This modification hereby extends the response date to April 13th, 2006.Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) of Patuxent River, MD is seeking information from potential sources for information and no cost product samples of commercially available, personal cooling systems; compatible survival vests and soft and hard plate body armor; hydration systems; and liquid waste management systems for US Navy and US Marine Corps Helicopter Aviators and Crew (from here on use of - Navy includes Marine Corps). This request is for INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. The minimum requirements for the equipment include (but are not limited to) the following: a. Sized and adjustable so that as few sizes as possible can provide a safe fit for the central 90% of the user population (military male and female aircrew ages 18-45) b. Does not pose a flame hazard. c. Durable to withstand the Naval aviation environment, requiring little or no maintenance, and repairable with commercially available materials d. Compatible with standard US Navy Aviation Life Support Equipment and Helicopter Aircraft cabin spaces. e. Does not pose a snag hazard while boarding, operating or evacuating an aircraft. f. Is not a visibility hazard. Hardware retention sufficient to avoid obstruction or other contamination hazard to moving aircraft parts. g. Low inherent buoyancy to allow unimpeded escape from a submerged helicopter. h. Does not pose an Electro Magnetic Interference or Electro Static Discharge hazard. i. Be low weight and low profile to allow full range of flight controls and allow unimpeded escape from downed aircraft. Specific requirements associated with the personal cooling system include (but are not limited to) the following: a. Effects decrease of body skin temperature and core temperature. b. No modification of aircraft would be preferred (i.e. mounting, power, etc.) c. Compatibility with survival vest and armor would be preferred (soft and hard panels). Specific requirements associated with the survival vest and body armor include (but are not limited to) the following: a. Full compatibility of the survival vest and armor would be preferred (soft and hard panels). b. Quick disconnect feature for hard plate to facilitate emergency egress from a submerged aircraft. c. Reconfigurable survival item stowage pockets would be preferred. d. Provide ballistic protection against .308 APM2 with a velocity of 2800 to 2900 fps. e. Integrated with new Snap-In extraction harness. f. Additional arm/leg/etc. protection components would be of interest (full ballistic protection requirement would not apply). Specific requirements associated with the hydration system include (but are not limited to) the following: a. Integration with and mounting on the survival vest would be preferred. b. Hands free operation. c. Capable of being sanitized. d. All product capacities (volume) available would be of interest, and samples are requested. e. Capability to integrate with a proven water purification system f. Constant wear and backpack/kit (stowed) versions to be considered. Backpack/kit would add stowage pockets for mission specific equipment. Specific requirements associated with the liquid waste management system include (but are not limited to) the following: a. Multiple use item would be preferred (multiple use both during the mission and multiple use after cleaning for subsequent missions.) b. Does not require removal of equipment or seat restraints to operate. c. Volume capacity of approximately 800 cc. Responses shall include all testing (with test method) that was performed during the product's development or post development. Test results and test method must be provided. Responses shall also include cost, maintenance and repair methods, sizing chart, fiber content, weight, instructions for use, and buoyancy data (with test method) if available. Unit cost; order leadtime; GSA schedule information; Material Data Safety Sheet(s); power requirements (if any); spare parts list (if any) and identification of components; and country of origin must also be included. If data is not available an explanation must be provided. One product sample shall be provided in each size commercially available. The product samples will be assessed to ensure that the design satisfies the US Navy requirements. Evaluation of product samples will take no longer than 12 months. Product samples will be returned, unless the product is destroyed during evaluation, only at the source's request and expense. Based on a review of industry response to the Sources Sought Synopsis, the Government will decide on an appropriate procurement strategy. The products offered under this sources sought will be evaluated as part of an aviation focus group, and baseline compatibility and fit assessments. Companies responding to this request for information should send all responses to DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, AIRCRAFT SUPPORT CONTRACTS DEPARTMENT (Air 2.5.1.3), ATTN: Terressa Bebout, Code 2.5.1.3.2.5, 21983 Bundy Road Unit 7 Bldg 441, Patuxent River, MD 20670-1127. Responses should be submitted by 13 April 2006. All correspondence shall reference the synopsis number 2513254671-206 on the mailing container and all enclosed documents. Interested companies should indicate whether or not they are a small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), or large business. Respondents must clarify if their firm can provide commercial or non-developmental items that could be modified, or the technology and expertise for development, to meet the Government's needs. Please address all technical questions to Tara Capecci, Code 4.6.7.1, (610) 746-3599. Proprietary information MUST be marked as such, on a page-by-page basis. This announcement is NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL nor does the Government intend to pay for any information/items submitted in response to this synopsis. This synopsis does not commit the Government to award a contract. This synopsis is for market research only and any procurement resulting from this announcement will be synopsized separately.
