AEM Sand/Dust Chamber Capability

Applied Environments Modernization (AEM) Sand/Dust Chamber Capability Request for Information (RFI) W900KK-Sand-Dust-1 The Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI); Project Manager for Instrumentation, Targets, Threat Simulators and Special Operations Forces Training Systems (PM ITTS); Instrumentation Management Office (IMO) is seeking industry information on available products and technologies to meet the requirements and help shape the acquisition approach for the Sand/Dust Chamber Capability within the AEM project. Background: Applied environments replicate the warfighter's operational life cycle environments in a laboratory setting that is controllable and repeatable. Applied environments testing is performed to evaluate the performance, survivability, and vulnerability of military systems and personnel when they are exposed to the various simulated natural and induced environments. Military Standard-810G Change Notice 1 provides the detailed methodology for developing the life cycle environmental profile and performing environmental tests at the test centers. Need: Existing test capabilities simulating operational environments require upgrade and modernization as a result of obsolescence, unreliability, and inefficiency. Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) and Yuma Test Center (YTC) have a need to modernize their Sand/Dust Chamber capabilities and data acquisition instrumentation. Test capabilities need to be sheltered to prevent prevailing atmospheric conditions from dictating test execution and schedule. The equipment needs to be able to control air temperature, relative humidity, cross winds, and particle density. Test capabilities should be dual purpose for sand and dust and will be required to meet concentration, temperature and velocity requirements for large test items. The sand and dust capability may need to be sited and rated for the testing of ammunition and explosive items in accordance with DA PAM 385-64. The Key Systems Attributes (KSAs) for the Sand/Dust chamber capabilities are as follows: Particles. Sand and dust particles are differentiated by their size and composition. - 1) Dust (< 150 - m). During periods of dust testing only particles of size less than 150 - m shall be directed at the materiel under test. Dust composition is defined in MIL-STD-810G CN1, Test Method 510.6. - 2) Sand (150 to 850 - m). During periods of sand testing only particles of size 150 to 850 - m shall be directed at the materiel under test. Sand composition is defined in MIL-STD-810G CN1, Test Method 510.6. Air Temperature. When testing in a controlled chamber air temperature shall be controllable between a minimum of 80 - F to a maximum of 160 - F in 2 - F increments. The heating or cooling provision shall also be capable of being turned off while maintaining all other requirements of this paragraph. Relative Humidity. When testing in a controlled chamber the relative humidity of the air containing the blowing sand or dust shall be maintained below 30%. Air Velocity. Dust particles shall be suspended in air whose velocity at the test materiel is controllable between a minimum of 1.5 - 1 m/s (300 - 200 ft/min) to a maximum of 8.9 - 1.3 m/s (1750 - 250 ft/min). Sand particles shall impact the test materiel at velocities ranging from 18-29 m/s (40-65 mph). Concentration. Dust concentration for the blowing dust test shall be - 10.6 - 7 g/m3 (0.3 - 0.2 g/ft3). Three distinct levels of sand concentration are required: - 1) Vicinity of helicopters: 2.2 - 0.5 g/m3. - 2) Vicinity of surface vehicles: 1.1 - 0.3 g/m3. - 3) Natural conditions: 0.18 g/m3, -0.0/+0.2 g/m3. Duration. Blowing dust test shall last for a minimum of six hours. Blowing sand tests shall last for a minimum of 90 minutes. Concept: Request for Information may address available products and technologies to produce components, or a complete capability that employs low risk commercial and non-development solutions, which provide a test capability for MIL-STD-810G CN1 methodologies. PM ITTS is also looking for suppliers who can provide support and maintenance of the Systems above, as well as suppliers that can provide various integrated capabilities. All respondents are asked to provide the following: A technical description of their potential solution or complete capability. The description should address the following: What part of the overall capability does your solution address? How does your solution work? What are its limitations? How effectively has your solution been used in similar systems or outdoor applications? What evidence exists that your solution is applicable if it has not been used in similar systems? How mature is your system? Is it new development? Does a prototype exist? Is it similar to previous successful developments? Is it an extension or evolution of an existing product? Is it already in production? A schedule estimate from contract award to delivery. A cost estimate and commercial pricing. Recommendations where performance can be traded for reduced costs or where performance can be added for little or no cost. - 5. Please provide your NAICS code, Small Business status, and commercial availability under the following NAICS codes 333413 and 333922. Request for Information Purpose and Limitations: The Government's intention is to better understand the current state-of-the-art and to determine the best acquisition approach. Industry feedback is vitally important and the Government will be receptive to any and all ideas received from industry. This request for information announcement is an expression of the Government's interest only and does not obligate the Government to pay for the requested information nor respond to any submissions. Proprietary information is not being solicited; however, if it is submitted, it should be appropriately marked. Please limit your formal white paper submission to no more than 10 pages to include cover letter and white paper. In addition, you may include up to five attachments that consists of pre-printed commercial brochures or sales literature. Electronic responses shall be in MS Word or Adobe PDF format. Please submit responses to ACC Orlando, 12350 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826 or e-mail patsy.beraha.civ@mail.mil or joseph.candelaria5.civ@mail.mil. Information must be received no later than 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time on 04 May 2017. Point of contacts are Ms. Patsy Beraha at (407) 208-5207 or Mr. Joseph Candelaria at (407) 208-3220.