SOURCES SOUGHT
99 -- Field Support Systems
- Notice Date
- 11/30/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 561990
— All Other Support Services
- Contracting Office
- ACC-APG - Natick (SPS), ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street, Natick, MA 01760-5011
- ZIP Code
- 01760-5011
- Solicitation Number
- W91GVY-OMNI-FSS
- Response Due
- 1/14/2013
- Archive Date
- 1/29/2013
- Point of Contact
- Terry, 5082335289
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC-APG - Natick (SPS)
(terry.k.kirkwood.mil@mail.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- 30 November 2012 Request for Information (RFI) Synopsis: 1. INTRODUCTION: This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) notice for planning purposes. This RFI notice is being issued for the purpose of assessing industries' current capabilities in providing operationally energy efficient equipment and combat service support capabilities for use by military services in various theaters of operations. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATIONFOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACTSHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS SYNOPSIS. Any information provided does not constitute a proposal, but will be considered an exchange of capabilities and ideas. Neither Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PM FSS) nor the Government will be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing this information. This RFI does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the PM FSS will take procurement action in this matter. 2. BACKGROUND: The Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PM FSS) develops, produces, and fields support systems for Soldiers. PM FSS has life cycle management responsibility for more than 45 ACAT III programs with a total budget in excess of $0.5B over the FY10-15 years. These programs provide direct and indirect life cycle support to soldiers in virtually any environment to include training, contingency and combat operations. The programs are organized into four different product lines: Field Feeding Equipment/Field Services Equipment, Shelter Systems, Cargo Aerial Delivery Systems, and Force Provider. They provide a broad range of soldier sustainment capability that ensures soldiers have the proper living conditions, nutrition, supply, hygiene, and clean clothing, resulting in improved combat effectiveness. 3. PURPOSE: The purpose of this RFI is to assess and obtain the most contemporary and readily available equipment and capabilities that will enhance the combat effectiveness and quality of life for the Soldier by providing equipment, systems, and technical support to sustain and improve the environments in which they live, train, and operate. Information is requested in the form of brief product descriptions. 4. DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTS SOUGHT SHELTERS AND LIFE SUPPORT CAPABILITIES FOR CONTINGENCY BASING 1)Shelter Systems a. Lightweight, rigid wall, mobile, thermally insulated structures which include energy efficient heating and/or cooling systems, energy efficient electrical systems and can be either a single unit or ability to complex multiple units to provide open/office space in various configurations with a minimum interior height of seven feet providing a minimum of 600 sq ft of floor space up a maximum footprint of 2000 sq ft. b. Insulative, shielding, rigid shelter panel capabilities that minimize the acoustic and thermal signatures. c. Super-insulative panels for rigid wall shelters. d. Bonding techniques that guarantee long-lasting shielding continuity and integrity at seams and cutouts of rigid wall shelters. e. High permeability and high conductivity structural composites that provide EMI/EMP shielding. f. EMI/EMP gasket with improved mechanical properties and performance in field environment. The gasket should not be subject to compression set and should require minimal to no cleaning. g. Lightweight, high strength, low-cost, rigid panels for expandable rigid wall shelters. h. Highly expandable rigid wall structures with expansion ratio of 12 or higher. i. Improved expandable rigid shelter design for expandable shelters which reduce the number of personnel needed, and/or reduce the amount of time required to set up and tear down. j. Lightweight, soft wall, expeditionary, thermally insulated tents which include energy efficient heating and/or cooling systems, energy efficient electrical systems and can be either a single tent or ability to complex multiple tents to provide various configurations with a minimum interior height of seven feet providing a minimum of 600 sq ft of floor space up a maximum footprint of 2000 sq ft. k. Low bulk and low cube insulative liners for tentage that may utilize active methods of membrane dispersion to produce dead air space and high insulation. l. Functional treatments of tentage fabrics that produce reduced effects from solar loading. m. Functional treatments that reduce or eliminate mold and mildew. n. Functional treatments that incorporates insecticides into coatings/finishes of materials used in the fabrication of tent systems. o. Flame retardant fibers and fabrics that maintain mechanical