Description
Imminent retirement of the C-141 and aging of the C-9 aircraft has led to the requirement for an aeromedical evacuation system based on aircraft pallets which could be used to convert cargo aircraft for opportune patient airlift without permanent aircraft modifications. This system would provide AMC and the overseas commands a flexible, modular capability to rapidly reconfigure airlift aircraft, to include the KC-135, KC-10, and C-17, for use in transporting various numbers and combinations of patients in order to carry out the AE mission.It is the Air Force’s intent to negotiate on a sole source basis a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) requirements contract for one year with one option year with ARINC Engineering Services, LLC, Oklahoma City, OK under authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, “Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements” for the production of Patient Support Pallets (PSP). ARINC has completed the design and testing of a functional unit, has completed the production of the first 25 units, and delivery is complete. A description of the anticipated effort follows. The objective is to procure 39 PSP units. This is to acquire commercially available and modified commercially available systems that provide aeromedical evacuation capability in the footprint of a 463L pallet, using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components to the maximum extent possible. The primary system is the PSP. The PSP offers flexible configurations to provide seating, litter stanchions, and medical equipment support for use on any airlift aircraft as required. The PSPs comprise several components that can be assembled in multiple configurations for various airframes missions. These components include: specially modified 463L pallets, litter stanchion sets, seats, pallet spacers, and pallet ramps/extensions. Each stanchion set will be capable of supporting three to four litters at adjustable intervals, depending on overhead clearance in particular airframe. Spacers provide a suitable walking surface to eliminate unsafe gaps between pallets installed on cargo rollers, while ramps and extensions eliminate tripping hazards for personnel moving between a pallet surface elevated on cargo rollers and the aircraft cargo deck. PSPs would be configurable as follows: (1) all litter configuration with a center aisle, (2) all litter configuration with back-to-back stanchion sets, (3) all seat configuration, and (4) mixed configuration of a single stanchion set with a row of seats across a center aisle. Operators Manuals shall be provided with each delivered PSP. Any alternate proposal must express verifiable capabilities to deliver a tested first article for inspection. The government will not fund testing. Testing of the first article must conform to the standards in the following paragraphs. Hardware testing: The stanchion configuration must be tested to a loading capacity of three litters at 320 lbs each and for a loading capacity of four litters: 320 lbs for the two bottom litters, 220 lbs for the third litter, and 160 lbs for the top litter. The seat must be rated for a 260 lb person. The pallet frame must be tested for use on the KC-10, KC-135, and C-17 airframes. The system must function/remain intact during and after acceleration in accordance with the following loads: 9g forward, 1.5g aft, 8g down, 4g up/lateral. Temporary and permanent deflections must neither cause serious injury nor inhibit egress. The load path from the seat to and through the pallet must be tested. The load path from the stanchion arms to and through the pallet must be tested. A 1.33 safety factor on the seat belt to seat fitting must be verified by test. A 1.33 safety factor on the seat to pallet fitting must be verified by test. All installed equipment must restrain the full load. Additionally, jet aircraft random and operational vibration testing must be successfully conducted while fully loaded with three and four litters per stanchion. Environmental testing. Testing must demonstrate that the system can operate in a temperature range of 32 – 120 degrees F, and can be stored from – 40 to 140 degrees with relative humidity from 2 – 94%. Contract value is estimated to be $3.9M. Contract award is anticipated to be September 2003. Detailed information must be submitted to the address cited below within 15 days of issuance of this synopsis. This synopsis is not to be considered a request for quotations or proposals. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. No contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice. Any information received will be used to determine if a comparable source is available and more advantageous to the Government. If no written response is received, the contract will be awarded without further notice. Written responses need to have as a minimum, (1) identification of company size (e.g., # of personnel, if 8A or small business, etc.), (2) facilities, (3) testing capabilities, (4) technical capabilities, (5) personnel and management capabilities, and (6) estimated delivery date. See numbered note 25. Submit to 311 HSW/YASK, 7980 Lindbergh Landing, Brooks City-Base, TX 78235, Attn: William Keihl or Olga Brandt.