Request for Information (RFI) for Quick Release Tether (QRT)

THIS IS A RFI ONLY. This Sources Sought (SS)/Request for Information (RFI) is being posted to be used for preliminary planning purposes in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10. The Army Contracting Command - Redstone Arsenal, AL intends to issue a solicitation for manufacture of hardware. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. This announcement does not commit the Government to solicit or award a contract now or in the future. Responders are advised that the US Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. However, responsible, interested parties may identify their interest and capability by responding to this notice. The Government will consider all information received prior to the closing date of this notice. Purpose: The Product Manager Air Warrior (PM AW) is seeking to identify interested contractors capable of manufacture and delivery of a Quick Release Extension (QRE) Tether qualified to AVNS-PRF-10855C. The Government will not pay for the qualification costs for an item that has not yet been qualified. The responses to this RFI will be used to gather information that may be able to fulfill the PM AW's needs. Background: PM AW, as the configuration manager for aviation life support equipment, has a requirement to provide QREs in support of Army Aviation crewmember requirements. The QRE must interface with the upcoming Aircrew Combat Equipment (ACE) system consisting of an aircrew survival equipment vest with integrated safety harness and armor carriage, a crew restraint assembly, and a flotation device. The proposed quick release tether must meet the requirements of AVNS-PRF-10855C and complete all qualification verifications within 90 days. Instructions: Request that interested parties provide a written response to this RFI NLT 3:00 PM CST 23 June 2023 to Army Contracting Command, Email: tarshalyn.m.sanders.civ@army.mil and kelly.n.bayha.civ@army.mil Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. Submissions can be through written correspondence and/or electronic mail. Responses should be no more than ten pages and include, at a minimum: Name and address of the interested company or organization; Contact information for the primary POC; A brief description of the potential offeror's company/organization and candidate product; A description of the potential offeror's capabilities and products; A description of how the potential offeror's product either currently meets or how it could be qualified to meet the Air Warrior requirement; A Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) cost and time estimate to complete any qualification to Air Warrior requirements; A ROM for production lead-time from contract award to system delivery;