Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2018-07-04
Buyer: Ministerie van Defensie
Country: NL
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Restricted procedure
CPV classification: 18110000 | 18220000 | 18310000
Submission deadline: 2018-08-10
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: An framework agreement for the delivery of a combat clothing system (DOKS) that is suitable to act in all foreseeable conditions of the armed forces for a period of 8 years.
Military clothing serves different purposes. Besides offering protection (e.g., weather, temperature, detection, insects, fire), it also serves as a platform for carrying equipment and the primary appearance of the Dutch armed forces. To improve the way the soldier performs his job it is desirable that the clothing system behaves as an integrated system which can be adapted to environmental conditions and to activity levels. The aim of this project is to introduce a clothing system that allows soldiers to operate effectively in a wide range of circumstances.
DOKS is intended for all Dutch soldiers, of all the branches of the armed forces: navy, army and air force and military police, approximately 45 000 soldiers.
Military clothing serves different purposes. Besides offering protection (e.g., weather, temperature, detection, insects, fire), it also serves as a platform for carrying equipment and the primary appearance of the Dutch armed forces. To improve the way the soldier performs his job it is desirable that the clothing system behaves as an integrated system which can be adapted to environmental conditions and to activity levels. The aim of this project is to introduce a clothing system that allows soldiers to operate effectively in a wide range of circumstances.
The DOKS project will replace the current BDU by a combat clothing system that is suitable to act in all foreseeable conditions of the armed forces. It is therefore important that the final clothing system takes into account the following factors.
DOKS is intended for all Dutch soldiers, of all the branches of the armed forces: navy, army and air force and military police, approximately 40 000 – 45 000 soldiers. Dutch soldiers operate and train worldwide in diverse and extreme climates and environments and in crisis situations. There is a significant diversity in tasks and environments between various user groups.
The overall structure /composition of combat clothing items must functioning as a system. The system should be modular, meaning that the soldier can easily adapt to changing circumstances (e.g., weather, activity level). In addition a modular system also has the advantage that certain clothing items can be tailored towards specific military functions and individual needs. Although this will result in a better clothing system for each individual, special attention should be paid to the logistic impact that will occur when the modular system will be tailored to individual needs.
One of the core functionalities of clothing is to protect the soldier against a wide variety of circumstances such as weather, observation, flames, heat and insects.
Clothing is worn on a human body. This has some major consequences since the product should allow for proper functioning of the wearer, provide adequate ergonomics, comfort levels, heat insulation, moisture transport, etc.
It is also important that the fabrics used in the clothing system meets certain criteria. The fabrics used in the clothing should for example withstand operational use. Important factors which are included here are durability and longevity of fabrics, hygiene, strength of seams and haberdashery and static electricity.

Eligibility requirements: See tender documentation.