Hardware Mounting System for C130 Pods

1. The Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC), Division of Capabilities and Assessments (XPZ), Patrick Air Force Base, Florida is seeking information from interested parties capable of developing options for an optimal system of a hardware mounting system for air sampling pods capable of satisfying National Technical Nuclear Forensics (NTNF) requirements. 2. A flight certified hardware mounting system (HMS) for a C-130 aircraft which consists of a door and an articulating arm capable of supporting a 425lb sensor pod on each side of the aircraft, fully loaded to maximum limit the arm, door, and pod will weigh no more than 800lbs per side. Two people will need to be able to install the HMS components on the host aircraft. All HMS components need to be bolt on installation, no airframe modifications. HMS components cannot block the aircraft cargo movement area and the aircraft will remain pressurized in flight. All HMS components will be fully operational whether the aircraft is either pressurized or not. HMS components will not interfere with loading, unloading, air drop, paratroop static line, or container transport at pallet position no. 5. HMS components will have little or no effect on existing flight operations when installed. When the HMS arm is fully extended, the sensor pod is below the aircraft fuselage by approximately 24" and the arm will take about 1 minute to deploy or retract. The HMS arm needs twin electrical drives and two independent manual retraction systems to provide four way redundancy. The HMS arm strut needs to be electrically operated and utilize power from the missile support power receptacle. The goal of this RFI is the identification of sources for the development of an effective flight certified hardware mounting system for air sample collection pod which consists of a door and an articulating arm capable of supporting a 425lb sensor pod on each side of the aircraft and capable of meeting the listed requirements above. 3. Response Information: This RFI is being conducted for information and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a request for proposal or a request for quote. Information contained in this RFI is based on the best information available at the time of publication, is subject to revision and is not binding on the Government. The Government will not recognize any costs associated with a submission in response. The information received will be considered for the purposes of market research. 4. This RFI is unrestricted and encourages responses from all responsible contractors independent of size. 5. All responses are to be provided electronically in Microsoft Word or Adobe Portable Document Format. Unclassified responses are preferred; however if there is a need for classified transmittals please contact the points of contact below. Responses are due by 1630 EST on 28 January 2013. Technical and contracting questions should be sent to Ms. Holly Johnson. 6. Submissions on RFI should be sent to the contracting point of contact: Ms. Holly Johnson, AF ISR Agency/A7KR, (321) 494-8354, holly.johnson.6@us.af.mil