99--Market Survey to locate sources for Arc Fault Circuit Breaker (AFCB) for the Arc Fault Implementation Project

Arc fault technology has successfully been incorporated into single-phase aircraft circuit breakers. The technology continues to develop into 3-phase and 28Vdc applications with the support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Defense (DoD). The industry has accumulated 160,000 operating hours to date and arc fault technology is being incorporated into new transport aircraft power distribution designs. The FAA certification authorities would like to obtain considerably more operational data on these devices to completely evaluate the benefits of the technology and the logistics of installing these devices on the aging fleet. The FAA is looking for sources to supply Arc Fault Circuit Breakers (AFCB) for the Arc Fault Implementation Project. The FAA will use a minimum of four sources of AFCB in the program to evaluate the benefits of installing AFCB's in revenue generating aircraft. A successful source will be able to supply in FY05: (1) Form, fit, and functional replacement AFCB for a thermal breaker currently in use; (2) The AFCB will be able to show compliance to AS5692 where applicable; (3) Provide all safety of flight and Qualification data necessary to obtain a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the AFCB; (4) Support installation of the AFCB (5) Provide ongoing support to investigate AFCB trips. In order to determine if a source is qualified to participate the FAA will require a Capability statement - This document should contain at a minimum: (a) Manufacturing capability to produce AFCB in an aerospace quality controlled facility and certifications; (b) AFCB testing and Qualification Facilities; (c) Engineering Support for the project; (d) Drawings of the proposed devices with performance capabilities defined; (e) Lead time for production AFCB, and, (f) Cost for AFCB. Sources will be selected based on their ability to provide AFCB's that will meet all the FAA's defined criteria from this survey and all support documentation for the STC application. The Government reserves the right to include additional minimum qualification requirements in the resultant survey. Interested parties should submit their response to this survey electronically to contact@example.gov, or via hard copy to Anna Marinaro, ACX-52, FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405, NLT Monday, May 2, 2005. Only those firms who can demonstrate that they can meet above stated capabilities should respond to this market survey. All responders are notified that this request will not commit or obligate the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center.