SOURCES SOUGHT
16 -- Advanced High Altitude Oxygen Breathing System
- Notice Date
- 12/7/2009
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- RDECOM Natick Contracting Center ICP (RDECOM-CC), ATTN: CCRD-NA, Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011
- ZIP Code
- 01760-5011
- Solicitation Number
- WARPADD-RFI-AHAOBS
- Response Due
- 1/6/2010
- Archive Date
- 3/7/2010
- Point of Contact
- Allison Griffin, 508-233-4495
- E-Mail Address
-
RDECOM Natick Contracting Center ICP (RDECOM-CC)
(allison.griffin@us.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The US Army Research Development Engineering Command, Natick Soldier RD&E Center, is conducting a market survey for technical information on concepts for High Altitude Oxygen Breathing Systems. Military Free Fall parachutists and aircrews need supplemental oxygen during the performance of the Ram Air parachute operations as well as during unpressurized flights. The following briefly describe the Oxygen requirements: " All personnel will pre-breathe 100 percent aviation grade oxygen at or below 10,000 feet MSL pressure or cabin altitude below 10,000 feet MSL pressure on any mission scheduled for a drop at or above 18,000 feet MSL. " The required pre-breathing time will be completed before the 20-minute warning and before the cabin altitude ascends through 10,000 feet MSL. " Any break in pre-breathing requires restarting the pre-breathing period or removing the individuals whose pre-breathing was interrupted from the mission. " Pre-breathing requires the presence of an Air Force physiological technician onboard the aircraft. " All personnel onboard during unpressurized operations above 10,000 feet MSL and higher will use oxygen. (Exception: Parachutists may operate without supplemental oxygen during unpressurized flights up to 13,000 feet MSL provided the time above 10,000 feet MSL does not exceed 30 minutes each sortie). The bailout systems require a duration of oxygen lasting from the time when the parachutist disconnects from the Pre-breathe console, until he descends to an altitude below 10,000 ft MSL at a minimum. Improved Ram Air Canopy systems, in particular when used in High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) insertion operations, have extended and continue to extend the parachutists time aloft. Future insertion operations could exceed 45 minutes from exit to ground. Additional race tracks and physical activities within the aircraft can cause jumpers to consume the oxygen volume needed for the descent prior to exit. Current Pre-breathe consoles are connected to the parachutists bailout system and are designed to supply the parachutist with 100% oxygen without depleting the bailout cylinders. These consoles are designed to support the pre-breathe requirements of up to 8 parachutists, but in many cases the internal volume of the oxygen supply is inadequate to fully support this mission. As a result, the consoles are downgraded to support no more than 6 parachutists, and in some cases additional consoles and or large K bottles are installed on the aircraft to support pre-breathing needs and additional racetracks. This equipment is organic to the inserting unit, is left on board the aircraft and needs to be recovered after operations. In training, this means landing, off loading, and takeoff prior to the next assignment; possibly wasting fuel and time. Operationally, this is not possible as the aircraft needs to egress in a manner as not to compromise the inserting units mission. Equipment recovery in this case becomes difficult. The Military Free Fall community has interest in an Oxygen breathing system that has the duration to support both an individual parachutists pre-breathing and bailout requirements. This duration should be not less than 2.5 hours threshold and an objective of 4 hours. Successful development could lead to additional uses for aircrews desiring the freedom to move about the back of the aircraft without an oxygen hose tethering them and restricting their movements. Other applications may be an emergency egress breathing system (non-fire related), and possibly a smaller more efficient subsurface re-breather for military or commercial use. Considerations for design: " The system must be safe for use. " Must be able to integrate with all existing MFF parachute system to include tandem systems (tandem master and passenger) and tethered bundle systems and not interfere with equipment mountings. Must be compatible with current and future helmet systems to include Gentex, ACH, and Protec, Must not interfere with Navigation systems mounting or readability, Night Vision devices, or Heads Up Displays " System o Duration should be not less than 3 hours Threshold and an objective of 4.5 hours. o Unit size should be as small as possible. o Gauge should be oriented and large enough to be easily read with or without Night vision devices. o Shall operate at temperatures ranging from 65 degrees F to 160 degrees F and humidity ranging from zero to 100 %, non-condensing. o Shall demonstrate a functional reliability of 95% (T) to 99% (O) at a 90% confidence level. o Must provide a procedure to verify functionality during pre jump and Jumpmaster Personnel Inspection (JMPI) to include tank pressure, leaks, and gas valve flow direction and functionality. o 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 breathing mask shall incorporate a communication capability consistant with current communications systems. o Shall incorporate self-sealing connections and non-crushable hoses where applicable. o 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 15Gs. During movement on board the aircraft, exit, high-speed free-fall, parachute opening, descent and landing, the mask is to remain securely on the parachutists face. o Pressurized oxygen storage systems shall be shatterproof, rated at maximum working pressure of not more than 3000 psig and shall meet all applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) certification requirements and Department of Defense (DOD) transport aircraft flight clearance requirements. Proprietary information will not be disclosed outside the U.S. Government. All interested firms, regardless of size are encouraged to respond to this request for information. It should be noted that this is a market survey and not a pre-solicitation notice. A pre solicitation notice will be published if a formal solicitation is generated. No awards will result from this market survey. Nothing shall be construed herein or through the market survey process to commit or obligate the Government to further action as a result of this market survey. Firms responding to this market survey shall bear all risk and expense of any resources used to provide the requested information, and all information submitted in response to this request shall become the property of the Government and will not be returned to the submitter. Respondents must submit their product brochures, technical data, or other information concerning performance and cost within 30 days of this publication. Responses may be sent via email to D.Shedd@us.army.mil or by regular mail to US Army RDECOM, Natick Soldier RD&E Center, ATTN: RDNS-WPA-T (Shedd), Kansas Street, Natick, MA, 01760-5017. No solicitation document exists at this time. This market survey is for information and planning purposes only. This is not an Invitation for Bid (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be taken as a commitment by RDECOM-NSRDEC.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/60dd477c31ff42ee70f49d01b8383eb0)
- Place of Performance
- Address: NSRDEC, Warfighter Protection & Aerial Delivery Directorate ATTN: RDNS-WPA-T, Kansas Street Natick MA
- Zip Code: 01760-5017
- Zip Code: 01760-5017
- Record
- SN02018272-W 20091209/091207234825-60dd477c31ff42ee70f49d01b8383eb0 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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