9/18/36K BTU/H Improved Environmental Control Units (IECUs)

Synopsis: This is a Sources Sought Notice/Request for Information (RFI) in conjunction with an Industry Day notice for the U.S. Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Solicitation No. (PdM-FSS-IECU-RFI). The U.S. ACC-APG, Natick Contracting Division (NCD) on behalf of Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PdM FSS), located at the Natick Soldier Systems Center is conducting Market Research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Part (FAR) Part 10, in advance of a potential solicitation under Authority of FAR Part 15, for the 9/18/36K BTU/H Improved Environmental Control Units (IECUs). Product Manager, Force Sustainment Systems (PdM FSS) is conducting Market Research regarding industry's interest and capability to manufacture four variants of the IECUs; 9K BTU/H single phase, 18K BTU/H single phase, 18K BTU/H three phase, and 36K BTU/H three phase units. The Government intends to acquire all variants in accordance with (IAW) "build-to-print" Technical Data Package (TDP). This Sources Sought RFI is part of that market research, which may assist the Government in developing future procurement strategies. The 9/18/36K BTU/H IECUs will replace the current Military Standard (MIL-STD) Family of ECUs. The new Family of IECUs are designed to replace currently fielded ECUs in order to comply with statutory and regulatory restrictions on the use of Class II Ozone Depleting Chemicals (ODCs). The IECUs are intended to be form, fit, and function replacements for current MIL-STD Environmental Control Units (ECUs) and capable to interface with the broad range of shelter systems, field applications, and fielded power generation systems. A primary shortcoming of the existing (MIL-STD) ECUs is the outdated refrigerants required for operation. Current ECUs use ozone depleting hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC)-22 or Refrigerant (R)-22. This ozone depleting chemical has been regulated according to a specific schedule that prohibits the manufacture of devices that use R-22 after 1 January 2010, and bans R-22 use altogether by 1 January 2020 for servicing of existing equipment. Additionally, existing MIL-STD ECUs are increasingly unreliable due to age and are a burden on the Army logistics and training systems. The IECUs will replace the existing MIL-STD ECUs. The new IECUs are ozone friendly, have improved capability, and are easier to logistically support. The IECU is a compact, environmental control unit designed for the tactical military environment. The IECU is able to operate under extreme temperatures and is compatible with sensitive electronic equipment. The system has unique refrigeration circuits and controls to allow low-ambient cooling operation and to limit the inrush (extra power) of current during normal operation and system cycling. The unit also has protective circuits to prevent damage during periods of extreme conditions, and to limit functional damage in case of minor faults. The system is capable of being operated and maintained by Soldiers wearing the full range of protective clothing. The 9K BTU/H IECU operates on 115 VAC, single-phase, 50/60 hertz electrical power. The 18K BTU/H IECU is provided in two variants: The 18K BTU/H single phase IECU operates on 230 VAC, single-phase, 50/60 hertz; and, the 18K BTU/H three phase IECU operates on 208 VAC, 3-phase, 50/60 hertz electrical power. Any reference to 18K BTU/H IECU includes both 18K variants. The 36K BTU/H IECU operates on 208 VAC, 3-phase, 50/60 hertz electrical power. The palletized 9K, 18K, and 36K units are transportable by all modes of transportation. The reduced weight of the IECUs lessens the logistical and manpower burden compared to equivalent capacity legacy ECUs. Standard forklifts can be used to transport and position the 9K, 18K, and 36K units. The 36K unit is outfitted with lift points for positioning by crane assets. The 9K and 18K units are outfitted with handles and can be lifted/positioned manually with the appropriate number of personnel. All interested firms and manufacturers, regardless of size, are encouraged to respond to this RFI. Information submissions should include manufacturing capability and capacity to produce multiple variants of the IECU IAW Government supplied TDP, product literature and illustrations, relevant company background/experience, experience with configuration control, existing quality assurance program, ability to produce product support packages (e.g. updates to technical manuals, provisioning, safety, training, etc.), recent unit prices of similar products presented in the vendor's response to include proposed costs for 1-10, 50-100, and 250-500 systems, NAICS Code and whether or not vendor is a small business (include number of employees). RFI response submissions must be received NLT 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday 15, June 2016. