B -- Deployable/Mobile Hard Walled Shelter Technology

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY FOR PLANNING PURPOSES. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION DRAWING PACKAGE AVAILABLE. This is a request for information only as defined in FAR 15.201(e). The government does not presently intend to award a contract, but wants to obtain information on mobile hard-walled shelters that are easily deployable, preferably can be palletized for airlift, and can be used in a variety of missions. This is a request for information only. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab (AEFB) is planning to conduct an initiative that will evaluate the feasibility and advantage of deployable/mobile hard walled shelter technology for an austere base type scenario. This shelter would preferably be palletized and expandable into a variety of sizes. This shelter would serve as a replacement or alternative to the current TEMPER tent system representing a cost and weight savings. The shelter will have no less than a minimum of 640 square feet and weigh no more than 10,000 pounds. The AEFB is primarily interested in Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) products that could be adapted for this purpose.The AEFB is seeking information from industry representatives who would be interested in providing engineering and fabrication support to produce and certify an operational item for this initiative demonstration. The objectives of this initiative include demonstrating a composite type shelter that is expandable and easily deployable. This shelter would have an infinite number of uses to include a repair shop, billeting, medical facility, offices, fitness facility, etc. It shall fit in the confines of a 463L pallet or similar type mobility system. The shelter would contain necessary beddown items to include cots, brooms, set-up tools, fire extinguishers, support electrical systems, etc. It would require environmental control unit ports for heating and air conditioning systems. The shelter would be easy and quick to set-up with standard tools. While the structure would be superior compared to a soft-walled tent, it would need to be easily repairable with standard and locally procured items. Weight and the size of the shelter are primary factors. Obviously a shelter that has the most amount of space for the least amount of weight providing a combined improved efficiency is preferred. To clarify, this shelter is meant to be easily set-up and torn down in austere base scenarios, as an improvement or alternative in quality and flexibility to a soft walled tent. Request information be submitted NO LATER THAN 2 June 2003 to Capt Jason Mitchell, Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab, 360 Gunfighter Ave, Suite 1, Mountain Home AFB, ID 83648. Capt Mitchell can be reached at +1 (555) 000-0000. Please provide a rough order of magnitude (ROM) estimate as a sample for an independent assessment. A formal solicitation MAY NOT BE ISSUED as a result of this RFI. Information provided may or may not be included in a formal solicitation. The U.S. Air Force will not release any information marked with a Proprietary legend, received in response to this RFI to any firms, agencies, or individuals outside the USAF without written permission in accordance with the legend