IPSAFE Next Generation One-Person Life Raft Modernization Sources Sought Synopsis.pdf

Next Generation One-Person Life Raft Modernization

Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS)

General Introduction:

1. This announcement constitutes a Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) only. The Air Force Life

Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Human Systems Division (AFLCMC/ROU) is conducting a market assessment to identify potential sources and companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience with one-person life rafts to meet AF requirements. AFLCMC is issuing this SSS to explore cost-effective options to provide this capability and to obtain valuable feedback regarding the attached System Requirements

Document (SRD).

2. This is not a request for a quote, request for proposals (RFP), or an invitation to bid, nor is this to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach.

The Government will not reimburse or pay for any information submitted in response to this

SSS or any follow-up information requests. Please be advised that all submissions become

Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this

SSS will be solely at the responding party’s expense.

3. Not responding to this SSS does not preclude participation in any future Request for

Proposal (RFP). Small Businesses are encouraged to provide responses to this SSS to assist

AFLCMC in determining potential levels of competition available in the industry, as well as helping to establish a basis for developing any subsequent small business subcontract plan goal percentages. An acquisition strategy is still being determined. Market research results will assist the Air Force in determining the acquisition strategy.

4. Note that if there is sufficient demonstrated interest and capability among small business contractors, then it may be determined that a small business set-aside is appropriate. A key factor in determining if an acquisition will be a small business set-aside is that two or more potential small business prime contractors must be capable of performing at least 50% of the effort, as defined in Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) clause 52.219-14, “Limitations on

Subcontracting.” If it is determined that a small business set-aside is appropriate, and your company anticipates submitting a proposal as the prime contractor for a small business set-aside, please provide specific details and rationale as to how compliance with RFO 52.219-14 with subcontracts are to be used, provide anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small or large businesses will be used. Respondents should clearly delineate any teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements and provide previous experience in teaming. If this effort is not set-aside for small business, then the Government will consider using small businesses. Large and small businesses should provide a reasonable expectation for small business utilization as a percent of total contract value, as well as supporting rationale for the recommended percentage.

5. In accordance with RFO 15.101(c) responses to this notice are not offers and the U.S.

Government cannot accept to form a binding contract. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor the SAM (sam.gov) site for any additional information pertaining to this SSS.

6. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this inquiry.

Respondents shall not construe this announcement 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.

7. The Government may contact companies if it requires additional information to fully understand the marketplace and/or comments to the requirements presented in the SRD.

8. Responders should also state whether they are interested in being a prime contractor for this requirement or a subcontractor.

Purpose:

9. Gather additional information on the current state and availability of vendors that can provide one-person life rafts meeting Air Force safety and sustainment requirements while incorporating the desired next-generation features. The Government is requesting feedback on the requirements contained within the SRD.

One-Person Life Raft Requirements:

10. Respondents can find one-person life raft requirements in the attached SRD. Please document any feedback to each of the requirements. The scope of your comments should include the following:

a. Your ability to currently meet each of the requirements in the

SRD without further development of your life raft

b. List of requirements that cannot currently be met

c. Anticipated schedule of when a completed product will be available for shipment

11. If a company is capable of some, but not the entire requirement stated in this Sources Sought

Synopsis, please provide a response that explains the requirements for which you are capable and how you intend to overcome any deficiencies.

Sources Sought Responses:

12. Please provide your SSS responses to Capt Krystal Ruiz-Velez at krystal.ruiz-velez@us.af.mil

30 days from September 22st ,2026, at a time no later than 12:00 PM. Title e-mail responses in the subject line of the e-mail as follows: “Response to Next Generation One-Person Life

Raft Modernization Sources Sought Synopsis”.

13. Responses shall include the following information:

a. Company/Institute name

b. Address

c. Point of Contact

d. CAGE Code

e. DUNS Number

f. Phone Number

g. E-mail Address

h. Web page URL

14. All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoW 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. The NAICS Code for this action is 314999. Based on the NAICS Code, state whether your company qualifies as a:

• Small Business (Yes/No)

• Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

• Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes/No)

• 8(a) Certified (Yes/No)

(If yes, SBA Certification Date:

SBA Graduation Date: .)

• 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).

mailto:krystal.ruiz-velez@us.af.mil

15. Please provide the following (or similar) technical information:

Ability to meet the Next Generation One-Person Life Raft Requirements in the attached

System Requirements Document (SRD)

16. Please provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate. ROM length should be no more than 2-3 pages and provide the estimated cost per life raft. Specifically for production, include life raft unit costs and monthly production capacity for an estimated total of 2000 production units and ~30 test units. The Government is interested in obtaining product support engineering data or a Technical Data Package (TDP). Furthermore, please provide an estimate for any technical manuals for life raft use and operation. Finally, the

Government is interested in obtaining technical data rights for demonstrated competitive procurement for the development of the one-person life raft and its components.

17. Please limit your responses to no more than 20 pages, to include product sheets, test data, answers to the questions above; identify a representative to support further Government inquiries and requests for clarification of the information provided, if needed. The

Government will consider all Marketing materials as an insufficient response to this SSS.

18. Respondents should indicate which portions of their responses are proprietary and mark accordingly, and all proprietary information must be clearly marked on the outside container and on the materials inside. The Government will handle all information properly marked as proprietary information. The Government is not liable for, or suffer any consequential damages, for any proprietary information not properly identified.