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to the points of contact listed below. The subject line of all emails should include the words "9/18/36K BTU/H IECU Sources Sought Notice". All questions regarding this notice shall be submitted online by clicking the "Submit Feedback" button on the Industry Day Info Link provided in the additional information below. Questions submitted prior to the industry day may be answered online prior to the Industry Day, at the Industry Day. It is anticipated that all questions and answers in regards to this RFI and ID will be posted on or about 12 July 2016. The timing of the answers will be dependent upon the specifics of the questions. All information supplied will be considered confidential, unless otherwise specified or available from other sources without restriction. This Request for Information is for information and planning purposes only. This is not an Invitation for Bid (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be taken as a commitment by U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center. Technical Document Info: As part of this posting the draft 9/18/36 IECU Technical Data Package (TDP) will be provided along with the associated Technical Manuals (TM's). The TDP and TM's will be available at 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Wednesday 11, May 2016 on the Industry Day Info Link provided in the additional information below. Industry Day Info: As part of the market research the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, Product Manager, Force Sustainment Systems (PdM FSS), Natick, MA is planning on conducting an Industry Day as a follow on to the PdM FSS 9/18/36K IECU RFI Sources Sought Request/Market Research regarding industry's interest and capability to "build-to-print" four variants of the Improved Environmental Control Units (IECU); 9K BTU/H single phase, 18K BTU/H single phase, 18K BTU/H three phase, and 36K BTU/H three phase. This Industry Day is part of that market research, which may assist the Government in developing future procurement strategies. The IECUs have been designed to replace existing MIL-STD ECU systems of similar size that utilize older technology. PdM FSS invites vendors to participate in an Industry Day (ID) which will be hosted at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), Natick, MA on Tuesday, 21 June 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (EDT). The ID will consist of an IECU systems overview briefing and Question and Answer (Q&A) open forum. Registration for this event can be accomplished via the "Register for Industry Day" button which can be found by accessing the 9/18/36K BTU/H IECU Industry Day Info Link listed below under "additional information" or under the packages tab under this posting on FBO. Registration for the Industry Day will be open at 5:00 p.m. (EDT), Wednesday 18, May 2016 and close at 5:00 p.m. (EDT), Friday 3, June 2016. A period for online questions will be open for questions to be submitted from 5:00 p.m. (EDT), Wednesday 18, May 2016 through 5:00 p.m. (EDT), Thursday 30, June 2016. Important Dates: TDP & TM's Available: 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Wednesday 11, May 2016 Industry Day Registration Opens: 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Wednesday 18, May 2016 Online Question Submittal Opens: 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Wednesday 18, May 2016 RFI Responses Due: 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Wednesday 15, June 2016 Industry Day Map Available: 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Wednesday 25, May 2016 Industry Day: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (EDT) Tuesday, 21 June 2016 Online Question Submittal Ends: 5:00 p.m. (EDT) Tuesday 28, June 2016 Question & Answer Summary Available: 5:00 p.m. (EDT) on or about 12 July 2016 **Terms** The Industry Day (ID) agenda will consist of a system equipment overview briefing 8:00-8:30 a.m. (EDT), RFI overview briefing, Question and Answer (Q&A) open forum 8:30-9:00 a.m. (EDT), Static Systems Demonstration models available for viewing from 9:00-11:00 a.m. (EDT), and 11:00-12:00 p.m. (EDT) wrap up and questions and answer session. All questions regarding the industry day shall be submitted online by clicking the "Submit Feedback" button on the Industry Day Info Link provided in the additional information below. It is anticipated that the answers to questions during the Industry Day will be posted via attachment to the FBO posting and on the Industry Day Info Site 5:00 p.m. (EDT) on or about 12 July 2016. The equipment review shall consist of three focus areas. All attendees must report to Grant Conference Center located between Buildings #3 and #4 for check in. Each of the three review areas shall be manned by a Government Subject Matter Expert (SME). 