Due to the recent Congressional direction to move pets with evacuees, Air Mobility Command is preparing for the possibility that it may be called upon to assist with moving these pets via aircraft, in large quantities. The US Air Force Air Mobility Battlelab is exploring the availability of collapsible and disposable pet containers that can be flown on military cargo aircraft. The intent is to palletize these kennels and pre-position them at key locations throughout the country. If the need arises, the pallets can be loaded on the aircraft, built as required and then disposed of once the evacuation is complete. This eliminates the need for the crew to clean, breakdown and store the kennels as they would with conventional products. Kennels must be able to be secured using existing tie-down equipment, meet the basic standards for ventilation and accommodate a variety of sized animals typically kept as pets. This RFI may be followed by a request for proposal to conduct a Battlelab Concept Demonstration or purchase of products that respondents indicate will meet the requirements of this request. All offerors are strongly encouraged to submit information supporting this request. NOTICE TO FOREIGN OFFERORS: Foreign or foreign-owned offerors are advised that their participation is subject to foreign disclosure review procedures and restrictions that could preclude their participation in this announcement. SUBMISSIONS: Product information may be submitted until close of business Friday, 22 September 2006. White papers should not exceed five pages and should include cost estimates. Electronic responses shall be submitted in Microsoft Word format or Adobe PDF file. Refer technical questions and submit product information to the Air Mobility Warfare Center Battlelab at
[email protected]. THE SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT CONCERNING THIS RFI IS CAPT JESSICA WILLIAMS. Capt Williams can be contacted at (609) 754-7938 or
[email protected]. Electronic submittals are strongly encouraged. GENERAL AMB INFORMATION: The United States Air Force (USAF) Air Mobility Battlelab (AMB) is the Mobility Air Forces (MAF) catalyst for innovation across the spectrum of MAF missions and skills. We capitalize on links with industry, laboratories, academia and MAF professionals, to advance the USAF distinctive capabilities of Rapid Global Mobility and Agile Combat Support. The AMB strongly encourages partnering with companies to complete demonstrations through cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs), cooperative agreements, or bailment agreements, but does have a small budget to purchase COTS/GOTS-derived hardware. GENERAL RFI INFORMATION: The purpose of this RFI is to obtain information about market information or capabilities for planning purposes as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 15.201(e). Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Offerors are advised that only Air Force Contracting Officers are legally authorized to commit the Government to the obligation of funds. Offerors are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. For copyright purposes, offerors are also advised that submitting a proposal implies express permission for the Government to use the data, pictures, and other information contained in the submittals. Point of Contact Questions on the objectives or preparation of the white paper and/or technical proposal should be addressed to Capt Jessica Williams, Air Mobility Battlelab, 5656 Texas Ave, Ft Dix, NJ 08640, Commercial (609) 754-7938,
[email protected]. Questions related to contracting or cost issues should be directed to SSgt Rosita Montoban at
[email protected], Commercial (609)-754-2772 or Mrs. Roseclair Thompson at
[email protected], Commercial (609) 754-5927.