A--ON-BOARD INERT GAS GENERATION (OBIGGS)/ON-BOARD OXYGEN GENERATION (OBOGS) TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

The purpose of this synopsis is to publicize Phase II of this planned acquisition, related to aviation safety, specifically as it relates to inerting gases from an on-board system and compartment fire suppression. The first phase of this procurement, the Initial Design and Feasibility Study, is nearing completion. The time is approaching for exercise of Option Phase II for the fabrication and delivery of hardware that will ultimately be tested by the Government. This goal of this procurement was to develop systems/sub-systems that would provide on-board inert gas generation (OBIGGS) for both fuel tank inerting and cargo compartment fire suppression; and to provide on-board oxygen generation (OBOGS) in an emergency for passengers and crew in a commercial jet aircraft in the event of the loss of cabin pressure. The system(s) will be sized for the needs of the Boeing 737-700 aircraft. One of the objectives of the initial phase of this procurement was to demonstrate the technical feasibility for providing the nitrogen and oxygen gases in the rates and purity necessary to meet the requirements specified herein. (Note: the target aircraft platform was changed from the 757-200 of Phase I to a 737-700 since the FAA has acquired a 737-200 and offered it for NASA testing.) The Government does not intend to issue a new solicitation for Phase II. As defined in the NASA FAR Supplement 1817.7301-5, this acquisition is a progressive acquisition; hence, all pertinent Phase II information (Statements of Work, Proposal Instructions and Evaluation Criteria) have been described in the original RFO. Basic Technical Requirements/Considerations for Approaches to the Program Phase II 1. Fill the 737-700 center wing tank (CWT) of 4,400 US gallons with inert gas from an on-board system, such that the O2 concentration in the ullage shall not exceed 11.5% prior to departure from gate. For back-to-back flights assume a 40-minute turn-around time. The requirements for inerting for the first flight of the day or for an aircraft just out of scheduled maintenance are not part of this technology demonstration. Alternate inert gases will also be considered as candidates 2. For cargo compartment fire suppression, provide sufficient inert gas to prevent a smoldering fire from flaring up again in the rear cargo compartment of 660 ft3, assuming the fire was initially suppressed with some other knockdown technique and assume a leakage rate of approximately 11 ft3/min. An OBIGGS system must be able to reduce the ambient oxygen concentration from 21% to 12 % in 25 minutes at 8,000 foot altitude pressure, and maintain this concentration for 120 minutes. 3. Provide 2.6 standard liters per minute of breathing oxygen for 150 people during 12-minute emergency descent to 10,000 ft after depressurization at 35,000 ft. The oxygen flow rate shall be no less than 0.5 kg/min during the initial five (5) minutes, and its purity shall be at least 93%. After that, the oxygen flow shall be no less than 0.18 kg/min at 30%. 4. The available electrical power and compressed-air resources are listed in table 1. Other Considerations 1. The FAA 737-200 will be the intended ground-based test bed for the prototype system. If the aircraft is not available, a ground-based simulated test facility will be used. The volumes and functions will be functionally the same as that on the 737-700. 2. The system will be a self-contained and pallet mounted. Note that the smaller and lighter the system the better. Reduction of power and bleed air resources is greatly desired. 3. Instrumentation requirements and interfaces will be defined at the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) following the design award, at a later date. 4. This combination system is required to perform only one of these three functions at any given time. 5. A partial system bid will be considered at correspondingly reduced cost. However, preference will be given for system that can perform all three tasks. The expectation is that only the Phase I Contractors will be capable of successfully competing for Phase II, Hardware Development. Nonetheless, proposals from all responsible sources received by the specified due date will be considered. In order to contend for a Phase II award, such prospective Offerors must demonstrate a design maturity equivalent to the current Phase I contractors. Failure to fully and completely demonstrate the appropriate level of design maturity may render the proposal unacceptable, with no further consideration for Contract award. NPG 7120.5 chapter 4 http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/library/lib_docs.cfm?range=7___ LeR-P2.9 http://nasalivelink.grc.nasa.gov/livelink/livelink?func=ll&objId=241550&obj Action=browsebmsfolder&sort=documentnumber Interested Parties are requested to inform the point of contact, herein of their intention of submitting a Phase II proposal by COB January 3, 2003.