17 -- Patient Loading System

The 77th Aeronautical Systems Group is seeking information from sources that can provide a replacement for the current Air Mobility Command (AMC/SGXL)Patient Loading System. The replacement PLS will interface between ground medical transportation high deck aircraft (KC-135 and KC-10) and Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) aircraft (B-767 and DC-10 airframes). The replacement PLS should have as a minimum the following characteristics and capabilities: 1. Capable of onload/offload litter and ambulatory casualties 2. Motorized or hand-crank raising/lowering of platform to meet aircraft doorways for the KC-135, KC-10, and CRAF B-767 and DC- 10 airframes. 3. System must have an extension rails that buttress the plane while loading/unloading 4. System must have a bumper pads built-in to top door rail to protect plane from potential buttress damage. 5. Support maximum payload capacity of 2000 lbs distributed with a safety factor of 4 6. Modular to accommodate rapid setup and tear down 7. Must be able to be assembled/disassembled (including unpacking/packing from/in container) within 4 hours using four (4) personnel 8. Must be able to operate during inclement weather (wind/rain/snow) 9. Must be able to withstand 50 knots (58 MPH) of wind 10.Wheels must be durable to industry standard, made of long-life material capable of maneuvering over rough surfaces. 11.Must be able to be towed by standard-use flightline vehicle 12.System must have a locking mechanism when it's in-use/in-place 13.Stackable transport containers under 90" high by 100" long. 14.Transport containers and equipment have outside storage capability with no degradation to asset 15.Capable of long-term outdoor storage with no degradation 16.Low maintenance 17.Simple and safe 18.Minimal production cost The purpose of this document is to identify potential sources for the replacement PLS. This is NOT a Request for Proposal, Invitation for Bid, or any announcement of a solicitation. This RFI is for planning purposes only, and there is no intention to award any contract based on this RFI. The Government will not compensate any interested party, firm, or individual that may choose to provide a response to this RFI. An appropriate Request for Proposal (RFP) process may follow at the appropriate time, but is not necessarily linked directly to the questions and responses generated in this RFI. For submissions to be considered,developers/sponsors must supply responses and information electronically (.doc or .pdf format) to gary.wellman@brooks.af.mil by 1700 hrs, August 20, 2007. Telephonic responses will not be accepted. Alternatively, media may be mailed to 77th Aeronautical Systems Group, 7980 Lindbergh Landing, Brooks City-Base TX 78235-5119, ATTN: Captain Gary Wellman. The Government recognizes that proprietary data may be part of this effort. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary and present it as an addendum to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified information. Information will be safeguarded in accordance with applicable Government regulations. The Government reserves the right to selcet one, some, or none of the submission for further investigation. Submissions shall not exceed twenty (20) 8.5 X 11 inch, single sided pages per product. Vendors who submit packages do so with the understanding that U.S. Government personnel as well as their support contractors will review the material and data. Respondents will not be contacted regarding their submission or information gathered as a result of this notice nor the outcome of the Government's review of the solicited information.