SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Market Survey - Request for Information on Oxygen Storage and Delivery Systems or Subsystems for use with Military Ram Air Parachute Systems
- Notice Date
- 4/19/2006
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- RDECOM Acquisition Center - Natick, ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011
- ZIP Code
- 01760-5011
- Solicitation Number
- W911QY-06-S-0001
- Response Due
- 5/26/2006
- Archive Date
- 7/25/2006
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Natick Soldier Center at the U. S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Natick, MA is conducting a market investigation on behalf of joint military customers to identify domestic products, suppliers, designers and manufacturers of gaseous oxygen storage and delivery systems (or subsystems) with the potential to meet emerging requirements for improved parachutist oxygen systems used with military high altitude ram air parachute systems. Primary interest of this Survey to seek out a nd identify mature gaseous oxygen storage and delivery products/technologies, and firms with the requisite technical/design/manufacturing/production capabilities, that have the potential to provide an improved parachutists bail out oxygen subsystem and pos sibly an improved pre-breathing oxygen console which can be readily qualified for parachutist use with current military high altitude ram air parachute systems. The current bail out system employed by joint users is the Para-Flite PHAOS bail out system, w hich includes a 120-cu in (floodable volume) bail-out bottle (Para-Flite Part No. 603200-0) pressured to 1850 psi and the PHAOS diluter/demand mask assembly (Para-Flite Part Nos. 603300, 603400, 603800 or 603810). The current oxygen console employed by jo int users is the Para-Flite, 8 Man Oxygen Console (OXCON) (Para-Flite Part No. 605100-0) with three each 1000 cu in (floodable volume) bottles (pressurized to 1850 psi) supplying aviators oxygen to eight (8) breathing stations. While these systems have s erved and continue to serve the joint military users well, there is an emerging need to enhance capabilities in the following areas: 1) increased breathing duration on the 120-cu in sized bottle, 2) simplified mask assembly with reduced maintenance and 3) increased breathing duration on the pre-breathing oxygen console. Products/technologies may include an entire integrated system (pre-breathing oxygen console and parachutist bail out system) or individual subsystems (parachutist bail out subsystem, parachutist bail out oxygen storage subsystem, parachutist bail out mask or pre-breathing oxygen console) that address one or more of the enhanced capability areas and requirements described in this document. 1. General Draft Requirements envisioned for an integrated system or subsystem include the following. a. Shall be operable in the DOD military transport aircraft and military free fall environments. b. Shall be of adequate ergonomic design to ensure its easy operation in darkened aircraft and when wearing bulky equipment, cold weather clothing and gloves in accordance with MIL-STD-1472F. c. Materials and design must be compatible with the safe storage and delivery of aviators oxygen. Each system or subsystem shall be designed in accordance with ASTM manual 36. d. Pressurized oxygen storage systems or subsystems shall be non-shatterable, rated at a maximum working pressure of not more than 3000 psig and shall meet all applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) certification requirements and Department of De fense (DoD) transport aircraft flight clearance requirements to include Live-Fire ballistic test requirements. e. Shall be self-contained requiring no electrical or control input from the aircraft. f. Oxygen storage systems or subsystems shall be functionally and physically compatible with and fully serviceable by existing military oxygen fill systems, which are capable of filling pressure vessels up to a maximum working pressure of 3000 psig. g. Shall be operable up to 35,000 feet pressure altitude. h. Each subsystem shall demonstrate a functional reliability of 95-99% at a 90% confidence level. i. Except for a complete rebuild, all maintenance shall be capable of being performed at the unit level. j. Shall be transportable in DoD fixed and rotary wing aircraft. k. Shall remain functional and operate properly (and shall not lose more than 10% p ressure) after being subjected to MIL-STD-810F Thermal Shock testing, Method 503.4, Procedure I. l. Shall not pose a hazard to personnel or aircraft and remain intact when subjected to MIL-STD-810F Transient Drop Tests, Method 516.5, Procedure IV (30 inches). m. Shall operate at temperatures ranging from 65 degrees F to 160 degrees F and humidity ranging from zero to 100% non-condensing. n. Shall incorporate self-sealing connections and non-crushable hoses where applicable. 