SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR HYDROGEN-FUELED MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT AND HYDROGEN VEHICLE FUELING STATION PILOT PROJECTS
- Notice Date
- 3/12/2008
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- N00164 NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER, INDIANA 300 Highway 361, Building 64 Crane, IN
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- N0016408RGS20
- Response Due
- 4/28/2008
- Point of Contact
- Contracting: Sean Seamon, 812-854-5785 Technical: Ken Burt, 812-854-2139
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to POC
(sean.seamon@navy.mil)
- Description
- This synopsis is being posted to both the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) page located at http://www.fbo.gov and the Navy Electronic Commerce on Line (NECO) site located at https://www.neco.navy.mil/. While it is understood that FBO is the single point of entry for posting of synopsis and solicitations to the internet, NECO is the alternative in case FBO is unavailable. Please feel free to use either site to access information posted by the NSWC Division Crane. POINT(S) OF CONTACT: Contracting: Sean Seamon, NSWC Crane, Code 0564, e-mail LogR&D@navy.mil, 812-854-5785. Technical: Ken Burt, NSWC CRANE, Code 609, email LogR&D@navy.mil , 812-854-2139. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) requires aggressive actions throughout the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Energy (DOE) to reduce the existing dependency on fossil fuels and to initiate the transition toward alternative fuels and alternative fuel power sources. EPACT 2005 goals require the DOD to reduce existing oil consumption rates 20% between 2006 and 2015, increase the use of renewable energy sources more than 7.5% by 2013, and explore unconventional fuel alternatives (synfuels and biofuels) to initiate the transition towards a future hydrogen economy. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) are conducting research and development (R&D) and experimentation to advance the state of the art in manufacturing technologies and processes to increase the knowledge of and to help DOD meet EPACT 2005 goals and to complement the President?s hydrogen initiative. DOD can contribute to the President? s initiative by being a ?first adopter? of hydrogen fuel cell technology when a strong case can be made that the technology benefits DOD militarily. The funding allocated to this program is approximately $2-4 million excluding any proposed industry cost sharing. The goal of this program is to conduct a DOD hydrogen (H2) fuel cell Materiel Handling Equipment (MHE) pilot program at the Defense Depot San Joaquin, California (DDJC), Tracy, CA. NSWC Crane is interested in receiving R&D proposals for scientific study and experimentation in the form of a pilot project directed toward advancing the state of the art or increasing knowledge or understanding in H2 powered MHE, Hydrogen vehicle fueling stations and the associated infrastructure. While this BAA will involve delivery of equipment and technology pilot testing for the purpose of data collection, the focus of this BAA is on the collection of operational data. Successful proposals will include installation, maintenance and training associated with all equipment and hydrogen infrastructure needed to produce the required data for increasing DOD?s knowledge and understanding of the maturity of the technology. 1. DOD Hydrogen (H2) fuel cell MHE pilot program. 1.1. Background: DLA is DOD?s largest combat support agency, providing worldwide logistics support in both peacetime and wartime to the military services, civilian agencies and foreign countries. If America?s forces eat it, wear it, maintain equipment with it, or burn it as fuel, DLA probably provides it. The Defense Distribution Center (DDC), a field organization of DLA, operates warehousing and cross-docking facilities for DOD. The DDC?s 26 Distribution Depots, located throughout the United States and around the world, store items having 4 million different stock numbers in 327 million square feet of storage space and process more than 26 million transactions annually. In total, DLA operates over 3,000 forklifts, of which approximately half are electric-powered. DLA has identified select DOD target site locations with electric-powered forklifts to host pilot programs for this BAA. Proposers are expected to offer at a minimum a complete power unit that is equivalent in form, fit, and function and equal or superior in performance to the lead acid or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery system currently used in these forklifts. New and innovative approaches, including new forklifts designed for H2 fuel cell power, will be considered based on their contribution to the overall goals of this BAA. Site-specific information and requirements applicable to this BAA (Proposal Due Date, Site Visit Date, Site Location and Points of Contact, Operating Equipment Targeted for the Pilot Program, Equipment Duty Cycles, Host Site Procedures/Regulations/Utilities/Infrastructures, etc.) are provided at http://www.crane.navy.mil/acquisition/synopbaa.htm 1.2. Goal Objectives: The overarching objectives of this goal are to significantly increase the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs) associated with the fuel cell systems and components and to produce business case data for future retrofitting or replacement of the existing forklift fleet with H2 fuel cell powered forklifts. For definitions of TRLs see http://akss.dau.mil/dag/GuideBook/IG_c10.5.2.asp and for MRLs see https://acc.dau.mil/CommunityBrowser.aspx?id=18231. ? Proposers are expected to offer at a minimum a complete power unit