Next Gen BEAR LED Light Cart RFI.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Next Generation LED BEAR Light Cart

CAUTION:

The Government is conducting market research to identify sources for a Next Generation LED BEAR Light Cart solution for use in beddown of Forces in austere locations. The Government seeks to determine if there is presently a solution in the market, if a solution is already being developed, and also the trade-offs to consider when specifying its requirements for a solution. The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined.

The Government does not own or have access to the data for a potential LED Light Cart solution that would enable deployable lighting in austere or expeditionary environments. The Government has not determined if there is already a solution that is a commercial item. It is unknown if commercial item descriptions, commercial vendor catalogs, price lists, or commercial manuals assigned a technical manual number apply.

The purpose of this request for information is to identify if there are any products either existing, or in development to fulfill this capability. Responses in the form of papers or presentations detailing a concept or models are welcome in response to this request for information.

Information is being gathered to inform Air Force Life Cycle Management Center of any potential solutions, and also the achievability of the objectives outlined in Attachment 1. There may be additional application for wider adoption by the Air Force if the concept is determined to be achievable.

Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey. Respondents to this survey will be considered for any future industry days and informed of any requirements development.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The document(s) below contain a Contractor Capability Survey, a description of the objectives for a Next Generation LED BEAR Light Cart solution. The Survey allows Contractors to provide information on their company’s capability. The objectives provide details on the solution desired. The matrix of trade-off permits Industry to inform the Government of challenges to meet the objectives, and also an opportunity to communicate ideas for making the solution better.

2. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements and any papers, presentations, models or other information to communicate the feasibility of providing a solution. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities.

3. ATTENTION: SMALL BUSINESS RESPONDENTS who are interested in participation for this effort:

a. No set aside decision has been made; however, the Government will determine the final strategy after thorough analysis of the small business responses and other market research available, considering the demonstrated interest and capability.

Please ensure that you provide a thorough response to each question. If your company does not currently possess the full capability required to fulfill the entire requirement, what teaming/partnership/joint venture/subcontracting arrangement do you have in place to fulfill the government needs? Providing evidence of this arrangement, e.g. emails, letter, etc. that demonstrates a united response to this RFI is highly encouraged, but not required. The evidence should state the type of arrangement and the role each member will fulfill. If you are only interested in being a subcontractor to the future awardee, state the portion of the work that your organization has capability of fulfilling.

b. Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

4. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research.

Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

5. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to the PCO.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

• Company/Institute Name:

• Address:

• Point of Contact:

• CAGE Code:

• Phone Number:

• E-mail Address:

• Web Page URL:

• Government Proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code:

335999

Based on the Government proposed NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

• Small Business (Yes / No)

• Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)

• 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)

• HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)

• Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

• System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes / No)

• A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

Responses to the Capability Survey Part I and Part II must be received no later than close of business June 15th 2025. Please ensure data is in a readable electronic format that can be received through a firewall. Attachments shall not to exceed 10 MB per email. Multiple emails are acceptable. Responses must be sent via email to the following:

• Darrell Harper, darrell.harper.3@us.af.mil (PCO)

• Allison Haney, allison.haney@us.af.mil

Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to the PCO.

mailto:darrell.harper.3@us.af.mil mailto:allison.haney@us.af.mil

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and nature of the goods and/or services you provide.

2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager).

3. What is your company’s current maximum capacity per month for this particular type of requirement? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.

B. Commerciality Questions:

1. Is there established catalog or market prices for our requirement?

2. If you offer this product and/or service to both U.S. Government and commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public?

3. Is our requirement offered to both under similar terms and conditions? Briefly describe any differences.

4. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the government for items similar in nature to this requirement.

C. Manufacturing Questions

1. Describe your capabilities and experience in manufacturing with regard to the requirements of this effort.

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying manufacturing procedures.

Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience in the manufacture of the same or similar components, which are currently utilized in the commercial or military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Number of assets shipped

4. Describe your capabilities and experience in test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures with regard to manufacturing items.

5. State any technology insertion ideas for the item that would be suitable for this effort.

ATTACHMENT 1 OBJECTIVE AND THRESHOLDS

Objective: Enable a Next Generation LED BEAR Light Cart solution for deployable lighting in austere enviornments. The solution would enable the rapid beddown of Forces, and or support National Disasters and or Joint operations with Host Nations.

Thresholds:

• Shall provide remote area lighting capability. It shall be self-contained, towable light source consisting of a durable metal enclosure mounted on a two-wheel chassis.

• It shall include a diesel engine and four LED lights assemblies. The four light fixtures shall be mounted on a mechanical telescoping tower that can be manually raised 25-28 feet by a single operator.

• When fully retracted, the tower shall be hinged to permit lowering to the horizontal position and stowing of the 4 LED light fixtures for transport/towing .

• Fit two light carts into a single BICON container or 4 per 20’ISO Container.

• Total Weight wet shall not exceed 2,000lbs.

• The light cart shall be towable up to 35MPH on smooth, paved surfaces. Tires and wheels shall be rated for both on/off road.

• Light Cart should be able to operate from -45o F to +125o F.

• The generator will be sized to provide power simultaneously to the 4 LED light fixtures and provide power to one, 120 VAC 20-amp (NEMA 5-20R) convenience receptacle.

• The generator shall be designed to operate on JP-8 without any fuel additives and DF-2.

JET A shall be used as an emergency fuel source.

• Unit will be Multi-Fuel capable with JP-8 as primary. (JP-5, DF-1, DF-2, DF-A, JET A, and A-1 as secondary).

• Main generator switch with OFF/AUTO/MANUAL start feature.

• Light Photocell. A photocell will control the 4 LED lights when the Main

OFF/AUTO/MANUAL-ON light switch is in the AUTO position to automatically turn lights ON/OFF based on available light and automatically start/stop the generator.

• Solution can be certified for air transportability.

ATTACHMENT 2 MATRIX OF TRADE-OFFS

Trade-Offs: Comments about trade-offs to consider for the Government’s requirement are welcome. The thresholds cited in Attachment 1 are for the ideal solution. It is understood Industry may have insight into the achievability of these objectives. If any of the objectives are a barrier to providing a solution, identify the objective that cannot be met and what is reasonable to be achieved along with the trade-off. Also feel free to identify new or novel concepts that may improve opon the Government’s objective. The format of how this information is presented is not important.