strength, wear, and weather resistance for materials used for tentage applications. p. Lightweight rigid shelter panels and/or structures effective against ballistic threats with the capability of localized/variable protection; applying protection only where critically needed and to the level needed. q. High strength, lightweight, flexible, and affordable ballistic resistant fibers, fabrics or fabric composites for tentage (flexible, thin, abrasion resistant). r. Concepts and systems capable of providing active and passive force protection systems that decrease both deployment time and manpower requirements and are interoperable with situational awareness capabilities. s. Lightweight, low-cost, rigid and flexible shelter treatments that reduce visual, IR and radar signatures. t. Capabilities related to the maturation of inflatable structures that carry high loads, are reliable and affordable. Related topics include the development of rapid airbeam inflation systems; and capabilities for long term deployment of airbeam structures, such as alternative inflation substances, and rigidifying. u. Self-erecting tents and rigid shelters utilizing novel capabilities such as shape memory materials and phase change materials. v. Capabilities that improve shelter soil/structural interfaces in world-wide environments to include soil stabilization and improved anchoring techniques. w. Soft wall shelters that can become rigid with application of external stimulus, using reversible rigidizing polymers. x. Integration of multiple shelter capabilities (ballistic/detection avoidance/EMI/EMP/CB). y. Integration of multiple shelter capabilities to demonstrate a shelter complex that provides multiple survivability capability integral with the system's components, along with rapid deployment. z. New capabilities that will benefit shelter electrical systems such as high efficiency lighting, power management and field photovoltaic systems. 2) Renewable Energy a. Renewable energy generation/storage systems and conservation capabilities applicable to expeditionary base camps. b. Energy Storage to increase the fuel efficiency of 150-soldier Expeditionary Base Camps (EBC) using a microgrid to connect 60 KW and 30 KW Military generators in a ring bus configuration. c. Power Transmission capability to allow efficient sharing of power between 150-soldier EBC microgrids. d. Power transmission capability to allow energy efficient harvesting of renewable energy located outside of the Expeditionary Base Camp. The size, weight, energy loss, and cost of extending local renewable energy wiring solutions to renewable energy arrays located up to 1000 ft away ( quote mark Outside the wire quote mark ) is prohibitive. e. Renewable Energy Power Transmission from Outside the Expeditionary Base Camp. The renewable power transmission capability must either connect to: (1) 208 /120 VAC three phase power systems with single phase systems providing a way to mitigate load imbalances, or (2) DC power bus of the Expeditionary Energy Storage System or a renewable quote mark Balance of System quote mark (BOS). f. Increase the efficiency of power distribution system by seamlessly correcting load imbalances in the 208 /120 VAC three phase power system used in Expeditionary Base Camps. g. Capability to connect an array of renewable energy sources (Wind, Solar, etc) into the power distribution system of an Expeditionary Base Camp. h. Solar Energy. To allow the greatest range of solar capabilities, we are seeking capabilities that approach or exceed a SWaP-C of $2.2/watt for a module, panel, or parabolic reflector (or other unit) under quote mark industry standard quote mark conditions. The cost only includes the cost of module, not the Balance of System (BOS), or interconnection between modules. A Solar system, in addition to functioning with its own BOS, must be able to readily connect to array of solar systems and interface with a central Energy Storage system or an distributed network of Energy Storage systems. i. Wind Energy. To allow the greatest range of solar capabilities, we are seeking capabilities that approach or exceed a SWaP-C of $1.3/watt per turbine under quote mark industry standard quote mark conditions. The cost only includes turbine, not the Balance of System (BOS), or erection kits. A Wind system, in addition to functioning with its own BOS, must be able to readily connect to array of wind systems and interface with a central Energy Storage system or a distributed network of Energy Storage. 