that is equivalent in form, fit, and function and equal or superior in performance to the lead acid or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery system currently used in the forklifts proposed. Other new and innovative approaches will be considered based on their contribution to the overall goals of this BAA. ? Any award made must demonstrate a number of contributions to the maturation of H2 fuel cell or H2 infrastructure technology. The contractor should describe in detail how this project will advance the TRL and MRL of fuel cell system or hydrogen fueling station and infrastructure technology. H2 Fuel cell technology includes fuel cell sub-systems and components (e.g., Membrane Exchange Assembly, power electronics, thermal management sub-system), and on-board H2 storage. H2 infrastructure includes hydrogen production, delivery, onsite storage and dispensing technologies. 1.3. Business Case. The general nature of the improvements and the associated results obtained from the program will be documented and shared with selected industry and government personnel, subject to appropriate protections for proprietary information and other intellectual property ? Operational data will be collected from multiple pilot programs conducted at various DoD locations and included as part of the MHE pilot program business case data. The business case will be built on operational data collected during the use of the H2-powered equipment and hydrogen infrastructure in accordance with the ?Data Requirement Matrix? provided at http://www.crane.navy.mil/acquisition/synopbaa.htm. ? Business case data will be collected by contractor personnel or their representatives using, to the extent practical, automated capabilities provided by the company or companies supplying the fuel cells or the hydrogen fuel equipment for the pilot program (for example, using built-in test data collection capability for the H2 fuel cell). This data will be provided to the procuring contract officer and the technical point of contact. The data will be made available to other researchers and businesses, subject to appropriate protections for proprietary information and other intellectual property. 2. Proposer Responsibilities and Requirements. Proposals shall provide technical and cost detail sufficient to describe a pilot project comprising the design, provision, training, and maintenance for the following: 2.1. Hydrogen Generation and Fueling Infrastructure. Proposals shall include the design, installation, commission, maintenance and decommissioning of an on site hydrogen generation system capable of supporting the operation of the MHE proposed. The hydrogen shall be produced on site from a renewable energy source (e.g., water electrolysis based on renewable power) and shall be sized to support the operational requirements of twenty (20) hydrogen powered MHE forklifts operating 16 hours a day, 5 days per week (minimum consumption is estimated at 30 kg/day). Proposals may provide options for hydrogen generation infrastructures larger than 30 kg/day in addition to the 30 kg/day infrastructure requirement. In the case of an interruption of the hydrogen production capability, a backup provision for the hydrogen (e.g., local gas distributor) shall be proposed to support sustained MHE operations. Site specific details for the hydrogen infrastructure location and site utilities a re provided at http://www.crane.navy.mil/acquisition/synopbaa.htm. The contractor or contractor team shall obtain the necessary approvals and permits for all aspects of the infrastructure and associated applications. 2.2. Dispensing Equipment. Proposals shall include the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and decommissioning of a minimum of one hydrogen storage and dispensing unit to support MHE fill operations. The dispensing unit shall be capable of safely dispensing fuel into the proposed MHE. Proposals shall include rain shelters for dispensing operations as an option with cost clearly identified separately for Government consideration. The contractor or contractor team shall obtain the necessary approvals and permits for all aspects of the dispensing system and associated applications. 2.3. Renewable Energy. The renewable energy used to power the on site hydrogen generation may come from a source not located on the host facility. Contractors are encouraged to research local, state and Federal programs affiliated with renewable energy and to take advantage of such programs where applicable. 2.4. Solar Energy. Proposals shall include an option for the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and decommissioning of an on-site solar system to power the on-site hydrogen generation system. The proposed solar system shall be designed to support the power consumption requirements of the proposed hydrogen generation system. Greater electricity generating capability is encouraged where economically feasible; however, bidders must include the necessary equipment for providing this power to other DDJC operations or the local grid. Site specific details for the solar system potential locations and site utilities are provided at http://www.crane.navy.mil/acquisition/synopbaa.htm. The contractor or contractor team shall obtain the necessary approvals and permits for all aspects of the solar system and associated infrastructure and applications. 