59-12MR-205 RFI.doc

Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Sources Sought Notice-Request for Information (RFI) Telemetry System Upgrade

59-12MR-205

I. INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE

The Mine Safety and Health Administration is issuing this Sources Sought Notice-Request for Information to improve its understanding of market capabilities and identify qualified vendors capable of providing a telemetry system for the Trapped Miner Seismic Location system.

II. BACKGROUND

MSHA has utilized a Miner Seismic Location System for search and rescue of trapped miners for more than 35 years. The system detects distress signals from trapped miners who strike the mine roof with heavy objects to generate a low frequency pressure wave. The pressure waves travel to the surface where they are converted to electric signals by seismic transducers (geophones). The signals are amplified, filtered, recorded and analyzed. The trapped miner is located by comparing the pressure wave arrival times from several different geophone arrays installed on the surface. The truck mounted Trapped Miner Seismic Location System is stationed at MSHA’s Mine Emergency Operations (MEO) facilities located in Bruceton, Pennsylvania.

The current system is functional, however it is dependent on dated technology and some equipment replacement parts are unavailable. MSHA has initiated a strategic upgrade of the Trapped Miner Seismic Location System. A new computer system with a custom software platform, Astro-Med digital chart recorder, new Ectron amplifiers and a new UPS system have been installed and are operational. All of the work has been completed without rendering the seismic location system unavailable for responding to mine emergencies. This objective was accomplished through strategic planning and careful project management.

III. OBJECTIVE

The seismic telemetry system upgrade shall include replacing the VHF radio transmitters, VHF radio receivers, receiver preamplifier, 10x combiner, signal level meters, signal level controls, associated cabling, and designing a replacement receiver rack. The VHF transmitter must integrate into the geophone array preamplifiers currently under development. A compliant solution shall include 10-field deployable VHF radio transmitters integrated into the geophone array preamplifiers, 10 VHF radio receivers and one rack containing the one preamplifier, one 10x combiner, ten signal meters, and ten signal level adjustment controls.

The new telemetry system must meet or exceed the performance specifications of the existing Monitron VHF Transmitters (model T16V27) and Monitron 10 channel VHF receiver (model R16-17-F-10). The telemetry frequencies must match existing frequencies and be compatible with existing antennas and the new preamplifiers.

IV. CAPABILITIES STATEMENTS

Through narrative description, the Contractor’s response must identify if there is a commercially available off-the-shelf item that could be modified for MSHA purposes or if an item would require research and development to meet MSHA’s need. The response must also address how the Contractor will assess the requirement and implement the product to meet the objective identified in section III.

The capabilities statement should not exceed 5 pages and should be provided in a format compatible with Microsoft Office 2007 or Adobe. Vendors are also encouraged to submit product brochures and additional information on their product. These items will not be subject to a page number limitation.

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

i. In addition to the capabilities statement, the following information should be provided in response to this Request for Information:

a. Vendor’s name;

b. Vendor’s address;

c. Point of contact name, telephone number, and e-mail address;

d. DUNS Number;

e. Identification of business size (small business, small disadvantaged, Small Woman-Owned Business, Small Veteran-Owned Business, Small Disabled Veteran-Owned Business, Small/Disadvantaged Business SBA 8(a) Program, (HUB) Zone small business);

f. GSA Schedule information if applicable;

g. Whether or not the vendor is the manufacturer of the product.

ii. Responses must be submitted in writing according to the requirements outlined in this document and received via e-mail by smith.mindy@dol.gov no later than 3:00 PM (EST) on June 6, 2012. Late responses may not be considered or evaluated.

VI. AGENCY POINT OF CONTACT

Mindy Smith

Contract Specialist

Smith.Mindy@dol.gov Office Phone: (304) 256-3537

VII. OTHER INFORMATION

All interested and qualified businesses are encouraged to respond to this notice in accordance with the instructions found herein. Responding to this RFI does not guarantee an award of a contract nor does the Government guarantee that a solicitation will be issued as a result of the RFI. The information provided may be used by MSHA in developing an acquisition strategy, Statement of Work, or Statement of Objectives. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this request or to otherwise pay for the information submitted in response to this request. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted, or competition sensitive information contained in their response.