--REQUEST FOR INFORMATION -- Commercial System for an In-Place Decontamination Solution for Fixed Military Medical Treatment Facilities

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS OR A REQUEST FOR QUOTATIONS, IT IS STRICTLY A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PUR SUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. 1. SUBJECT: The Air Force Medical Evaluation Support Activity (AFMESA) is conducting market research to determine whether a commercial system is available to meet the requirements for an in-place patient decontamination solution for fixed military medica l treatment facilities within the continental United States. This market research may also assist with the further development and/or refinement of the requirements. Responses are due to this RFI by 4:00 PM on January 20, 2006. See section 6.0 for furth er information. 2.0 DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are no t offers and will not be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future RFP, as well as those regarding the nature of the services to be performed under the in-place patient decont amination initiative will not be entertained. 3.0 DESCRIPTION: Air Combat Command (ACC) has recently updated the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the In-Place Patient Decontamination Capability (IPPDC). The IPPDC must effectively respond to a CBRNE/chemical incident with a tailored, rapid and lig htweight decontamination capability. This capability will effectively remove or neutralize agents on casualties of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive incident or accident. The IPPDC non-deployable, organic medical asse t consisting of an easily erectable tent with shower systems separate lanes for genders and non-ambulatory patients (i.e. three lanes). The system also will include a containment berm, heater, run-off containment bladder, and a roller system for non-ambul atory patients. 4.0 REQUIREMENTS: A prospective system must be able to simultaneously process a minimum of six litter patients and 10 ambulatory patients per hour and must be supplied for stand-alone capability to process a minimum of 100 total patients without re-supply. The tent system must be easily portable by four personnel when folded for storage (the weight should not exceed 120lbs). The tent system should fit into a pre-existing self-containment system of 14X17 with an objective of 11.5 X 15. The tent system must be erectable and functional in a windy environment up to 50 mph with minimal failure rate and a shelf life of five years assuming a monthly set-up schedule. The tent system must be able to protect patients and team members from harsh weather environm ents. Additional space, and/or tent must be included for clothing removal. The tent system must be set-up within 10 minutes and the entire decontamination system within 20 minutes. This system must accommodate personnel working in Level C HAZMAT PPE and should be easily decontaminated once exposed to chemical or biological agents. The tent system must have a water-heating system and must be compatible with current system heater/plumbing (connector of 3/4  cam lock) system. The system is required to func tion from a fire hydrant water source at 25 psi with a 100-foot hose from hydrant to the set-up location. The tent material must be resistant to bleach and the manufacturer should have a rapid-repair service and provide operating and troubleshooting manua ls with their products. However, the manufact urer must provide on-site training as part of the procurement. Training must meet the requirements outlined in 29 CFR 1910.120 to certify the participants as Hazardous Waste and Operations (HAZWOPER) First Responders at the awareness and operations levels . The Government encourages creativity and innovation in responses to this RFI. The purpose of this RFI is to gather information about commercially available products that meet the requirements enumerated above. 5. CONTACT INFORMATION: The Point of Contact for this RFI is Maj. Thomas Walker, +1 (555) 000-0000, contact@example.gov.