3) Heating/ECU Equipment a. Energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units for military shelter systems (including collective protection) b. Energy efficient reusable energy and DC powered environmental control units for military shelter systems (including collective protection) c. Co/tri-generation capabilities d. Advanced combustion capability to allow the development of clean-burning, highly efficient, and safe multi-fuel fired heaters for the field. e. Advanced efficient heat transfer capabilities that will safely utilize all forms of generated/cogenerated energy (e.g., chemical, electrical, fuel combustion, etc.) for heating and cooling. f. Novel means of power generation (thermoelectric, thermophotovoltaics, solar, fuel cells, renewable energy etc) to allow heaters to be self-powered for operation in remote/isolated locations w/o need of tactical generators. g. Advanced multi-fuel combustion, heat transfer, and material capabilities to allow development of lightweight, compact, highly portable, general purpose hot water heaters for field use 4) Life Support/Habitability Capabilities a. Self-sufficient base camp capabilities to enhance sustainability, reduce manpower and logistics burden, increase habitability and to facilitate intuitive operation of base camp functions with regard to energy, water, and waste. b. Water reclamation and water generation capability demonstrated to reduce water resupply. c. Waste remediation systems with a demonstrated capability to safely reduce solid waste disposal. d. Waste to energy systems with a demonstrated capability to convert waste volume into energy. e. Modeling and simulation tools for contingency basing sustainment system design. f. Integrated hygiene and laundry system designs that are space and power efficient, maximize water reuse, and are self-cleaning to provide a healthy and habitable environment for the Warfighter. g. Scientific parameters for balancing Warfighter living conditions with physical/cognitive performance and logistical demands. AIRDROP - ADVANCED CARGO AIRDROP SYSTEMS 1) Cargo Aerial Delivery Products or Engineering Prototypes (Note: Engineering Prototypes may include vendor developed prototypes or build-to-government-print prototypes. a. Affordable precision guided cargo parachute delivery products or engineering system prototypes including decelerators for high altitude use in any weight range up to 42,000 pounds that augment or are adaptable to currently fielded Army Joint Precision Airdrop Systems (2,000 and 10,000 pound capabilities) and may include low cost, miniature guidance, navigation and control (GN&C) sub-systems or components such as sensors, avionics, control mechanisms, software, batteries and other power supplies. b.Parachute release products or engineering prototypes of load disconnect mechanisms or related components, to include but limited to, batteries, hardware components, or textile components for the purposes of disengaging parachutes from a payload following landing to include cargo airdrop loads rigged in containers or on platforms, rigged for high or low velocity impact, from low or high altitudes with rigged weights ranging anywhere from 200 to 60,000 pounds delivered from DOD cargo aircraft. c.Cargo recovery or extraction parachute products or engineering prototypes capable of extracting or recovering platform loads weighing anywhere in the range of 500-60,000 pounds to provide either low velocity or high velocity descent for either low or high altitude delivery from DOD cargo aircraft flying at airdrop speeds anywhere in the range from 90 to 250 knots indicated. d.Cargo airdrop platform products or engineering prototypes including, but not limited to, aluminum, combat expendable, composite, modular and hybrid systems capable of interface with DOD fixed wing cargo aircraft, capable of restraining and delivering cargo airdrop payloads weighing anywhere in the range from 200 to 60,000 pounds in a survivable condition for low velocity impact or high velocity impact. e.Cargo net or container products or engineering prototypes capable of restraining airdrop payloads anywhere in the range of 500-42,000 pounds to meet DOD cargo aircraft internal restraint criteria and capable of interfacing with cargo parachute recovery systems. f.Expendable, affordable cargo airdrop products or engineering prototypes adaptable to any of the range of currently fielded Army airdrop equipment (e.g., platform extracted airdrop, container delivery system airdrop, bundle airdrop, etc.) that incorporate low cost manufacturing methods to including, but not limited to automated construction techniques, automated packing, etc. g.Cargo airdrop rigging and de-rigging products or engineering prototypes that will reduce the rigging and de-rigging times for the full range of currently certified platform airdrop to include, but not limited to, alternatives to standard energy dissipation, load rigging and assembly procedures, platform restraint systems, etc. h.Helicopter Sling Load (HSL) and External Air Transportation (EAT) products or engineering prototypes that will reduce the need for ground personnel for hook-up, increase flight stability ranges for HSL items, or increase the flight envelope while not modifying the current airframes. i.Vendor supplied or developed operator or maintainer instructions (written or electronic interactive media) may be required for any of the above cargo airdrop products or engineering prototypes. j.Technical support such as trouble shooting, engineering change modifications, integration or adaption, flight test preparation, equipment training, etc., may be required for any of the above airdrop productions or engineering prototypes. COMBAT FEEDING EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS 1)Combat Food Service Equipment for Individual and Group Feeding a. Diesel/JP8 combustion capabilities including vaporization, atomization, and gasification (catalytic or otherwise) that are