Request For Information - Aircraft Seats

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION for Aircraft Seats Solicitation Number: SN-2013-04 Agency: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office: Forest Service Location: National Interagency Fire Center - Boise, ID RFI Issue Date: March 20, 2013 RFI Response Date: MAY 3, 2013 Submittal of information: The information requested by this RFI shall be provided, in writing, by close of business (4:30 p.m. Mountain Time) April 19, 2013 to the following address: U.S. Forest Service National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) 3833 South Development Avenue Attn: Mr. Michael McFarlane, Owyhee Building 106, Suite 1101-1 Boise, Idaho 83705-5354 Synopsis: This Request for Information is for Market Research and Planning purposes only. Classification Code: 16 NAICS Code: 336413 -- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government's use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor's input resulting from this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Whatever information is provided in response to this RFI may be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for future needs. The information provided may be utilized by the US Forest Service in developing its acquisition strategy and in its Statement of Objective and Performance Specifications. The information resulting from this RFI may be included/combined with other submissions in one or more options considered in the analysis of alternatives. Any proprietary information that is submitted may be used in establishing requirements of the future system but specific information will be safeguarded as proprietary. Contracting Office Address: Owyhee Building - MS 1100 3833 S. Development Ave. Boise, ID 83705 Primary Point of Contact: Michael McFarlane, Contracting Officer michaelmcfarlane@fs.fed.us 208-387-5695 Technical Point of Contact: David Parsons, Aircraft Technical Specialist david_parsons@ios.doi.gov 208-433-5081 Description: The purpose of this announcement is to obtain market research regarding interested vendors/contractors who are capable of providing aircraft seats for the Interagency Smokejumper program. Aircraft model numbers and quantity of seats: DHC-6 Total 6 aircraft with seating for 10 Casa 212 Total 5 aircraft with seating for 10 Do-228 Total 3 aircraft with seating for 10 C23A Total 4 aircraft with seating for 16 DC-3T Total 1 aircraft with seating for 20 An approximate total of 235 seats are needed for the aircraft listed above. By including spares and other contracts this amount may change. General information and specifications: - Seats must have occupant restraint belt Seats shall be designed with quick release mounts - Weight of a fully suited smokejumper ranges from 250-300 pounds. - Seat must have a minimum pan depth (outside edge of seat to the fuselage inner wall) of 16.5'' - Seats shall have completed a required burn test to a given requirement - Seats shall be load tested to a given requirement - List the total weight of the seat Desirable Characteristics (if Possible): - Seats designed under a Technical Standard Order (TSO) - Side facing bench type seats are the preferred seat - Seats that are static load tested that meet FAR 23.561 or FAR 25.561 - Seats with burn tested fabrics that meet FAR 23.853 or FAR 25.853 - Seats with the ability to fold up and secure while not in use. - Seats with additional cargo storage under seat - Seats with a desired weight of 18 lbs or less per seat (lighter is preferred) - Seats that are field repairable and have readily available replacement parts - Optimal seat pan depth (outside edge of seat to the fuselage inner wall) 20" - 22" - Seats with the ability to adapt to fit most of the aircraft listed above with minimum modifications - Seats must have Supplemental Type Certificate for the makes and models indicated above Primary Application: Seats will be installed in FAA certified aircraft for the transporting Smokejumpers to different dispatched fire locations throughout the entire USA. Company information Requested: Vendors/Contractors who respond to this Request for Information (RFI), are requested to provide all of the following information in writing in response to this announcement and in accordance with the directions below: 1. COMPANY NAME 2. COMPANY ADDRESS 3. COMPANY POINT OF CONTACT (NAME & TITLE) 4. POINT OF CONTACT'S TELEPHONE NUMBERS (OFFICE & FAX) 5. COMPANY'S SIZE STANDARD 6. TYPE OF BUSINESS (SMALL, LARGE, ETC.) 7. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH PRODUCTION AND SALES OF AIRCRAFT SEATS 8. DESIGN CAPABILITIES 9. MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES OF THE COMPANY Technical Information Requested: 1. LIST ALL SPECIFICATIONS STANDARDS USED SUCH AS A PMA UNDER A TSO'S , MIL-SPEC'S, STC'S, SAE, OR EVEN AS STANDARDS USED FOR PRODUCTION AND TESTING OF THE SEAT 2. LIST ANY REQUIRED MODIFICATION TO THE AIRCRAFT FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE SEAT 3. PROPOSED DESIGNS 4. FAA APPROVAL 5. TIMELINES FOR DEVELOPMENT AND/OR MANUFACTURING Cost Information Requested: Additionally, all interested vendors/contractors shall also provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) that includes the following costs: 1. PER SYSTEM COST (INCLUDE MULTIPLE QUANTITY BREAKS)