Inactive

This is a Sources Sought issued solely for information and planning purposes only; and is not a notice of solicitation issuance. There is NO bid package or solicitation document associated with this a... This is a Sources Sought issued solely for information and planning purposes only; and is not a notice of solicitation issuance. There is NO bid package or solicitation document associated with this announcement. The requested information is for market research and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. No entitlement to payment by the Government of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise as a result of the submission of contractors' information. The Vendor is solely responsible for the accurate marking of any material submitted that is proprietary or restricted in nature. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. The Government shall not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. The Government does not plan to issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP) following this Sources Sought request. Responses are strictly voluntary and Not responding to this "Sources Sought" will not negatively impact an organization’s ability to respond to a future RFQ or RFP on this topic. Background: The Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) is conducting an effort to determine potential sources with the capability to provide a Cargo Parachute. AATC is seeking vendors interested in providing an affordable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution used as part of a Force Development Evaluation (FDE) effort with in the next 3 months. 1. General Performance Requirements: ANG Special Warfare (SW) requires modernization of Aerial Delivery Equipment (ADE) capabilities, specifically the cargo parachute system, to enable the deployment of the Side by Side Vehicle (SXV) and the H-763 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB). Additionally, the parachute solution must have the option to cluster multiple cargo parachutes together in order to achieve heavier bundle weight limits with acceptable decent rates. Currently fielded capabilities at the special warfare squadrons are unable to meet the weight requirements to employ the SXV (in combat configuration) and the RHIB. Additionally, the SXV diesel variant, which is heavier than the gas variant, is the life cycle replacement and will be too heavy to airdrop with the current parachutes. The ADE system (cargo parachute system) should fit within existing Special Warfare logistics facilities, be lighter than existing systems, and have a reefing cutter that is simple to configure and reuse. Additionally, the system should be able to airdrop equipment weights as light as 450 pounds and as heavy as 8,500 pounds when clustered with multiple parachutes. A single cargo parachute designed for heavy capacity of bulk-type platforms, container delivery system loads, and combat expendable platforms capable of dropping upwards of 2,200 pounds. The solution should be usable for air delivery of fragile items and designed for deceleration and stabilization of bulk-type platform air delivery cargo loads across multiple build platforms. 1.1. System Identification: The modernized ADE system will replace the legacy G-12 cargo parachute systems currently employed by AFSW units, and will provide a significant increase in mission capability. 2. Concept of Employment: 2.1 Air Force Special Warfare (AFSW) will use the new ADE capability to deploy vehicles, watercraft, and mission essential equipment in support of assigned missions. This capability will enable SW teams to airdrop heavier payloads of mission equipment thereby increasing the team’s lethality, range, and mission endurance. 3. System Requirements: 3.1 Key Performance Parameters (KPP) 3.1.1 KPP: ADE capability must be able to be inspected, packed, and configured for airdrop within existing and deployed SW unit facilities by qualified Air Force Equipment (AFE) personnel. 3.1.2 KPP: ADE single cargo parachute must be capable of supporting 450lbs up to 2,200 lbs. and when configured in a cluster, up to 5,330-8,500 lbs. 3.1.3 KPP: Cargo parachute must be low velocity and capable of delivering heavy fragile equipment loads. The ground impact rate of descent should be no faster than 29 fps at maximum exit weight for a single parachute. 3.1.4 KPP: ADE shall require no more than three personnel to inspect, pack, and recover the system. (T). ADE shall be capable of inspection, packing, and recovery by two personnel. 3.1.5 KPP: ADE cargo parachute shall have a repack cycle of no less than 24 months given proper storage condition. ADE parachute shall have a repack cycle of 36 months given proper storage conditions. 3.1.6 KPP: Cargo parachute material must be durable to withstand multiple airdrop missions, and repacking, including maritime freshwater/saltwater airdrops. Color must be suitable for military operations. 3.1.7 KPP: ADE cargo parachute shall be compatible with fixed wing, high performance aircraft including C- 130, C-17, and C-27. (T). ADE shall be compatible with all fixed wing aircraft. 3.1.8 KPP: ADE equipment maintenance and repairs shall be conducted within existing SW unit Aircrew Flight Equipment / aerial delivery facilities. 4. Key System Attributes (KSAs): 4.1. KSA: ADE cargo parachute system should be smaller in size and weight than the current G-12 system, (current G-12 system: 64-foot diameter canopy and 128 lbs.). 4.2. KSA: ADE cargo parachute should be capable of supporting up to 8,500 lbs. of equipment when configured in a cluster. 4.3 KSA: Reefing cutter should be reusable and cheaper than existing M-21 explosive ammunition reefing cutter solution. 4.3.1 KSA: Reefing cutter components should not require special ammo and logistical storage requirements inside of an armory. 4.3.2. KSA: Reefing cutter should have an adjustable timer that enables 2-stage cargo deployments. The objective of the Force Development Evaluation is to demonstrate and validate potential solutions for the proposed testing start date 3 month from release of this RFI. An actual fielding decision is beyond the scope, intent, or authority of this notice or FDE. Mission effectiveness and safety are key qualities. Interested parties capable of providing a potential Cargo Parachute solution that meets or exceeds the above requirements shall provide a statement of capability (SOC) and/or presentation. A rough order of magnitude (ROM) is requested and will be used as market research. The SOC and/or presentation shall be unclassified, PDF format and the information submitted should be pertinent to, and identify, the system capability as related to the technical effort requested. A limit of fifteen (15) pages is imposed for the responses.