TRW, 4243 E. Piedras Dr. Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78228

66 -- HAND HELD COMBUSTIBLE GAS/OXYGEN SNIFFER SOL 63620-0001 DUE 020796. Contact Point, Alan Stern, 210/731-4217, Contracting Officer, Doug Bull, 210/731-4210. TRW is under contract with the Air Force Air Logistics Command at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, Texas, to investigate the availability and suitability of a commercial off the shelf (COTS) hand-held sniffer (vapor detector) to detect the presence of JP-8 fuel as a percent of the fuel vapor lower explosive limits (LEL); as well as detecting oxygen levels. The sniffer will be used by Air Force personnel in inspecting, servicing and repairing airplane fuel tanks and fuel system components. The purpose of this Sources Sought is to ensure the Government has identified all viable candidates from which units to be used for testing will be determined. The vendor product(s) selected following a test program will be the leading candidates for any Air Force procurement in the future. REQUIREMENT - The requirements defined below are the basis for evaluating candidate COTS sniffers. SElection of candidate sniffers will be performed based upon those best meeting the aggregate of the requirements stated below. ACCURACY - Combustible Sensor. Must measure and display the percent LEL of JP-8 vapors over a range of 0% to 50% LEL with an accuracy of 2% LEL. Readings of %LEL may be corrected with a simple conversion chart if the unit is not readily capable of direct calibration to JP-8 vapors. Oxygen Sensor: Must measure and display oxygen concentrations from 4% to 25% of volume with an accuracy of 0.5%. ALARMS - (Sensors) Selectable and independent combustible gas ``maximum percent LEL'', and ``oxygen deficiency'' audible alarms must be provided. Explain how different alarm levels are set in your unit, over what range, and how many levels are possible. Are these selections possible by field personnel, or must they be made by a calibration facility or the manufacturer'' (Battery State) A positive indication must be given if the battery capacity drops to a condition that would render the sniffer inoperative in less than 15 minutes. (Sampling Test) The sniffer is intended to sample the combustible gas and oxygen continuously. It is necessary for the user to know that sampling is occurring. (Self-Test) An overall test to ensure the unit is operative must be provided. RESPONSE TIME - The sniffer should detect changes in percent LEL within 5 seconds of such changes. This requirement includes a probe of 15 feet in length, if used. REMOTE MONITORING - Explain your unit's capability for remote monitoring, including the effective distance and the process used (e.g., a probe powered by a pump). The requirement is two-fold: a) to detect hazardous conditions in remote areas of the fuel tank, and b) to ensure that an outside attendant is award of potentially hazardous conditions where the entry person is working. Specify if a remote alarm is available, and what, distance can the alarm be from the sniffer. OPERATIONAL TEMPERATURES - The sniffer should operate across a wide range temperature extremes; nominally from -18 degrees C to 52 degrees C. The vendor must state over what range its sniffer is qualified and, if less than this noted range, can it be reasonably increased to meet this requirement. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS - (Hand-held Size) The sniffer must be reasonably carrier in one hand. (Accessories) Accessories that are to be carried with the sniffer into a fuel tank (e.g., spare batteries, probes), must be easily carried in the entry person's pockets. (Carrying Case) The sniffer and accessories such as items required for calibration, must be easily stowed in a carrying case. The vendor should provide a description of its carrying case and contents. (Probes or Sampling Hoses) If a probe or hose is to be used to achieve remote sensing, the sniffer system must be capable of sensing at a distance of up to 15 feet. A 5 ft and 15 ft hose shall be provided, if applicable. (Hand-held Sniffer Weight) The sniffer itself should weigh less than 5 pounds. (Ruggedness) The sniffer should not require special handling or care to prevent inadvertent damage that would impair its operation. It must withstand normal handling and bumps. The vendor should provide a statement describing the shock and environmental qualification of its unit. DISPLAY AND OTHER INPUT/OUTPUT - The sniffer should have one or more displays to allow reading #LEL, oxygen %, battery status, and any other parameter necessary to calibrate or test the proper functioning of the unit. (Alarms) The ability to set, verify and monitor alarms must be provided according to that prescribed above. (Self-Test) The user must have a way to confirm proper sniffer operation in the field. CALIBRATION - The sniffer must be calibrateable to ensure correct accuracy in detecting the percent LELs and oxygen content. The unit must provide easy access to calibration inputs. The vendor shall provide a description of its calibration procedure, and the frequency of required calibration. Calibration gasses used must be NIST traceable. The vendor shall identify any calibration gas used. The vendor shall explain how its sniffer will be calibrated to record JP-8%LEL readings. RELIABILITY AND MAINTAINABILITY - The vendor shall provide data indicating sniffer Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and those parts which fail most frequently. Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) frequently replaced/repaired parts shall also be provided, along with the cost of those parts. BATTERY POWER - The sniffer should be operable using battery power providing a minimum capability of 8 hours continuous operation. The vendor shall indicate how many batteries are required, what type, whether a battery charger is required, is the battery charger internal or external to the sniffer, and whether rechargeable batteries can be readily replaced by the user. SENSORS - Failure rate and/or limited shelf-life of the oxygen and combustible sensors are a major motivation of this procurement. The vendor must provide a description of their sensor technologies, the principles of operation to detect the presence of specific gasses and guaranteed shelf-life. The vendor must also provide the cost and mean time to replace the sensors. Sensors must have an operational life of at least 6 months, a shelf-life of at least 1 year from receipt from the vendor, and/or be easily field replaceable and verified for correct operation. Normal operation is defined as continuous use for 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. VENDOR WARRANTY AND SUPPORT - The vendor must describe the ``all parts and labor'' warranty to be offered to the Government. In addition, the vendor shall specify the number of years the vendor will commit to provide spare parts, manuals, and repair when purchased by the Government. Provide cost options to extend these periods. The vendor must also define the Operational and Maintenance Manuals and Illustrated Parts Breakout (IPB) documentation available. SAFETY - The sniffer should be certified as intrinsically safe for use in Class I, Division 1, Group A/B/C/D areas. Any other safety information must be provided by the vendor, specifically identifying any use limitations. ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITATIONS - The vendor must certify that the sniffer is designed to be non-corrosive and non-reactive with fuels, aircraft metals, and solvents. Any other environmental limitations must also be delineated. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION - Proposed candidate sniffers should be submitted to TRW Strategic Systems Div., 4243 Piedras Dr East, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX, 78228, Attn: Doug Bull; by 07 Feb 96. Proposals shall respond to the requirement stated above, plus respond to the following items: 1) Would your firm be willing to loan your recommended sniffer(s) for test and evaluation purposes, along with appropriate documentation and accessories? If a loan is not possible, what would be the cost to procure? 2) The need for test hardware will probably be from mid-February, 1996, through mid-April, 1996. Is this time-frame supportable to provide the unit(s)? How much lead time is required prior to our need date? 3) There is no obligation to provide test results to any vendor: does this affect your decision to loan or sell us a unit? 4) Have you calibrated your unit to JP-8? If not, do you have plans to do so? And when? 5) a concern exists over the operational versus shelf life of the oxygen and combustible sensors used. Please define these separately, if possible. Also, describe the technology used in these sensors and what limits their effective life. Finally, define your GSA price and/or production price, assuming a 1,000 unit buy, for the monitor, carrying case, remote alarm, remote sampling equipment for a distance of 15 feet including electric pump, batteries, battery charger, and calibration kit. (023)

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