has generated many observations concerning the inadequacy of the TV. The complaints have centered on the inability of the infantry soldier to configure pouches and pockets, and to personalize for ease of use for assigned tasks/roles (e.g. C7 M-203 gunner; C-9 gunner, etc) and on the capacity of the pouches.”

Specifically, the TV needs replacing due to the following deficiencies:
“- It does not provide soldiers the ability to carry the required amount of mission specific ammunition, in order to conduct mission specific tasks.
– It does not provide the modularity that soldiers require in order to prepare their equipment for mission specific tasks.
– It does not provide a platform that facilitates easy access to ammunition.”

It has been known for some time that the three rigs are from SORD (Australia) and Tactical Tailor (US) but thanks to the tender, we now know that pouches will also come from High Speed Gear (US) and CTOMS (Canada).

Oddly, the RFP specifies, PALS/MOLLE, yet calls for a couple of commercial attachment solutions. From the solicitation:
“Attachment Mechanism – The selected attachment mechanisms are the Malice Clips® (patented by Tactical Tailor), or interwoven nylon straps with Velcro closure (patented by SORD).”

Of course, the tender allows for others to offer similar systems so who knows where this will end up going. However, it is interesting to note that none of the products requested are Canadian manufactured (CTOMS product is Canadian designed but manufactured in the US). What is even more interesting is that neither of the US companies chosen have major contracts with the US government. What is significant about their selection, and in fact all of the companies chosen, is that their selection is based completely on design. If you look at the initial list of 12 systems, none of the major US players were involved. Rather the project officer looked for unique examples of load carriage systems in order to give a wide range of choices. He did his home work. For example, the pouch systems must be provided for the following functions:
1 Rifleman
2 Grenadier
3 C9 Gunner
4 Commander
5 7.62 Marksman
6 Pistol
7 Confined Space

As we stated earlier, the 103 page document is very thorough. In fact, so much so that the only thing missing for someone to manufacture any of the systems is actual patterns. Interestingly, none of the equipment has been spec’d in CADPAT TW or AR. This is especially significant as the Canadian military goes at great lengths to point out how superior CADPAT is to other patterns. It seems that they have made everything they can in the pattern including boots. Instead, the tender calls for equipment that is “khaki or coyote brown or best visual match”.

But back to the origin of the load carrying systems. This whole Canadian Content issue is a lot like the Berry Amendment in the US. It is a protectionist policy designed to ensure the Canadian government buys from Canadian companies except under special circumstances. We will not even pretend to understand the entire thing except to say that it is complicated in two languages. According to clause A3050T of the SACC Manual, this solicitation is covered and any bids must provide “CANADIAN CONTENT CERTIFICATION” and “This procurement is conditionally limited to Canadian goods.” Obstentially, this rule covers any procurement in excess of $25,000 Cdn and as this procurement will likely have a total contract value greater than $1M Cdn, we don’t understand how they are going to purchase these foreign products, especially considering how hard the Canadian textile industry has been hit.

No matter which, if any of the designs is chosen, it is most likely that the design will be put out to tender for manufacture as a government design to the Canadian textile industry. Then a company such as Fellfab who manufactures the current TV will make them for the Canadian military. So there is your Canadian Content.

The RFP closes on 25 November but the fine print requires those answering to provide samples and get their bid in seven days before the close out date. The solicitation also calls for delivery “to commence as soon as possible and be completed by 31 March 2010.” I guess this means that they won’t see testing, or wide spread fielding for that matter, anytime soon.

For those that are interested, you can find the solicitation by doing a search on Merx.

From our friend Sal Palma of Sniperworx E-magazine, comes this report on Battlecloth a relatively new provider of custom nylon gear.

The search for the Holy Grail holds nothing over the search for the right holster; both are equally futile. The minute you decide that you want to stop taking your weapon mounted light on and off, every time you use it, your choice of available holsters diminishes exponentially. If you decide that you want to carry your sidearm suppressed, you can forget a holster all together, or so I thought.

A few years ago, I had the good fortune to run across a small company out of Newton, Pennsylvania. Steve, the owner, was an entrepreneur who recognized the exact same thing and had the vision and courage to launch a new enterprise, which he named Battlecloth.

The fledgling Battlecloth began with suppressor pouches, then added pack holsters and today makes a range of products aimed directly at the NFA community. However, you will not find a catalog or web site that displays ready-made goods. You see, Battlecloth is a customhouse. Each pouch or pack holster fabricated is made to your specifications using mil-spec materials and construction.

Recently, I asked Steve to build a holster that would allow me to carry a suppressed P22 with a laser sight. Steve asked me for the dimensions and promptly went to work on the project. Within a few short weeks, my holster arrived.

The finished product has a number of outstanding features. First, the construction was 100% mil-spec, using 1000 denier Cordura® fabric, with all bound edges and double stitched. The holster is carried one of two ways: slung over the shoulder like a man purse and a leg strap, which allows the operator complete freedom of movement and does not impair agility; it can also be worn on the belt, as shown in the pictures to the left and below. I asked for an extra set of belt loops, which Steve provided, mounted to the bottom of the holster so I could add a leg strap.

Another excellent feature is the belt loops. They are constructed so that one can easily sit down with the suppressed pistol at your side. Additional features, which lift this holster above others, are the use of a military style flap, which secures the weapon and provides room for the use of a pistol lanyard. Steve thoughtfully includes an integral pouch for a spare magazine, a folding knife or a small handheld light. Battlecloth also adds D rings on the backside of the holster that serve as attachment points for the shoulder strap or you can attach the holster to a pack using snap shackles or carabineers as the case may be.

Battle cloth can be contacted via e-mail.

Copyright 2009 Sal Palma