2.5. Material Handling Equipment. The contractor shall provide twenty (20) completely integrated hydrogen-powered fuel cell MHE units that will operate over the 24 month pilot project period. The provided fuel cell forklifts shall be equivalent to or exceed the capabilities of the MHE model currently in use at DDJC: Hyster S40FT GAS SRT 4,000 lbs, 189" forklift truck. A typical DDJC Hyster Forklift Data Sheet is provided at http://www.crane.navy.mil/acquisition/synopbaa.htm) In the case of failure of the fuel cell power system for the MHE, the proposal shall include sufficient support for corrective maintenance including any required spares necessary to maintain full operational capability at all times in accordance with the usage profiles outlined in this BAA. 2.6. Planning, scheduling and delivery. Proposals shall provide a detailed plan that includes pilot program equipment specifications and a delivery and operation schedule. The contractor is responsible for all aspects of the pilot program infrastructure installation and operation including, but not limited to, site preparation, construction, permitting, commissioning and decommissioning (at end of project). The contractor?s detailed schedule shall address all aspects of the pilot program. The contractor shall clearly define the variable costs of hydrogen production. The contractor shall identify any and all utilities and the daily and peak utility usage that DDJC will need to provide. 2.7. Training. Proposals shall include a plan to provide operator training for the pilot program (equipment operation and refueling), emergency response training of the operators and local firefighting personnel as related to proposed equipment and support infrastructure. Repeat training sessions shall be offered with breakout cost estimates/details and may be exercised at the government/site activity option. DDJC personnel will, after appropriate training, operate the hydrogen-fueled MHE and infrastructure operations with exception of the hydrogen generator and solar system which they will monitor but not operate throughout the duration of the pilot. 2.8. Program Management. The proposer shall detail the necessary program management functions to ensure project success for the 24 month pilot (and additional front-end lead time). 2.9. Operation and Maintenance. The proposal shall describe the operational and maintenance support and repair strategy for the pilot program throughout the full project period. Operation and Maintenance support includes all spares, service contracts, etc., necessary to ensure uninterrupted operational capabilities throughout the pilot demonstration. The proposal shall also include a detailed description of any and all additional operational responsibilities required of the DDJC personnel. 2.10. Option to Retain. At the completion of the pilot demonstration the site activity may request the option to retain the hydrogen generation system, solar system if option awarded, fueling infrastructure, dispensing unit and fuel cell MHE using a separate contract vehicle (other than this BAA). Proposers shall provide independent cost estimates for the support necessary to retain the equipment and the continued operation by the government at the end of the pilot program (government option). 3. Government (Base) Responsibilities. DDJC personnel will be responsible for the following activities. ? Provide space for the on site hydrogen generation, storage and refueling infrastructure ? Provide space for the optional solar system ? Assist the Contractor with identifying and obtaining all necessary permits and approvals ? Provide the personnel to operate the MHE, and fueling station ? Provide all utilities (electricity, telephone, water) used to operate the hydrogen storage and refueling infrastructure and fuel cell powered forklifts for the duration of the pilot project ? Provide timely review of any aspects of the project requiring local participation ? Arrange for forklift use in various environments to provide meaningful test of capabilities ? Operate and refuel forklifts in operation ? Operate, store and handle fuel cells and equipment as trained ? Provide maintenance and service of forklifts not related to fuel cell operations ? Provide personnel for training as appropriate ? Provide for data collection by site personnel including data on forklift operations related to workload and process improvements (or problems) encountered (to include providing information from EMACS, maintaining complaint and comment logs or lists, completing operator surveys for equipment perceptions, etc) ? Provide emergency response 4. Proposal Schedule. Proposals for the DDJC MHE pilot program are due no later than 17:30 Eastern Daylight Time on 28 April 2008. Any and all awards are subject to availability of funding. Proposal selections are anticipated to be announced approximately 60 days after the BAA closes. 5. Site Visit. There will be a site visit for interested participants at the DDJC pilot facility. The site visit will explain and clarify the objectives of this program and allow prospective offerors to view the DDJC site. Additional site specific details, pictures and maps are provided at http://www.crane.navy.mil/acquisition/synopbaa.htm. Site Visit details are provided below: ? Date: 3 April, 2008 ? Where: Defense Depot San Joaquin, California (DDJC), Tracy, CA. ? Time: 0830-1230 ? Point of Contact: Technical POC listed for this BAA 5.1. Interested firms are encouraged to attend. U.S. Citizens who wish to attend are required to register by sending an email to Robert.s.thomas@dla.mil NLT 12:00 Pacific Daylight Time on 28 March, 2008. Non U.S. Citizens are required to register NLT 12:00 Pacific Daylight Time on 18 March, 2008 in order to obtain access. Only those individuals registered for the site visit will be allowed access. The Government may also limit the number of representatives that each company is allowed to register in order to maximize the number of companies attending the site visit. Registration emails should include the following: ? Name of Firm ? Name(s), Title, SSN, Place of birth and citizenship of Representative(s) who plan to attend. ? Address of the Firm ? Phone number(s), fax number(s) and email address(e)s 5.2. Briefing materials used for the site visit, answers to the questions received and additional information (if required) will be posted at http://www.crane.navy.mil/acquisition/synopbaa.htm approximately ten working days after the site visit concludes. 