SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Request for Information - Non Destructive Testing for Helicopter Sling Load Slings
- Notice Date
- 4/15/2011
- 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-NFTHSL
- Response Due
- 5/16/2011
- Archive Date
- 7/15/2011
- 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 Research Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) in Natick, MA, is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) for White Papers on methods to conduct non-destructive testing of ropes and cords, more specifically the ropes used for helicopter sling load slings, to identify if environmental effects such as sand, dust, UV, temperature, usage, ect have damaged the core or rope beyond working levels. The inspection method(s) must identify both internal and external damage without causing additional damage to the system. The diameter range for the test samples will range between 1/4 inch to 3 inches. Recent deployments have demonstrated the susceptibility of textile slings and pendants to damage due to particulate ingestion, especially sand penetration in desert environments. During storage, transport and usage, particulates such as sand have been shown to work their way into the core of textile slings. Helicopter sling legs are used to suspend loads externally under the helicopter and pendants are used to extend the distance between the sling set and the helicopter. These textile materials are susceptible to environmental degradation compounded by the blowing sand generated by helicopter rotor wash. Once particulates are present in the core, particulates will cause microscopic abrasions to the sling's internal filaments. This is significant because the sling's core provides the majority of its strength and damage is often severe. The visual signs are microscopic and internal to the sling making inspection nearly impossible. All interested firms, regardless of size are encouraged to submit a White Paper to NSRDEC in accordance with NSRDEC Broad Agency Announcement 09-11 which can be found at https://www3.natick.army.mil/ssbaa.htm. Proprietary information will not be disclosed outside the U.S. Government. Nothing shall be construed herein or through the RFI process to commit or obligate the Government to further action as a result of this RFI. Firms responding to this RFI 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. Responses shall be submitted by 16 May 2011 and may be sent via email to marc.tardiff@us.army.mil or by regular mail to US Army RDECOM, Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center, RDNS-WPA-T (ATTN: Marc Tardiff), Kansas Street, Natick, MA, 01760, Telephone (508) 233-5947, Fax (508) 233-5000. An alternative point of contact (POC) is Mrs. Christine Charette Christine.charette@us.army.mil, (508) 233- 4257.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/62ee2b4317486aaa81c037bd32346f50)
- Place of Performance
- Address: RDECOM Warfighter Protection & Aerial Delivery Directorate ATTN: RDNS-WPA, Building 3, Kansas Street Natick MA
- Zip Code: 01760-5017
- Record
- SN02426075-W 20110417/110415234649-62ee2b4317486aaa81c037bd32346f50 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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