REQUEST FOR INFORMATION-TO DETERMINE SOURCES AND REFINE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN AIRBORNE FIRE FIGHTING SYSTEM (AFFS) FOR C-130 E/H/J AND J30 AIRCRAFT This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) by the Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture to determine sources and refine requirements for an Airborne Fire Fighting System (AFFS) for C-130 E/H/J and J30 aircraft. The Forest Service (in cooperation with the Air National Guard, Directorate for Acquisition) intends to procure a replacement for the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS). The market informaiton gained as a result of this RFI will help define system requirements and the acquisition plan. For the purposes of the RFI, no constraints on AFFS system configuration are levied except as noted in the following requirements. The system can be modular or semi-fixed (piece parts permanently installed). Interagency Airtanker Board (IAB) criteria shall apply to all aspects of the AFFS including controls in the cockpit and retardant coverage levels. The aircraft shall be convertible from the military transport configuration to the AFFS configuration or from the AFFS configuration to the military transport configuration. The goal is for the aircraft to be convertable in four hours by four people or less. All AFFS above deck subsystems shall be removable from the aircraft. Permanent mounts and modifications shall neither interfere with the 463L cargo handling system nor permanently disable its use. The cargo compartment floor shall maintain its seat mounting point, "D" rings, and full cargo carying capacity (floor loading). Any modifications to the aircraft shall not effect the military mission of the aircraft. Systems such as pressurization, radar defensive or flair dispensing systems shall remain active and non-compromised. Any tie downs required to support AFFS during operation shall not hinder exits or walkways. Interested parties should comment on the units interface with the C-130J particularly addressing Center of Gravity (CG) issues. AFFS shal be capable of delivering, at a minimum, 3,000 gallons of retardant, however, if feasible the unit should be developed with a 4,000 or more gallon capacity. When loaded with retardant, maximum unit weight shall not exceed 42,000 pounds. AFFS shall be able to measure the retardant load at all times. If AFFS uses compressed air, the compressor shall be an on-board self contained unit. It shall be able to "recharge" the system (able to discharge fire retardant) with 30 minutes or less of compressor running time. There shall be no restriction on the charging system during flight, landing, takeoff, or taxiing. Prolonged exposure to standard United States Forest Service approved fire retardants shall not damage AFFS. No special ground equipment will be required during servicing (i.e., air compressors). AFFS shall be designed to function with the cargo ramp in the up position. The goal is to eliminate retardant spray back into the aircraft during the drop. Any pressurized compartments containing fire retardant shall be leak proof. Contaminated air (air in a pressurized tank that comes in direct contact with the fire retardant) cannot be vented into the aircraft. No connections of retardant carrying components will be required with retardant in the unit. Controls to actuate all functions of the AFFS are required both in the cockpit and at the unit for loadmaster operation. An emergency dump function shall be provided. This shall be guarded. The emergency dump must be able to empty the system within 6 seconds from actuation. AFFS shall be able to provide coverage levels from 0.5 gallons of retardant per 100 square feet (coverage level 0.5) to 8 gallons per 100 square feet (coverage level 8). The goal is to provide 10 gallons per 100 square feet (coverage level 10). The minimum drop speed for AFFS shall be 120 kts and it shall be able to drop its entire load in one drop. AFFS shall be able to provide multiple incremental drops. Incremental drop capability shall conform to Interagency Airtanker Board standards. Seats shall be available in the rear compartment adjacent to AFFS controls. The unit shall be stored on it's own trailer-like facility. The trailer for the system shall be transportable in a C-130. If AFFS is modular or has modular parts, a C-130 compatible 2,000 lb. forklift shall be able to handle the pieces. Interested parties shall comment on the compatibility of the AFFs to dispense insecticides, herbicides, chemical decontaminants or chemicals for dispersing oil slicks. A maintenance and inspection program shall be developed for the AFFS to ensure continued proper operation and air worthiness. Daily, weekly, monthly (during daily operations), and annual maintenance, inspections, and cleaning shall be specified as required. User manuals shall be furnished to include maintenance manuals, wiring diagrams, parts breakouts, and set of blueprints. Interested parties shall suggest a spares package. Spare parts shall be readily available with proprietary parts minimized. Off-the-shelf parts shall be used as much as possible. Interested parties capable of producing an AFFS, which meet or exceed the above requirements shall provide a Statementof Capability (SOC) that demonstrates the existing capability to produce, modify and sustain the system and subsystems, as described above; and a description of system capabilities. The SOC shall be unclassified and the information submitted should be pertinent to, and identify system capability as related to the technical effort requested above. No solicitation exists at this time and the Forest Service does not intend to award a contract on the basis of thsi RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. The SOC is limited to 25 pages in Office 97 Word or Power Point format and must be received not later than August 20, 1999. E-MAIL: rwillis/wo,nifc@fs.fed.us, pmarkowitz/wo,nifc@fs.fed.us. Posted 07/09/99 (W-SN352566).

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