efficient, clean, reliable, and maintainable. b. Exothermic and endothermic chemical capabilities and thermoelectric capabilities for heating and chilling rations/beverages that is safe, efficient, compact and/or reusable. c. Heat transfer capabilities that will safely utilize all forms of generated/cogenerated energy (e.g., chemical, electrical, fuel combustion, etc.) for cooking, heating, and cooling rations and water. d. Refrigeration capabilities, or other methods for safely storing perishable foods, that operate with minimum expenditure of energy and limited weight/space demands for all modes of transport, storage, and distribution of perishable subsistence in the field. e. Equipment capabilities for safely thawing cases and pallets of frozen foods. f. Methods and equipment to determine real-time biohazards in foods. g. Material capabilities for new structural and insulative materials appropriate for food service equipment that provide improved durability, strength, energy efficiency, and cost. h. Equipment and systems capabilities to reduce or recycle food service waste and/or to assist in efficient, safe waste handling and disposal in the field in an environmentally acceptable manner. i. Food equipment sanitation capability that reduces the logistics of cleaning and sanitizing cookware by reducing water, reducing fuel required to heat water, treating and recycling the water, novel disinfectants and sanitizers, or other forms and processes for waterless sanitation. j. Equipment capabilities to ensure the sanitary protection of food and beverages during assembly, preparation, service, and distribution in the field, and systems concepts for efficient and effective cleaning and sanitation of field feeding equipment. k. Novel power supplies for efficiently and effectively producing/storing, and/or providing electric power to operate field feeding equipment, including consideration of such factors as size, weight, cost, reliability, safety, maintainability, useful life, and environmental factors. l. Equipment capabilities, novel methods, and devices for heating food and chilling water on aircraft and in vehicles. m. Equipment capabilities that offer improvements in baking, roasting, steaming, boiling, simmering, and grilling. n. Equipment and capabilities to reduce cooking, cleaning, and maintenance labor in Navy ship galleys. o. Automated Information Systems, Radio Frequency Identification, and sensors for food service equipment and systems to include wireless systems that support more efficient and effective food service operations. 2)Unit/Organization Equipment a. Advanced capability to allow the exploratory development of diesel/jet fuel-fired clothes dryers, microwave clothes dryers, and water heaters suitable for field use. b. Advanced combustion capability to allow the exploratory development of clean-burning, efficient, and safe multi-fuel fired non-powered heaters for the field. This includes both space heaters and immersion heaters for water. ( quote mark Non-powered quote mark means that no external electrical power is required for operation.) c. Advanced water treatment capabilities to allow the safe re-use or disposal of waste water from field showers, laundries, and latrines. d. Capability to produce low-cost, high efficiency, lightweight equipment for heating, ventilating, uniform heated/cooled air distribution, and conditioning for tentage applications (including collective protection). e. Novel and exploratory concepts to effectively and reliably identify, process, preserve, and safely transport (including air transport) human remains including NBC contaminated human remains from the battlefield. f. Novel and exploratory concepts to provide non-powered field lighting using liquid fuels such as diesel and jet fuel. g. Advanced small capacity multi-fuel combustion, heat transfer, and material capabilities to allow development of lightweight highly portable general purpose hot water heaters for field use. h. Advanced laundry capabilities for reducing the use of detergents and water over existing systems. i. Advanced capability for the development of lightweight, modular, deployable field latrines and advanced methods of treatment and disposal for human waste from latrines in the field. j. Advanced capability for developing a lightweight, portable incinerator that will provide a safe, economical, and environmentally sound means of disposing of waste products (including human wastes) generated during military operations. k. Advanced capability to allow development of compact, portable, lightweight shower units for use by soldiers on initial entry into theaters of operation. l. Novel means of power generation (thermoelectric, thermophotovoltaics, solar, fuel cells, renewable energy etc) to allow field service equipment such as heaters, showers and laundries, to be self-powered for operation in remote/isolated locations w/o need of tactical generators. m. Novel concepts in field furniture that will reduce the logistics burden, be easily deployable and lightweight, rugged, and enhance utility/effectiveness in the field. n. Novel waterless or low water cleansing capabilities for field showers and personal hygiene. o. Advanced capabilities to permit the development