Request for Information (RFI) Modular Cold Food Counter (MCFC) with Refrigerated Storage and Dessert Display Case 23 December 2011 INTRODUCTION: The Department of Defense (DoD) Combat Feeding Directorate (CFD) is planning to conduct a research effort to procure, test and document the next generation Modular Cold Food Counter (MCFC) with Refrigerated storage and dessert display case. The MCFC research effort is planned to be conducted by the DoD Combat Feeding Directorate, Systems Equipment and Engineering Team (SEET). This announcement constitutes an RFI notice for planning purposes and is intended for the development of research efforts in support of the Natick Solider Research development and Engineering Command (NSRDEC) Combat Feeding Program. Responses to this RFI are optional. This is NOT a Request for Proposals. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS EXIST AT THIS TIME. This RFI does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that NSRDEC will take procurement action in this matter. Neither NSRDEC nor the Government will be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing this information. GENERAL BACKGROUND: The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force is required to feed anywhere from several hundred to several thousand sailors and airmen each day depending on ship or field kitchen size. In order to do that, many different pieces of food service equipment are required. The Navy and Air Force's current food service practices necessitates the use of a cold food serving line, a refrigerated dessert display case, and separate refrigerated storage. Having three separate appliances requires a significant footprint and galley/kitchen floor space is at a premium. (Three section modular unit that can be integrated into one MCFC). The footprint currently occupied by having separate appliances is not nearly as efficient as it could be. The utilization of Commercial (COTS) equipment components is preferred. A need exists to develop a single cold food serving appliance that can take the place of multiple separate appliances currently used. By taking a cold food counter and integrating refrigerated storage beneath and a refrigerated dessert display case above, the overall serving line footprint can be reduced. OPERATIONAL CONCEPT: The MCFC will be used by both the Navy and Air Force. In order to reduce the serving line footprint, the cold food serving line will have refrigerated drawer storage underneath that is able to accommodate six full size hotel pans (20"X 12.5"). Above the serving line will be a refrigerated dessert display case. In order to be put the MCFC aboard a naval vessel it must be able to fit through a 26"x66" hatch. To accomplish this, the MCFC must be modular and put together on-site without welding. It shall also have provisions for easy lifting and movement by 4 Warfighters. SPECIFIC INFORMATION OF INTEREST: The MCFC is expected to meet the majority of the current performance requirements as well as some additional characteristics/capabilities as listed below: 5 Refrigerated Cold Serving Wells- Able to accommodate full-size, four-inch deep, hotel pans 6 pan refrigerated drawer storage for full-size, four-inch deep, hotel pans under the serving line Refrigerated dessert display case above the serving line Power Requirement: 110V/60 Hz/1 , 208V/60 Hz/3 and 440V/60 Hz/3 Rugged to withstand the six degrees of motion encountered in a shipboard environment; three translations (surge, sway and heave), and three rotations (roll, pitch and yaw). Must be able to remain operable on a 30 incline and undamaged on a 45 incline Easy to clean- o Stainless steel interior and exterior (304 Stainless Steel minimum 16 gauge) o Must meet NSF-2, NSF-7 and NFPA wiring requirements for foodservice equipment o Easy access to refrigeration coils for cleaning, repair, and maintenance from the front of the unit Modular to fit through a 26"x66" hatch. Refrigerator doors must have positive latching mechanisms in both open and closed positions Operate within safe levels of radiated and conducted electromagnetic interference, as defined by MIL-STD-461 for naval vessels Reduce the overall footprint of having three separate appliances MCFC requires options for both lockable caster wheels and flange feet. CONTENT AND FORMAT OF ANSWERS AND TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTIONS: The electronic copy of responses is to be in Adobe Acrobat 9, Microsoft Word 2003, or Microsoft Word 2007 compatible format. The Government is requesting responses from industry to the following questions: 1. Which companies are interested in this project and if a MCFC is feasible and affordable using existing and mature technologies? 2. Provide an illustration of your proposed design for the MCFC. 3. Provide basic specifications on major components utilized. 4. What does your company consider as the main technical, engineering and cost challenges and what are your initial thoughts/approaches to address those challenges? 5. What technologies will most likely be employed by your company's solution? 6. What do you anticipate the costs per unit will be with your proposed solution? NOTE: Please submit all pages as a single (.doc or .pdf) file. Name files in accordance with the following convention: "Company Name, Product Name" QUESTIONS AND POINTS OF CONTACT: Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the following personnel: Lou Jamieson NSRDEC - Combat Feeding Directorate Systems Equipment and Engineering Team Code: RDNS-CFS 15 Kansas Street Natick, MA 01760 E-mail:
[email protected] SUBMISSION DATE AND ADDRESS: Electronic responses to this notice are requested to be emailed to one of the following appropriate e-mail addresses no later than COB EST January 6, 2012. Earlier responses are encouraged. The subject line of the e-mail should follow the form "Modular Cold Food Counter RFI: Company Name. NOTE: This RFI is issued for the purpose of determining market capability of sources and does not constitute an Invitation for Bid (IFB), a Request for Proposal (RFP), a Request for Quote (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice. All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses may not include classified material. Responses to this notice will not be returned. All of the responses will remain confidential. Availability of any formal solicitation will be announced under a separate Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) announcement.