Underwater Propulsion Device for Combatant Divers

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT ONLY AND YOUR RESPONSE IS NOT AN OFFER AND DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY ANY COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION OF ANY SUBMISSION TO THIS MARKET SURVEY, OR TO CONTRACT FOR SUPPLIES/SERVICES. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia is seeking sources and information for a system that will serve as an Underwater Propulsion Device for Combatant Divers, from this point forward referred to as "the device". Specifically, Marine Corps Systems Command is seeking a device that is capable of subsurface operation via intuitive control inputs, has simple low-level maintenance requirements, is lightweight, and can operate over long ranges/durations. Interested companies with a production representative, commercial, non-commercial, and/or non-developmental item that is capable of being certified in accordance with NAVSEAINST 10560.2D Procedures for Evaluation of Diving Equipment for Authorization for Military Use, dated 13 Jun 2011 are welcome to submit a reply to this RFI. NAVSEAINST 10560.2D will be provided upon request. The device shall meet the below requirements: Requirements 1. The Diver Propulsion Device (DPD) will propel one Combatant Diver in full dive equipment, plus 120 pounds of combat equipment, at a depth of 20fsw (threshold = objective). 2. The DPD will provide simple hands-free propulsion and maneuverability that does not require hands to steer or maintain course and depth. Hands must be free during operation to allow diver to hold other equipment. 3. The device must not require extensive training for setup, operation, or long term skills maintenance. 4. The DPD shall be capable of sustained sub-surface speed of up to 3 knots with a Combatant Diver defined in attribute #1 (threshold) up to 4 knots (objective) with no water current for a period of one hour. 5. The DPD with a combatant diver with full dive equipment and mission essential equipment, as defined in attribute #1 shall have a sub-surface range of 10NM (threshold), 12NM (objective). 6. The DPD shall weigh 40 pounds (threshold) 20 pounds (objective) when in full operational mode including required power source. 7. The DPD shall be operationally maintainable at the using unit without the need for Depot support. 8. The device shall be of a size that does not preclude approval in accordance with NAVSEAINST 9590.1 Special Operations Forces Requirements and Standards for Transport and Stowage on Submarines and Deep Submergence Systems. 9. The device's power supply shall be rechargeable from 110VAC, 60 HZ power sources with a preference for being rechargeable from 110/220VAC 50/60 HZ power sources. 10. The device's power supply shall be capable of receiving approval in accordance with NAVSEAINST 9590.1 Special Operations Forces Requirements and Standards for Transport and Stowage on Submarines and Deep Submergence Systems. This Request for Information (RFI) is for planning and informational purposes only and shall not be considered as any of the following: (1) a Request for Proposal (RFP), (2) an obligation on the part of the Government to issue a request for proposal, and/or (3) obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Interested parties are solely responsible for all costs and expenses associated with their respective response to this RFI. The Government will not reimburse interested parties for any direct and/or indirect costs and/or expenses associated with their respective responses to this RFI, including, but not limited to any direct and/or indirect costs associated with any submission or information provided to the Government. Moreover, interested parties will not otherwise be entitled to any compensation associated with the Government's use of any submission or information provided by an interested party to the Government pursuant to this RFI. Furthermore, the information provided in this RFI is notional and may change. The Government is under no obligation to revise any aspect of this RFI should any information provided herein change. The Government will provide any additional information and issue any additional requests for information at its sole discretion. Commercial and/or non-commercial, non-developmental companies with existing equipment capable of meeting the requirements above are encouraged and invited to submit product brochures and pricing materials outlining specifications, to include a statement of capabilities, production and delivery rate on a monthly basis, warranties offered with pricing, recommended spare parts with pricing, and system repair capability at a Marine Corps unit level. Responses should be limited to a total of 10 pages not including brochures. Responses shall include a matrix with the requirements stated above plus any available reliability data, expected number of battery charge lifecycle, and how the vendor's product meets each requirement or could be modified to do so. Vendor responses shall also include a statement asserting to the commerciality of its product. The attached "Assertion of Commerciality" document or similar statements shall be provided. Responses will be reviewed to identify firms potentially capable of fulfilling the Governments requirements. The Government recognizes that proprietary data may be part of this effort. If so included, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data and present it as an addendum to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. The Government does not assume any duty to contact a respondent and inquire whether any unmarked information submitted in response to this RFI is proprietary. Additionally, interested firms are requested to provide the following information in their RFI response: (a) company name, company address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), cage code, point of contact, e-mail address, telephone number, fax number; and (b) indicate business size (i.e., large, foreign, small disadvantaged, veteran owned, minority owned, etc) to the Government representative listed below; and (c) when sending an e-mail please reference: Underwater Propulsion Device for Combatant Divers in the Subject line. Responses to this RFI shall be e-mailed to Cori Walls, Contract Specialist at contact@example.gov at the Marine Corps Systems Command, no later than 15 November 2012.