Mobile Field Oxygen Concentration for Exothermic Torch and Breathing Air Applications

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) seeks to identify sources and assess industry's interest in the development, test and evaluation of a Mobile Field Oxygen Concentration System (MFOCS) for exothermic torch and breathing air applications. The solution to be developed is a system that can be mounted to a half-ton flatbed truck for oxygen concentration and bottle jamming at the worksite. The solution must be able to ingest ambient air polluted with particulate matter from fires and other sources, clean and concentrate the oxygen to a level that is suitable for torching and breathing applications, and jam the product into high-pressure gas cylinders (herein referred to as bottles.) DTRA envisions a two-phase prototype development effort as follows: Respondents to this request for information are encouraged to comment on this approach and make recommendations to increase participation, improve outcomes, and / or reduce costs. Phase I: Proof of Concept In the proof of concept phase the developer will design, develop, test and evaluate the MFOCS. The developer will produce a functional prototype to demonstrate the following for the sponsoring program manager: - Performance. Solution prototype will jam a K-bottle to 2,250 psig in less than 20 minutes with breathing / torching air as follows: - Threshold: Oxygen content 95%Vol. and otherwise meet the purity requirements of OSHA, Grade D Breathing Air, - Objective: IAW MIL-PRF-27210 J, Type I (Oxygen Content of 99.5%Vol.). - Solution prototype size will not exceed rectangular envelope of 102in. L, 72in. W, 36in. D, excluding power generator. - Solution prototype power requirements will not exceed that of a commercially available 10kW generator. - Solution prototype weight will not exceed 3,500 lbs. - Operating Environment: - Air Quality. PM2.5 will be greater than 500 - g/m3. The developer will work with the sponsor to finalize solution requirements before initiating the design. The developer will research, design, develop, implement, integrate, verify, and validate the solution with their resources. The developer will be required to develop plans, and report their progress. Phase I will be successfully completed upon demonstration of a prototype solution that satisfies these requirements in the stated environment. The developer will deliver a final report to document the phase I development process and the capabilities, attributes, and behaviors of the developed solution prototype. The program management office expects the period of performance for Phase I will be 1 to 2 years. Phase II: Packaging and Hardening In the Packaging and Hardening phase the developer will design, develop, test and evaluate the MFOCS. Building upon the capability demonstrated in phase I the developer will improve the system to ensure that it is robust to environmental threats, that it can meet the duty cycle, and that it can meet reliability requirements. The developer will produce a functional prototype to demonstrate the following for the sponsoring program manager: - Performance. Same as Proof of Concept (PoC). - Solution prototype will operate continuously for 120 hours with sustainment support (e.g. refueling, filter change, etc.). - Solution prototype will have a mean time between failure of 1 year, minimum, by analysis. - Solution prototype size, power, and weight same as PoC. - Operating Environment: - Air Quality: PM2.5 will be greater than 500 - g/m3. - Temperature: -10 to 140 degrees F. - Elevation: Sea level to 10,000 ft. - Transportation Vibration Survivability. Prototype solution will survive the following transportation vibration environmental tests and function as required: - MIL-STD-810H, method 514.8, procedure I, category 9 (Secured cargo in Helicopter transportation) - MIL-STD-810H, method 514.8, procedure I, category 20 (Installed material in wheeled ground vehicle) The developer will research, design, develop, implement, integrate, verify, and validate the solution with their resources. The developer will be required to develop plans, and report their progress. The developer will deliver two functional prototypes with the capabilities described for phase II. Phase II will be successfully completed upon demonstration of a prototype solution, and delivery of two prototype units that satisfy the phase II requirements in the stated environments. The developer will prepare a final report to document the phase II development process and the capabilities, attributes, and behaviors of the developed solution prototypes. The Developer will deliver a complete technical data package to enable reproduction of the solution prototype with repeatable capabilities, attributes, and behaviors. The program management office expects the period of performance for Phase II will be 1 to 2 years. The Solution User has described a need to use the MFOCS in environments with Chemical and / or Biological agent contamination. Developers with experience in filtering out these agents from ambient air are encouraged to describe how they could support this development effort. Developers with experience in designing equipment for decontamination are encouraged to describe how they could support this development effort. Developers with relevant chemical and biological simulant test and evaluation capabilities are encouraged to describe how they could support this development effort. The program office will use responses to inform the acquisition strategy. At this time the program office anticipates - Chemical and Biological Agent Hardening and Proofing to be a third phase of the solution development effort to be addressed once the base capability is achieved. The program office is open to alternative development strategies that reduce development time and cost. Synopsis This is a Request for Information (RFI). This notice is for MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY, and in no way obligates the United States Government to issue a solicitation or otherwise make a contract award. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing the information in response to this announcement. DTRA is seeking eligible performers who are qualified to conduct and accomplish the requirements specified in this RFI. Submission Instructions The responses will: Confirm the ability and interest to meet the intent and requirements stated in this RFI. Describe the technologies conceived to satisfy the requirements described in this RFI, and how they would have to be matured in the development effort. Identify any aspects of the requirement that cannot be met and any issues/concerns with the requirements as stated. Assess and state whether the intent and testing can be accomplished within the timeframe required as stated in the RFI. Provide technical background and expertise and the process or approach the source would use in accomplishing the requirements. In addition, provide any applicable past performance the source has in accomplishing similar requirements. Provide information and details on the test facilities and capabilities that would be employed in the accomplishment of the requirement described in this RFI. Provide information on relevant intellectual property that the respondent would use to satisfy the requirement described in this RFI. Provide a rough order magnitude estimated of cost and schedule information for development of the MFOCS. The responses will be limited to 10 pages (inclusive of text, photos, graphs, charts, etc.,) describing the source's ability to meet the requirements described in the SOO above. For all RFI responses, an additional, nonproprietary cover page is also requested identifying your company name, technical point of contact, and contact information. The cover page is not included as part of the 10 page limitation. Reviews and input on technical aspects of the responses may be solicited by DTRA from non-government consultants/experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. A virus check should be performed prior to uploading and submitting any response. If a virus is detected, it may cause rejection of the file. Hard copy responses will not be accepted. Responses to this RFI will not be returned and will become property of DTRA. Responses received after the exact time specified will not be accepted. If a solicitation is issued, it will be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this announcement.