DOT/VOLPE National Transportation Systems Center, 55 Broadway, Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02142

12 -- RETROFIT HFC-227EA (HEPTAFLUOROPROPANE) FIXED FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS ONBOARD ARMY WATERCRAFT SOL DTRS57-96-R-00017 DUE 100796 POC Kathleen Finn, Contract Specialist, (617)494-3485 or Anthony J. Flaherty, Acquisition Manager (617)494-2673. The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) is planning to retrofit HFC-227ea (Heptafluoropropane) fixed fire extinguishing systems onboard U. S. Army watercraft for protection of machinery, auxiliary machinery and flammable liquid storage spaces presently protected by Halon 1301 systems. In addition, water washdown systems shall be required to be installed in machinery spaces to aid in temperature and hydrogen fluoride gas reduction to expedite re-entry. There are five(5) classes of watercraft; 63 effected watercraft which have machinery spaces ranging in approximate volume from 76 cubic meters (2688 cubic feet) up to 1325 cubic meters (46,800 cubic feet) and flammable liquid storage spaces ranging in approximate volumes from 8 cubic meters ( 288 cubic feet) to 53 cubic meters ( 1870 cubic feet). This work initiative shall require the design and engineering, procurement, installation, and acceptance testing of first articles, development of technical documentation, supply of production kits, and optional tasks to perform cold agent discharge tests (first articles only), production installations, and supply of damage control team support equipment. In addition to the statement of work and specification requirements, the fire extinguishing systems shall be required to meet the listing requirements as stated in the National Fire Protection Association 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguising Systems, as appropriate for marine applications. System installations shall be conducted by a valid ''Master Agreement for Repair and Alteration of Vessels'' holder, refer to 48 CFR, Subpart 217.71. A pre-solicitation conference for the five(5) classes of watercraft is planned for August 26, 1996 and August 27, 1996 at Fort Eustis, VA. In order to submit a proposal, offerors must attend the pre-solicitation conference. A draft statement of work will be issued on or about July 19, 1996. Also, included will be the exact date, time and locations of the pre-solicitation conference. The solicitation is planned to be issued on or about August 30, 1996, with a proposal due date of approximately October 7, 1996. The contract will be a fixed price contract. The overall proposed period of performance is four(4) years with an additional one(1) year of inspection and servicing of the installed systems. Interested firms must respond to this notice in writing within fifteen days of publication. Telephonic requests will not be honored. For Minority, Women-Owned and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises: The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Small and Business and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), has a program to assist minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises to acquire short-term working capital assistance for transportation-related contracts. Loans are available under the DOT Short Term Lending Program (STLP) at prime interest rates to provide accounts receivable financing. The maximum line of credit is $500,000. For further information and applicable forms concerning the STLP, please call the OSDBU at (800) 532-1169. (0183)

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