Head Protection Systems Market Reserch

This Request for Information (RFI) is part of a market research effort by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to assess advancements in Head Protection (i.e. Helmets and Hard Hats) that could improve Coast Guard mission performance. This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for information received in response to this RFI. The USCG is conducting research to identify both operational and advanced prototype technologies. "Operational" in this context refers to existing technologies and equipment that are currently used in commercial and/or Government application, while "advanced prototype" in this context refers to proven and near-proven technologies that are expected to be available in the commercial and/or Government market in the next 12 to 18 months. The USCG intends to use the information collected from this RFI to conduct detailed systems analysis that quantifies and evaluates technology readiness and applicability, device or equipment capability, and acquisition (non-recurring) and life-cycle operating costs (recurring). You are invited to respond with information to assist the CG with its market research to identify potential sources of Helmets and Hard Hats (H&HH). BACKGROUND The Coast Guard currently outfits and deploys its surface forces with various head protection systems for various missions and/or activities (i.e. Ports Waterways Coastal Security, Search and Rescue, Heavy Weather Surf Operations, Pursuit Operations, Maritime Law Enforcement Operations, Ice Rescue, and Aids to Navigation Operations). This RFI is requesting solutions to increase the current technical capabilities of the existing H&HHs and is not limited to the types of H&HHs currently deployed. Two categories of Helmets are of interest including a) Non-Ballistic and b) Ballistic. SPECIFIC TECHNICAL INFORMATION REQUESTED The Coast Guard RDC desires detailed information regarding H&HH technologies. Submissions can include new applications of proven technologies. This request is not seeking any low Technical Readiness Level (TRL) concepts. The following information, or best available estimate, is requested for each proposed product/technology. If multiple products/technologies are presented by the same entity, the information should be specific to each product/technology. The information requested below will be used by the USCG to assess the benefits of H&HH capabilities against typical Coast Guard missions. The following questions/statements should be addressed for each product/technology described in your response to this RFI: A. General description of your H&HH capability. What products/technologies do you have that have the potential to provide head protection to boat operators, crews, and passengers? B. What agencies, governments, or other maritime service providers currently use the product/technology you described? Has this technology been used in a maritime environment by boat operators? C. If your technology is not currently available as a Commercial Off-the-Shelf product: 1. Are there any development efforts or test activities currently underway or planned to mature your product/technology and/or assess its maturity? 2. Describe the effort required to mature your advanced prototype product/technology to a fully tested, ready for production (i.e. DOD TRL 7 or higher) in terms of development time and expense. D. Please provide a response to the information requested/measures of effectiveness in the following list of features. Note: multiple helmets may be desired, but not all helmets will require all features. (Please define all distances given in feet or inches and weight in pounds.) 1. Blunt Impact Protection (Critical Feature) - Provide bump protection for forehead, sides, top, and rear of head. Specify testing standard(s). 2. Puncture Impact Protection (Critical Feature) - Provide impact protection from small falling objects and sharp edges. Specify testing standard(s). 3. Ballistic Protection (Critical Feature) - Provide protection from fragments and weaponized projectiles (~9mm and/or 40 cal). Specify testing standard(s). NOTE: This feature is not required for Non-Ballistic Helmets and/or Hard Hats. 4. Comfortable Interior (Critical Feature) - Comfortable solid (or adjustable pads) interior materials which do not retain water/sweat. 5. Field of View (Critical Feature) - Minimize Field of View obstructions. 6. Weight (Critical Feature) - Available in light weight (max 3.5 lbs) configurations. Specify weights. 7. Retention System (Critical Feature) - Strong retention system to hold helmet/hard hat in place (i.e. chin and/or neck straps). 8. Durability (Critical Feature) - Construction materials and workmanship result in durable product. 9. Facial Protection - Provide bump/impact protection for face. 10. Size - Available sizes to accommodate various head-forms. Specify sizes. 11. Ventilation/Drainage - Openings provided for ventilation and water drainage as necessary. 12. Close Fitting - Provide close fitting design to minimize water intrusion. 13. Interior Adjustability - Ability to adjust fit for other equipment (i.e. balaclava, watch cap, comms, etc.). 14. Variable Colors - Available in multiple colors (or with removable sock covers). 15. Ear Cut Out - Provide ear cut outs to accommodate various Boat Crew Communication System (BCCS) and/or other communication system designs. 16. Visor - Available with permanent or removable visor. 17. Accessory Mounts - Available with front/side mounts for various accessories (i.e. Night Vision Devices, cameras, lights, etc.). 18. Surface Resilience - Solid shell material to minimize visibility of surface scratches/scrapes. 19. Rough Order of Magnitude Cost - Initial purchase and maintenance costs. 20. Manufacturer Warranty - Multiyear warranty over estimated service life. 21. Please Identify if you are a Small or Large Business 22. Business Size with regard to NACIS 541712 Note: The technologies of interest are intended to be used in a maritime environment which includes exposure to sea spray, wet conditions and vibration and shock commonly encountered in a small boat maritime environment. These conditions should be addressed with respect to each product/technology. RESPONDING TO THIS MARKET RESEARCH It is desired that responses to this RFI address all of the topics discussed in the ‘SPECIFIC TECHNICAL INFORMATION REQUESTED.' Topics may be combined or treated individually. However, if information is not available for some of the topic areas, your submission is still of interest to the USCG. When responding to the RFI, please include the following information: • A one page cover letter that provides a brief summary of the response and indicating if supporting documentation is included. • Amplifying information that addresses all areas of information requested by this RFI in sections "SPECIFIC TECHNICAL INFORMATION REQUESTED." If pre-developed marketing or technical information and specification sheets are provided, please include additional information, as necessary to "fill the gaps" between pre-developed material and the information required. Digital photographs, line drawings, and illustrations that clarify descriptive text are encouraged. • A description of any information relative to what products/technologies are currently available and what additional products/technologies may become available over the next 12 to 18 months • If multiple products/technologies are presented by the same entity, the responses to these questions should be specific to each product/technology. • Provide a list of U.S. (or international) Government contracts for products/technologies where applicable • Provide any digital photos and/or digital videos of the products/technologies in operation if able • In order to fully analyze the responses please include justification / amplifying information (e.g. reports, videos, actual applications, etc.) which supports your responses. • Please limit electronic responses to no more than 25 pages per product/technology (supporting documentation in the form of a glossary or attachments to the RFI response will not be counted towards the 25-page limit). If your RFI response is greater than 10 MB, please provide it on DVD media and mail it to: ATTN: MS. HELEN CARNES, CONTRACTING DIVISION U.S. COAST GUARD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER 1 CHELSEA STREET NEW LONDON, CT 06320-5506 This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and will not be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. Responses to this market survey should be sent to [email protected]. All questions regarding this RFI should also be sent to [email protected] . PHONE CALLS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, VOICE MAIL MESSAGES LEFT WILL NOT BE RETURNED AND EMAILS WILL NOT BE RESPONDED TO. Information submitted will be reviewed by Government personnel only at the USCG RDC. The deadline for final responses to the RFI is 14 November 2016. REMINDER: UNLESS RESPONSE IS GREATER THAN 10 MB, RESPONSES MUST BE EMAILED TO: [email protected]