366 CONS/LGCS, PO Box 4037, 366 Gunfighter Ave, Suite 498, Mountain Home AFB, ID 83648-4037

C -- ARCHITECT AND ENGINEERING SERVICES, DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION AND TEST OF A BI-LEVEL AIRCRAFT LOADING SYSTEM (BALS) SOL F10603-00-RFI-001 DUE 041700 POC Mike Conner, Contracting Officer, (208) 828-6477, email, mike.conner@mountainhome.af.mil WEB: Mountain Home AFB Air Force Expedtionary Battlelab, http://www.mountainhome.af.mil/aefb/. E-MAIL: click here to contact the AEFB POC via email, robert.wertz@mountainhome.af.mil larry.vaught@mountainhome.af.mil. F10603 00-RFI-001 Engineering Support for the Development, Fabrication, and Test of a Bi-level Aircraft Loading System (BALS). THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE AVAILABLE. The Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab (AEFB) is planning to conduct an Initiative which will evaluate the feasibility and advantage of a Bi-level Aircraft Loading System (BALS). This system should operate as a simple drive-on drive-off system facilitating two level loading of this equipment/pallet position onto military airlifters (C-5, C-130, C-17). The AEFB has determined that a two level loading system is achievable and could offer an advantage in transporting cargo which is under full height. Given that capability, military airlifters could be two level loaded to maximize the vertical dimension without exceeding current airlift height and weight restrictions. The AEFB is simultaneously interested in similar Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) products which could be adapted for this purpose. The AEFB is interested in feedback from industry representatives who would be interested in providing engineering and fabrication support to finalize preliminary design currently available, and to produce and certify an operational prototype item for this Initiative demonstration. The objectives of this Initiative include demonstrating a system to load two levels of equipment not exceeding 102" in loaded height that will (1) support a maximum allowable weight per pallet position with a 60% lower, 40% upper distribution, (2) satisfy Military Airlift G-load requirements when loaded, (3) facilitate roll-on, roll-off equipment loading for both levels, (4) incorporate integrated tie downs on both levels, (5) compatible with existing equipment and loading systems, (6) require minimal upkeep, and (7) compatible with existing pallets. It is requested that information be submitted NO LATER THAN 17 APRIL 2000 to MSgt Larry Vaught, Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab, 360 Gunfighter Ave, Suite 1, Mountain Home AFB, ID83648. MSgt Vaught can be reached at (208) 828-3518. Respondents are notified that a formal solicitation MAY NOT necessarily result from this RFI. Any comments provided may or may not be included in a formal solicitation. The USAF WILL NOT PAY for any information received in response to this RFI nor will the USAF compensate any respondent for any costs incurred in developing the information provided to the AEFB. The USAF will not release any information marked with a Proprietary legend, received in response to this RFI to any firms, agencies, or individuals outside the USAF without written permission in accordance with the legend. Any and all responses shall be appreciated. Posted 03/16/00 (W-SN435351). (0076)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0022 20000320\C-0005.SOL)