Oxygen Regeneration Unit

Due to pending funding issues, the draft RFP release that was anticipated in early 2014 is postponed. Any updates will be posted through this presolicitation notice on FBO. Some additional questions were asked, those questions and answers are as follows: 1. Is the primary chemical in use today (Potassium Superoxide KO2) disallowed, or may it be used in the contractor's design? -Potassium Superoxide is disallowed. Over the past several years sources of supply for KO2 have continually diminished. We are looking for a replacement for the ORU because of lack of availability of KO2 and manufacturers' unwillingness to work with these reactants. 2. Are there any other common CO2 capture and/or O2 generation chemicals (or classes of such chemicals) that are disallowed? (For example, Lithium Hydroxide (LiOH), Calcium Hydroxide (CaOH), Sodium Chlorate (NaClO3), and so forth) - There are no other chemicals that are currently disallowed. In selecting reactants, consideration should be given to impacts to the environment and personnel that will be handling the chemicals. Additional consideration should also be given to the projected availability of the chemicals over the life time of the system. 3. There seems to be a disagreement between the "Sources Sought" and the "Site Visit Notes" regarding the minimum amount of time a "set" of consumables must last. "Sources Sought" says no less than 36 man hours, while "Site Visit Notes" states ".there is no design requirement..." Would the government be willing to consider a design that requires more frequent consumable exchange (e.g. 12 hours or 6 hours) but with less effort required from the crew? (e.g. lighting a candle versus cranking the blower) - The 36 man hour requirement for consumables is the requirement for the current canister only. The government is willing to consider designs that require a more frequent change out of consumables.