THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE FOR THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD (USCG) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (RDC) IN GROTON, CT. This is not a solicitation and there are no current plans to issue a solicitation. This Request For Information is part of a market research effort to assess industry capabilities that will best address the USCG’s need. The USCG RDC is chartered to conduct research, development, testing and evaluation activities. The USCG RDC is contemplating closing its Fire & Safety Test Detachment, Mobile, AL thereby eliminating its capability to conduct in-house full-scale shipboard fire tests. The USCG RDC needs to identify test laboratories capable of performing the research currently being done at the Fire & Safety Test Detachment, Mobile, AL. The RDC also needs to understand the potential costs that will be incurred when using such a laboratory. The USCG RDC is looking for a test laboratory capable of conducting full scale marine fire tests needed to support its fire research projects to: (1) assist CG regulatory decisions regarding approval of fire protections systems for maritime vessels; and (2) support CG positions regarding recommendations to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regarding its various fire test protocols. The replacement laboratory would need the capability to conduct full scale fire tests to evaluate the fire protection/extinguishing capability of various fire protection/prevention components/systems (e.g., foams, aerosols, gaseous agents, dry chemicals, and water sprays). The laboratory shall have the capability to conduct fire test scenarios involving machinery spaces, cargo holds, passenger staterooms, and large (e.g., 50ft x 50ft) pool fires. The test areas must be realistic in configuration to the space it would be duplicating on a vessel. The laboratory shall be capable of generating four principal test scenarios: 1. It must have the capability to create a large (e.g., 3,000 cubic meter) cargo hold having two levels to conduct large volume testing of fire protection extinguishing testing. The cargo hold shall be of steel construction, include fire doors and a ventilation system. 2. It must have the capability to conduct International Maritime Organization fire suppression testing in their standard 500 cubic meter test chamber complete with ventilation system, engine mockup, and openings. They must be able to handle a range of agents including high expansion foam, aerosols, and Halon-alternatives. 3. It must have the capability to conduct compartment tests (i.e., basic room size for passenger ship, e.g.10 ft x 10ft x 8 ft) to evaluate furnishings and bunk components. 4. It must also have the capability to conduct large (e.g., 50 ft x 50 ft) pool fires which can be used to evaluate fire suppression of different foams. The laboratory shall have the capability to write a test plan for evaluating fire protection/prevention systems, conduct the tests, record and analyze the data, and write the final report. The laboratory shall determine which fire protection components/systems to be tested, purchase the systems, and insure they were installed to manufacturer specifications for the testing. The laboratory shall have the capability to install instrumentation to measure various fire parameters (e.g., temperature, heat flux, different gas concentrations) and record the data for analysis. When responding to this market research, please provide the following information: (A) A cost estimate to construct the IMO test chamber (e.g., steel, materials, ventilation systems, drains, doors and labor) in Marine Safety Committee Circular (MSC Cir.) 848., (B) an estimated cost of conducting the test procedures in MSC/Cir. 848; and (C) an estimated cost of chamber removal if the chamber cannot be left in place at the laboratory. (D) Estimated costs associated with engineering services, technician rates, heavy duty equipment rates, as well as instrumentation and computer rates. (E) Can test structures (e.g., cargo hold, IMO chamber, passenger compartment, steel structures for pool fires) be left intact or stored (i.e. preserved) for future testing/use to reduce construction and breakdown fees? (F) Most fire projects involve two weeks of testing per year, can this duration of testing be supported at one time or will it need to be broken up into shorter time increments? (G) Normally the CG RDC conducts one to two test projects per year with each test series being two weeks in duration. Does test scheduling require long lead times by the laboratory? (H) Most test laboratories conduct standardized tests. Can test laboratory deviate from standardized tests based on direction provided by onsite USCG test representative who is observing ongoing tests/results and makes suggested changes? Please limit electronic response to no more than 15 pages. Responses to this market survey shall be sent directly to
[email protected] with a copy to
[email protected]. Only electronic responses will be accepted and shall be submitted no later 16 June 2006. With regard to the NAICS, please identify if you are a Small or Large Business. PHONE CALLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND MESSAGES LEFT WILL NOT BE RETURNED.