CBD<16> EXTRACTION PARACHUTE JETTISION DEVICE

[Commerce Business Daily]

From Commerce Business Daily, June 9, 1998 PSA-2112

EXTRACTION PARACHUTE JETTISION DEVICE

Category : <16> (Aircraft Components and Accessories)
Address : U.S. ARMY SOLDIER SYSTEMS COMMAND, ACQUISITION CENTER, AMSSC-AD,
NATICK MA 01760-5011
Sol. no. : DAAN02-98-T-1186
Contact : Contract Specialist Elaine Scarnici FAX Number (508)233-5286
Due : 01 Jul, 1998

SOL DAAN02-98-T-1186 DUE 070198 POC Contract Specialist Elaine Scarnici
FAX Number (508)233-5286 (Site Code DAAN02) The US Army Soldier Systems
Command (SSCOM) seeks a Non-Developmental Item, (NDI) for an Extraction
Parachute Jettison System (EPJS), on a full and open competitive basis.
There is a need to jettison extraction parachutes during heavy equipment
airdrop malfunctions, when extraction parachutes have been deployed, but
the airdrop load (primarily Army loads) cannot be extracted from the
aircraft. If the extraction parachute is not released, the aircraft may
rapidly lose altitude, causing catastrophic loss of life and/or material.
The EDJS will allow safe and reliable jettisoning of extraction
parachutes during any extraction malfunction. The requirement is for a
brand name item, the DL 15 made by FXC Corporation, or equivalent. It is
required that the EPJS have the following capabilities: (1) Able to
release parachutes attached to heavy airdrop loads under drag forces in
the range of 150 to 15,200 pounds (95,000 pounds desired upper limit).
(2) Operate with all crew members forward of all loads to be extracted.
(3) Not degrade the overall reliability of the current airdrop system.
(4) Not compromise existing aircrew emergency aft restraint procedures.
(5) Compatible with the size and weight constraints of the aircraft cargo
compartment and existing airdrop rigging. The following capabilities are
desired: (1) Compatible with current heavy equipment loads and rigging
for both single and sequential platform airdrops. (2) Have a backup
operational capability, not requiring aircraft power. (3) The EPJS
component should be reusable at least 20 times without activation
(threshold) and after 20 activations (objective). (4) Have an individual
airdrop reliability of at least 0.99. (5) Compatible with all airlift
transport aircraft types responsible for airdropping heavy equipment. (6)
Can be rigged, inspected, monitored, and operated by one loadmaster,
possibly wearing cold weather clothing, located at the loadmaster station
of the aircraft. (7) The maximum weight of the entire system should be 10
pounds or less. (8) The system should have an indicator to show status of
rigged, armed, and activated. (9) Be capable of use and storage in all
climactic categories (hot, basic, and cold) associated with airdrop
operations. The purpose of this acquisition is to purchase an NDI EPJS
for technical feasibility testing and follow-on developmental/operational
testing, leading to down selection for a single item for production. The
Government anticipates that this acquisition, utilizing the best value
concept, may result in one or more purchase orders whereby an estimated
2-3 each EPJSs are purchased for technical feasibility testing. Upon
successful completion of technical feasibility testing, contract(s) may
be awarded for an additional estimated 30 each for
developmental/operational testing. Based on the results of
developmental/operational testing, a down selection process to a single
product will be conducted following the advisory multi-step process
outlined in FAR Part 15.202. It is anticipated that this will result in
one Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
contract. This single product will be purchased in production quantities,
with a base year and four option years. It is estimated that 300 each
complete EPJSs and an additional 700 each Extraction Parachute Jettison
Devise (EPJDs), the expendable component of the EPJS, will be ordered
during the base year of the IDIQ contract. The following documentation
shall be used to evaluate offers in descending order of importance: (1)
Literature (catalogs, brochures, technical manuals, etc.) to substantiate
claim as a Non-Developmental Item; (2) Contractor test data to include
reliability data; (3) Ability to be flexible to meet a required delivery
date; (4) Warranty/ liability; and (5) Price. Written responses to the
quotation should also include details on the design, type of material,
and design verification approach and capabilities; projected unit price
for the EPJD for the initial test quantity, the follow-on test quantity,
and the production quantity (supporting cost/pricing data is not
required); technical and/or operators manuals; and the projected delivery
schedule in terms of capability of producing the minimum and maximum
number of EPJDs per month with the anticipated lead time. Following the
evaluation of all responses, the Government will select the quotation(s)
that meets the Governments specifications, price consideration and
fulfills all the Governments requirements. The Government will evaluate
all responses submitted and provide a written response to the offeror
within ten (10) days of receipt of the quotation. Firms requesting a copy
of the quotation shall submit the request in writing by faxing to
(508)233-5286, or by E-Mail to esca...@natick-amed02.army.mil. All
requests must be submitted within 15 days of publication. Telephone calls
will not be accepted. Firms will not be reimbursed for any costs
associated with the preparation of the quotation. (0156)