46 -- 46 - Individual Water Purifier System

The following Request for Information is issued for the purposes of updating market research and encouraging commercial companies to provide information on individual water purifiers. The Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) is seeking information for potential procurement of an Individual Water Purifier (IWP) system. The lack of potable water in tactical situations may require Marines to drink from whatever sources are available, risking disease or exposure to hazardous pollutants. The Marine Corps currently uses iodine tablets and a portable filtration system to purify water at the individual and small unit/team levels in remote locations where drinkable water cannot be supplied. The IWP system will provide an increased capability for the individual Marine to acquire potable water from potentially hazardous water sources in a tactical field environment, thus enhancing his survivability and effectiveness in combat. The Marine Corps? objective is to field a modular, upgradeable, man-packable system capable of removing and/or destroying contaminants of all types that Marines may encounter on the battlefield. An evolutionary block acquisition approach is envisioned, enabling the Marine Corps to exploit advantages of near-term capability solutions, while phasing mid- and long-term solutions as technology transfer evolves. The following ten requirements envision the end-state of the program. All the requirements are desired, but partial solutions will be sought after as a stepping-stone for the final end-state capability. First, all components of the system shall be compatible with present and future NBC suits and nozzles/check valves. The system will be compatible with all Individual Protective Equipment used by the Marine Corps. Second, the disinfectant components of the system shall weigh less than six (6) ounces (dry weight) and shall not impart a strong disinfectant residual taste (i.e., chlorine, iodine, bromine, etc.) in the finished water. This component shall be capable of treating all types of waterborne pathogens, to include: bacteria, viruses, and protozoan cysts. Third, the system shall be capable of treating 300 liters of water before requiring replacement of any elements (i.e., filters) or other major components. If batteries are required, batteries shall be commercially available and shall be included in the weight component weight limits identified above in requirement number two. Fourth, the water purification system shall be modular (to include the ability to alter its configuration through the addition or deletion of components to tailor its purification capabilities as required for each Marine?s situation or field location), upgradeable (able to incorporate future technologies), lightweight, durable, easy to maintain and clean, and man-packable. Fifth, the system shall be resistant to bio-film buildup or have an integral bio-film removal capability. Sixth, the system, when wet, shall be capable of sustaining freezing conditions and then maintain integrity upon thawing. Seventh, for fresh-water sources (not brackish or saltwater), the system shall have a capacity of two liters and weigh less than 24 ounces (dry weight), including the water container, container bag or backpack, and purification and disinfection components. Eighth, the modular system shall be easily separable. The fresh water purification and desalination parts are not only integratable, but also an optimized ?unit? or system as opposed to two separate pieces that are stuck together. For example, if the mission will not likely encounter brackish or seawater sources, then the desalination device shall not be required as an integral part of the rest of the system. Ninth, the desalination device shall not weigh more than 24 ounces (dry weight) and shall be capable of producing one liter of purified, drinkable water in 15 minutes. Tenth, the system must be capable of removing and/or destroying contaminants from all types of water (fresh, brackish, and saltwater) to military and EPA standards. Contaminants include, but are not limited to: silt, clay, dirt, sand, mud, waterborne pathogens (including biological warfare agents), total dissolved solids (i.e. salt), etc. The system must remove and/or destroy most common pesticides, insecticides, and other organic materials. The Marine Corps is the lead agency for acquiring the IWP system and is seeking information on available COTS solutions and other non-COTS solutions. Firms capable of providing viable solutions are invited to submit responses to this notice to the Marine Corps Systems Command CTQ3DBR, ATTN: Doris Ragsdale, 3041A McCawley Avenue, Quantico, VA 22134 by COB 5 March 2003. Along with the name and description of each possible technology solution, applicable product literature, brochures, price lists, production capabilities, and training manuals involved, the Government asks that firms send the following information: (1) the status of current USEPA certifications for Microbiological Water Purifiers for the various types of technology solutions submitted, (2) the level or status of the technologies that are awaiting approval or the passing of protocol along with their specific timeline (i.e. 3 months, 6 months) for approval, (3) affirmation of product compliance with Technical Bulletin (TB) Medical (Med) 577, the Tri Service Water Standard, as the Government desires that the carriage reservoir of the water be NBC resistant to the current JSLIST standards, (4) a list of NBC agents tested along with their 24-hour permeation rates (mg/L), (5) a list of all bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) tested along with the respective log reductions for each, and (6) the name of the laboratory(ies) where testing was performed, if not performed in-house, along with the date(s) of testing. Additionally, capable firms are encouraged to provide three (3) test samples at no charge to be returned by MARCORSYSCOM after a 30-day evaluation period. Firms should refer questions to the Contract Specialist, Doris Ragsdale, at +1 (555) 000-0000 or contact@example.gov. All information submitted by each firm will be treated as proprietary, but will be shared with Sverdrup and Battelle following receipt of a non-disclosure agreement from each of these two companies. The Government does not intend to pay for or otherwise reimburse for information submitted in response to this notice.