2. Specific Draft Requirements for a Pre-Breathing Oxygen Console Subsystem include: a. Shall provide sufficient volume and flow of 100% aviators oxygen for a minimum of one (1) up to a maximum of eight (8) parachutists with a sea level standard day storage capacity of 8,000 liters of oxygen or more. b. Shall contain a total of sixteen (16) quick disconnect fittings (eight (8) per side). No more than eight (8) fittings will be used during pre-breathing operations to ensure adequate flow of oxygen. c. Shall not exceed the following maximum threshold or objective dimensions and weights (fully charged): Length 40 inches (T) 36 Inches (O) Width 20 inches (T) 16 inches (O) Height 24 inches (T) 16 inches (O) Weight (Fully Charged) 130 pounds (T) 100 pounds (O) d. Shall be physically and functionally compatible with the Parachutist Bail Out Oxygen Subsystem (described in paragraph 3 requirements below) and shall be interoperable with the current Para-Flite PHAOS Bail Out System. e. Shall contain an oxygen regulator capable of handling inlet pressures not to exceed 3500 psig. f. Shall have an outlet pressure regulated to a constant 70-80 psig at the quick disconnect fittings and shall maintain this constant pressure range with zero (0) to eight (8) parachutists breathing on the system. g. Shall have two separate low-pressure manifolds (one per console side). Each manifold shall contain one (1) low-pressure valve, one (1) low pressure gauge and eight (8) low pressure, quick-disconnect fittings. Manifolds shall be able to be operated independently of each other in the event one manifold (or its quick-disconnect fittings) is damaged. Each manifold and the quick disconnect fittings shall be recessed below the console outer surface and be covered with latched door assembly, or otherwise protected to prevent damage to the manifold and fittings during transportation and storage. h. Shall have two separate high-pressure manifolds (one per console side). Each manifold shall contain one (1) high-pressure valve, one (1) high-pressure gauge and a high-pressure one way check valve male VCO fitting with cap. Manifolds shall be able to be operated independently of each other in the event one manifold is damaged. Each manifold and VCO fitting shall be recessed below the console outer surface and be covered with a latched door assembly, or otherwise protected to prevent damage during t ransportation and storage. i. Shall be equipped with Night Vision Device compatible luminescent pressure gauges (1 ? - 2 inches in diameter) that display cylinder storage pressure and regulated manifold pressure. j. Shall be equipped with an access panel that allows easy access to regulators, tank connections and on/off valves. k. Shall be two man- to one man-portable. l. Shall be equipped with padded carrying handles on each end. m. Shall be designed to withstand, remain intact, and allow restraint to the aircraft floor of the transport aircraft (non-carrier based fixed wing and rotary wing) at the following static loads: Vertical 20G Down 10G Up Longitudinal 20 G Forward 20 G Aft Lateral +/-18G n. Shall remain functional and operate properly after being subjected to vibration testing as tailored by specific air platform criteria report for vibration environment and performed as described in MIL-STD-810F, Method 514.5. o. Shall remain functional and operate properly after being subjected to Functional Shock testing in MIL-STD-810F, Method 516.5 (20G Pulses). p. Shall remain intact and not present a hazard to crew or aircraft after being subjected to Crash Shock testing as described in MIL-STD-810F, Method 516.5, Procedure V for Crash Hazard (40G Pulses). q. Shall be flat black in color. r. Shall remain operable for 20 or more missions over a period of up to 180 days before requiring unit level maintenance. Unit level maintenance for the pre-breathing console shall not exceed 5.75 man hours. 3. Specific Draft Requirements for a Parachutist Bail Out Oxygen Subsystem include: a. Shall be physically and functionally compatible with the Military Javelin Ram Air Parachute System, Military Tandem Vector System and current Military Free Fall helmets. b. Shall be physically and functionally compatible with the Pre-Breathing Oxygen Console described in Paragraph 2 requirements above and with the current Para-Flite 8-Man OXCON. c. Shall meet applicable requirements of Air Standardization Coordinating Committee (ASCC) Air Standard 61/101/11 ( Minimum Standards for Breathing Equipment for Parachutists Between 13,000 and 25,000 Feet Pressure Altitude ) unless otherwise addressed in this document. This includes maintaining an alveolar partial pressure of oxygen greater than 60 mm HG at all times. d. The breathing mask shall be a low-profile mask, attached to the parachutists helmet by a secure mask suspension system that must be capable of withstanding opening shocks up to 15 Gs. During movement on board the aircraft, exit, high-speed free-fa ll, parachute opening, descent and landing, the mask is to remain securely on the parachutists face. e. The breathing mask shall incorporate a communication capability and be physically and functionally compatible with the bail out oxygen storage subsystem described in the requirements below and interoperable with the current Para-Flite PHAOS 120 cubic inch bail out bottle. f. The breathing mask shall allow for a side mounted hose connection and the oxygen storage subsystem shall allow the routing of the oxygen hose between the parachutists back and rigged harness/container and over the shoulder to prevent possible inte rference with chest mounted parachute activation handles. g. The bail out oxygen storage subsystem, manifold, hoses, mask, regulator and other components that make up the parachutist bail out oxygen subsystem shall be capable of being positioned so as not to degrade the parachutists view nor the parachutists access to ripcord handles, emergency