2018_BAA_Visualization_in_Low_Visibility_Fire_Environments__SOO_B.pdf

Real-Time Indoor Visualization System for Low Visibility Fire Environments Statement of Objectives BAA 18-02/Call 0001/SOO B

April 1, 2019 Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

BAA 18-02/Call 0001/ SOO B Real-Time Indoor Visualization System for Low Visibility Fire Environments

Table of Contents

Contents

1.0 Problem Statement

2.0 Purpose and Scope

3.0 Background Environment

3.1 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

5.1 Must Have Requirements (Key Performance Parameters)

5.2 Desirable Capabilities or Characteristics

6.0 System Support

6.1 Contractual Requirements

6.1.1 Period and Place of Performance

6.1.2 System Affordability

6.1.3 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

6.2 Solution Support

6.2.1 Training

6.2.3 Storage and Maintenance

6.3 Contract Deliverables

1.0 Problem Statement

Firefighters are susceptible to disorientation and confusion when entering a structure with low visibility. Impaired vision in a high-stress environment endangers even the most experienced firefighters and decreases their response effectiveness. In areas of heavy smoke, firefighters might struggle to find unconscious victims, assist with the hand line, or have good situational awareness of their immediate environment. Generally, a firefighter might also be unsure of his or her next step, leading to longer fire suppression times and depleted air supplies. Gloves, self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), and masks diminish a firefighter’s sense of touch, smell, taste, and hearing, but a blinded firefighter is most significantly compromised. It is imperative that firefighters retain visual fidelity.

2.0 Purpose and Scope

Firefighters require a solution that visualizes the environment and shares critical information, but not in a distracting manner. The solution must be hands-free, able to operate in high heat and other hostile environments common to those firefighters are exposed to and cannot negatively impact the firefighter’s physical behavior. The solution is expected to be integrated with commonly used gear and must not burden the firefighter with unusual or complicated attachments.

3.0 Background Environment

3.1 Current Technology Shortfalls and Threats

Hand-held thermal imaging cameras are increasingly popular visualization tools used in low-visibility conditions. Although the technology is no longer cost-prohibitive to most fire departments, it limits a responder’s effectiveness since the device must be carried, and it only provides a vague picture of surroundings (multifaceted objects, wall corners, and wall edges often lack definition).

4.0 Potential Solution Attributes

Firefighters need a simple hands-free technology that provides visual cues or interpretation of their surroundings in addition to heat signature detection. Additionally, the solution is expected to provide (or at least be compatible with) other situational awareness enhancement technologies such as noxious gas chemical detection, air supply monitoring, event recording, or location tracking. The visualization capability for a firefighter in a low-visibility environment will decrease the likelihood of firefighter disorientation. This will improve the safety of the firefighter, improve the firefighter’s ability to navigate and fight the fire, as well as increase the likelihood of quickly finding a victim.

5.0 Solution Capabilities and Requirements

5.1 Must Have Requirements (Key Performance Parameters)

The proposed solution shall include:

• The ability to clearly and quickly distinguish outlines and edges of walls, doors, and large pieces of furniture in a smoky super-heated environment such as a house fire

• Ergonomic fit with typical firefighting gear that does not impede operations

• Ability to withstand the extreme environment in a burning building with high pressure water and other firefighting tools (i.e., foam, etc.)

• If the solution is integrated with the current full SCBA face piece with the expectation that it is always worn (e.g., during active firefighting and during overhaul), then it must allow the firefighter to switch between the SCBA harness and cylinder assembly without exposing the operator to unfiltered atmosphere. In this event, the solution’s objective is that the SCBA harness and cylinder assembly can be dismounted once the novel solution is operational with the existing face piece. If instead the solution will be stored in the emergency vehicle until it is needed and therefore donned and doffed in a safe zone, then the requirement becomes a change in concept of operations (CONOPS);

5.2 Desirable Capabilities or Characteristics

The proposed solution should:

• Wireless connection to mobile or existing communication devices

• Hands free operation

6.0 System Support

6.1 Contractual Requirements

6.1.1 Period and Place of Performance

The anticipated period of performance for the contract shall be between 12-18 months, and shall not exceed 18 months. All developmental activities will be performed at the contractor-designated site(s). DHS may require the contractor to perform preliminary and critical design reviews and/or product presentations at DHS-specified locations.

6.1.2 System Affordability

First responder agency budgets are limited and should be taken into consideration when developing and determining a price per unit cost model.

6.1.3 Regulatory/Legal Requirements

DHS is committed to providing information regarding the availability of their technology to the first responder community by requiring the project performer to submit applications to be added to the DHS Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Authorized Equipment List (AEL), the Inter-Agency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability (IAB) Standardized Equipment List (SEL) and the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act of 2002 as a final deliverable.

6.2 Solution Support

6.2.1 Training

Training information as required shall be provided on any specialized equipment, and shall include how to properly setup, deploy, store, clean, and maintain the basic unit. If a replaceable part is included in the device, proper procedures for replacing that part should be specified. Any specialty requirements of personnel conducting setup, maintenance, storage, extraction, or delivery will be identified including certification requirements. Training material shall be available initially in hard-copy, and subsequently in soft-copy format.

6.2.3 Storage and Maintenance

The contractor shall identify all necessary storage and maintenance requirements for the proposed solution including: the required maintenance schedule, if any cleaning or maintenance is needed for the solution either during use or in order to be reused subsequent times, identification of the specific components of the solution that requires the maintenance, the type of maintenance required, and whether the maintenance can be performed in the field by operational personnel or if it will be required to be returned to the manufacturer for the required maintenance.

6.3 Contract Deliverables

DHS is committed to ensuring the success of their technology by requiring the project performer to provide DHS a prototype deliverable which will be used for post-contract testing and evaluation. A minimum of two visualization system prototypes shall be provided as a final project deliverable.

DHS is also committed to ensuring the use of their technology by the first responder community by documenting metrics regarding product sales and estimated production costs for the first three years after commercialization. Additionally, to promote first responder technology awareness DHS may participate in operational exercises, demonstrations, and conferences for the first three years after commercialization.

6.3 Contract Deliverables