84--REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) Non-cable based Quick Release System (QRS) for use in load bearing tactical vest platforms.

This notice constitutes a Request for Information/Comment only, THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION; no award will be made for this effort at this time. The United States Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) and the Marines Corps Systems Command Program Manager- Infantry Combat Equipment (ICE) are requesting information regarding methodologies for a robust and ergonomically efficient Quick Release System (QRS) for load bearing tactical vest platforms in emergency situations without depending on a cable intermediary. Objective: To identify opportunities for research, development, commercialization and manufacturing of a durable, ambidextrous hand activated, four point QRS to enhance emergency doff performance of load bearing tactical vest and, increase Warfighter survivability in emergency situations, and withstand riggers of battlefield environment. General Information: A QRS is needed to ensure ability to doff the tactical vest in rare emergency situations analogous to water submersion and/or ensnarement in close courter environments. The QRS is only engaged in an emergency situation by the Warfighter or a rescue aide. The Warfighter should be able to adjust fit, don/doff the system into which it is integrated without activating the QRS and thus separating the components of the vest. Ultimately the QRS should not detract the Warfighter from mission objectives i.e. ability to carry a magnitude of 350 lbs of tension and withstand physical punishment and environmental extremes. The QRS shall be reusable. The Warfighter shall re-coupe system after emergency or practice activation without repairing, replacing, or fine tuning parts of the QRS. The process for coupling and deployment of the QRS should be intuitive to a point where the Warfighter is not required to undertake specialized training. Furthermore the QRS shall be self contained and not require Warfighter to utilize specialized tools for coupling, constant maintenance or emergency deployment. The time to assemble the QRS is between 10 seconds (objective) and 30 seconds (threshold) regardless of contents of Tactical vest and/or environmental conditions. Design of the system should factor the Warfighter wearing cold weather or chemical protective gloves specifically during assembly and deployment. The coupling points should be the same points used during normal donning and doffing procedures. To prevent an unintended activation, the QRS should account for a deliberately activated safety mechanism and/or design the trigger within a protected location. The location of the trigger is determined by ability for the hand and activating gesture to be ambidextrous. If QRS includes a pull gesture, it should take between 5 and 10 lbs of force in any direction and not require the Warfighter to fully extend arm. A methodology is needed in event that the QRS is damaged. Desired QRS should not reduce the performance of the Tactical Vest. The weight and thickness of the QRS should not cause pressure points or limit motion creating user discomfort. The total weight of the system should be .5 lbs (objective) and not exceed 1 pound (Threshold). Color of the QRS shall comply with outer carrier visual and near infrared requirements. Any exposed surface shall have a gloss no greater than 40 GU (gloss units ASTM D 523) Durability and safety to the Warfighter are important factors in design of the QRS. The QRS should not be constructed with materials that, if damaged, would cause injury to Warfighter. Materials of the QRS should not combust, explode, or produce a flaming melt drip nor give off a toxicological or electromagnetic radiation. System or components should not be magnetic. Components shall not contain sharp edges or foreign materials that during normal operation or if damaged would cause injury to user. The QRS should be robust in order to be activated after exposure to operational environment such as blunt impact, blast over pressure (up to 50 PSI), flame and thermal flux (will not melt drip from exposure), saltwater (non-corrosive after 2 hours of submersion), gasoline (not degrade after 2 hours of submersion), oil (in working order after 2 hours of submersion), high/low altitude, water submersion, fungus, and extreme climatic environments (temperature and humidity). In a battlefield situation medical personal need ability to quickly access a wounded Warfighter without completely removing the tactical vest and allow for quick reassembly for transportation. For developmental methods, estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for both the developmental material and the fabrication method or the material technology should also be included. All interested firms, regardless of size, are encouraged to respond to this RFI by submitting technology description, product literature, product potential, technical specifications, pertinent test data (including pictures and videos), cost, material safety data sheets (if applicable), product availability, product uses (past, present or future) and comments on performance. Responders are encouraged to provide an initial response NLT 30th April 2009. Proprietary information will not be disclosed outside the US Government. The Government will not pay for information and materials received in response to this RFI and is in no way obligated by the information received. Inclusion in this RFI or the resulting database does not constitute Government approval for any product. Technical POC for this matter is: Mr. Francisco J. Martinez contact@example.gov Please mail all submitted items to: Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center 16 Kansas Street Natick, MA 01760 Attn. Francisco J. Martinez D236