helping the us and canadian governments

YOU CAN TRY TO HELP THE MILITARY BUT MOSTLY YOU WILL FAIL

Recently the military put out a solicitation for hand wear that will perform with in a temperature range of 32 degrees and -60 degrees F. Upon reading the solicitation requirements I chose to write to each of the two contacts listed.

Being the only domestic manufacturer of extreme cold weather hand wears as well as the manufacturer of the warmest hand wear in the world I thought with my credentials after reviewing my web site, which I gave them, they would have an interest in communicating with me. I say communicating versus speaking since the mode of communication these days is via e-mail. No such luck.

The problem these folks who are civilians I believe have is their lack of knowledge of the subject or product. It is not known if they wrote the specifications or requirements or if others in a meeting conjured up the requirements and gave it to them to see if they could get someone to tell them they could give them a product that will meet their criteria. [IF] someone were to step to the plate and tell them as much I know something about that person, they can best be described as “a snake oil salesman”.

Since the military requires the products be “MADE IN AMERICA UNDER THE BERRY AMENDMENT” which I view as a joke at this time that is here in America who makes mittens for any weather? None!!! Last winter sales of my Antarctic Extreme mittens increase substantially. I was told that they were discussed on a gear web site. When I went to the web site I saw about 6 or so other brands listed all made in Asia and not a one comparable to mine not even close. I was very grateful that this gear web site listed me since it did generate sales. Not a single complaint from any customers. Actually I have been making them for 20 years and have never had any complaints. Some outfitters in Canada who hunt during the winter months buy a couple of dozen every other year. Dog mushers worldwide use them as well as other Wiggy’s products such as sleeping bags, parkas, bibs, fishnet under wear and now socks.

Having the background that I have I was interested in sharing my knowledge with OUR military because I want OUR men in the field wearing hand wear that will keep their hands warm.

I did state without pussy footing around that what they were asking for could not be made. To show all of what they wanted you could see if you do a search for the following solicitation W911QY-19-R-0026. In a conversation with anyone about this solicitation I would take a stand of being adamant that it is not accomplishable.

It does not matter how much knowledge one has based on years of experience and supporting with supporting documentation from hundreds of users of your product the military does not care. “If they didn’t invent it, it is not good” is their mantra.

What I recommended is the Antarctic Extreme mittens with a leather glove that has a wool lining. Use the leather glove when you need dexterity and then take them off and wear the mittens. It is necessary to keep the fingers together in the mittens without any form of liner separating the fingers. In this manner the fingers help each other to stay warm.

They want the mittens to be able to keep hands warm if the mittens get wet. There is NO OTHER MATERIAL ON THE PLANET that can get wet and still keep you warm than LAMILITE/CLIMASHIELD.

As I see it the guy in the field will suffer unless they buy from their own pocket my Antarctic cold weather hand wear system because I have failed to successfully educate our civil servants.

THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT HAS PURCHASED SLEEPING BAGS MANUFACTURED WITH A HIGHLY FLAMM

ABLE LINING MATERIAL

The following are the specs for a sleeping bags purchased by the Canadian government for the Department of the National Defense, Shearwater Nova Scotia. This is a solicitation that my representative in Canada bid on and we lost the bid. I now know why.

Solicitation No. - N° de l'invitation Amd. No. - N° de la modif. Buyer ID - Id de l'acheteur W010S-19E069 HAL406 N° de réf. du client Client Ref. No. - File No. - N° du dossier CCC No./N° CCC - FMS No./N° VME W010S-19-E069 HAL-8-81162 Page 17 of - de 20 Sleeping Bag Bidder’s Substantiation (should indicate the reference to the technical documentation included in Bid, such as title, page, section, paragraph and any supporting comments) Mandatory Requirements Sleeping Bag A – Up to 5’6” Length: 66.9 in Shoulder Girth: 61 in Hip Girth: 58-60 in Sleeping Bag B - 5’7” to 6’ Length: 78 in Shoulder girth: 62 in Hip Girth: 58-60 in Sleeping Bag C 6’1”- to 6’6” Length: 84 in Shoulder Girth: 64 in Hip Girth: 58-60 in Temperature Rating -20 Celsius Materials 1. Insulation: Microfiber synthetic microfiber 2. Shell Material: Rip stop fabric 3. Liner Material: 100% Polyester microfiber breathable waterproof fabric Sleeping Bag Features 1. Layered, offset, quilt construction 2. Efficient, form fitting hood 3. Top draft collar 4. 58 in. dual-slider locking zipper 5. Zipper draft tube with anti-snag design 6. Internal liner loops 7. Hang loops for storage 8. Ribbon Draw cords 9. Captured Cord Lock 10. Ground-level side seams and differential cut for maximum warmth.

Now that you have read the specifications it is important to note that the lining material is “POLYESTER MICROFIBER” one of the most combustible of materials you can have in a sleeping bag. I have become very knowledgeable in the past two weeks on the subject.

The company that sold these bags to the Canadian government is Prototype Integrated Solutions. The company that manufactures the bags and sold them to Prototype is none other than snugpak. How do I know this easy; on the Prototype web site they note that these bags are used by the BRITISH ROYAL MARINES which I have known for years and that information appears on the snugpak web site. Then you find on the Prototype web site that also appears on the snugpak web site the supply their bags to the NORWEGIAN NORDIC TRAINING organization. The Prototype web site also notes that they have a brushed lining called Thermal Suede, which is polyester fabric and it too appears on the snugpak web site. There is no telling how many of the fabrics that snugpak uses that is made from polyester fiber. Considering that snugpak gets production out of China I would not be surprised to find out that many of the fabrics are polyester.

I wonder how many of their “no sleep sleeping bags” have been to OUR military over the years that incorporate polyester fiber linings or shell materials used for their bags. I do know the fiberfill they use is also a flammable component.

I know for fact having seen a bag or two that I have made that got scorched but that is as far as the fire went, nylon fabric self-extinguishes and when lying flat as sleeping bags are when being used the Lamilite does not support combustion either it will char.

I have placed a call to the Canadian government to advise them of what they have done and how to avoid it in the future.