81-- Triple Container (TriCon) System

Request for Information (RFI) Joint TriCon Refrigerated Container System (JSRCS) 30 June 2010 INTRODUCTION: The DOD Combat Feeding Directorate is planning to conduct a research and development effort to design, fabricate, test and document the next generation advanced refrigerated Triple Container (TriCon) system starting in November 2010. The JSRCS system may replace the current generation of CSC certified rigid walled, non-expandable TriCon Refrigerated Container Systems. The JSRCS developmental effort is planned to be conducted by the DOD Combat Feeding Directorate (CFD), Systems Equipment and Engineering Team (SEET). This announcement constitutes an RFI notice for planning purposes and is intended for the development of research efforts in support of the Natick Solider Research development and Engineering Command (NSRDEC) Combat Feeding Program. Responses to this RFI are optional. This is NOT a Request for Proposals. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS EXIST AT THIS TIME. This RFI does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that NSRDEC will take procurement action in this matter. Neither NSRDEC nor the Government will be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing this information. GENERAL BACKGROUND: The remote locations of Army and Air Force Base Camps (BCs) and Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) creates significant challenges for the logistics support of safely storing group rations and other temperature sensitive items. These BCs/FOBs are currently heavily dependent on long-distance deliveries of significant quantities of food and water. Convoy routes through unsecured areas are frequently hazardous and transport is always expensive. The delivered cost of fuel and water can easily total ten to a hundred times its original purchase price. The Army and Air Force are in the process of initiating steps towards rapidly improving the capabilities to receive and safely store perishable rations in Base Camps and Forward Operating Bases. Some of the goals include decreasing the transportation footprint, fuel consumption and re-supply requirements while increasing the available volume, reliability, maintainability, reparability, supportability and improving efficiency of field refrigeration systems. OPERATIONAL CONCEPT: The JSRCS will be transported into theater via traditional ground, sea, or rail systems currently designed to move ISO containers. JSRCS units can be coupled to other refrigerated TriCons, dry freight TriCons or other JSRCS units for transport or moved singularly. Once on location, the JSRCS can be expanded and loaded with both refrigerated and/or frozen rations. A single refrigeration unit will provide stand alone dual temperature capabilities. A simple movable/removable insulated partition will be used to separate the different temperature controlled spaces within the JSRCS allowing the user to configure the load as necessary and support safe thawing. It will be used in remote areas to support field feeding of expeditionary base camp operations. Its compact size and modularity allows for ease of transport and deployment by each Service and will support all of the expeditionary kitchen systems that are fielded or in development. The JSRCS will also be required to serve as a temporary field mortuary for the Air Force. SPECIFIC INFORMATION OF INTEREST: The JSRCS is expected to meet the majority of the current TRCS performance requirements listed in MIL-PRF-32335 (See Attached) with the following additional characteristics/capabilities: " Expandable walls that quadruple (~1200 cu. ft.) the current usable internal volume of the TRCS/TriCon when deployed while still maintain the same volume and structural capabilities as the current TRCS or dry freight TriCon in the transportation mode. CSC certified for 9 high stacking, MGW equal to 24,200 pounds. A tare weight of less than 10,000 pounds is required, less than 8,000 pounds is desirable. " Transported in the stowed position as a standard TriCon. " Advanced Insulation to provide state of the art thermal efficiency ((airtight, watertight thermally efficient design (good overall heat leakage coefficient)) " Efficient and Reliable refrigeration system capable of providing thermal control in ambient temperatures ranging from -25F to +125F. The JSRCS must also be easily maintainable, repairable, reliable, cost effective and sustainable. " Simultaneous dual temperature capabilities where refrigerated and frozen perishable and other temperature sensitive product will be stored. " Electric driven with options for standalone operating capabilities " Options for thermal control coatings " Cost less than three JSRCS combined (~$25K each). The Objective is less than $50K, the Threshold is less than $75K. " One JSRCS uses less power than three separate TRCS from the same external power source " Rapidly deployable Note: the JSRCS will be designed for base camp operations and will not be required to operate on the move or transport perishables in a temperature controlled state. CONTENT AND FORMAT OF ANSWERS AND TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTIONS: The electronic copy of responses is to be in Adobe Acrobat 9, Microsoft Word 2003, or Microsoft Word 2007 compatible format. The Government is requesting responses from industry to the following questions: 1. Which companies are interested in this project and if the JSRCS development is feasible and affordable using existing and mature technologies? 2. What your capabilities are to model, design, fabricate, document, test and support the JSRCS development process? 3. What does your company consider as the main technical, engineering and cost challenges and what are your initial thoughts/approaches to address those challenges? 4. What technologies will most likely be employed by your companies design? 5. What do you anticipated the R&D cost and production costs per unit will be with your proposed design? In addition to the questions listed above, the Combat Feeding Directorate in support of field feeding and field refrigeration technology requirements is interested in understanding the current available technologies, costs and challenges that could enhance the safe storage of perishable rations and other temperature sensitive items in Expeditionary Base Camps (BCs) or Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) engaged in combat operations. Specific areas of interest for this RFI include: 1) Structurally suitable and thermally efficient expandable containers, 2) advanced insulation systems, 3) Alternate refrigeration cycle and energy efficient heating and refrigeration systems, 4) Simultaneous Dual temperature refrigeration/freezing capabilities, 5) reflective and insulated coatings, and 6) stand alone operating capabilities (engine, photo voltaic, fuel cell, battery, etc&). Technologies of interest are those that would most rapidly and effectively enhance the safe storage of perishable rations to support Base Camps or Forward Operating Bases roughly the size of an Army Force Provider or Air Force Basic Expeditionary Air Field Resources (BEAR) camp. Information is requested in the form of brief technology descriptions. The Government anticipates the JSRCS developmental effort will be a partnership between CFD and multiple commercial vendors (expandable shelter Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), transport refrigeration OEM, insulation OEM, coatings OEM. etc.) NOTE: Please submit all pages as a single (.doc or .pdf) file. Name files in accordance with the following convention: Company Name, Product Name, Category QUESTIONS AND POINTS OF CONTACT: Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the following personnel: Paul Mandile NSRDEC Combat Feeding Directorate Systems Equipment and Engineering Team Code: RDNS-CFS 15 Kansas Street Natick, MA 01760 E-mail: contact@example.gov SUBMISSION DATE AND ADDRESS: Electronic responses to this notice are requested to be emailed to one of the following appropriate e-mail addresses no later than COB EST Tuesday, August 24, 2010. Earlier responses are encouraged. The subject line of the e-mail should follow the form JSRCS RFI: Company Name. NOTE: This RFI is issued for the purpose of determining market capability of sources and does not constitute an Invitation for Bid (IFB), a Request for Proposal (RFP), a Request for Quote (RFQ) or 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. All of the responses will remain confidential. Availability of any formal solicitation will be announced under a separate Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) announcement.