KC-135 Aeromendical Lighting Mod RFI

Request for Information The 827ACSG Contracting Office, Tinker AFB, OK, is requesting information on Internal Cargo Lighting for the KC-135 R/T model aircraft. PURPOSE The purpose of this RFI is to solicit industry for options of internal cargo lighting for the USAF KC-135 R/T aircraft. BACKGROUND The KC-135 aircraft is commonly used today for USAF strategic aero medical Evacuation (AE) missions. Cargo compartment lighting on this aircraft is inadequate for efficient patient care by AE crewmembers (AECM). Poor illumination, especially for litter patients, makes clinical assessment and treatment very difficult. A permanent, non-handheld light source capable of AE patient illumination by AECMs is required to ensure proper patient assessment and safe patient movement. Zone lighting that eliminates or reduces the potential disturbance of other patients is desired. In addition, improved cargo compartment lighting should enhance safety, cargo loading/unloading operations (floor/pallet), and passenger carrying and aero-medical mission operations. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: The requirements listed below are viewed to be an integral part of any technical solution proposed in response to this RFI. All improvements, deviations, and modifications of these requirements should maintain the intent of the original requirement. The lighting system should provide visible spectrum light of adequate intensity capable of illuminating the cargo area such that crew are able to fully visualize a litter patient without interfering with patient care. Night vision friendly mode is desirable, but not a requirement. Night vision compatibility should not significantly impact cost. The system will require no modification of main aircraft structure. Ancillary structure may be used for hardware attachment. Some testing required IAW MIL-STD-810 or DO-160. Specific areas of concern include explosive atmosphere, vibration, temperature and shock. Based on previous light solution implementations, Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology is the preferred light solution. Fiber optic, incandescent, and fluorescent lighting have undesirable traits which lend these lighting types to be of secondary consideration. Lighting color should be white with no tint or tinge of other color. This is necessary to evaluate patient condition, i.e. body and wound discoloration. It may be advantageous to include other modes of color; however the primary mode must be pure white. Light intensity is subjective. Light should be of adequate intensity to perform all mission operations. Any quantification or qualification of lighting should include foot candle measurement. References should be included, i.e. OSHA, AMA, etc. Lighting should be focused on cargo or pallet interior. Use of reflectors and diffusers should be documented as well as the impact on intensity. Lighting solution should be a permanent installation. Consideration should be given to ease of installation and maintenance. Lighting equipment must not interfere with mission operations, i.e. cargo loading. The current aero medical mission utilizes three patient support pallets. A zone lighting concept is preferred. At a minimum, this should involve one zone per pallet and one zone for the boom area for a total of four zones. The entire cargo area should be covered by this area, beginning with the galley/latrine area and ending at the boom area. Lighting controls should be easily accessed. Lighting controls should be placed in the galley area and at the forward edge of each patient support pallet. The forward lighting control should be able to control each lighting zone. This control should be able to turn all lights on and off. The lighting controls at each pallet should be able to turn the lights on and off for the corresponding pallet zone. This allows patients at one pallet to rest while care is provided to patients on an adjacent pallet. The light solution should provide a dimming feature. This should provide varying degrees of intensity from off to fully illuminated. Dimming may be provided in steps or continuous. Dimming control should be incorporated into lighting control at each pallet. OPERATING ENVIRONMENT: The KC-135 cargo compartment operating temperatures range from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. System must be explosion-proof, resistant to vibration, and approved for in-flight use. INTERFACE REQUIREMENTS: Primary power source should be aircraft power. The KC-135 has 115/200 volts AC, 400-hertz, three-phase electrical power, single-phase 28VAC, and 28 VDC. Lighting solution should include provisions for operating on the ground with no external or generator power available. The KC-135 has two 28 VDC batteries. The dissipated power should be minimized to avoid complete battery discharge. Lighting controls should be easily accessed and operated. Lighting that is compatible with night vision goggles is not required but is desirable. TECHNICAL APPROACH: Please provide a brief high-level technical description of the proposed lighting system. Ideally, the technical approach should include a scenario illustrating the use of the proposed system. If applicable, pictures of the system are encouraged. Briefly address all potential risks. Describe the type of training that will be required to operate the proposed system. Briefly summarize how personnel would operate the system. COMPATIBILITY Explain system compatibility. Describe any limitations. ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING State the type of environmental testing that has been performed on the system. COST Provide the estimated cost or cost range of the proposed system, including low volume production numbers and high volume production numbers. AVAILABILITY Provide system availability information. Give information detailing if the equipment is available off-the-shelf immediately. If equipment is not available provide lead time for component acquisition. PAST PERFORMANCE Briefly explain any previous work you have done or are doing for military/civilian customers similar to what this RFI addresses (include demonstration information that supported that work). RESPONSE Services to include research and development, technology insertions, system integrations, installation, fabrication/prototyping, testing/certification, aircraft ground/flight testing support, logistic support services, and engineering support. Contractors may use commercial products or existing government inventories to provide the best value solution using processes and practices to reduce cost and schedule and performance risk and to promote future competition for design upgrade and operational support costs. The information you provide may be used by the USAF to consider planning, program phasing and tailored technical requirements. Your inputs should not be restrictive or proprietary in any manner. Although the identification of contributing companies will not be divulged outside the Government, the Government reserves the right to use in whole or part any industry information that is received as a result of this RFI. Your participation in the RFI will not affect your company's position during any solicitation, nor will this RFI be used as criteria for the prequalification of respondents for future solicitations. Through this RFI the Air Force is soliciting information concerning mature or emerging technologies which meet the requirements. The primary selection criteria for all submissions will be the most practical system available to support the requirements. The Air Force reserves the right to select for award, any, part of, all, or none of the proposals received. The Air Force may or may not purchase any of the technology demonstrated. This RFI is an expression of interest only and does not obligate the Air Force to pay any proposal preparation and prototype costs or to award any contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions. Offerors are advised that only Air Force Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government to the obligation of funds. Modification installation effort will be performed by Government personnel. Point of contact for this action is: Dann D Pettit, Contracting Officer, 827 ACSG/PK, e-mail: dann.pettit@tinker.af.mil, Phone 405-739-2572