Boat Front Windshield to include wipers and defrosters

The purpose of this announcement is to obtain market research for planning purposes only. This announcement is for interested vendors/contractors who are capable of providing boat front windshield to include windshield wipers and defrosters. The Coast Guard awarded a delivery order valued at approximately $13 million Sept. 26, 2011, to Metal Shark Aluminum Boats for the production of RB-S IIs. The contract allows for the procurement of up to 500 boats. Up to 470 boats will be delivered to shore units throughout the Coast Guard to perform port and waterway security, search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, environmental and other law enforcement missions. Up to 20 boats may be ordered by Customs and Border Protection and up to 10 by the U.S. Navy. To date, 184 of 224 boats ordered have been delivered, to supporting units within the United States Coast Guard (USCG) replacement windshield. This notice is neither a request for quotes nor a solicitation of offers; however, all information received within thirty (30) days after date of publication of this synopsis will be reviewed by the Government for future considerations. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether conducting a competitive procurement for the retrofit of the boat windshield is in the best interest of the Government. Responses must provide clear and concise documentation indicating a vendor's bona fide capability to provide this product or equivalency. New specification language has been drafted to increase the durability of the existing RB-S II windshield as follows: General The RB-S shall be fitted with shatter proof non-glare windows suitable for the Operating Environment The RB-S and all of its equipment shall be capable of operating continuously in the following combined environmental conditions: Temperatures: a. Outside Air (Dry Bulb) 135'F (maximum) to 0'F (minimum) b. Sea Water Temperature 105'F (maximum) to 28'F (minimum)070-6.1.2 Wind Conditions (concurrent with the above temperatures): a. 30 knots (maximum) Sea Conditions: a. Survivable - Eight (8) foot seas (threshold); ten (10) foot seas (objective) b. Operations - Six (6) foot seas (threshold); Eight (8) foot seas (objective) c. Surf and Breaking Waves - The RB-S is not intended to be operated in surf or breaking waves. Ice: The RB-S will not normally conduct operations in ice. Helo operations: The RB-S is not intended to conduct helo operations. Water Quality: The RB-S will operate in various types of waters. This water is expected to include sand and sea grasses and may be aerated. The windshield shall be provided with heated defrost capability. Windshield shall be provided with a windshield wiper and windshield washer system. These systems shall be easy for the operator to reach and operate. At least 60% of each forward facing window mustbe covered by the wiper blade(s). The windshield wiper and washer system must be a heavy duty type resistant to corrosion and suitable for a salt water environment. The windshield shall be designed to International Standard ISO 12216: 2002, "Small Craft Windows, Portlights, Hatches, Deadlights and Doors- Strength and Watertightness Requirement." In lieu of the design pressure stated in ISO 12216, Table 4, the design pressure for the forward facing windows used for the RB-S shall be 5.0 psi (34.47 kPa). Windshield shall be non-glare and shatterproof glass. Shatterproof is defined for forward windshield to mean that if fractured, the window provides a means to retain shards and pieces. If a laminate is used for the forward facing windows, then plastic laminate material as an interlayer is acceptable to be used in conjunction with glass panes. If tempered glass is used for the forward facing windows, either as a single or multiple layer pane, then additional edge protection must be applied. Edge protection is defined as wrapping, coating, or installing a window frame to conceal the edges of the window pane, thereby providing protection for the window against chipping and cracking at the outer perimeter. The forward facing windows must meet visibility standards for the intended operational environment. Calculations and documentation shall be submitted to demonstrate that the forward facing windows comply with the design requirements prior to production. One (1) forward facing window shall be provided independent of the hull for pressure testing to ensure compliance with the design requirements prior to production.