of innovative equipment identified in the functional areas above to better the quality of life for the soldier in the field. FORCE PROVIDER Typical constraints of all Force Provider requirements are: either configured into a, or capable of fitting into (for intermodal transport) an ISO Container (TRICON 8x8x6.5', BICON 8x8x10', or full sized container 8x8x20') weighing less than 10,000 lb and capable of withstanding the nine-high stacking requirement. Equipment must operate in temperatures ranging between -25 and +130, reduce resource consumption (water, fuel), limit waste generation (black and gray water, solid waste), support from 50 to 600 soldiers (male and female combination). a.Black water neutralization capability resulting in the ability to dump the resulting effluent onto the ground. b.Containerized solid waste disposal capability for camps ranging from 150 to 600 soldiers. c.Waste to energy conversion and storage for camps ranging from 150 to 3000 soldiers. d.Solar energy collection and storage with applications towards water heating and electrical storage. e.Energy efficient life support systems ranging from 50 to 600 soldiers. 5. CONTENT AND FORMAT OF PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS: The electronic copy of responses is to be in Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft Word 2007 or Adobe Acrobat 9 compatible format using a size 12 font with one inch margins. Following a review of the responses received, PM FSS may elect to request additional information, or schedule one-on-one meetings with some respondents to gain additional information about their proposed solution(s). 6. SUBMISSION - should include: a. A cover page labeled with the heading Energy Efficient Product Description, Including product name, the manufacturer, and manufacturer address, technical point of contact, telephone number, email address and at least one photograph of the end item. b. An executive summary describing how the product could enhance energy efficiency of a small base camp. c. No more than ten pages including: (1) Product technical description. Fully describe the product inclusive of all components. (i.e. number of walls, ceiling/roof, flooring system, power distribution system, lighting, windows, doors, if applicable stairs and platform when stacked.) (2) Narrative describing the energy efficiency of the product being demonstrated. (3) Product specifications with particular emphasis on quantitative metrics of energy consumption or savings over alternative solutions. Other specifications would include parameters such as dimensions, weight, capacities, input requirements, salient output capabilities, or other quantitative characteristics as appropriate. (4) Identify all tools and equipment required to set up and take down/pack. (5) Transportation requirements and limitations. (6) Manpower and time required to set up, take down and pack for transport. (7) Relevant history of product (or similar product) utilization. (8) Relevant test data, test reports. (9) Catalog price or rough estimate of unit cost. (10) Earliest availability for a product demonstration at no cost or risk to the Government. (11) Identify heat transfer coefficient for demonstrated product. (12) Describe your HVAC system detailing minimum BTU/H requirement for heating/cooling EES. (13) When the product is taken out of service what are the planned methods for disposal. Include any unique environmental or security requirements that must be considered for retiring or disposing of the product after its useful life. 7. PM FSS reserves the right to request additional clarifying information from each respondent. 8. SUBMISSION DATE AND ADDRESS: Electronic responses to this notice are requested to be emailed to terry.k.kirkwood.mil@mail.mil no later than Monday, January 14, 2013 5pm EST. The subject line of the e-mail should contain the words Omnibus Energy Efficient Product Description. Large files may be submitted on CD to the following address: US Army Soldier Systems Center ATTN: SFAE-CSS-FP-F (CPT Terry K. Kirkwood) 15 Kansas St. Natick, MA 01760 9. NOTE: This RFI is issued for the purpose of determining market capability of sources and does not constitute an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice. All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses may not include classified material. Responses to this notice will not be returned. No reimbursement will be made for any costs to provide information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests. Information contained herein is based on the best information available at the time for publication, is subject to revision, and is not binding upon the Government. Availability of any formal solicitation will be announced under a separate Federal Business Opportunities announcement.
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- Place of Performance
- Address: ACC-APG - Natick (SPS) ATTN: AMSRD-ACC-N, Natick Contracting Division (R and BaseOPS), Building 1, Kansas Street Natick MA
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Zip Code: 01760-5011
- Record
- SN02940410-W 20121202/121130234608-f5a047a78c3f0ccc80495af2531ef3ab (fbodaily.com)
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