Draft MRO BAA Requirements Document.pdf

Lifesaving Devices for Mass Rescue Operations

Broad Agency Announcement

Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) at sea are Search and Rescue (SAR) operations characterized by the need to provide immediate assistance to large numbers of persons in distress in a situation that exceeds the capabilities normally available to SAR authorities. An MRO example is a catastrophic passenger vessel emergency in a remote area which requires personnel to leave the vessel with limited or no access to the vessel’s inherent lifesaving apparatus. Mass rescue response options in off-shore scenarios are limited to vessels, which could have a response time of hours to days depending on the location, or fixed wing aircraft, which have limited capability to relieve an off-shore MRO event. This could be exacerbated should the MRO occur in polar regions.

Mass rescue scenarios are low probability, high consequence events. These incidents are considered low probability because passenger vessels and aircraft are equipped with redundant safety features which have, to a large extent, prevented MRO scenarios. MRO events are, however, high consequence events and thus demand conscientious investment of time and effort in advance planning to mitigate loss of life.

The MRO BAA is the first step in the process of developing a non-standard, innovative, large capacity, ultra-lightweight floating device that could be deployed from air and surface assets during MRO. The desired large capacity floating devices are not required to meet standard Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements for life saving apparatus or domestic life saving apparatus requirements under 46 Code of Federal Regulations. The device should be able to be safely handled, transported and deployed by crewmembers aboard United States Coast Guard (USCG) aircraft or vessels with minimal risk (e.g., inadvertent activation, durable during handling, etc.). The purpose of a large capacity floating device is to solely keep survivors out of the water during an MRO.

The desired large capacity floating device will differ from existing off-the-shelf USCG/SOLAS compliant "life saving devices" by its lighter weight, increased portability, and limited functionality (e.g., only keeping people out of the water for a limited time, no survival supplies or equipment, etc.).

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) intends to solicit for these devices utilizing a targeted Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). The BAA will involve submission of white papers, from which respondents will either be encouraged or not encouraged to submit a full proposal. Up to three of the submitted full proposals may be selected for contract award.

Awards under this BAA will be structured in two phases: Phase I, consisting of Design Concept, Prototype Development and Controlled Environment Testing of Prototype, and an optional Phase II, consisting of Final Design Selection and Open Water Testing.

The Government has determined the following constraints for the prototypes:

Table 1. Threshold and objectives

Requirements Threshold Objective

Person Capacity 100 150

Total Weight (lbs) 150 100

Functions as a life saving device (hrs.)

24 36

Size of packaged system (cu-ft.) - 7

Shelf life (years) 5 10

Maintenance Requirements

Minimal Maintenance

(i.e. 3 to 5 years)

No maintenance

Standard capabilities that the device should meet:

1. Allows safe egress from the water

2. Ability to be deployed from a helicopter, fixed wing aircraft without a cargo ramp, or boat

3. Ability to operate in up to a maximum Sea State 5 condition

4. Ability to operate in water temperatures between 35 - 85°F

5. Ability to operate in air temperatures between 0 - 120°F

6. Redundant inflation capabilities (e.g., not one single point of failure)

7. Ability to be safely handled, transported, and deployed by crewmembers aboard USCG aircraft or vessels with minimal risk (e.g., inadvertent activation, damage to raft during handling, snag hazards, etc.)

The design concept shall include:

1) A description of the device, including materials used, inflation components, dimensions, weight;

2) The background and level of development of device (e.g., new, adapted from other application, used operationally before, used in test before, etc.);

3) A description of the operation of the device (how the components work together, how it is deployed) and any limitations of the device (e.g., weight, space, weather, temperature);

4) Specific developmental activities that are needed to complete final design;

5) Any unique requirement or limitation of the equipment (e.g., space needed, maintenance, storage, etc.);

6) Proposed schedule and costs for Prototype Development;

7) Maintenance requirements (e.g., service intervals); and

8.) Any expected costs of ownership or maintenance expected over device’s useable life cycle.