handles, accompanying equipment and parachute flight controls; and shall not interfere with the parachutist exit, free-fall, parachute deployment, emergency procedures, canopy flight, equipment lowering and parachutist landing. h. The bail out oxygen storage subsystem (with manifold, hose, mask, regulator and other components) must provide sufficient concentration and flow of oxygen to the parachutist from the time of disconnecting from the console through the exit and descen t under canopy from a pressure altitude of 35,000 feet to a pressure altitude of 10,000 feet, with a sea level, standard day storage capacity of 320 liters of oxygen or more. i. The bail out oxygen storage subsystem must have an easily accessible and positive locking mechanism for the on/off valve that shall be locked in the on position when connected to the Pre-Breathing Oxygen console. When connected to the Pre-Breathin g Console the higher pressure output of the console will automatically direct the flow of 100% aviators oxygen to the parachutist breathing mask and will automatically prevent breathing off of the bail out oxygen storage system. Oxygen shall flow automatic ally from the bail out oxygen storage subsystem to the breathing mask when disconnected from the Pre-Breathing Oxygen Console. j. The bail out ox ygen storage subsystem shall have a manifold with a quick-disconnect outlet with an outlet pressure of 40-50 psig and shall be physically and functionally compatible with the breathing mask (described herein) and interoperable with the current PHAOS dilute r/demand mask. k. The bail out oxygen storage subsystem shall be equipped with a Night Vision Device compatible luminescent pressure gauge (on the same side as the on/off valve locking mechanism) that displays storage pressure. l. The bail out oxygen storage subsystem shall have a feature to indicate failure of oxygen flow (e.g., high resistance to inspiration) or an in-line indicator to demonstrate positive oxygen flow. If an indicator is used it must be easily visible to th e parachutist, Jumpmaster and O2 Technician. m. The bail out oxygen storage subsystem shall not exceed 120 cubic inch floodable volume and shall fit securely in the existing Military Javelin harness O2 pouch, which allows up to a 3.75-inch diameter cylinder. The overall length of the bail out oxy gen storage subsystem, including the outlet manifold, shall not exceed 20 inches. n. Frost or ice accumulation outside the bail out oxygen storage subsystem, manifold, hose and regulator, or inside or outside the mask shall not preclude proper operation of the system. o. The parachutist bail out oxygen subsystem shall remain operable for at least 20 jumps over a period of up to 180 days before requiring unit level maintenance. Unit level maintenance for the oxygen storage sub-system shall be not greater than 2.5 man hours per system and unit level maintenance for the mask assembly shall not be greater than 2 man-hours per mask assembly. Interested sources must, within thirty (30) days following the first publication date of this synopsis, respond with information on their current commercial product(s)/technologies and how they might address this emerging Military requirement. Interested sources shall include information detailed in the FedBizOps Note 25 regarding a firm's experience, personnel, and facilities. Information should include product cost, relevant technical information/specifications/qualifications (i.e., technical literature , data, test reports, illustrations, photographs, patents, etc.), level of product maturity (i.e., is the product in the research, development or production phase?), product history (i.e., who is the product used by and in what applications?), relevant com pany background/experience, and a sample (optional). Optional samples will be limited to parachutist bail out oxygen subsystems (mask assembly or oxygen storage subsystem) and any oxygen storage subsystem will be shipped empty (unpressurized) and appropri ately marked for shipment. Firms responding shall indicate whether or not they are a small business. Any information submitted will not be returned. If a firm chooses to submit samples they must pre-coordinate the shipment with the POC below. No payment will be made by the Government for such samples, and the samples will be returned at each companys request and each company desiring to submit or have a sample returned shall arrange for shipment at no cost to the Government. Responses to this notice ar e to be sent to Mr. Gary Thibault, U. S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Natick Soldier Center, 15 Kansas Street, ATTN: AMSRD-NSC-AD, Natick, MA 01760-5019. Submitted information must be provided in both hard-copy and electronic CD o r DVD format. This notice is for market research only. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS. No solicitation document exists. The information received under this announcement may be used to purchase items for Government testing and/or prepare a solicit ation package.
- Place of Performance
- Address: RDECOM Acquisition Center - Natick ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street Natick MA
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Country: US
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Record
- SN01031151-W 20060421/060419221018 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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