1. 9K BTU/H IECU, 115V single phase, prototype shall be on display with appropriate covers removed. 2. 18K BTU/H IECU, 230V single phase, prototype shall be on display with appropriate covers removed. 3. 18K BTU/H IECU, 208V three phase, prototype will not be on display. The component differences between the 230 V single phase system and the 208V three phase system can be found in the technical data package (TDP). 4. A 36K BTU/H IECU, 208V three phase, prototype shall be on display with appropriate covers removed. The RFI overview briefing and open forum shall be held in Grant Conference Center and will be the same location where the IECUs will be on display. Acceptable Topics for Discussion during Q&A Open Forum: 1. The general purpose of announcing upcoming business opportunities; 2. Any information that has already been made accessible to the public or is otherwise being made available to all potential offerors; 3. Historical information about the general nature or scope of the IECU development effort. Unacceptable Topics for Q&A Open Forum: 1. Proprietary or confidential business information of incumbent contractor(s) or other business entities; 2. Privacy Act protected information such as, incumbent contractor employees personal data; 3. Trade Secrets Act protected information; 4. Speculation on what the Government might be looking for in proposals. **Conditions** To attend the Industry Day & Base Access On Industry Day: All U.S. visitors 18 years of age and older must be vetted prior to entry to NSSC. Foreign visitors (both official and unofficial) must be vetted through the appropriate Foreign Disclosure Officer based on the organization he/she is coming to see. Please contact the appropriate office for instructions. For NSRDEC/TACOM contact 508-233-5497 and for all others contact DPTMS at 508-233-6972. All participants must complete attachment 0001 "NSSC Visitor Request" form and submit it to USAG Natick Police by emailing the request form encrypted to "USARMY Natick SSC IMCOM Atlantic List NATI-PoliceVisitorAccess" at email address usarmy.natick.imcom-atlantic.list.nati-policevistoraccess@mail.mil. Alternatively, this form can be faxed to (508) 233-6293. Attachment 0001 can be found under the packages tab of this posting. **Notes** This notice is published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Part (FAR) Part 10, Market Research and FAR Part 15, Exchanges with Industry before Receipt of Proposal. This notice serves as a Request for Information (RFI) in support of market research. All information received will be used for planning purposes only. This notice does not constitute an Invitation to Bid, a Request for Proposal, or a Request for Quote. The government will not award a contract based on this notice and will not reimburse respondents for any cost associated with responses to it. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This request is for planning purposes only, and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals, offers, bids, and/or quotes. This notice is not a confirmation that the Government will contract for the items contained in the RFI, nor is any commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract implied. The Government shall not pay and/or reimburse respondents and/or associates for any costs incurred to submit the requested information. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with FAR 15.201(c), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This RFI is issued for information, market research and/or planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. NO ENTITLEMENT TO PAYMENT OF DIRECT OR INDIRECT COSTS OR CHARGES BY THE GOVERNMENT WILL ARISE AS A RESULT OF ATTENDING THE INDUSTRY DAY OR THE SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES TO THE INDUSTRY DAY AND GOVERNMENT USE OF SUCH INFORMATION. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS. Additional Info: 9/18/36K BTU/H IECU Industry Day Info Link: http://www3.natick.army.mil/IECU.aspx Contracting Office Address: Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC?APG), Natick Contracting Division, ATTN: Sean Auld CCAP?SCN, Building 1, 15 General Greene Avenue, MA 01760?5011 Place of Performance: US Army Natick Soldier System Center Product Manager, Force Sustainment Systems (PdM FSS), 15 General Greene Avenue, Natick, MA 01760?5011 Point of Contact(s): Contracting: Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC?APG), Natick Contracting Division (NCD), Sean Auld, Sean.G.Auld.civ@mail.mil. Technical: U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems, Shelter Systems Team, ATTN: SFAE-CSS-E2-FS Shawn Homer, Natick MA 01760-5057, Shawn.E.Homer.civ@mail.mil.