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Heated Flight Clothing (HFC) Request for Information (RFI) #WNUK-21-005 General Introduction: 1. This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) only. Air Force Life Cycle Management Cen... Heated Flight Clothing (HFC) Request for Information (RFI) #WNUK-21-005 General Introduction: 1. This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) only. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Human Systems Program Office (AFLCMC/WNU) is conducting a market assessment to identify potential sources, and companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to respond to the requirements listed in this document. AFLCMC/WNU is issuing this RFI to explore cost effective options to provide this capability and to obtain valuable feedback in regards to the requirements for the Heated Flight Clothing (HFC) Solution listed herein. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and will be considered to determine the acquisition strategy for Air Force (AF) as well as potential future solicitations. 2. This is not a request for competitive proposals. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this RFI. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense. 3. AFLCMC is not seeking proposals at this time, and will not accept unsolicited proposals. 4. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this inquiry. This announcement is not to be construed as a formal solicitation. It does not commit the Government to reply to the information received, or to later publish a solicitation, or to award a contract based on this information. 5. Companies may be contacted if additional information is needed to fully understand the marketplace and/or comments to the requirements presented below. Purpose: The Government is seeking to obtain an electrically or criteria equivalent heated under-layer/outerlayer system of clothing covering feet, hands, torso, and legs. Equipment warming the hands and feet are the primary focus for this requirement with torso and leg capabilities being the secondary focuses. Active warming will increase core temperatures and increase blood circulation to extremities, reducing the likelihood of cold injuries and reduced dexterity. The purpose of this RFI is to gather information on the current state and availability of vendors which are capable of providing gear which provides active heating to aircrew members exposed to extreme cold temperatures - reducing bulk of clothing - and an instant heat option when aircraft doors are opened or closed, facilitating a broad working envelope. This equipment will meet the below Page 2 of 6 requirements, be sustainable, include inspection and maintenance procedures, and integrate with existing Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE). If a company is capable of some, but not the entire requirement stated in this RFI, please provide a response that explains the requirements for which you are capable. WNU is interested in any commercially available heated cold weather clothing solution to include: electrically heated motorcycle gloves/garments, electrically heated snowmachine gloves/garments, electrically heated mountain climbing gloves/garments etc. Additionally, battery sources capable of supporting such equipment on aircraft are desirable. Heated Flight Clothing Solution Requirements: The Government is requesting feedback on the requirements contained below, and to gain an understanding of potential existing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions. Please provide us with a list of commercial customers if applicable. The feedback received will be used to assess the achievability of the requirements. The Heated Flight Clothing solution requirements are as follows: Key Performance Parameter (KPP) Threshold (T)/Objective (O) Physical Features (T) Will be modular/configurable to enable the user to tailor the capability to each mission profile. Component should not have to be worn as an entire ensemble to be utilized. (Each component should be able to be used separately if desired). (T) Will provide heat and flame protection (FR) equal to the equipment it covers/replaces (outer layers). Will not melt or drip when exposed to heat and flame. (T) Will not degrade tactility and dexterity for mission requirements. Aircrew must be able to perform tasks for pre-flight, in-flight, post flight and emergency procedures. CWAS glove testing should be used as the base line for this requirement. (T) Will enable the Commercial Mobile Devices (CMD) touch screen to be operated by touching; (O) without causing any delay, without causing increased in touch-contact error or miscommunication, when compared to bare hand. Page 3 of 6 (T) Will not become stiff or crack under cold environments that interferes with its use, wear life, durability, and required protection or dexterity performances. (T) Will properly fit the 5th- 95th percentile population of each based on sizing systems for both women’s and men’s sizing). (O) Will include options for female fitment considerations to include bladder relief capability. Solution should accommodate bladder relief systems, such as the “travel john” and AMXD. (T) Active controlling measures for increase/decrease of heat power source. (O) Control mechanism should be located near the power source to facilitate ease of operation and adjustment. (T) Shall be capable of withstanding the extreme environmental conditions induced by aircraft operation, ground transport, storage and rough handling. (O) Shall perform as required with ambient temperature range of - 65°F (-54°C) and with wind-chill to - 140° F (- 96.5°C) (T) Shall be worn in conjunction with CWAS equipment and layering. Capability (cold protection) (T) Electronically Powered/Portable Battery System or combination (no aircraft modifications) (O) If electronically battery powered, battery will weigh no more than 15 lbs. and be man-portable and or able to be aircraft secured to an 8G minimum IAW aircraft flight manual. (T) Man-portable battery should be capable of operating unit for a minimum of 1.5 hours without recharge with a target capability of 4 hours without recharge. (O) Man-portable battery should be conforming to the individual and not limit range and mobility. (T) Man-portable batteries should be user changeable to eliminate need for connection cables to the battery source. Power Source (T) Shall not cause injury or irritation to using personnel. (O) Any encounter with fire will not render the system unusable or unsafe. Page 4 of 6 (T) Will not cause ancillary problem on aircraft platforms or mission operation. (T) Will not cause snag hazard in the aircrew-operating environment. Integration (T) Will not require aircraft modification. (T) Will not cause interference with aircraft systems. System may require EMI shielding. No Impact on Other Systems (O) Textiles/materials used will match current OCP pattern for outer/external components. Please document any feedback to each of the requirements. The scope of your comments should include the following: • Your ability to provide HFC which can meet the above listed requirements. Please provide current product specifications and capabilities (including description of appearance, manuals, drawings, weight, information on inspection and maintenance procedures, etc.) o Recommended changes to the requirements based on your capabilities. o Please provide current or estimated unit cost. o Please provide any available test reports to include but not limited to; ? Tensile Strength Testing ? Fire Resistance Testing ? Vertical Flame Testing ? Compression Testing (Top to Bottom, Side to Side, Front to Back) ? Drop Weight Impact Test ( Top, Back, Front, Sides) ? Environmental/Accelerated Wear Test ? High Temperature (Storage/Operation) Test ? Low Temperature (Storage/Operation) Test ? Low Pressure (Altitude) Test ? Temperature Shock (Rapid Temperature Change) Test ? Solar Radiation (Sunshine) Test ? Flame (No Drip/ No Melt) Test ? Delamination Strength Test ? Fungus Test ? Humidity Test RFI Responses: 1. Please provide your Request for Information responses to lila.ivanovska@us.af.mil and jay.phillips.4@us.af.mil by 12:00 pm EST on 5 Feb 2021. Title e-mail responses in the Page 5 of 6 subject line of the e-mail as follows: “Response to Heated Flight Clothing Solution” Request for Information #WNUK-21-005.” 2. Responses shall include the following information: Company/Institute name Address Point of Contact Cage Code DUNS Number Phone Number E-mail Address Web page URL 3. All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement, if applicable to the company’s capabilities, should be included in the company’s NAICS code listing in SAM. 4. The NAICS Code for this action is 315280, size standard 750 employees. Based on the NAICS Code, state whether your company qualifies as a: • Small Business (Yes/No) • Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No) • Economically Disadvantaged Small Business Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No) • 8(a) Certified (Yes/No) Date certified: ____________________ • HUB Zone Certified (Yes/No) • Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No) • Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No) • Statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign owned, please indicate country of ownership). 5. Please limit your responses to no more than 20 pages, to include product sheets, test data, graphs, charts and answers to the questions above; and, identify a representative to support further Government inquiries and requests for clarification of the information provided, if needed. Marketing materials are considered an insufficient response to this Request for Information. 6. Respondents should indicate which portions of their responses are proprietary and mark accordingly. All information received in response to this RFI that is properly marked as “proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Proprietary information must be clearly marked on the outside container and on the materials inside. The Government shall not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages, for any proprietary information not properly identified. Page 6 of 6 Questions: 1. Responses to questions from interested parties will be promptly answered and posted on the Beta.SAM.gov website, unless some release of proprietary information is involved or the answer addresses a question specific to a company or that company’s response. Post submittal, one-onone information sessions with respondents are not contemplated; however, they may be offered to responders to clarify the government’s understanding of their submittal, the capability ramifications, or to discuss their business approach. Information feedback sessions may be offered to respondents after the RFI assessments are completed. 2. Points of Contact (POC) for this RFI: Lila Ivanovska, Contracting Officer lila.ivanovska@us.af.mil Jay B Phillips, Contract Specialist jay.phillips.4@us.af.mil Contracting Office Address: Bldg. 12 1981 Monahan Way Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433 Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. All questions will be answered via posting answers to this Beta.SAM.gov website; except as provided above. Additionally, questions must NOT contain trade secrets or classified information. The Government reserves the right to not address questions received after 5 Feb 2021.