6. Questions and Answers. Prospective offerors are requested to submit questions in writing to the technical point of contact via email before or after the site visit to allow for inclusion and discussion during the site visit. Questions concerning the site visit will be considered at any time prior, during the site visit or up to 7 April 2008. Government personnel may respond to questions asked during the site visit, but the information contained within this BAA or amendments takes precedence over oral responses. Any questions or clarifications that result in material changes to this BAA will be addressed by a written amendment to this BAA. Other questions may be submitted up to 7 days prior to the proposal due date. The Government will not be liable for expenses incurred by an offeror prior to contract award. Offerors are cautioned that remarks and explanations provided at the site visit shall not change the terms of this BAA unless the change(s) is amended in writing. This notice constitutes a combined synopsis and Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in FAR Part 6.102(d)(2). This BAA will be open until 28 April, 2008. Proposals may be submitted by any non-governmental entity, including commercial firms, institutions of higher education with degree-granting programs in science or engineering (universities), or by consortia led by such concerns. NSWC Crane encourages participation by small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone small businesses, woman-owned small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, and historically black colleges and universities and minority institutions. However, no part of this BAA is specifically reserved for these entities. The following guidelines apply to all proposals. Typically each proposal may be funded incrementally for periods up to two years subject to the availability of appropriations. Awards are expected to be between $2M and $4M for the DDJC project (although NSWC Crane reserves the right to entertain larger proposals based on the availability of funds). The Government anticipates award of cost type contract/contracts, but will consider proposals of other contract types and reserves the right to award other contract types. More than one effort may be funded for an individual topic area, and deliverables should demonstrate the results of scientific study and experimentation. Proposals for non-innovative, marginal improvements are inappropriate under BAA authority and cannot be considered for funding. Additionally, studies and theoretical concepts that do not lead to implementation are specifically excluded. All criteria set forth in FAR Part 35.016 are applicable. Proposals should be submitted in two sections: full technical and cost. Technical and cost sections should be submitted as separate files. In addition to providing Cost and Pricing information as specified in FAR Part 15.403, cost information shall be provided in the format specified in the ?DDJC Cost Breakdown? spreadsheet provided at http://www.crane.navy.mil/acquisition/synopbaa.htm. Each proposal is limited to 35 pages, including attachments and supplementary material. Proposals will be evaluated by select Government representatives with non-Government (contractor) support used in an advisory role. Contractor support companies used to advise the selection process are: Institu te for Defense Analyses (FFRDC); Logistics Management Institute (LMI); EG&G Technical Services, Inc.; and Male Duck Incorporated. Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria: ? Overall relevance and scientific and technical merits of the proposed effort, including the plan and schedule for implementing the pilot programs, completeness of the data collection and comparison, turnkey solutions, and expected improvements in H2 fuel cell or hydrogen fueling station and infrastructure capability at the pilot program?s completion; ? Degree to which new and creative solutions to technical issues important to the area of interest are proposed and the comprehensiveness of the technical data produced from the proposed effort are to be delivered with unrestricted rights; ? The qualifications, capabilities and experience of the organization or consortia with H2 implementations and the offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these critical to achieving the BAA objectives; ? The degree to which the proposed costs are reasonable and realistic and the quality, amount and extent of proposed cost share in the pilot programs. These criteria are listed in descending order of importance, and the non-price factors, when taken together, are significantly more important than price, but evaluated prices or costs must be reasonable and realistic to enable the Government to make an award. THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SELECT FOR FUNDING ANY, ALL, PART, OR NONE OF THE RESPONSES RECEIVED. Any responsible business may submit a proposal. Please send proposals via e-mail to LogR&D@navy.mil. Please refer to BAA number N00164-08-R-GS20 in all correspondence and communications.
- Web Link
-
NSWC Crane Web Page
(http://www.crane.navy.mil/acquisition/homepage.htm)
- Record
- SN01530987-W 20080314/080312224902 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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